bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the pharyngeal airway using computational fluid dynamics in patients with acromegaly
Authors: Mukaihara Keika , Hasegawa‐Moriyama Maiko , Iwasaki Tomonori , Yamasaki Youichi , Kanmura Yuichi 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesPerioperative airway management may be particularly challenging in patients with acromegaly undergoing trans‐sphenoidal pituitary surgery (TSS). Management for airway obstruction is required prior to pituitary surgery to minimize perioperative hypoxia. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate airway obstruction by simulation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using computed tomography (CT) images in patients who had undergone TSS.MethodsCT images of the nasopharyngeal airways of patients with acromegaly (n = 5) or nonfunctional pituitary adenoma (n = 6) undergoing TSS from April 2012 to January 2017 were used to construct these airways in three dimensions. Estimated airflow pressure and velocity in the retropalatal airway (RA), oropharyngeal airway (OA), and hypopharyngeal airway (HA) were simulated using CFD.ResultsEstimated pharyngeal airflow pressure in the HA, OA, and RA was significantly greater in patients with acromegaly than in those with nonfunctional pituitary adenomas whereas the estimated pharyngeal airflow velocity was significantly impaired only in the RA of patients with acromegaly. Minimum postoperative SpO2 both within 3 hours and from 3 to 12 hours after the end of anesthesia was significantly lower in the patients with acromegaly. Additionally, estimated volume of tongue and pharyngeal airflow pressure in the HA, OA, and RA correlated with minimum postoperative SpO2.ConclusionPharyngeal airflow pressure estimated from CT images is high in patients with acromegaly, and these values correlate with postoperative minimum values for SpO2. Preoperative evaluation of CT images by CFD can predict difficulty in airway management and perioperative hypoxia.Level of Evidence4.
Revisiting vascular contraindications for transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Gorphe Philippe , Auperin Anne , Honart Jean‐François , Ton Van Jean , El Bedoui Sophie , Bidault François , Temam Stéphane , Kolb Frédéric , Qassemyar Quentin 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveWe analyzed the outcomes for patients with a retropharyngeal internal carotid artery (ICA) who underwent a transoral robotic surgery (TORS) procedure involving a cervical‐transoral robotic oropharyngectomy course with free flap reconstruction.MethodsPatients were included in the prospective multicentric trial NCT02517125. These patients were scheduled to undergo surgery for an oropharyngeal localization. By pre‐operative CT scan and MRI it was determined that they had a retropharyngeal internal carotid artery.ResultsThree patients had a retropharyngeal ICA: a patient with a 35 mm synovial sarcoma of the tonsillar fossa, a patient with a T2N2b squamous‐cell carcinoma (SCC) of the glossotonsillar sulcus, and a patient with a T3N0 SCC of the tonsillar fossa in a previously irradiated field. These patients encountered neither preoperative nor postoperative complications.ConclusionsIn our experience, TORS for oropharyngeal cancers appears to be feasible in patients with a retropharyngeal ICA, provided that the procedure has been adapted for complex situations.Level of evidence4.
CO2 limited conditions favor cyanobacteria in a hypereutrophic lake: An empirical and theoretical stable isotope study
Authors: Van Dam Bryce R. , Tobias Craig , Holbach Andreas , Paerl Hans W. , Zhu Guangwei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHarmful algal blooms (HABs) are a global problem, exacerbated by rising temperatures, cultural eutrophication, urbanization, and agricultural development. During these HABs, phytoplankton consumption of CO2 may result in conditions of C limitation, where algal taxa best adapted for these conditions will be at a competitive advantage. Many cyanobacteria are capable of alleviating CO2 limitation by a variety of strategies, including the active assimilation of
. In this study, we utilized a high‐resolution, month‐long time series of stable C isotopes and high‐performance liquid chromatograph‐based algal taxonomy in the hypereutrophic Lake Taihu, China, to investigate whether cyanobacteria are indeed advantaged by CO2 limiting conditions. We employed a model of phytoplankton C acquisition to support the inferences derived from direct measurements. Diurnal cycles of production and respiration caused δ13CDIC to vary between −4‰ and −9‰, while δ13CPOC varied between −29.6‰ and −19.6‰. Measured and modeled phytoplankton fractionation of DIC were positively correlated with pCO2 and negatively correlated with cyanobacterial abundance, suggesting that CO2 limitation preferentially favored increased cyanobacterial biomass, relative to other taxa. We propose that the ability of many cyanobacteria to access otherwise limiting pools of inorganic C is intrinsically linked with their capacity to cope with CO2 limiting conditions, and may be a key factor in their dominance during HABs.
Group‐Velocity‐Controlled and Gate‐Tunable Directional Excitation of Polaritons in Graphene‐Boron Nitride Heterostructures
Authors: Jiang Yuyu , Lin Xiao , Low Tony , Zhang Baile , Chen Hongsheng 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA fundamental building block in nano‐photonics is the ability to directionally excite highly squeezed optical mode dynamically, particularly with an electrical bias. Such capabilities would enable the active manipulation of light propagation for information processing and transfer. However, when the optical source is built‐in, it remains challenging to steer the excitation directionality in a flexible way. Here, a mechanism is revealed for tunable directional excitation of highly squeezed polaritons in graphene‐hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) heterostructures. The effect relies on controlling the sign of the group velocity of the coupled plasmon‐phonon polaritons, which can be flipped by simply tuning the chemical potential of graphene (through electrostatic gating) in the heterostructures. Graphene‐hBN heterostructures thus present a promising platform toward nano‐photonic circuits and nano‐devices with electrically reconfigurable functionalities.
Most commensally bacterial strains in human milk of healthy mothers display multiple antibiotic resistance
Authors: Huang Mao‐Sheng , Cheng Ching‐Chang , Tseng Shu‐Ying , Lin Yi‐Ling , Lo Hui‐min , Chen Po‐Wen 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRecent reports have shown that food‐borne or commensal bacteria can function as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance. However, the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates of most milk samples or the total bacterial counts (TBC) in human milk from healthy donors, are not fully understood in Taiwan. Thus, five healthy mothers were randomly recruited each month, and totally 30 mothers without any symptoms of infection were recruited over 6 months. Milk samples were then harvested and analyzed immediately after collection. The antibiotic susceptibility was analyzed in bacteria isolated from milk samples using nine clinically relevant antibiotics, such as oxacillin, ampicillin, cephalothin, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin, gentamicin, and oxytetracycline. The Staphylococcus strains (48 isolates) found in milk resisted to 48.6 ± 20.1% selected antibiotics. Streptococcus‐related isolates (8 isolates) exhibited resistance to 41.7 ± 26.4% selected antibiotics. Acinetobacter isolates (5 isolates) were resistant to 66.7 ± 13.6% antibiotics, and Enterococcus isolates (5 isolates) were resistant to 73.3 ± 6.1% tested antibiotics. Rothia‐related isolates (4 isolates) were resisted to 58.2 ± 31.9% of tested antibiotics. In contrast, Corynebacterium isolates (5 isolates) were sensitive to 66%–100% of selected antibiotics. Furthermore, the TBC ranged from 40 to 710,000 CFU/ml, implying a wide spectrum of bacteria in milk from healthy mothers. Despite this, all milk donors were healthy during sampling, and they did not show any symptoms related to mastitis or subclinical mastitis. According to the previously described TBC criteria for the use of donated human milk, only 73% of the current milk samples could be accepted for the milk bank. In conclusion, the majority of the isolated bacterial strains from current human milk samples are multiresistant strains. In milk samples for preterm infants or milk banks, higher TBC levels or potentially antibiotic‐resistant bacteria in some milk samples have supported people using approaches to disinfect human milk partially.
Phase determination using chromosomal microarray and fluorescence in situ hybridization in a patient with early onset Parkinson disease and two deletions in PRKN
Authors: Williams Eli S. , Barrett Matthew J. , Dhamija Radhika , Toran Lisa , Chambers Chelsea , Mahadevan Mani S. , Golden Wendy L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundMutations in the parkin gene (PRKN) are the most commonly identified genetic factors in early onset Parkinson disease (EOPD), with biallelic mutations, resulting in a clinical phenotype. However, normal variation is also common in PRKN, particularly in the form of copy number variation (CNV), challenging interpretation of genetic testing results. Here we report a case of a 29‐year‐old male with EOPD and two deletions in PRKN detected by chromosomal microarray (CMA).MethodsThe proband was clinically examined by a neurologist for postural instability with frequent falls, bradykinesia, gait freezing with festination, and hypophonia. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was performed on the proband and his parents using the Affymetrix CytoScan HD microarray. Subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on the proband and both parents.ResultsChromosomal microarray detected the presence of two deletions of PRKN in the proband. Parental CMA analysis was performed to determine the clinical significance of this finding, as well as to demonstrate phase of these deletions. Parental CMA revealed that one deletion was paternally inherited and one deletion was de novo. A custom FISH approach was then successfully used to phase the deletions.ConclusionChromosomal microarray and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of this trio identified two deletions in PRKN occurring in trans, providing a genetic etiology for the clinical diagnosis of EOPD. The determination of inheritance and phase of the deletions was critical to the proper interpretation of these results. These findings highlight the utility of CMA in the detection of clinically relevant CNVs in cases of EOPD, and also serve to emphasize the importance of follow‐up FISH and parental testing.
Flavan‐3‐ol/Procyanidin Metabolomics in Rat Urine Using HPLC‐Quadrupole TOF/MS
Authors: Masumoto Saeko , Aoki Shiori , Miura Tomisato , Shoji Toshihiko 
Published: March 2018

ScopeSeveral studies have demonstrated that flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidins are associated with biological functions in the prevention of various chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. Knowledge of their mechanisms, including bioavailability, has significantly progressed in the last decade. However, the differences of the metabolic signatures among flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidins remain ambiguous.Methods and resultsThe metabolites in urine over time after acute administration of three typical flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidins ((epi)catechin [EPC], epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG], and procyanidin dimer [PC]) in view of the chemical structure were analyzed by HPLC‐quadrupole TOF/MS. Several bile acid and amino acid derivatives including tryptophan and tyrosine, as well as flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidin conjugates and phenolic acid degradation products generated by the gut microbiota were observed in rat urine.ConclusionMultivariate statistical analyses suggest that the exogenous and endogenous metabolites of flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidins greatly differ, although the chemical structures of three typical flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidins—EPC, EGCG, and PC—are similar. Thus, metabolomic differences likely affect their biological functions and health benefits.
Butyrate Inhibits Indices of Colorectal Carcinogenesis via Enhancing α‐Ketoglutarate‐Dependent DNA Demethylation of Mismatch Repair Genes
Authors: Sun Xiaofei , Zhu Mei‐Jun 
Published: March 2018

ScopeButyrate, the fermentation end product of gut microbiota in the colon, is known for its antitumor effects, but the mechanisms remained to be defined. α‐ketoglutarate (α‐KG) mediates DNA demethylation and aberrant epigenetic modifications are associated with carcinogenesis. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effects of butyrate on α‐KG mediated epigenetic modification in colorectal adenocarcinoma HT‐29 and Caco‐2 cells.Methods and resultsButyrate suppressed proliferation, potentiated differentiation, and induced apoptosis in both HT‐29 and Caco‐2 cells, associated with enhanced expression of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and pyruvate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, butyrate upregulated acetyl‐CoA and α‐KG, concomitant with enhanced histone acetylation and DNA demethylation in the promoter of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene. Knocking down IDH1 abolished the positive effects of butyrate on CRC apoptosis and MMR protein expression, in conjunction with reduced α‐KG content. Importantly, α‐KG supplementation recovered the beneficial effects of butyrate in IDH1‐deficient cells.ConclusionIn summary, butyrate inhibits indices of colorectal carcinogenesis in an α‐KG‐dependent manner.
Technical Note: Impact of region of interest size and location in Gafchromic film dosimetry
Authors: Gholizadeh Sendani Neda , Karimian Alireza , Ferreira Clara , Alaei Parham 
Published: March 2018

PurposeTo evaluate dependence of measured dose on size and location of region of interest (ROI) in Gafchromic EBT3 film dosimetry.MethodsGafchromic EBT3 films were irradiated perpendicularly using the 6MV beam from a linear accelerator at 10 cm depth (100 cm SSD) of a 30 × 30 × 20 cm3 solid water phantom for a range of field sizes of 6 × 6 to 100 × 100 mm2. ImageJ software was used for reading pieces of film. The appropriate location of ROIs in scanned films was found by two methods. First, the ROI was visually placed at the center of image. Second, the profile of pixel value versus distance was plotted and the center of profile was used for drawing ROI. Each scanned film was read using both methods and for three ROI sizes (1, 2, and 4 mm). A plastic scintillator, Exradin W1, was used as the reference dosimeter.ResultsComparing the three ROI sizes using both methods showed that there was less than 2% difference from reference in output factor measurements for field sizes larger or equal to 10 × 10 mm2. The percentage differences were increased in field sizes smaller than 10 × 10 mm2 and for ROI size of 4 × 4 mm2 for both centered‐ROI and profiled‐ROI methods. The mean percentage differences from reference measurements, for field sizes of 100 × 100 to 20 × 20 mm2, were smaller than 1% in both methods of ROI positioning. For field sizes of 15 × 15 and 10 × 10 mm2, the smaller mean percentage differences were observed in profiled‐ROI (4 × 4 mm2) and centered‐ROI (4 × 4 mm2). For the field sizes of 8 × 8 and 6 × 6 mm2, the profiled‐ROI (2 × 2 mm2) had smallest mean percentage difference, which was 0.88%.ConclusionThe ROI size of 4 × 4 mm2 is appropriate for dose measurements in field sizes of 100 × 100 mm2 to 10 × 10 mm2, regardless of the method of finding location of ROI. In field sizes smaller than 10 × 10 mm2, finding location of the ROI by profile of pixel values increases the accuracy of measurement, and ROI size of 2 × 2 mm2 has the smallest difference from the reference dose measurements.
Technical Note: Single time point dose estimate for exponential clearance
Authors: Madsen Mark T. , Menda Yusuf , O'Dorisio Thomas M. , O'Dorisio M. Sue 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveAlthough personalized dosimetry may be desirable for radionuclide therapy treatments, the multiple time samples required to determine the total integrated activity puts a burden on patients and clinic resources. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that when some prior knowledge is known about the tracer kinetic parameters, the total integrated activity (and thus radiation dose) can be estimated from a single time sample.MethodsMathematical derivations have been performed to generate equations for the total integrated activity in terms of a single time sample of activity for monoexponential and biexponential clearance. Simulations were performed using both exponential models where the rate constants and associated parameters were randomly sampled from distributions with a known mean. The actual total integrated activity for each random sample was compared with the estimated total integrated activity using the mean value of the parameters. Retrospective analysis of 90Y DOTATOC data from a clinical trial provided a comparison of actual kidney dose with the estimated kidney dose using the single time point approach.ResultsThe optimal sampling time for the single point approach was found to be equal to the mean time of the rate constant. The simulation results for the monoexponential and biexpoential models were similar. Regressions comparing the actual and estimated total integrated activity had very high correlations (r2 > 0.95) along with acceptable standard errors of estimate, especially at the optimal sampling point. The retrospective analysis of the 90Y DOTATOC data also yielded similar results with an r2 = 0.95 and a standard error of estimate of 61 cGy.ConclusionsIn situations where there is prior knowledge about the population averages of kinetic parameters, these results suggest that the single time point approach can be used to estimate the total integrated activity and dose with sufficient accuracy to manage radionuclide therapy. This will make personalized dosimetry much easier to perform and more available to the community.
Intensity modulated operating mode of the rotating gamma system
Authors: Sengupta Bishwambhar , Gulyas Laszlo , Medlin Donald , Koroknai Tibor , Takacs David , Filep Gyorgy , Panko Peter , Godo Bence , Hollo Tamas , Zheng Xiao Ran , Fedorcsak Imre , Dobai Jozsef , Bognar Laszlo , Takacs Endre 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this work was to explore two novel operation modalities of the rotating gamma systems (RGS) that could expand its clinical application to lesions in close proximity to critical organs at risk (OAR).MethodsThe approach taken in this study consists of two components. First, a Geant4‐based Monte Carlo (MC) simulation toolkit is used to model the dosimetric properties of the RGS Vertex 360™ for the normal, intensity modulated radiosurgery (IMRS), and speed modulated radiosurgery (SMRS) operation modalities. Second, the RGS Vertex 360™ at the Rotating Gamma Institute in Debrecen, Hungary is used to collect experimental data for the normal and IMRS operation modes. An ion chamber is used to record measurements of the absolute dose. The dose profiles are measured using Gafchromic EBT3 films positioned within a spherical water equivalent phantom.ResultsA strong dosimetric agreement between the measured and simulated dose profiles and penumbra was found for both the normal and IMRS operation modes for all collimator sizes (4, 8, 14, and 18 mm diameter). The simulated falloff and maximum dose regions agree better with the experimental results for the 4 and 8 mm diameter collimators. Although the falloff regions align well in the 14 and 18 mm collimators, the maximum dose regions have a larger difference. For the IMRS operation mode, the simulated and experimental dose distributions are ellipsoidal, where the short axis aligns with the blocked angles. Similarly, the simulated dose distributions for the SMRS operation mode also adopt an ellipsoidal shape, where the short axis aligns with the angles where the orbital speed is highest. For both modalities, the dose distribution is highly constrained with a sharper penumbra along the short axes.ConclusionsDose modulation of the RGS can be achieved with the IMRS and SMRS modes. By providing a highly constrained dose distribution with a sharp penumbra, both modes could be clinically applicable for the treatment of lesions in close proximity to critical OARs.
Quantifying myofiber integrity using diffusion MRI and random permeable barrier modeling in skeletal muscle growth and Duchenne muscular dystrophy model in mice
Authors: Winters Kerryanne V. , Reynaud Olivier , Novikov Dmitry S. , Fieremans Els , Kim Sungheon Gene 
Published: March 2018

PurposeTo measure the microstructural changes during skeletal muscle growth and progressive pathologies using the random permeable model with diffusion MRI, and compare findings to conventional imaging modalities such as three‐point Dixon and T2 imaging.MethodsIn vivo and ex vivo DTI experiments with multiple diffusion times (20‐700 ms) were completed on wild‐type (n = 22) and muscle‐dystrophic mdx mice (n = 8) at various developmental time points. The DTI data were analyzed with the random permeable model framework that provides estimates of the unrestricted diffusion coefficient (D0), membrane surface‐to‐volume ratio (S/V), and membrane permeability (κ). In addition, the MRI experiments included conventional measures, such as tissue fat fractions and T2 relaxation.ResultsDuring normal muscle growth between week 4 and week 13, the in vivo S/V, fractional anisotropy, and fat fraction correlated positively with age (ρ = 0.638, 0.664, and 0.686, respectively), whereas T2 correlated negatively (ρ = −0.847). In mdx mice, all DTI random permeable model parameters and fat fraction had significant positive correlation with age, whereas fractional anisotropy and T2 did not have significant correlation with age. Histological measurements of the perimeter‐to‐area ratio served as a proxy for the model‐derived S/V in the cylindrical myofiber geometry, and had a significant correlation with the ex vivo S/V (r = 0.71) as well as the in vivo S/V (r = 0.56).ConclusionThe present study demonstrates that DTI at multiple diffusion times with the random permeable model analysis allows for noninvasively quantifying muscle fiber microstructural changes during both normal muscle growth and disease progression. Future studies can apply our technique to evaluate current and potential treatments to muscle myopathies.
Using Natural Marks to Identify Individual Cultured Adult Delta Smelt
Authors: Castillo Gonzalo C. , Sandford Marade E. , Hung Tien-Chieh , Tigan Galen , Lindberg Joan C. , Yang Wan-Ru , Van Nieuwenhuyse Erwin E. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Natural marks can provide a noninvasive approach to identify individual fishes, such as the endangered Delta Smelt Hypomesus transpacificus. We evaluated the feasibility of chromatophores as natural marks in cultured adult Delta Smelt and used the dorsal view of the head, where chromatophores are particularly abundant. Digital images of the head were compared among three photo sessions conducted at nearly 6-week intervals in winter–spring 2013 (n = 292–234). Images were evaluated visually (naked eye) and by automated image recognition (TinEye Application Programming Interface [API]). Visual analysis enabled us to correctly identify all 60 fish examined between each pair of photo sessions. The TinEye API also correctly identified 100% of the individuals when it was able to, but the software did not identify 6–41% of the fish between photo sessions; the longer the period between photo sessions, the lower was the percentage of fish identified by the TinEye API. Fish exposure to outdoor ambient light constricted chromatophores, but the percentage of image matching was not influenced by ambient light, gender, or spawning condition. We conclude that it is feasible to identify individual adult Delta Smelt throughout the spawning season without having to tag them, but further development of automated image recognition is needed.