bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EGCG and enzymatic cross‐linking combined treatments for improving elastin stability and reducing calcification in bioprosthetic heart valves
Authors: Lei Yang , Yang Li , Guo Gaoyang , Wang Yunbing 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe failures of glutaraldehyde (GLUT) cross‐linked bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) are mainly due to degeneration and calcification. In this study, we developed a new preparation strategy for BHVs named as “HPA/EDC/EGCG” that utilized 3,4‐hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (HPA)‐conjugated pericardium, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) enzymatic cross‐linking. HPA–pericardium conjugation was done by carbodiimide coupling reaction using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). Then HPA‐conjugated pericardium was cross‐linked by HRP/H2O2 enzyme‐catalyzed oxidation. The feeding ratios of HPA and EGCG were optimized. The consumption of amino groups, collagenase and elastase degradation in vitro, biomechanics, extracellular matrix stability, and calcification of HPA‐/EDC‐/EGCG‐treated pericardiums were characterized. We demonstrated that HPA‐/EDC‐/EGCG‐treated pericardiums had better elastin stabilization and less calcification. EGCG and enzymatic cross‐linking treated pericardiums showed improved mechanical properties. This new EGCG and enzymatic cross‐linking strategy would be a promising method to make BHVs with better elastin stability and anti‐calcification property. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1551–1559, 2019.
Accelerated MRI of the Lumbar Spine Using Compressed Sensing: Quality and Efficiency
Authors: Bratke Grischa , Rau Robert , Weiss Kilian , Kabbasch Christoph , Sircar Krishnan , Morelli John N. , Persigehl Thorsten , Maintz David , Giese Daniel , Haneder Stefan 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundDecreasing MRI scan time is a key factor to increase patient comfort and compliance as well as the productivity of MRI scanners.Purpose/HypothesisCompressed sensing (CS) should significantly accelerate 3D scans. This study evaluated the clinical application and cost effectiveness of accelerated 3D T2 sequences of the lumbar spine.Study TypeProspective, cross‐sectional, observational.PopulationTwenty healthy volunteers and 10 patients.Field Strength/SequenceA 3D T2 TSE sequence, identical 3D sequences with three different parallel imaging and CS accelerating factors, and 2D TSE sequences as a clinical reference were obtained on a 3T scanner.AssessmentThree readers evaluated the sequences for delineation of anatomical structures and image quality. A quantitative analysis consisting of root mean square error, structural similarity index, signal‐to‐noise ratio, and contrast‐to‐noise ratio were performed. The scan times were used to calculate cost differences for each sequence.Statistical TestsAn analysis of variance with repeated measurements and the Friedman test were used to test for potential differences between the sequences. Post‐hoc analysis was made with the chi‐squared and Tukey–Kramer test.ResultsCS with factor 4.5 results in unchanged image quality compared to the T2 TSE for volunteers and patients (overall image impression: 4.75 vs. 4.20 [P = 0.73] and 4.90 vs. 4.47 [P = 0.44]). The CS 4.5 scan is 167 seconds (–39%) faster than the 3D and 216.5 seconds (–45%) faster than the 2D sequences. No significant differences was found for the diagnostic certainty in the volunteers and patients between 2D TSE and 3D CS 4.5 (P = 0.89 and P = 0.43). A reduction of scan time to 148 seconds (CS 8) was still rated acceptable for most diagnosis.Data ConclusionCS accelerates the 3D T2 without compromising image quality. The 3D sequences offer comparable diagnostic quality to the clinical 2D standard with less scan time (–45%), potentially increasing the productivity of MRI scanners.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 6 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:e164–e175.
Long‐Term Supplementation of Black Elderberries Promotes Hyperlipidemia, but Reduces Liver Inflammation and Improves HDL Function and Atherosclerotic Plaque Stability in Apolipoprotein E‐Knockout Mice
Authors: Millar Courtney L. , Norris Gregory H. , Jiang Christina , Kry James , Vitols Addison , Garcia Chelsea , Park Young‐Ki , Lee Ji‐Young , Blesso Christopher N. 
Published: September 2018

ScopeHDL particles are protective against atherosclerosis, but may become dysfunctional during inflammation and chronic disease progression. Anthocyanin‐rich foods, such as the black elderberry, may improve HDL function and prevent disease development via antioxidant and/or anti‐inflammatory effects. This study investigates the long‐term consumption of black elderberry extract (BEE) on HDL function and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein (apo) E−/− mice.Methods and ResultsApoE−/− mice (n = 12/group) are fed a low‐fat diet, supplemented with 0, 0.25%, or 1% (by weight) BEE (≈37.5–150 mg anthocyanins per kg body weight) for 24 weeks. Feeding 1% BEE increases total serum cholesterol (+31%) and non‐HDL cholesterol (+32%) compared with the control diet. PON1 arylesterase (+32%) and lactonase (+45%) activities also increase with the 1% BEE diet. Both 0.25% BEE and 1% BEE diets strongly increase HDL cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) by 64% and 85%, respectively. Further, BEE dose‐dependently lowers serum liver enzymes and hepatic inflammatory gene expression. Although there is no change in neutral lipid accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions, BEE promotes connective tissue deposition in the aortic root.ConclusionsChronic BEE supplementation in apoE−/− mice dose‐dependently improves HDL function. Despite BEE promoting hyperlipidemia, which likely offsets HDL effects, BEE increases connective tissue content, suggesting improved atherosclerotic plaque stability.
Sulfated Polysaccharide from Sea Cucumber and its Depolymerized Derivative Prevent Obesity in Association with Modification of Gut Microbiota in High‐Fat Diet‐Fed Mice
Authors: Zhu Zhenjun , Zhu Beiwei , Sun Yujiao , Ai Chunqing , Wang Lilong , Wen Chengrong , Yang Jingfeng , Song Shuang , Liu Xiaoling 
Published: September 2018

ScopeSulfated polysaccharide from sea cucumber (SCSP), Stichopus japonicus, has been shown to prevent diverse diseases, but little is known about its effects on obesity and gut microbiota in mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD).Methods and resultsDiet‐induced obese, BALB/c mice are fed an HFD with or without SCSP and depolymerized SCSP (d‐SCSP, 0.004 kcal g−1) for 8 weeks. The results show that both SCSP and d‐SCSP reduce body weight, fat and liver hypertrophy, insulin resistance, and serum lipid and inflammatory cytokine levels in HFD‐fed mice. Moreover, SCSP and d‐SCSP not only prevent HFD‐induced gut disorder, as indicated by the enriched probiotic Akkermansia and reduce endotoxin‐bearing Proteobacteria, but also improve the SCFAs and endotoxin (LPS) levels and gut tissue index. Spearman's correlation analysis reveals that several specific genera are strongly correlated with obesity‐related indexes. In addition, the inhibitory effect of d‐SCSP on fat accumulation is more effective than that of SCSP, which may be related to their different regulation of the gut microbiota.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that SCSP can prevent diet‐induced obesity and its associated diseases by modulating the gut microbiota and improving microbial metabolites and gut tissue, and its effects can be enhanced by free‐radical depolymerization.
A Bayesian approach for 4D flow imaging of aortic valve in a single breath‐hold
Authors: Rich Adam , Potter Lee C. , Jin Ning , Liu Yingmin , Simonetti Orlando P. , Ahmad Rizwan 
Published: September 2018

PurposeTo develop and validate a data processing technique that allows phase‐contrast MRI‐based 4D flow imaging of the aortic valve in a single breath‐hold.Theory and MethodsTo regularize the ill‐posed inverse problem, we extend a recently proposed 2D phase‐contrast MRI method to 4D flow imaging. Adopting an empirical Bayes approach, spatial and temporal redundancies are exploited via sparsity in the wavelet domain, and the voxel‐wise magnitude and phase structure across encodings is captured in a conditional mixture prior that applies regularizing constraints based on the presence of flow. We validate the proposed technique using data from a mechanical flow phantom and five healthy volunteers.ResultsThe flow parameters derived from the proposed technique are in good agreement with those derived from reference datasets for both in vivo and mechanical flow experiments at accelerations rates as high as R = 27. Additionally, the proposed technique outperforms kt SPARSE‐SENSE and a method that exploits spatio‐temporal sparsity but does not utilize signal structure across encodings.ConclusionsUsing the proposed technique, it is feasible to highly accelerate 4D flow acquisition and thus enable aortic valve imaging within a single breath‐hold.
On the limitations of partial Fourier acquisition in phase‐contrast MRI of turbulent kinetic energy
Authors: Walheim Jonas , Gotschy Alexander , Kozerke Sebastian 
Published: September 2018

Purpose:To investigate limitations of partial Fourier acquisition in phase‐contrast MRI of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE).Methods:To assess the validity of partial Fourier reconstruction of TKE and phase images, computational fluid dynamics data of mean and turbulent velocities in a stenotic U‐bend phantom was used. Partial Fourier acquisition with 75% k‐space coverage was simulated and TKE data were reconstructed using zero‐filling, homodyne reconstruction, and the method of projections onto convex sets (POCS). Results were compared to data from fully sampled k‐space and 75% symmetric sampling. In addition, compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction was compared for a standard variable density sampling pattern and a variable density sampling pattern combined with 75% partial Fourier. For illustration purposes, in vivo examples of velocity magnitude and TKE maps of aortic flow reconstructed with the different methods are provided.Results:In accordance with theory, partial Fourier reconstruction of TKE maps from phase‐contrast data results in artifacts relative to fully sampled data. It is demonstrated that neither homodyne reconstruction nor POCS can improve reconstruction of TKE data with respect to zero‐filling reconstruction when compared to ground‐truth (RMS error: 4.70%, 4.34%, and 2.45% for homodyne, POCS, and zero‐filling reconstruction of in vivo data, respectively). CS reconstruction from data acquired with partial Fourier did not recover the resolution loss incurred by partial Fourier sampling.Conclusion:Partial Fourier reconstruction of TKE maps from phase‐contrast data does not yield a benefit over zero‐filling reconstruction. In consequence, symmetric sampling is preferred over partial Fourier acquisition for a given number of phase‐encodes in phase‐contrast MRI.
A simplified framework to optimize MRI contrast preparation
Authors: Reeth Eric Van , Ratiney Hélène , Tse Ve Koon Kevin , Tesch Michael , Grenier Denis , Beuf Olivier , Glaser Steffen J. , Sugny Dominique 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
This article proposes a rigorous optimal control framework for the design of preparation schemes that optimize MRI contrast based on relaxation time differences.
Methods
Compared to previous optimal contrast preparation schemes, a drastic reduction of the optimization parameter number is performed. The preparation scheme is defined as a combination of several block pulses whose flip angles, phase terms and inter‐pulse delays are optimized to control the magnetization evolution.
Results
The proposed approach reduces the computation time of ‐robust preparation schemes to around a minute (whereas several hours were required with previous schemes), with negligible performance loss. The chosen parameterization allows to formulate the total preparation duration as a constraint, which improves the overall compromise between contrast performance and preparation time. Simulation, in vitro and in vivo results validate this improvement, illustrate the straightforward applicability of the proposed approach, and point out its flexibility in terms of achievable contrasts. Major improvement is especially achieved for short‐T2 enhancement, as shown by the acquisition of a non‐trivial contrast on a rat brain, where a short‐T2 white matter structure (corpus callosum) is enhanced compared to surrounding gray matter tissues (hippocampus and neocortex).
Conclusions
This approach proposes key advances for the design of optimal contrast preparation sequences, that emphasize their ability to generate non‐standard contrasts, their potential benefit in a clinical context, and their straightforward applicability on any MR system.
Size and Age of Stonecats in Lake Champlain; Estimating Growth at the Margin of their Range to Aid in Population Management
Authors: Puchala Elizabeth A. , Parrish Donna L. , Ogle Derek H. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Little is known about populations of Stonecat Noturus flavus, especially in the northeastern United States, where they are at the edge of their range. In Lake Champlain tributaries, Stonecats are listed as endangered in Vermont but not in New York. Here we describe the growth of Stonecats in two tributaries to Lake Champlain, one in Vermont (LaPlatte River), which was our primary interest, and one in New York (Great Chazy River), with von Bertalanffy growth models fit to lengths at the times of marking and recapture and to observed length and age data. We also compared growth of Stonecats in these waters to results from other locations near the middle of their distribution. Stonecats in the Great Chazy River were larger at ages 1–3, but similar in size for ages 4 and 5, than Stonecats from the LaPlatte River. Stonecats in Lake Champlain tributaries were generally larger at age than those from the middle of their range, except for those from Lake Erie. From our mean length-at-age results and previous literature estimates of length at maturity for Stonecats, it appears that Stonecats in Lake Champlain reach maturity by age 3, though future research that directly estimates age at maturity would be more informative. These results will help managers assess the effect of various environmental and human stressors that Stonecats have experienced in the Lake Champlain basin in recent years. Furthermore, our results expand the literature, which lacks information about growth of this species. Finally, our mark–recapture approach to estimating growth of Stonecats can be applied to other species, especially where data are limited because of their status, and in other systems.
Proteomic Profiling of Iron‐Treated Ovarian Cells Identifies AKT Activation that Modulates the CLEAR Network
Authors: Rockfield Stephanie , Guergues Jennifer , Rehman Nabila , Smith Aaron , Bauckman Kyle A. , Stevens Stanley M. , Nanjundan Meera 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAlthough iron is essential for cell survival, dysregulated levels can contribute to cancer development or even cell death. The underlying mechanisms mediating these events remain unclear. Herein, proteomic alterations are assessed in iron‐treated ovarian cell lines using reverse phase protein array (RPPA) technology and potential functional responses via ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). Using these approaches, upregulation of pathways modulating organismal death with alterations in mTOR, MAPK, and AKT signaling in HEY ovarian cancer cells in contrast to T80 non‐malignant ovarian cells is noted. Since modulation of cell death is mediated in part via microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MiTF) family, which regulates lysosomal biogenesis and autophagosome formation by upregulating expression of coordinated lysosomal expression and regulation (CLEAR) network, expression changes in these factors in response to iron are investigated. Increased transcription factor EB (TFEB) in T80 (relative to HEY), accompanied by its nuclear translocation and increased CLEAR network gene expression with iron, is identified. Inhibition of AKT alters these responses in contrast to mTOR inhibition, which has little effect. Collectively, these findings support use of RPPA/IPA technology to predict functional responses to iron and further implicate AKT pathway and MiTF members in iron‐induced cellular responses in ovarian cells.
Sustainable poly(ether amide)s from lignin‐derived precursors
Authors: Saenz Guery , Scott Colleen 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTIn recent years, there have been concerted efforts to replace petrochemical products with those from renewable sources due to the unsustainability of petroleum feedstock, and the continued volatility in the price. This work describes the synthesis and thermal properties of two new lignin‐derived poly(ether‐amide)s as alternative thermoplastics to petroleum‐based commodities. Poly‐4‐(2‐aminoethoxy)benzoate (PEAB) and poly‐4‐(2‐aminoethoxy)‐3‐methoxybenzoate (PEAV) are synthesized by a melt polycondensation and characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the polymers are estimated from the 1H NMR spectroscopy analysis, and were shown to be 4100 and 12,000 g/mol for PEAB and PEAV respectively. The PEAB had a higher decomposition temperature (Td) as well as glass transition temperature (Tg) compared to PEAV; albeit, with a lower molecular weight. The polymers’ Td were in the range of 330 °C–380 °C and the Tg were between 100 °C and 120 °C. The thermal properties of the polymers are in the desirable range for thermoplastic materials used in the packaging, storage, and coating industries. Furthermore, the polymers are susceptible to degradation under acidic conditions in a short period; a property that is highly desirable for degradable polymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2154–2160
dS Supergravity from 10d
Authors: Kallosh Renata , Wrase Timm 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe consider flux compactification of type II string theory with local sources on SU(3)‐structure manifolds. By adding pseudo‐calibrated anti‐‐branes wrapped on supersymmetric cycles we generalize all existing models so that the effective , supergravity now includes a nilpotent multiplet. We present a new dictionary between string theory models and Kähler potential K and superpotential W for these dS supergravities with a nilpotent multiplet and non‐linearly realized local supersymmetry. In addition to KKLT and LVS with uplifting ‐branes, we have now new models with uplifting , , , ‐branes. The new uplifting contribution to the supergravity potential due to Volkov‐Akulov supersymmetry is universal. As one application of our general result, we study classical flux compactifications of type IIA supergravity and find that a previously discovered universal tachyon is now absent.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Exploratory Exposure‐Response Relationships of Diazepam in Children Treated for Status Epilepticus
Authors: Ku Lawrence C. , Hornik Christoph P. , Beechinor Ryan J. , Chamberlain James M. , Guptill Jeffrey T. , Harper Barrie , Capparelli Edmund V. , Martz Karen , Anand Ravinder , Cohen‐Wolkowiez Michael , Gonzalez Daniel ,   on behalf of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act – Pediatric Trials Network Steering Committee
Published: September 2018

Diazepam is labeled for status epilepticus (SE) in children, but there are limited data characterizing its disposition in pediatric patients. We developed a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of i.v. diazepam in children with SE. We evaluated relationships between PK parameters and both safety and efficacy, and simulated exposures using dosing regimens from the product label and clinical practice. The model was developed using prospective data from a pediatric clinical trial comparing diazepam to lorazepam for treatment of SE. Altogether, 87 patients aged ≥ 3 months to < 18 years contributed 162 diazepam concentrations. Diazepam PKs were well characterized by a two‐compartment model scaled by body size. No significant or clinically important relationships were observed between diazepam PKs and safety or efficacy. Simulations demonstrated that, compared with label dosing, the study dose (0.2 mg/kg i.v., maximum 8 mg) resulted in greater frequency in rapidly achieving the target therapeutic range of 200–600 ng/mL.
Electronic structure calculation of vanadium‐and scandium‐based endohedral fullerenes VSc2N@C2n (2n = 70, 76, 78, 80)
Authors: Bhusal Shusil , Baruah Tunna , Yamamoto Yoh , Zope Rajendra R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe present candidate structures for the most stable isomers for the VSc2N@C70, VSc2N@C76, VSc2N@C78, and VSc2N@C80 using a systematic procedure that involves all possible isomers of the host fullerene cages. Subsequently, a detailed investigation of structural and electronic properties of the lowest energy isomers is performed using density functional theory in combination with large polarized Gaussian basis sets. The search correctly identifies the experimentally observed VSc2N@C80 isomer as the most stable structure. The structural analysis shows that only VSc2N@C70 has a non‐IPR cage among the four endohedral fullerenes. Respectively, VSc2N@C70 and VSc2N@C76 have nearly degenerate spin states with total spin S = 0 and S = 1. All the lowest energy cages are energetically stable and show significant electron accepting capacity comparable to C60.
Localized orbitals for optimal decomposition of molecular properties
Authors: Nikolaienko Tymofii Y. , Bulavin Leonid A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe present the procedure for transforming delocalized molecular orbitals into the localized property‐optimized orbitals (LPOs) designed for building the most accurate, in the Frobenius norm sense, approximation to the first‐order reduced density matrix in form of the sum of localized monoatomic and diatomic terms. In this way, a decomposition of molecular properties into contributions associated with individual atoms and the pairs of atoms is obtained with the a priori known upper bound for the decomposition accuracy. Additional algorithm is proposed for obtaining the set of “the Chemist's LPOs” (CLPOs) containing a single localized orbital, with nearly double occupancy, per a pair of electrons. CLPOs form an idealized Lewis structure optimized for the closest possible reproduction of one‐electron properties derived from the original many‐electron wavefunction. The computational algorithms for constructing LPOs and CLPOs from a general wavefunction are presented and their implementation within the open‐source freeware program JANPA (http://janpa.sourceforge.net/) is discussed. The performance of the proposed procedures is assessed using the test set of density matrices of 33 432 small molecules obtained at both Hartree‐Fock and second‐order Moller‐Plesset theory levels and excellent agreement with the chemist's Lewis‐structure picture is found.