bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating sustainable biomass harvesting level for charcoal production to promote degraded woodlands recovery: A case study from Mutomo District, Kenya
Authors: Ndegwa Geoffrey M. , Nehren Udo , Anhuf Dieter , Iiyama Miyuki 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCharcoal is an important urban fuel; however, when production is unregulated, it is a major cause of land and forest degradation. Production through selective harvesting of the preferred large, hardwood tree species leads to a degraded residual forest or woodland composed of juvenile hardwood trees and unused softwood tree species. This situation can be addressed by ensuring that the rate of preferred tree species extraction does not exceed the mean annual increment. This study estimated the sustainable rate of tree harvesting for charcoal in Mutomo District, based on field data collected between December 2012 and January 2013, through a forest inventory. The woodlands are subjected to selective logging for charcoal production, an activity undertaken by about half of the residents for their livelihood. The study findings show that charcoal production through selective logging has led to a reduction of the hardwood trees biomass density to 3.8 t ha−1 compared with an estimated desirable level of 12.5 t ha−1. The results also show that it would take between 25 and 31 years for the woodlands to recover to the desirable stocking level if harvesting was completely stopped. This duration would increase to between 54 and 64 years if 80% of the mean annual increment was harvested for charcoal production and 20% was retained for woodlands recovery. As the residents of Mutomo District are poor and highly dependent on charcoal production for their livelihood, a harvesting plan based on the latter option would set the woodlands on the path to recovery and ensuring a sustainable livelihood source.
Defining the low‐risk salvage laryngectomy—A single‐center retrospective analysis of pharyngocutaneous fistula
Authors: Vasani Sarju S. , Youssef Daniel , Lin Charles , Wellham Annabelle , Hodge Robert 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesSalvage total laryngectomies (STL) are not a homogeneous group. Most will fall into two groups: i) Patients with previous AJCC stage I/II larynx cancer who have had radiotherapy to the larynx only (STL‐LOR), or ii) Patients who have had previous AJCC stage III/IV larynx cancer and subsequent radiotherapy to the larynx and draining nodal basins with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy (STL‐CRT). We aimed to compare PCF rates following STL in these two groups.MethodsA retrospective review of the department's cohort between January 2010 and August 2015 was conducted.ResultsSeventy‐seven patients underwent total laryngectomy for larynx cancer between January 2010 and August 2015. There were 10 post‐laryngectomy fistulas (13.0%). Three of these occurred in the 38 patients undergoing primary total laryngectomy (PTL), and seven in the 39 patients undergoing STL, rates of 7.9% and 17.9%, respectively. Twenty‐two patients had received radiation to the larynx alone without chemotherapy (STL‐LOR) for initial Stage I/II disease. Eleven patients had received laryngeal and neck irradiation plus cisplatin chemotherapy (STL‐CRT) for initial stage III/IV disease. Of the 22 STL‐LOR patients, two developed PCF (9.1%). Of the 11 STL‐CRT patients, five developed PCF. There was no difference in the rate of PCF between PTL and STL‐LOR. There was a statistically significant increase in PCF in STL‐CRT versus PTL (p = .009) and in PCF in STL‐CRT versus STL‐LOR (p = .027).ConclusionSalvage laryngectomies are often treated as a homogenous group. We demonstrate that PCF rates vary significantly depending on preoperative radiation fields and the use of chemotherapy.Level of Evidence2b.
The endoscopic modified lothrop procedure: Review of single institution experience and long‐term outcomes
Authors: Shen Jasper , Chan Nadia , Wrobel Bozena B. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundEndoscopic Modified Lothrop Procedure (EMLP) has become a fundamental practice in rhinology. Improvements in symptom burden, ostial patency, morbidity, and costs have surpassed that of an open approach to the frontal sinus. Long‐term efficacy has not been well established.ObjectiveThis study details the long‐term outcomes of EMLP and risk factors for subsequent surgical revision at a single institution.MethodsThis study utilized a retrospective review of patients who underwent EMLP from September 2006 to February 2017 by a single surgeon at an academic tertiary referral center. Patient demographics, indications, symptom burden, and endoscopic assessment of frontal ostium patency were analyzed for their effect on surgical outcome. Risk factors for failures were identified.ResultsSeventy‐six consecutive patients with an average age of 58.1 years met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and underwent EMLP for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS, 59%), neoplasm (26%), and mucoceles (15%). The average number of standard endoscopic sinus surgeries prior to EMLP was 2.9. The mean follow‐up of the cohort was 34.8 months, at the end of which, EMLP was successful in 78% of all patients, requiring no further surgery. Ninety percent of patients reported significant clinical improvement at the most recent follow‐up. Subgroup analysis of CRS patients revealed an equally high success rate but a higher likelihood of ostial closure. Recurrent disease necessitated revision endoscopic surgery in 17 patients, the majority of whom suffered CRS. Only tissue eosinophilia was identified to significantly increase the risk of revision surgery.ConclusionsThe majority of the patients who undergo EMLP achieve sustained patency of the frontal sinus outflow tract and adequate symptom improvement. Prominent tissue eosinophilia identifies patients at risk of requiring additional frontal sinus surgery.Level of Evidence4.
Enhanced Photoluminescence of Mesostructured Organosilica Films with a High Density of Fluorescent Chromophores
Authors: Mizoshita Norihiro , Inagaki Shinji 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSynthesis of mesostructured materials containing a high density of organic chromophores in the frameworks is highly desired for applications in unique optical devices using energy transfer. However, a dense accumulation of fluorescent chromophores in solid form generally causes concentration quenching. In this study, dense embedding of the chromophore 1,6‐diphenylpyrene within the framework of mesostructured organosilica films results in efficient blue fluorescence emission with high quantum yields of over 0.75. In contrast to conventional fluorescent films where chromophores are diluted and isolated to suppress concentration quenching, increasing the density of 1,6‐diphenylpyrene moieties within the mesostructured framework leads to the efficient formation of highly emissive excimers. Mesostructured frameworks achieving both high light‐absorptivity and efficient fluorescence emission have great potential in light‐emitting materials, fluorescence sensors, and light‐harvesting components for photoluminescent and photocatalytic systems.
Enzyme‐PISA: An Efficient Method for Preparing Well‐Defined Polymer Nano‐Objects under Mild Conditions
Authors: Tan Jianbo , Xu Qin , Li Xueliang , He Jun , Zhang Yuxuan , Dai Xiaocong , Yu Liangliang , Zeng Ruiming , Zhang Li 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEnzyme catalysis is a mild, efficient, and selective technique that has many applications in organic synthesis as well as polymer synthesis. Here, a novel enzyme‐catalysis‐induced reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)‐mediated dispersion polymerization for preparing AB diblock copolymer nano‐objects with complex morphologies at room temperature is described. Taking advantage of the room‐temperature feature, it is shown that pure, worm‐like polymer nano‐objects can be readily prepared by just monitoring the viscosity. Moreover, it is demonstrated that inorganic nanoparticles and proteins can be loaded in situ into vesicles by this method. Finally, a novel oxygen‐tolerant RAFT‐mediated dispersion polymerization initiated by enzyme cascade reaction that can be carried out in open vessels is developed. The enzyme‐initiated RAFT dispersion polymerization provides a facile platform for the synthesis of various functional polymer nano‐objects under mild conditions.
Mycobiota of maize seeds revealed by rDNA‐ITS sequence analysis of samples with varying storage times
Authors: Xing Hui‐Qin , Ma Jian‐Cang , Xu Bing‐Liang , Zhang Shu‐Wu , Wang Jin , Cao Li , Yang Xue‐Mei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFungi are an integral component of the plant microbiome. However, the composition and variation in the fungal communities (mycobiota) associated with seeds are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the mycobiota of 11 maize seed samples with storage times ranging from 6 months to 12 years. Mycobiota were characterized by a culture‐based approach, and fungal species were identified through rDNA‐ITS sequence analyses. From a total of 169 pure fungal isolates obtained from both the seed surface and internal tissues, we identified 16 distinct species (belonging to 10 genera) associated with maize seeds, all but one of which were ascomycetes. Among these species, seven were exclusively isolated from internal tissues, two species were isolated only from the seed surface, and another six species were isolated from both the surface and internal tissues. Aspergillus niger was consistently found under all storage conditions and dominated fungal communities with a relative abundance of 36%–100%. Species of Fusarium (9%–40%) and Penicillium (9%–20%) were also frequently isolated, but other species appeared sporadically and were isolated from fewer than three seed stocks. According to our results, while the overall incidence of fungal infection generally declined with storage time, there was no consistent association between seed storage time and fungal species richness or relative abundance; furthermore, the composition of the mycobiota associated with maize seeds was highly variable among the samples. The detection of the four major mycotoxigenic fungal genera, specifically Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria, was alarming, and the isolation of a potential controlling agent as well as information about their temporal occurrence will contribute to the management of mycotoxins in the future.
Molecular changes in the absence of severe pathology in the pulvinar in dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Erskine Daniel , Ding Jinhui , Thomas Alan J. , Kaganovich Alice , Khundakar Ahmad A. , Hanson Peter S. , Taylor John‐Paul , McKeith Ian G. , Attems Johannes , Cookson Mark R. , Morris Christopher M. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTBackground: Dementia with Lewy bodies is characterized by transient clinical features, including fluctuating cognition and visual hallucinations, implicating dysfunction of cerebral hub regions, such as the pulvinar nuclei of the thalamus. However, the pulvinar is typically only mildly affected by Lewy body pathology in dementia with Lewy bodies, suggesting additional factors may account for its proposed dysfunction.Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of postmortem pulvinar tissue using whole‐transcriptome RNA sequencing, protein expression analysis, and histological evaluation.Results: We identified 321 transcripts as significantly different between dementia with Lewy bodies cases and neurologically normal controls, with gene ontology pathway analysis suggesting the enrichment of transcripts related to synapses and positive regulation of immune functioning. At the protein level, proteins related to synaptic efficiency were decreased, and general synaptic markers remained intact. Analysis of glial subpopulations revealed astrogliosis without activated microglia, which was associated with synaptic changes but not neurodegenerative pathology.Discussion: These results indicate that the pulvinar, a region with relatively low Lewy body pathological burden, manifests changes at the molecular level that differ from previous reports in a more severely affected region. We speculate that these alterations result from neurodegenerative changes in regions connected to the pulvinar and likely contribute to a variety of cognitive changes resulting from decreased cortical synchrony in dementia with Lewy bodies. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A rapid and reliable chromosome analysis method for products of conception using interphase nuclei
Authors: Babu Ramesh , Van Dyke Daniel L. , Bhattacharya Saurabh , Dev Vaithilingam G. , Liu Mingya , Kwon Minjae , Gu Guangyu , Koduru Prasad , Rao Nagesh , Williamson Cynthia , Fuentes Ernesto , Fuentes Sarah , Papa Stephen , Kopuri Srikanthi , Lal Vandana 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundKaryotype determination has a central role in the genetic workup of pregnancy loss, as aneuploidy (trisomy and monosomy) and polyploidy (triploidy and tetraploidy) are the cause in at least 50% of first trimester, 25% of second trimester, and 11% of third trimester miscarriages. There are several limitations with the current approaches of obtaining a karyotype using traditional cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridization with a limited number of probes, and chromosomal microarray. These include culture failure, incomplete results, lower sensitivity, and longer reporting time.MethodsTo overcome current limitations, a novel molecular assay is developed with a Standard Resolution Interphase Chromosome Profiling probe set which is a variation of the recently developed High Resolution probe set. It generates a molecular karyotype that can detect all major changes commonly associated with pregnancy loss. Initial familiarization of signal patterns from the probe set was used, followed by validation of the method using 83 samples from miscarriages in a blind study from three different laboratories. Finally, the clinical utility of the method was tested on 291 clinical samples in two commercial reference laboratory settings on two different continents.ResultsThe new molecular approach not only identified all the chromosome changes observed by current methods, but also significantly improved abnormality detection by characterizing derivative chromosomes and finding subtle subtelomeric rearrangements, balanced and unbalanced. All Robertsonian translocations were also detected. The abnormality rate was 54% on clinical samples from commercial laboratory 1 and 63% from laboratory 2.ConclusionThe attributes of this method make it an ideal choice for the genetic workup of miscarriages, namely (1) near 100% successful results, (2) greater sensitivity than conventional chromosome analysis or FISH panels, (3) rapid reporting time, and (4) favorable comparisons with chromosomal microarray.
Toward clinical and molecular understanding of pathogenic variants in the ZBTB18 gene
Authors: van der Schoot Vyne , de Munnik Sonja , Venselaar Hanka , Elting Mariet , Mancini Grazia M. S. , Ravenswaaij‐Arts Conny M. A. , Anderlid Britt‐Marie , Brunner Han G. , Stevens Servi J. C. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundPatients with pathogenic variants in ZBTB18 present with Intellectual Disability (ID) with frequent co‐occurrence of corpus callosum (CC) anomalies, hypotonia, microcephaly, growth problems and variable facial dysmorphologies. These features illustrate a key role for ZBTB18 in brain development.MethodsPatients with a pathogenic variant in ZBTB18 were detected by diagnostic whole exome sequencing (WES) performed in our center. We reviewed the literature and used GeneMatcher to include other cases. YASARA and WHAT IF were used to provide insight into the structural effect of missense variants located in the C2H2 zinc finger domains of the ZBTB18 protein.ResultsWe give a complete overview of pathogenic variants in ZBTB18 detected to date, showing inconsistent presence of clinical features, including CC anomalies. We present four new cases with a de novo pathogenic variant in the ZBTB18 gene, including the fourth case in which a de novo p.Arg464His variant was found.ConclusionHomology modeling of protein structure points to a variable degree of impaired DNA binding caused by missense variants in these domains probably leading to Loss of Function (LoF). Putative partial LoF may present with a less distinctive phenotype than complete LoF, as seen in truncating variants, which presents with an extensive variability in the phenotypic spectrum. Our data do not support a clear genotype to phenotype correlation.
Mediterranean Diet, Glucose Homeostasis, and Inflammasome Genetic Variants: The CORDIOPREV Study
Authors: Roncero‐Ramos Irene , Rangel‐Zuñiga Oriol A. , Lopez‐Moreno Javier , Alcala‐Diaz Juan F. , Perez‐Martinez Pablo , Jimenez‐Lucena Rosa , Castaño Justo P. , Roche Helen M. , Delgado‐Lista Javier , Ordovas Jose M. , Camargo Antonio , Lopez‐Miranda Jose 
Published: March 2018

ScopeInsulin resistance (IR) and chronic low‐grade inflammation are hallmarks of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The “NOD‐like receptor pyrin domain containing‐3” (NLRP3) inflammasome component of innate immunity is a metabolic stress sensor modulated by dietary and genetics factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the consumption of two diets for 3 years, Mediterranean (Med) and low fat, on glucose homeostasis in the 1002 coronary heart disease patients of the CORDIOPREV study, according to a genetic variant of NLRP3 inflammasome.Methods and resultsThe study was conducted in the framework of the CORDIOPREV study, a randomized dietary intervention with Med and low‐fat diets. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located at inflammasome NLRP3 gene were genotyped by OpenArray platform. Nondiabetic CT+TT carriers of the rs4612666 SNP and AG+AA carriers of the rs10733113 SNP increased insulin sensitivity index (ISI) after 3 years of dietary intervention, whereas no effect was observed in diabetic patients. Further analysis by diet showed that the improvement of the ISI in nondiabetic rs10733113 AG+AA carriers was specific to the consumption of the Med diet.ConclusionOur results show that the benefits associated with a Med diet regarding glucose homeostasis in non‐T2DM patients depend on genetic variation in the inflammasome.
Experimental validation of absolute SPECT/CT quantification for response monitoring in breast cancer
Authors: Collarino Angela , Pereira Arias‐Bouda Lenka M. , Valdés Olmos Renato A. , van der Tol Pieternel , Dibbets‐Schneider Petra , de Geus‐Oei Lioe‐Fee , van Velden Floris H. P. 
Published: March 2018

PurposeRecent developments in iterative image reconstruction enable absolute quantification of SPECT/CT studies by incorporating compensation for collimator–detector response, attenuation, and scatter as well as resolution recovery into the reconstruction process (Evolution; Q.Metrix package; GE Healthcare, Little Chalfont, UK). The aim of this experimental study is to assess its quantitative accuracy for potential clinical 99mTc‐sestamibi (MIBI)‐related SPECT/CT application in neoadjuvant chemotherapy response studies in breast cancer.MethodsTwo phantoms were filled with MIBI and acquired on a SPECT/CT gamma camera (Discovery 670 Pro; GE Healthcare), that is, a water cylinder and a NEMA body phantom containing six spheres that were filled with an activity concentration reflecting clinical MIBI uptake. Subsequently, volumes‐of‐interest (VOI) of each sphere were drawn (semi)automatically on SPECT using various isocontour methods or manually on CT. Finally, prone MIBI SPECT/CT scans were acquired 5 and 90 min p.i. in a locally advanced breast cancer patient.ResultsActivity concentration in the four largest spheres converged after nine iterations of evolution. Depending on the count statistics, the accuracy of the reconstructed activity concentration varied between −4.7 and −0.16% (VOI covering the entire phantom) and from 6.9% to 10% (8.8 cm ⌀ cylinder VOI placed in the center of the phantom). Recovery coefficients of SUVmax were 1.89 ± 0.18, 1.76 ± 0.17, 2.00 ± 0.38, 1.89 ± 0.35, and 0.90 ± 0.26 for spheres with 37, 28, 22, 17, and 13 mm ⌀, respectively. Recovery coefficients of SUVmean were 1.07 ± 0.06, 1.03 ± 0.09, 1.17 ± 0.21, 1.10 ± 0.20, and 0.52 ± 0.14 (42% isocontour); 1.10 ± 0.07, 1.02 ± 0.09, 1.13 ± 0.19, 1.06 ± 0.19, and 0.51 ± 0.13 (36% isocontour with local background correction); and 0.96, 1.09, 1.03, 1.03, and 0.29 (CT). Patient study results were concordant with the phantom validation.ConclusionsAbsolute SPECT/CT quantification of breast studies using MIBI seems feasible (<17% deviation) when a 42% isocontour is used for delineation for tumors of at least 17 mm diameter. However, with tumor shrinkage, response evaluation should be handled with caution, especially when using SUVmax.
Machine learning RF shimming: Prediction by iteratively projected ridge regression
Authors: Ianni Julianna D. , Cao Zhipeng , Grissom William A. 
Published: March 2018

PurposeTo obviate online slice‐by‐slice RF shim optimization and reduce
mapping requirements for patient‐specific RF shimming in high‐field magnetic resonance imaging.Theory and MethodsRF Shim Prediction by Iteratively Projected Ridge Regression (PIPRR) predicts patient‐specific, SAR‐efficient RF shims with a machine learning approach that merges learning with training shim design. To evaluate it, a set of
maps was simulated for 100 human heads for a 24‐element coil at 7T. Features were derived from tissue masks and the DC Fourier coefficients of the coils’
maps in each slice, which were used for kernelized ridge regression prediction of SAR‐efficient RF shim weights. Predicted shims were compared to directly designed shims, circularly polarized mode, and nearest‐neighbor shims predicted using the same features.ResultsPIPRR predictions had 87% and 13% lower
coefficients of variation compared to circularly polarized mode and nearest‐neighbor shims, respectively, and achieved homogeneity and SAR similar to that of directly designed shims. Predictions were calculated in 4.92 ms on average.ConclusionPIPRR predicted uniform, SAR‐efficient RF shims, and could save a large amount of
mapping and computation time in RF‐shimmed ultra‐high field magnetic resonance imaging.
Fibromyalgia syndrome and small fiber, early or mild sensory polyneuropathy
Authors: Lawson Victoria H. , Grewal Jessie , Hackshaw Kevin V. , Mongiovi Phillip C. , Stino Amro M. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Pain mechanisms in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are not clearly understood. Growing evidence appears to suggest a role for small fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN) in some FMS patients, as measured by epidermal nerve fiber density (ENFD). We aimed to better characterize and distinguish the subset of patients with both fibromyalgia and small fiber, early or mild sensory polyneuropathy (FM‐SFSPN). Methods: 155 FMS patients with neuropathic symptoms completed a Short Form McGill Questionnaire and visual analog scale in addition to having skin biopsies, nerve conduction studies (NCS), and serologic testing. Results: Sural and medial plantar (MP) response amplitudes correlated with ENFD, with markers of metabolic syndrome being more prevalent in this subset of patients. Pain intensity and quality did not distinguish patients. Discussion: The FM‐SFSPN subset of patients may be identified through sural and MP sensory NCS and/or skin biopsy but cannot be identified by pain features and intensity. Muscle Nerve 58: 625–630, 2018