bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leukocyte extracellular vesicle concentration is inversely associated with liver fibrosis severity in NAFLD
Authors: Welsh Joshua A , Scorletti Eleonora , Clough Geraldine F , Englyst Nicola A , Byrne Christopher D 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
The enhanced liver fibrosis (LFS) score and the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score (NFS) are algorithmic-derived scores for diagnosing severe (F3/F4) liver fibrosis. In a pilot, substudy of the Wessex Evaluation of fatty Liver and Cardiovascular markers in NAFLD with OMacor thErapy (WELCOME) trial, we tested whether measurements of plasma platelet-, endothelial-, and leukocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) counts are (a) associated with, and predict, F3/F4 fibrosis and (b) able to improve risk prediction of F3/F4 fibrosis in NAFLD, building upon LFS or NFS algorithms. Twenty-six individuals with NAFLD had liver fibrosis severity determined by Kleiner scoring after liver biopsy. Plasma samples stained with CD41a, CD42b, CD31, CD105, CD14, CD16, and CD284 antibodies were analyzed using flow cytometry to measure platelet-, endothelial-, and leukocyte-derived EVs counts. The independence of associations between EVs and F3/F4 fibrosis were tested using logistic regression. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate F3/F4 fibrosis prediction models. LFS was more strongly associated with F3/F4 fibrosis than NFS (χ2 = 15.403, P &lt; 0.0001, and χ2 = 6.300, P = 0.012, respectively). The association between LFS and F3/F4 fibrosis was further improved by addition of CD14+ EVs (χ2 = 20.847, P = 0.016 vs. χ2 = 12.803 P = 0.015, respectively) or CD16+ EVs (χ2 = 22.205, P = 0.009 vs. χ2 = 17.559 P = 0.001, respectively), and the area under the ROC for LFS (AUC = 0.915, se = 0.055, P = 0.001) was increased by the addition of CD14+ or CD16+ EVs (AUC = 0.948, se = 0.042, and P &lt; 0.001 and AUC = 0.967, se = 0.055, P &lt; 0.001, respectively) as predictor variables. In this small preliminary study, CD14+ and CD16+ EV counts show potential to predict liver fibrosis severity with either marker improving the ability of the LFS to identify F3/F4 fibrosis in this small preliminary cohort study.
In a small preliminary study, leukocyte extracellular vesicles show an inverse association with liver fibrosis in NAFLD, warranting their further investigation as biomarkers.
A novel Tc‐99m and fluorescence‐labeled arginine‐arginine‐leucine‐containing peptide as a multimodal tumor imaging agent in a murine tumor model
Authors: Kim Myoung Hyoun , Kim Seul‐Gi , Kim Dae‐Weung 
Published: March 2018

We developed a Tc‐99m and TAMRA‐labeled peptide, Tc‐99m arginine‐arginine‐leucine (RRL) peptide (TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL), to target tumor cells and evaluated the diagnostic performance of Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL as a dual‐modality imaging agent for tumor in a murine model. TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL was synthesized using Fmoc solid‐phase peptide synthesis. Binding affinity and in vitro cellular uptake studies were performed. Gamma camera imaging, biodistribution, and ex vivo imaging studies were performed in murine models with PC‐3 tumors. Tumor tissue slides were prepared and analyzed with immunohistochemistry using confocal microscopy. After radiolabeling procedures with Tc‐99m, Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL complexes were prepared in high yield (>96%). The Kd of Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL determined by saturation binding was 41.7 ± 7.8 nM. Confocal microscopy images of PC‐3 cells incubated with TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL showed strong fluorescence in the cytoplasm. Gamma camera imaging revealed substantial uptake of Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL in tumors. Tumor uptake was effectively blocked by the coinjection of an excess concentration of RRL. Specific uptake of Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL was confirmed by biodistribution, ex vivo imaging, and immunohistochemistry stain studies. In conclusion, in vivo and in vitro studies revealed substantial uptake of Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL in tumors. Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL has potential as a dual‐modality tumor imaging agent.
Understanding the mode of binding mechanism of doripenem to human serum albumin: Spectroscopic and molecular docking approaches
Authors: Maryam Lubna , Sharma Ashima , Azam Mohd W. , Khan Shahper N. , Khan Asad U. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria are widely treated with carabapenem antibiotics as a drug of choice, and human serum albumin (HSA) plays a vital role in binding with drugs and affecting its rate of delivery and efficacy. So, we have initiated this study to characterize the mechanism of doripenem binding and to locate its site of binding on HSA by using spectroscopic and docking approaches. The binding of doripenem leads to alteration of the environment surrounding Trp‐214 residue of HSA as observed by UV spectroscopic study. Fluorescence spectroscopic study revealed considerable interaction and complex formation of doripenem and HSA as indicated by Ksv and Kq values of the order of 104 M−1 and 1012 M−1 s−1, respectively. Furthermore, doripenem quenches the fluorescence of HSA spontaneously on a single binding site with binding constant of the order of 103 M−1, through an exothermic process. Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding are the major forces operating to stabilize HSA‐doripenem complex. Circular dichroism spectroscopic study showed changes in the structure of HSA upon doripenem binding. Drug displacement and molecular docking studies revealed that the binding site of doripenem on HSA is located on subdomain IB and III A. This study concludes that, due to significant interaction of doripenem on either subdomain IB or IIIA of HSA, the availability of doripenem on the target site may be compromised. Hence, there is a possibility of unavailability of threshold amount of drug to be reached to the target; consequently, resistance may develop in the bacterial population.
Seed point discontinuity‐based segmentation method for the substantia nigra and the red nucleus in quantitative susceptibility maps
Authors: Guo Tian , Song Yang , Li Jianqi , Fan Mingxia , Yan Xu , He Andi , Huang Dongya , Shen Chaomin , Zhang Guixu , Yang Guang 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundThe automatic segmentation of cerebral nuclei in the quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) images can provide assistance for surgical treatment and pathological mechanism studies. However, as the most frequently used segmentation method, the atlas method provides unsatisfactory results when segmenting the substantia nigra (SN) and the red nucleus (RN).PurposeTo propose and evaluate an improved automatic method based on seed points‐discontinuity for segmentations of the SN and the RN in QSM images.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsIn all, 22 subjects, 11 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and 11 healthy subjects (mean age of 68.0 ± 6.9 years) underwent MR scans.Field Strength/Sequence3T system and a 3D multiecho gradient echo sequence with monopolar readout gradient.AssessmentManual segmentations by two radiologists (both with over 10 years of experience in neuroimaging) were used to establish a baseline for assessment. The Dice coefficient and the center‐of‐gravity distance was employed to evaluate the segmentation accuracy.Statistical TestsThe mean value and standard deviation of the Dice coefficient and center‐of‐gravity distance were calculated separately to compare segmentation results from the proposed method, the level set method, the atlas method (including the single‐atlas method and the multi‐atlas majority voting method).ResultsThe statistical results of Dice coefficient of the SN and the RN between the ground truth and the segmentation were 0.79 ± 0.14 and 0.77 ± 0.06 for the proposed method, 0.40 ± 0.10 and 0.65 ± 0.09 for the level set method, 0.68 ± 0.09 and 0.64 ± 0.07 for the single‐atlas method, 0.70 ± 0.06 and 0.68 ± 0.05 for the multi‐atlas majority voting method, respectively. The proposed method also provides the lowest center‐of‐gravity distance value (1.05 ± 0.71 for the SN and 0.74 ± 0.35 for the RN).Data ConclusionThe segmentation results of the proposed method performed well on the in vivo data and were closer to the manual segmentation than the atlas method.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1112–1119.
Comparison between 3D isotropic and 2D conventional MR arthrography for diagnosing rotator cuff tear and labral lesions: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Lee Sun Hwa , Yun Seong Jong , Jin Wook , Park So Young , Park Ji Seon , Ryu Kyung Nam 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundAlthough 3D‐isotropic MR arthrography has been characterized as a substitute imaging tool for rotator cuff tear (RCT) and labral lesions, it has not been commonly used in clinical practice because of controversy related to image blurring and indistinctness of structural edges.PurposeTo perform a comparison of the diagnostic performance of 3D‐isotropic MR arthrography and 2D‐conventional MR arthrography for diagnosis of RCT (solely RCT, full/partial‐thickness supraspinatus [SST]‐infraspinatus [IST] tear, or subscapularis [SSc] tear) and labral lesions.Study TypeMeta‐analysis.PopulationPatients with shoulder pain.Field Strength/Sequence3D‐isotropic and 2D‐conventional MR arthrography at 3.0T or 1.5T.AssessmentPubMed and EMBASE were searched following the PRISMA guidelines.Statistical TestsBivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic modeling were performed to compare the overall diagnostic performance of 3D‐isotropic and 2D‐conventional MR arthrography. Multiple‐subgroup analyses were performed for diagnosing RCT, full/partial‐thickness SST‐IST tear, SSc tear, and labral lesions. Meta‐regression analyses were performed according to subject, study, and MR arthrography characteristics including 3D‐isotropic sequences (turbo spine echo [TSE] vs. gradient echo [GRE]).ResultsEleven studies (825 patients) were included. Overall, 3D‐isotropic MR arthrography had similar pooled sensitivity (0.90 [95% CI, 0.87–0.93]) (P = 0.95) and specificity (0.92 [95% CI, 0.87–0.95]) (P = 0.99), relative to 2D‐conventional MR arthrography (sensitivity, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.86–0.94]); specificity, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.87–0.95]). Multiple‐subgroup analyses showed that sensitivities (P = 0.13–0.91) and specificities (P = 0.26–0.99) on 3D‐isotropic MR arthrography for diagnosing RCT, full/partial‐thickness SST‐IST tear, SSC tear, and labral lesions were not significantly different from 2D‐conventional MR arthrography. On meta‐regression analysis, 3D‐TSE sequence demonstrated higher sensitivity (P < 0.01) than 3D‐GRE for RCT and labral lesions.Data Conclusion3D‐isotropic MR arthrography can replace 2D‐conventional MR arthrography. 3D‐isotropic MR arthrography using TSE sequence is recommended for more accurate diagnosis, as it demonstrates increased sensitivity.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1034–1045.
Prospective comparison of PI‐RADS version 2 and qualitative in‐house categorization system in detection of prostate cancer
Authors: Gaur Sonia , Harmon Stephanie , Mehralivand Sherif , Bednarova Sandra , Calio Brian P. , Sugano Dordaneh , Sidana Abhinav , Merino Maria J. , Pinto Peter A. , Wood Bradford J. , Shih Joanna H. , Choyke Peter L. , Turkbey Baris 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundProstate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System v. 2 (PI‐RADSv2) provides standardized nomenclature for interpretation of prostate multiparametric MRI (mpMRI). Inclusion of additional features for categorization may provide benefit to stratification of disease.PurposeTo prospectively compare PI‐RADSv2 to a qualitative in‐house system for detecting prostate cancer on mpMRI.Study TypeProspective.PopulationIn all, 338 patients who underwent mpMRI May 2015–May 2016, with subsequent MRI/transrectal ultrasound fusion‐guided biopsy.Field Strength3T mpMRI (T2W, diffusion‐weighted [DW], apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC] map, b‐2000 DWI acquisition, and dynamic contrast‐enhanced [DCE] MRI).AssessmentOne genitourinary radiologist prospectively read mpMRIs using both in‐house and PI‐RADSv2 5‐category systems.Statistical TestIn lesion‐based analysis, overall and clinically significant (CS) tumor detection rates (TDR) were calculated for all PI‐RADSv2 and in‐house categories. The ability of each scoring system to detect cancer was assessed by area under receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC). Within each PI‐RADSv2 category, lesions were further stratified by their in‐house categories to determine if TDRs can be increased by combining features of both systems.ResultsIn 338 patients (median prostate‐specific antigen [PSA] 6.5 [0.6–113.6] ng/mL; age 64 [44–84] years), 733 lesions were identified (47% tumor‐positive). Predictive abilities of both systems were comparable for all (AUC 76–78%) and CS cancers (AUCs 79%). The in‐house system had higher overall and CS TDRs than PI‐RADSv2 for categories 3 and 4 (P < 0.01 for both), with the greatest difference between the scoring systems seen in lesions scored category 4 (CS TDRs: in‐house 65%, PI‐RADSv2 22.1%). For lesions categorized as PI‐RADSv2 = 4, characterization of suspicious/indeterminate extraprostatic extension (EPE) and equivocal findings across all mpMRI sequences contributed to significantly different TDRs for both systems (TDR range 19–75%, P < 0.05).Data ConclusionPI‐RADSv2 behaves similarly to an existing validated system that relies on the number of sequences on which a lesion is seen. This prospective evaluation suggests that sequence positivity and suspicion of EPE can enhance PI‐RADSv2 category 4 cancer detection.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1326–1335.
Variable impact of CSF flow suppression on quantitative 3.0T intracranial vessel wall measurements
Authors: Cogswell Petrice M. , Siero Jeroen C.W. , Lants Sarah K. , Waddle Spencer , Davis L. Taylor , Gilbert Guillaume , Hendrikse Jeroen , Donahue Manus J. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundFlow suppression techniques have been developed for intracranial (IC) vessel wall imaging (VWI) and optimized using simulations; however, simulation results may not translate in vivo.PurposeTo evaluate experimentally how IC vessel wall and lumen measurements change in identical subjects when evaluated using the most commonly available blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow suppression modules and VWI sequences.Study TypeProspective.Population/SubjectsHealthy adults (n = 13; age = 37 ± 15 years) were enrolled.Field Strength/SequenceA 3.0T 3D T1/proton density (PD)‐weighted turbo‐spin‐echo (TSE) acquisition with post‐readout anti‐driven equilibrium module, with and without Delay‐Alternating‐with‐Nutation‐for‐Tailored‐Excitation (DANTE) was applied. DANTE flip angle (8–12°) and TSE refocusing angle (sweep = 40–120° or 50–120°) were varied.AssessmentBasilar artery and internal carotid artery (ICA) wall thicknesses, CSF signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and signal ratio (SR) were assessed. Measurements were made by two readers (radiology resident and board‐certified neuroradiologist).Statistical TestsA Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was applied with corrected two‐sided P < 0.05 required for significance (critical P = 0.008, 0.005, and 0.05 for SNR/CNR, SR, and wall thickness, respectively).ResultsA TSE pulse sweep = 40–120° and sweep = 50–120° provided similar (P = 0.55) CSF suppression. Addition of the DANTE preparation reduced CSF SNR from 17.4 to 6.7, thereby providing significant (P < 0.008) improvement in CSF suppression. The DANTE preparation also resulted in a significant (P < 0.008) reduction in vessel wall SNR, but variable vessel wall to CSF CNR improvement (P = 0.87). There was a trend for a difference in blood SNR with vs. without DANTE (P = 0.05). The outer vessel wall diameter and wall thickness values were lower (P < 0.05) with (basilar artery 4.45 mm, 0.81 mm, respectively) vs. without (basilar artery 4.88 mm, 0.97 mm, respectively) DANTE 8°.Data ConclusionIC VWI with TSE sweep = 40–120° and with DANTE flip angle = 8° provides the best CSF suppression and CNR of the approaches evaluated. However, improvements are heterogeneous, likely owing to intersubject vessel pulsatility and CSF flow variations, which can lead to variable flow suppression efficacy in these velocity‐dependent modules.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1120–1128.
A perfectly matched layer formulation based on auxiliary differential equations for truncating radial point interpolation method meshless domains
Authors: de Oliveira Rodrigo M. S. , Brandão Marcelo B. S. , Sousa Washington 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAn auxiliary‐differential equation perfectly matched layer formulation is developed for the first time for truncating radial point interpolation method meshless domains. Absorption parameters are optimized, producing maximum relative reflection error of −84.14 dB when 10 layers are used. The developed formulation is also validated by calculating the radar cross section of a metallic cylindrical scatterer, which has a known analytical solution.
A review of weakly conditional stable finite‐difference time‐domain method for modeling electromagnetic problems with fine structures
Authors: Chen Juan , Mai Huanxiao 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method has been proven to be an effective tool for simulating varieties of electromagnetic interaction problems. However, because the Courant‐Friedrich‐Levy condition must be satisfied in this method, its maximum time step size is limited by the minimum size of cell used in the computational domain. So, the FDTD method is inefficient to analyze the electromagnetic problem, which has very fine structures. To deal with this problem, the weakly conditional stable (WCS)‐FDTD method is developed. In the WCS‐FDTD method, the confinement of the fine spatial meshes on the time step size is removed by using the hybrid implicit explicit difference in the directions with fine structures. So, this method has much higher computational efficiency than the FDTD method and is extremely useful for the problems that have fine structures in 2 directions. In this paper, the fundamental theory, including the basic formulations, time stability condition, dispersion error, and absorbing boundary condition of the WCS‐FDTD method are presented. Some applications and important developments of this method are provided, and future possibilities of this method are discussed.
Evaluation of the atrial substrate based on low‐voltage areas and dominant frequencies after pulmonary vein isolation in nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kumagai Koji , Minami Kentaro , Sugai Yoshinao , Oshima Shigeru 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the atrial substrate in the left atrium (LA) by low‐voltage areas (LVAs) and high‐dominant frequencies (DFs) after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsIn 70 patients with nonparoxysmal AF patients (41 persistent AF), LA voltage maps were created during sinus rhythm by external cardioversion after PVI and DF mapping. The patients were divided into AF‐free and AF‐recurrent groups.ResultsThe AF freedom rate without antiarrhythmic drugs was 69.0% after PVI after 1 procedure during a 12‐month follow‐up. There was a significant difference in the LVA (<0.5 mV)/LA surface area after PVI between the AF‐free and AF‐recurrent groups (15% vs 23%, P = .033). AF freedom was significantly greater in those with LVAs of ≤24% than in those with LVAs of >24% during 12 months of follow‐up (78.6% vs 53.8%, Log‐rank test P = .020). Fifty‐six (72%) of the 78 high‐DF sites (≥8 Hz) overlapped with LVAs. Thirty‐one (55%) of 56 high‐DF sites overlapped with LVAs that existed at LVA border zones. There were no significant differences in number of high‐DF sites that overlapped with LVAs in the LA between the two groups. However, in persistent AF patients, the max‐DF value in the LA exhibited a significant difference between the two groups (P = .008).ConclusionsLVAs were associated with AF recurrences after PVI in nonparoxysmal AF patients and overlapped with many high‐DF sites. PVI alone may be enough to treat patients with mild‐to‐moderate extent (≤24%) of LVAs.
Estimation of Resting Energy Expenditure Using Predictive Equations in Critically Ill Children: Results of a Systematic Review
Authors: Jotterand Chaparro Corinne , Moullet Clémence , Taffé Patrick , Laure Depeyre Jocelyne , Perez Marie‐Hélène , Longchamp David , Cotting Jacques 
Published: March 2018

AbstractProvision of adequate energy intake to critically ill children is associated with improved prognosis, but resting energy expenditure (REE) is rarely determined by indirect calorimetry (IC) due to practical constraints. Some studies have tested the validity of various predictive equations that are routinely used for this purpose, but no systematic evaluation has been made. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of the literature to assess predictive equations of REE in critically ill children. We systematically searched the literature for eligible studies, and then we extracted data and assigned a quality grade to each article according to guidelines of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Accuracy was defined as the percentage of predicted REE values to fall within ±10% or ±15% of the measured energy expenditure (MEE) values, computed based on individual participant data. Of the 993 identified studies, 22 studies testing 21 equations using 2326 IC measurements in 1102 children were included in this review. Only 6 equations were evaluated by at least 3 studies in critically ill children. No equation predicted REE within ±10% of MEE in >50% of observations. The Harris–Benedict equation overestimated REE in two‐thirds of patients, whereas the Schofield equations and Talbot tables predicted REE within ±15% of MEE in approximately 50% of observations. In summary, the Schofield equations and Talbot tables were the least inaccurate of the predictive equations. We conclude that a new validated indirect calorimeter is urgently needed in the critically ill pediatric population.)
Long‐Term Therapy With Teduglutide in Parenteral Support–Dependent Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome: A Case Series
Authors: Ukleja Andrew , To Chau , Alvarez Alicia , Lara Luis F. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo review all cases of parenteral support (PS)–dependent patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) treated with teduglutide (Gattex, Shire) and to evaluate its efficacy and adverse effects.MethodsThis is a retrospective descriptive cohort of SBS patients treated with teduglutide. Demographics, bowel length, primary diagnosis, PS volume/duration, teduglutide dose, and side effects were collected prospectively.ResultsSix SBS patients (4 females, 2 males) received teduglutide. Mean age was 46.3 years (range 26–71). SBS etiology was vascular (n = 3), multiple resections (n = 2), and strangulation (n = 1). Length of residual small bowel was between 30–120 cm. The bowel anatomy was colon present (n = 3) and stoma n = 3 (ileostomy, 2; colostomy, 1). PS duration was 1.5–14 years. Weekly PS volume was mean 7.7 liters/week (1–14). Number of PS days per week ranged 1–7 days. Mean duration of teduglutide therapy was 31 months (24–36). All patients achieved ≥20% reduction in PS weekly volume within 6 months. PS was weaned in all patients. Adverse effects included abdominal bloat/discomfort (n = 3), stoma enlargement (n = 3), bowel obstruction (n = 1), and congestive heart failure (n = 1).ConclusionsAll PS‐dependent SBS patients treated with teduglutide were weaned off PS. Patients with colon in continuity and lower PS weekly volume requirements were weaned off PS sooner than those with end‐stomas and higher PS volume requirements. Teduglutide was well tolerated. Additional clinical studies of teduglutide in SBS patients with marginal PS requirements are needed.