bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding the effects of culture conditions in bacterial growth: A biochemical perspective using Raman microscopy
Authors: Mukherjee Ria , Verma Taru , Nandi Dipankar , Umapathy Siva 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRapid, sensitive and label‐free methods to probe bacterial growth irrespective of the culture conditions can shed light on the mechanisms by which bacteria adapt to different environmental stimuli. Raman spectroscopy can rapidly and continuously monitor the growth of bacteria under varied conditions. In this study, the growth of Escherichia coli in Luria broth (nutrient rich conditions) and minimal media with either glucose or glycerol as carbon source (nutrient limiting conditions) is profiled using Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, the study also gives insights into the altered bacterial biochemistry upon exposure to low‐ (25°C) and high‐temperature (45°C) stress. Raman spectral measurement was performed on bulk bacteria cultured under laboratory conditions. A detailed analysis of the spectra as a function of bacterial growth reveals changes in Raman band intensities/area of biomolecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids. We also report five novel ratiometric markers (I830/I810, I1126/I1100, I1340/I1440, I1207/I1240 and I1580/I1440) that can identify the phase of growth, independent of the culture condition. Unsupervised multivariate methods like Principal Component Analysis also corroborate the aforementioned markers of growth. Altogether, our findings highlight the potential of Raman spectroscopy in yielding universal biochemical signatures that may be indicative of stress and aging in a growth milieu.
Anti‐inflammation effects of injectable platelet‐rich fibrin via macrophages and dendritic cells
Authors: Zhang Jinglun , Yin Chengcheng , Zhao Qin , Zhao Zifan , Wang Jinyang , Miron Richard J. , Zhang Yufeng 
Published: August 2019

AbstractImmune response to implantation materials plays a critical role during early local inflammation and biomaterial‐induced regeneration or restoration. A novel platelet concentrate termed i‐PRF (injectable platelet‐rich fibrin) has recently been developed without any additives by low centrifugation speeds. To date, scientists have investigated the capability of releasing growth factors to improve regeneration but have ignored whether i‐PRF can inhibit the inflammatory effect around the wound. The present study investigated the anti‐inflammation effects of i‐PRF on immune response‐related cells, especially macrophages and dendric cells. We found that i‐PRF reduced pro‐inflammatory M1 phenotype of macrophages and activated dendritic cells around muscle defect that was injected with bacterial suspension. Moreover, in vitro experiments showed similar results. i‐PRF deleted inflammatory response caused by lipopolysaccharide to some extent. We determined that TLR4, an activator of inflammatory stimulation and p‐p65, a key factor belongs to classical inflammatory related NF‐κB signal pathway, can be inhibited by use of i‐PRF. Results indicate the potential anti‐inflammatory role of i‐PRF during regeneration and restoration.
A Retrospective Review of the Efficiency of First‐Dose Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Gentamicin, Amikacin, and Vancomycin in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Lim Wan Xuan Selina , Chua Wen Bing Brandon , Chua Jie Min , Lee Qianyu , Chan Jer Wei , Sultana Rehena , Poh Bao Hui 
Published: August 2019

AbstractTherapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has become standard clinical practice for gentamicin, amikacin, and vancomycin to optimize efficacy and reduce toxicity. TDM after the first dose of antibiotic was adopted in our institution. This study aims to evaluate if target therapeutic drug concentrations could be achieved more rapidly in patients with TDM performed after the first dose of gentamicin, amikacin, or vancomycin compared to TDM at steady state. A single‐center retrospective cohort study was conducted at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. Patients aged 1 month to 18 years old who received amikacin, gentamicin, or vancomycin between October 2012 to March 2016 and had at least 2 serum drug concentrations done within the same dosing interval were included. The primary objective was to compare the time taken to achieve target serum drug concentrations between first‐dose and steady‐state TDM. A total of 334 patients on amikacin, 211 patients on gentamicin, and 140 patients on vancomycin were included. Using Kaplan‐Meier analysis, the median number of days to optimize therapy was significantly shorter after first‐dose TDM was performed for amikacin (first dose, 1.51 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.44‐1.89] days vs steady state, 2.85 [95%CI, 2.50‐3.25] days; P < .01] and gentamicin (first dose, 1.66 [95%CI, 1.25‐2.08] days vs steady state, 3.54 [95%CI, 2.40‐4.75] days; P < .01] but not vancomycin (first dose, 1.34 [95%CI, 1.06‐1.52] days vs steady state, 1.42 [95%CI, 1.26‐1.59] days; P = .99]. First‐dose TDM for gentamicin and amikacin resulted in faster attainment of target serum concentrations but did not for vancomycin. Further validation of its impact on actual clinical outcomes may be required.
Reducing risk in the emergency department: a 12‐month prospective longitudinal study of radiographer preliminary image evaluations
Authors: Brown Cameron , Neep Michael J. , Pozzias Efrosini , McPhail Steven M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionInnovations are necessary to accommodate the increasing demands on emergency departments whilst maintaining a high level of patient care and safety. Radiographer Preliminary Image Evaluation (PIE) is one such innovation. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of radiographer PIE in clinical practice within an emergency department over 12 months.MethodsA total of 6290 radiographic examinations were reviewed from 15 January 2016 to 15 January 2017. The range of adult and paediatric examinations incorporated in the review included the appendicular and axial skeleton including the chest and abdomen. Each examination was compared to the radiologist's report this allowed calculated mean sensitivity and specificity values to indicate if the radiographer's PIE was of a true negative/positive or false negative/positive value. Cases of no PIE participation or series’ marked as unsure for pathology by the radiographer were also recorded. This allowed mean sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy to be calculated.ResultsThe study reported a mean ± 95% confidence level (standard deviation) for sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, no participation and unsure of 71.1% ± 2.4% (6.1), 98.4% ± 0.04% (0.9), 92.0% ± 0.68% (1.9), 5.1% (1.6) and 3.6% (0.14) respectively.ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated that the participating radiographers provided a consistent PIE service while maintaining a reasonably high diagnostic accuracy. This form of image interpretation can complement an emergency referrer's diagnosis when a radiologist's report is unavailable at the time of patient treatment. PIE promotes a reliable enhancement of the radiographer's role with the multi‐disciplinary team.
Rotator Cuff Tear Susceptibility Is Associated With Variants in Genes Involved in Tendon Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis
Authors: Figueiredo Eduardo A. , Loyola Leonor Casilla , Belangero Paulo S. , Campos Ribeiro‐dos‐Santos Ândrea Kely , Emanuel Batista Santos Sidney , Cohen Carina , Wajnsztejn Andre , Martins de Oliveira Adrielle , Smith Marília C. , Pochini Alberto de Castro , Andreoli Carlos V. , Ejnisman Benno , Cohen Moises , Leal Mariana F. 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTRotator cuff tears (RCT) is a multifactorial disease with genetic factors contributing for the disease etiology. We hypothesized that genetic variants in genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis may alter susceptibility to RCT. We evaluated 20 polymorphisms of genes involved in ECM homeostasis in 211 cases of full‐thickness tears of the supraspinatus (Nfemales = 130; Nmales = 81) and 567 age‐matched controls (Nfemales = 317; Nmales = 250). Multivariate logistic regressions were carried out with age, gender, genetic ancestry (based on the analysis of 61 biallelic short insertion/deletion polymorphisms), and common co‐morbidities (diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking habits) as covariates. We observed that carriers of the rare allele of both studied variants of TGFB1, as well as their G/A (rs1800470/rs1800469) haplotype, were less susceptible to RCT (p < 0.05). In contrast, carriers of the G allele of MMP9 rs17576 (p = 0.014) or G/G haplotype (rs17576/rs17577; p < 0.001) had an increased risk for tendon tears. The presence of the T allele of MMP2 rs2285053 (p = 0.033), the T allele of MMP3 rs679620 (p = 0.024), and the TT‐genotype of TIMP2 rs2277698 (p = 0.01) was associated with susceptibility to tears, especially in females. In males, the A allele of COL5A1 rs3196378 (p = 0.032) and the G allele of TGFBR1 rs1590 (p = 0.039) were independent risk factors for RCT. The C/T COL5A1 (rs3196378/rs11103544) haplotype was associated with a reduced risk of tears in males (p = 0.03). In conclusion, we identified the genetic variants associated with RCT susceptibility, thereby reinforcing the role of genes involved in the structure and homeostasis of the ECM of tendons in disease development. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:192–201, 2020
Supercritical fluid extraction in isolation of cyclitols and sugars from chamomile flowers
Authors: Al‐Suod Hossam , Ratiu Ileana‐Andreea , Krakowska‐Sieprawska Aneta , Lahuta Lesław , Górecki Ryszard , Buszewski Bogusław 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to develop an optimization procedure for supercritical fluid extraction parameters, in order to obtain the highest possible yield of sugars and cyclitols from plant material. Response surface methodology based on Box‐Behnken design was applied to evaluate the effect of: temperature (40, 60, 80°C), pressure (100, 200, 300 bar), and co‐solvent (methanol) percentage (20, 25, 30%). As a result of the optimization process, we found that the highest amount of sugars (15.02 mg/gof dried material) and cyclitols (0.86 mg/g of dried material) was obtained when the following parameters were applied: 80°C, 228 bar, and 30% of methanol. Moreover, co‐solvent concentration and temperature had a higher influence onto the obtained amounts compared with the pressure.
Evaluation of Hemodynamic Changes in Fetuses With Isolated Mild‐to‐Moderate Ventriculomegaly by Transabdominal Ultrasound
Authors: Sun Lijuan , Zhang Lina , Zhang Na , Han Jijing , Li Zhen , Zhang Tiejuan , Yao Ling , Ma Yuqing , Wang Li , Liu Yan , Guo Cuixia , Wu Qingqing 
Published: August 2019

ObjectivesTo investigate fetal hemodynamic alterations using transabdominal ultrasound in fetuses with isolated mild‐to‐moderate ventriculomegaly (VM).MethodsFetuses diagnosed with isolated mild‐to‐moderate VM by transabdominal ultrasound were evaluated for hemodynamic changes, including changes in fetal cardiac function, the umbilical artery, the ductus venosus, and the middle cerebral artery. The fetuses with isolated mild‐to‐moderate VM were divided into 2 groups, namely, before 32 weeks’ gestation (20 weeks–31 weeks 6 days) and after 32 weeks’ gestation (32–38 weeks), and matched to corresponding healthy control fetuses.ResultsThe 53 fetuses with VM before 32 weeks had a longer mean isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT; mean ± SD, 42.9 ± 6.8 versus 40.4 ± 5.0 milliseconds; P < .05) and an apparently higher modified myocardial performance index 0.46 ± 0.06 versus 0.43 ± 0.05; P < .01) than the healthy control fetuses. The 43 fetuses with VM after 32 weeks had a significantly longer mean IRT (45.5 ± 6.7 versus 40.9 ± 7.2 milliseconds; P < .01) and a lower UA pulsatility index (0.81 ± 0.13 versus 0.89 ± 0.11; P < .01). The optimal cutoff levels for the IRT in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes were 40 and 43 milliseconds before and after 32 weeks, respectively (sensitivity, 100% versus 100%; specificity, 40.4% versus 50.0%; area under the curve, 0.601 versus 0.748; 95% confidence interval, 0.457–0.733 versus 0.590–0.869; P = .291 versus .005).ConclusionsSome fetuses with isolated mild‐to‐moderate VM may have impaired cardiac function, characterized by a higher modified myocardial performance index or longer IRT. This finding might be useful for improving fetal surveillance.
Topical application of Cinnamon verum essential oil accelerates infected wound healing process by increasing tissue antioxidant capacity and keratin biosynthesis
Authors: Seyed Ahmadi Seyed Gharani , Farahpour Mohammad R. , Hamishehkar Hamed 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCinnamon essential oil is known to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which may accelerate, wound healing. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an ointment prepared from Cinnamon verum essential oil (C verum) in infected wound model. An experimentally excisional infected wound model was induced in mice. Circular excisional wound model of 5 mm surface area was surgically created and inoculated with 107 CFU of each of two bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The animals were divided into three groups and topically treated with soft yellow paraffin (control) and ointments containing 2% and 4% C verum. The mRNA levels of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐1), fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal keratin, fibroblasts, fibrocytes, immune cells, and vascular distribution as well as epithelialization ratio were investigated in order to evaluate the effects of C verum on wound healing. Tissue total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde levels (MDA) were also evaluated. Topical administration of C verum remarkably shortened the inflammatory phase, increased fibroblast distribution, collagen deposition, and accelerated the cellular proliferation, reepithelialization and keratin synthesis. The mRNA levels of IGF‐1, FGF‐2 and VEGF were remarkably higher in C verum‐treated groups (especially 2%) in comparison control group. Topical administration of C verum increased antioxidant power and reduced MDA content in comparison to control animals. C verum accelerates wound healing by upregulating the IGF‐1, FGF‐2, and VEGF expression and increasing cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and reepithelialization ratio.
Configurable triple wavelength semiconductor optical amplifier fiber laser using multiple broadband mirrors
Authors: Ahmad Harith , Azmy Nur F. , Azmi Atiqah N. , Zulkifli Mohd Z. , Ismail Mohd F. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA configurable, triple wavelength fiber laser based on broadband mirrors (BBMs) and an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) is demonstrated. The laser uses a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) as the primary gain medium due to its inhomogeneous broadening property that allows for the generation high intensity lasing wavelengths. The combination of the AWG and BBMs allows for triple lasing wavelength outputs with channel spacing from 0.8 to 4.0 nm to be obtained. The generated output is adjustable between 1540.6 and 1548.6 nm. The proposed SOA‐based system is stable and can be used as a reserve laser source for wavelength division multiplexing systems.
Stack transition artifact removal (STAR) for cardiac CT
Authors: Lebedev Sergej , Fournie Eric , Stierstorfer Karl , Kachelrieß Marc 
Published: August 2019

IntroductionIn cardiac computed tomography (CT), irregular motion may lead to unique artifacts for scanners with a longitudinal collimation that does not cover the entire heart. Given partial coverage, subvolumes, or stacks, may be reconstructed and used to assemble a final CT volume. Irregular motion, for example, due to cardiac arrhythmia or breathing, may cause mismatch between neighboring stacks and therefore discontinuities within the final CT volume. The aim of this work is the removal of the discontinuities that are hereafter referred to as stack transition artifacts.Method and MaterialsA stack transition artifact removal (STAR) is achieved using a symmetric deformable image registration. A symmetric Demons algorithm was implemented and applied to stacks to remove mismatch and therefore the stack transition artifacts. The registration can be controlled with one parameter that affects the smoothness of the deformation vector field (DVF). The latter is crucial for realistically transforming the stacks. Different smoothness settings as well as an entirely automatic parameter selection that considers the required deformation magnitude for each registration were tested with patient data. Thirteen datasets were evaluated. Simulations were performed on two additional datasets.Results and ConclusionSTAR considerably improved image quality while computing realistic DVFs. Discontinuities, for example, appearing as breaks or cuts in coronary arteries or cardiac valves, were removed or considerably reduced. A constant smoothing parameter that ensured satisfactory results for all datasets was found. The automatic parameter selection was able to find a proper setting for each individual dataset. Consequently, no over regularization of the DVF occurred that would unnecessarily limit the registration accuracy for cases with small deformations. The automatic parameter selection yielded the best overall results and provided a registration method for cardiac data that does not require user input.
Current pediatric administered activity guidelines for 99mTc‐DMSA SPECT based on patient weight do not provide the same task‐based image quality
Authors: Li Ye , O'Reilly Shannon , Plyku Donika , Treves S. Ted , Fahey Frederic , Du Yong , Cao Xinhua , Sexton‐Stallone Briana , Brown Justin , Sgouros George , Bolch Wesley E. , Frey Eric C. 
Published: August 2019

PurposeIn the current clinical practice, administered activity (AA) for pediatric molecular imaging is often based on the North American expert consensus guidelines or the European Association of Nuclear Medicine dosage card, both of which were developed based on the best clinical practice. These guidelines were not formulated using a rigorous evaluation of diagnostic image quality (IQ) relative to AA. In the guidelines, AA is determined by a weight‐based scaling of the adult AA, along with minimum and maximum AA constraints. In this study, we use task‐based IQ assessment methods to rigorously evaluate the efficacy of weight‐based scaling in equalizing IQ using a population of pediatric patients of different ages and body weights.MethodsA previously developed projection image database was used. We measured task‐based IQ, with respect to the detection of a renal functional defect at six different AA levels (AA relative to the AA obtained from the guidelines). IQ was assessed using an anthropomorphic model observer. Receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was applied; the area under the ROC curve (AUC) served as a figure‐of‐merit for task performance. In addition, we investigated patient girth (circumference) as a potential improved predictor of the IQ.ResultsThe data demonstrate a monotonic and modestly saturating increase in AUC with increasing AA, indicating that defect detectability was limited by quantum noise and the effects of object variability were modest over the range of AA levels studied. The AA for a given value of the AUC increased with increasing age. The AUC vs AA plots for all the patient ages indicate that, for the current guidelines, the newborn and 10‐ and 15‐yr phantoms had similar IQ for the same AA suggested by the North American expert consensus guidelines, but the 5‐ and 1‐yr phantoms had lower IQ. The results also showed that girth has a stronger correlation with the needed AA to provide a constant AUC for 99mTc‐DMSA renal SPECT.ConclusionsThe results suggest that (a) weight‐based scaling is not sufficient to equalize task‐based IQ for patients of different weights in pediatric 99mTc‐DMSA renal SPECT; and (b) patient girth should be considered instead of weight in developing new administration guidelines for pediatric patients.
Detection and isolation of disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer
Authors: Cackowski Frank C. , Wang Yugang , Decker Joseph T. , Sifuentes Christopher , Weindorf Steven , Jung Younghun , Wang Yu , Decker Ann M. , Yumoto Kenji , Szerlip Nicholas , Buttitta Laura , Pienta Kenneth J. , Morgan Todd M. , Taichman Russell S. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundDisseminated tumor cells (DTCs) have been reported in the bone marrow (BM) of patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa). However, the existence of these cells continues to be questioned, and few methods exist for viable DTC isolation. Therefore, we sought to develop novel approaches to identify and, if detected, analyze localized PCa patient DTCs.MethodsWe used fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate a putative DTC population, which was negative for CD45, CD235a, alkaline phosphatase, and CD34, and strongly expressed EPCAM. We examined tumor cell content by bulk cell RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq) and whole‐exome sequencing after whole genome amplification. We also enriched for BM DTCs with α‐EPCAM immunomagnetic beads and performed quantitative reverse trancriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) for PCa markers.ResultsAt a threshold of 4 cells per million BM cells, the putative DTC population was present in 10 of 58 patients (17%) with localized PCa, 4 of 8 patients with metastatic PCa of varying disease control, and 1 of 8 patients with no known cancer, and was positively correlated with patients’ plasma PSA values. RNA‐Seq analysis of the putative DTC population collected from samples above (3 patients) and below (5 patients) the threshold of 4 putative DTCs per million showed increased expression of PCa marker genes in 4 of 8 patients with localized PCa, but not the one normal donor who had the putative DTC population present. Whole‐exome sequencing also showed the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms and structural variants in the gene characteristics of PCa in 2 of 3 localized PCa patients. To examine the likely contaminating cell types, we used a myeloid colony formation assay, differential counts of cell smears, and analysis of the RNA‐Seq data using the CIBERSORT algorithm, which most strongly suggested the presence of B‐cell lineages as a contaminant. Finally, we used EPCAM enrichment and qRT‐PCR for PCa markers to estimate DTC prevalence and found evidence of DTCs in 21 of 44 samples (47%).ConclusionThese data support the presence of DTCs in the BM of a subset of patients with localized PCa and describe a novel FACS method for isolation and analysis of viable DTCs.