bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transverse relaxation‐based assessment of mammographic density and breast tissue composition by single‐sided portable NMR
Authors: Ali Tonima S. , Tourell Monique C. , Hugo Honor J. , Pyke Chris , Yang Samuel , Lloyd Thomas , Thompson Erik W. , Momot Konstantin I. 
Published: May 2019

PurposeElevated mammographic density (MD) is an independent risk factor for breast cancer (BC) as well as a source of masking in X‐ray mammography. High‐frequency longitudinal monitoring of MD could also be beneficial in hormonal BC prevention, where early MD changes herald the treatment’s success. We present a novel approach to quantification of MD in breast tissue using single‐sided portable NMR. Its development was motivated by the low cost of portable‐NMR instrumentation, the suitability for measurements in vivo, and the absence of ionizing radiation.MethodsFive breast slices were obtained from three patients undergoing prophylactic mastectomy or breast reduction surgery. Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill (CPMG) relaxation curves were measured from (1) regions of high and low MD (HMD and LMD, respectively) in the full breast slices; (2) the same regions excised from the full slices; and (3) excised samples after H2O‐D2O replacement. T2 distributions were reconstructed from the CPMG decays using inverse Laplace transform.ResultsTwo major peaks, identified as fat and water, were consistently observed in the T2 distributions of HMD regions. The LMD T2 distributions were dominated by the fat peak. The relative areas of the two peaks exhibited statistically significant (P < .005) differences between HMD and LMD regions, enabling their classification as HMD or LMD. The relative‐area distributions exhibited no statistically significant differences between full slices and excised samples.ConclusionT2‐based portable‐NMR analysis is a novel approach to MD quantification. The ability to quantify tissue composition, combined with the low cost of instrumentation, make this approach promising for clinical applications.
Characterization of MRI techniques to assess neonatal brain oxygenation and blood flow
Authors: Liu Peiying , Parkinson Charlamaine , Jiang Dengrong , Ouyang Minhui , De Vis Jill B. , Northington Frances J. , Tekes Aylin , Huang Hao , Huisman Thierry A.G.M. , Golden W. Christopher 
Published: May 2019

There is increasing interest in applying physiological MRI in neonates, based on the premise that physiological parameters may provide an early biomarker of neonatal brain health and injury. Two commonly used techniques are oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) measurement using T2‐relaxation‐under‐spin‐tagging (TRUST) MRI and cerebral blood flow measurement using phase‐contrast (PC) quantitative flow MRI, which collectively provide an assessment of the brain's oxygen consumption. However, prior research has only demonstrated proof of principle of these methods in neonates, without characterization or benchmarking of the techniques. This is because available time is limited in neonatal subjects, especially when scans are performed as add‐ons to clinical scans (typically less than 5 min). The work presented aims to examine the TRUST and PC MRI sequences systematically in normal neonates, through research‐dedicated scan sessions. A series of characterization and optimization studies were conducted in a total of 26 radiographically normal neonates on 3 T systems. Our results show that TRUST MRI at the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) provides an OEF measurement equivalent to that at the internal jugular vein (r = 0.80, n = 10), yet with shorter scan time. Lower resolution provided better precision in the TRUST measurement (p = 0.001, n = 9). Therefore, the preferred OEF measurement is to apply TRUST MRI at the SSS using a spatial resolution of 2.5 mm. For PC MRI, our results showed that non‐gated PC MRI yielded blood flow measurements comparable to those from the more time‐consuming gated approach in neonates (r = 0.89, n = 7). It was also found that blood flow could be overestimated by 18% when imaging resolution is larger than 0.3 mm (n = 7). Therefore, non‐gated PC MRI with a spatial resolution of 0.3 mm is recommended for neonatal applications. In conclusion, this study verifies consistency of neonatal brain oxygenation and flow measurements across acquisition schemes and points to optimal strategies in parameter selection when using these sequences.
Guiding carbon farming using interdisciplinary mixed methods mapping
Authors: Brockett Beth F. T. , Browne Alison L. , Beanland Andy , Whitfield Mike G. , Watson Nigel , Blackburn George Alan , Bardgett Richard D. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

In recognition of the need to address complex environmental problems, some ecological studies have adopted social research methods to better understand the complexity of social‐ecological systems management. The overwhelming majority of these studies stop short of fully embracing qualitative methodologies.

The lack of integrative social and natural science data for a topic such as soil carbon farming is problematic as theoretical carbon sequestration opportunities identified through soil mapping and process‐based models can fail to deliver the sequestration levels promised when introduced on‐the‐ground. Such mapping needs to account for the human factors involved in delivering increased soil carbon on‐farm.

Here, we develop a mixed methods mapping approach to explore the potential for increasing soil carbon stocks on upland farms in the UK. Our approach considers ecological and social complexity through application of soil science, ecology, participant observation, interviews and a focus group.

Our maps revealed landscapes that are full of carbon farming opportunity, but contain previously hidden barriers to the delivery of increased soil carbon. For example, they revealed that carbon farming can be considered by farmers to work in opposition to perceived ‘good farming’ practices and be correlated with increased incidents of livestock disease. We also discovered that the use of maps in research can be problematic as they can close down discussion and exclude local representation of an area.

Trialling an interdisciplinary mixed methods approach produced new, deeper and more richly‐textured understandings about how soil carbon management is produced socially as well as ecologically on upland livestock farms. Our findings have potential to improve the success of future carbon farming initiatives by incorporating farmer knowledge and social drivers of implementation.

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Serotonin synthesis protects the mouse colonic crypt from DNA damage and colorectal tumorigenesis
Authors: Sakita Juliana Y , Bader Michael , Santos Emerson S , Garcia Sergio B , Minto Stefania B , Alenina Natalia , Brunaldi Mariângela O , Carvalho Milene C , Vidotto Thiago , Gasparotto Bianca , Martins Ronaldo B , Silva Wilson A , Brandão Marcus L , Leite Caio A , Cunha Fernando Q , Karsenty Gerard , Squire Jeremy A , Uyemura Sergio A , Kannen Vinicius 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSerotonin (5‐HT) signaling pathways are thought to be involved in colorectal tumorigenesis (CRT), but the role of 5‐HT synthesis in the early steps of this process is presently unknown. In this study, we used carcinogen treatment in the tryptophan hydroxylase 1 knockout (Tph1KO) and transgenic (Tph1fl/flVillinCre) mouse models defective in 5‐HT synthesis to investigate the early mutagenic events associated with CRT. Our observations of the colonic crypt post‐treatment followed a timeline designed to understand how disruption of 5‐HT synthesis affects the initial steps leading to CRT. We found Tph1KO mice had decreased development of both allograft tumors and colitis‐related CRT. Interestingly, carcinogenic exposure alone induced multiple colon tumors and increased cyclooxygenase‐2 (Ptgs2) expression in Tph1KO mice. Deletion of interleukin 6 (Il6) in Tph1KO mice confirmed that inflammation was a part of the process. 5‐HT deficiency increased colonic DNA damage but inhibited genetic repair of specific carcinogen‐related damage, leading to CRT‐related inflammatory reactions and dysplasia. To validate a secondary effect of 5‐HT deficiency on another DNA repair pathway, we exposed Tph1KO mice to ionizing radiation and found an increase in DNA damage associated with reduced levels of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (Atr) gene expression in colonocytes. Restoring 5‐HT levels with 5‐hydroxytryptophan treatment decreased levels of DNA damage and increased Atr expression. Analysis of Tph1fl/flVillinCre mice with intestine‐specific loss of 5‐HT synthesis confirmed that DNA repair was tissue specific. In this study, we report a novel protective role for 5‐HT synthesis that promotes DNA repair activity during the early stages of colorectal carcinogenesis. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Four‐jointed knock‐out delays renal failure in an ADPKD model with kidney injury
Authors: Formica Chiara , Happé Hester , Veraar Kimberley AM , Vortkamp Andrea , Scharpfenecker Marion , McNeill Helen , Peters Dorien JM 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAutosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease is characterised by the development of fluid‐filled cysts in the kidneys which lead to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). In the majority of cases, the disease is caused by a mutation in the Pkd1 gene. In a previous study, we demonstrated that renal injury can accelerate cyst formation in Pkd1 knock‐out (KO) mice. In that study, we found that after injury four‐jointed (Fjx1), an upstream regulator of planar cell polarity and the Hippo pathway, was aberrantly expressed in Pkd1 KO mice compared to WT. Therefore, we hypothesised a role for Fjx1 in injury/repair and cyst formation. We generated single and double deletion mice for Pkd1 and Fjx1, and we induced toxic renal injury using the nephrotoxic compound 1,2‐dichlorovinyl‐cysteine. We confirmed that nephrotoxic injury can accelerate cyst formation in Pkd1 mutant mice. This caused Pkd1 KO mice to reach ESRD significantly faster; unexpectedly, double KO mice survived significantly longer. Cyst formation was comparable in both models, but we found significantly less fibrosis and macrophage infiltration in double KO mice. Taken together, these data suggest that Fjx1 disruption protects the cystic kidneys against kidney failure by reducing inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, we describe, for the first time, an interesting (yet unidentified) mechanism that partially discriminates cyst growth from fibrogenesis. © 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
High sensitivity and clonal stability of the genomic fusion as single marker for response monitoring in ETV6‐RUNX1‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Hoffmann Jana , Krumbholz Manuela , Gutiérrez Helia Pimentel , Fillies Marion , Szymansky Annabell , Bleckmann Kirsten , zur Stadt Udo , Köhler Rolf , Kuiper Roland P. , Horstmann Martin , von Stackelberg Arend , Eckert Cornelia , Metzler Markus 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundAssessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) is an integral component for response monitoring and treatment stratification in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We aimed to evaluate the genomic ETV6‐RUNX1 fusion sites as a single marker for MRD quantification.ProcedureIn a representative, uniformly treated cohort of pediatric relapsed ALL patients (n = 52), ETV6‐RUNX1 fusion sites were compared to the current gold standard, immunoglobulin/T‐cell receptor (Ig/TCR) gene rearrangements.ResultsPrimer/probe sets designed to ETV6‐RUNX1 fusions achieved significantly more frequent a sensitivity and a quantitative range of at least 10–4 compared to the gold standard with 100% and 73% versus 76% and 47%, respectively. The breakpoint sequence was identical at diagnosis and relapse in all tested cases. There was a high degree of concordance between quantitative MRD results assessed using ETV6‐RUNX1 and the highest Ig/TCR marker (Spearman's 0.899, P < .01) with differences >½ log‐step in only 6% of patients. A high proportion of ETV6‐RUNX1‐positive ALL relapses (40%) in our cohort showed a poor response to induction treatment at relapse, and therefore had an indication for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, demonstrating the need of accurate identification of this subgroup.ConclusionsETV6‐RUNX1 fusion sites are highly sensitive and reliable MRD markers. Our data confirm that they are unaffected by clonal evolution and selection during front‐line and second‐line chemotherapy in contrast to Ig/TCR rearrangements, which require several markers per patient to compensate for the observed loss of target clones. In future studies, the genomic ETV6‐RUNX1 fusion can be used as single MRD marker.
Structure and properties of bio‐based polyamide 109 treated with superheated water
Authors: Tao Lei , Liu Ke , Li Taotao , Xiao Ru 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe structure and properties of bio‐based polyamide 109 (PA109) after treatment with superheated water (140 °C ≤ T ≤ 280 °C) were investigated and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. Below 170 °C, the hydrothermal treatment was considered to be a physical process, which exerted an annealing effect on PA109. It led to an increase in melting temperature, lamellar thickness and crystallinity, while the macromolecular structure, crystal structure and the order of crystalline regions were not affected. Above 170 °C, complete melting/dissolution of PA109 occurred with partial hydrolysis. Due to the high temperature and long reaction time, the hydrolysis reaction became more and more prominent, and the resin was completely hydrolyzed into oligomers at 280 °C. Also, above 170 °C, the hydrothermal treatment was accompanied by a chemical process and the melting temperature and molecular weight decreased progressively. Notably, the crystal structure was not altered, but the degree of perfection of crystals and the order of crystalline regions were broken, especially above 200 °C. The hydrolytic degradation reaction was significantly affected by temperature, while both time and the water to polyamide ratio were secondary factors which influenced it to a minor extent. The process could be considered as a typical nucleophilic substitution reaction which takes place step by step inducing the molecular weight to decrease gradually. Overall, this study provides a ‘green’ route for the processing, recycling and treatment of environmentally friendly polyamides based on hydrothermal treatment technology. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Predictors of Readmission to Acute Care from Inpatient Rehabilitation: An Integrative Review
Authors: McKechnie Duncan , Pryor Julie , McKechnie Rochelle , Fisher Murray J. 
Published: May 2019

Readmission to acute care (RTAC) from inpatient rehabilitation can have negative consequences for individuals and associated financial costs are increasing. Consequently, preventing avoidable RTAC represents a target for improvement in quality of care. The aim of this integrative review was to identify predictors of RTAC from inpatient rehabilitation. A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, ProQuest, and CINAHL databases was used. Thematic analysis was used to examine extracted data. Strong evidence indicating that the principal predictors of RTAC are lower functional status on admission to rehabilitation, a more severe injury and a higher number of comorbidities was identified in this review. This is despite the heterogeneous nature of impairment groups and factors/measures examined. However, the relevance of some predictors of RTAC (such as patient demographics, invasive devices and primary diagnoses) may be dependent on rehabilitation setting, impairment group or time between rehabilitation admission and RTAC (eg, below 3 vs 30 days). Consequently, findings of this integrative review highlight that RTAC is a complex, multifactorial patient issue with a complex interplay between the predictors and reasons for RTAC.Level of EvidenceIV
Hydrophobic polyurethane polyHIPEs templated from mannitol within nonaqueous high internal phase emulsions for oil spill recovery
Authors: Zhang Tao , Gui Haoguan , Xu Zhiguang , Zhao Yan 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTAlthough amphiphilicity is an integral component for the applications of polyHIPEs (PHs), it is challenging to produce hydrophobic PHs from hydrophilic monomers. Herein, hydrophobic polyurethane (PU) PHs have been fabricated from a water‐soluble mannitol within block copolymer surfactant‐stabilized, nonaqueous high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). These highly porous, interconnected, macroporous PU PHs were hydrophobic with water contact angles between 102° and 140°, demonstrating that water‐soluble monomers could be used for fabrication of hydrophobic PHs. The block copolymer surfactant acted not only as the HIPE stabilizer, but also as a monomer, enhancing hydrophobicity and overcoming some drawbacks imposed by conventional inert stabilizers. The solvents used for PU PH synthesis and purification were easily recovered and reused, showing that nonaqueous HIPE templating for PU PH preparation is an efficient and facile route. The PU PHs were investigated for oil spill reclamation and they were demonstrated to be an ideal candidate for such an application. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1315–1321
A systematic review of the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in adults with breast cancer by physical activity type and mode of participation
Authors: Abdin Shanara , Lavallée Jacqueline F. , Faulkner James , Husted Margaret 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectivesEngaging in physical activity following a diagnosis in breast cancer patients improves both survival rates and psychosocial health outcomes. The factors influencing the effectiveness of physical activity interventions for breast cancer patients remain unclear. This systematic review focuses on two questions: are there differences in outcomes depending on; the mode of physical activity undertaken; and whether group‐based, or individual, programmes are proposed.MethodsFive databases were searched (PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Central). Randomised control trials were included if they reported an intervention aiming to increase physical activity amongst breast cancer patients. A total of 1561 records were screened with 17 studies identified for final inclusion. Data extraction and risk of bias analysis were undertaken. A meta‐analysis was not possible due to methodological differences between studies.ResultsFindings indicate no evident differences in outcomes based on exercise mode adopted. There are some indications that group interventions may have additional beneficial outcomes, in comparison to individual interventions, but this conclusion cannot be drawn definitively due to confounds within study designs, lack of group‐based intervention designs, and overall lack of long‐term intervention effects.ConclusionsAlthough there are no indications of negative intervention effects, only 6 of 17 trials demonstrated significant intervention effects were maintained. Greater transparency in reporting of interventions, and research enabling a comparison of physical activity delivery and mode is needed to determine optimum physical activity interventions to maintain patient physical activity and outcomes.
Stationary Light in Atomic Media
Authors: Everett Jesse L. , Higginbottom Daniel B. , Campbell Geoff T. , Lam Ping Koy , Buchler Ben C. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWhen ensembles of atoms interact with coherent light fields, a great many interesting and useful effects can be observed. In particular, the group velocity of the coherent fields can be modified dramatically. Electromagnetically induced transparency is perhaps the best known example, giving rise to very slow light. Careful tuning of the optical fields can also produce stored light where a light field is mapped completely into a coherence of the atomic ensemble. In contrast to stored light, in which the optical field is extinguished, stationary light is a bright field of light with a group velocity of zero. Stationary light has applications in situations where it is important to maintain an optical field, such as attempts to engineer large nonlinear interactions. In this paper, the stationary light demonstrations published to date are reviewed and a unified theoretical framework that describes the experimental observations is provided. Possible applications of stationary light are also discussed, with a particular focus on all‐optical phase gates for quantum information technology.
Resolution of protein hydrogen/deuterium exchange by fitting amide exchange probabilities to the peptide isotopic envelopes
Authors: Babić Darko , Kazazić Saša , Smith David M. 
Published: May 2019

RationaleMass spectra processing in protein hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange has been remarkably improved by the introduction of fitting of the amide exchange probabilities to peptide isotopic envelope intensities (Kan et al., 2013), in contrast to methods in which only the peptide deuterium uptakes (centroid shifts of isotopic envelopes) are used. However, the known implementations are based on the general fitting routines that use only the objective function values. Besides, applicability of more than one fitting method makes necessary their comparative evaluation.MethodsTwo fitting methods were considered: the common least squares and the fitting of the multinomial distribution representing the number of deuterium atoms exchanged in the individual peptides. Both methods were applied either directly to the isotopic envelope data or to the deuterium distributions obtained by envelope deconvolution (i.e. de‐isotoping).ResultsAn autonomous Matlab script was prepared, based on the exact expressions for the gradient and Hessian of the objective function, with the trust‐region algorithm implemented in the compact analytical form recently made available. The least‐squares fitting to the envelope data produced the best results, with the greatest precision and good coverage of exact values by the confidence intervals. The deuterium distributions were sensitive to the (simulated) experimental error whose progression by envelope deconvolution caused degradation in accuracy. The multinomial distribution fitting exhibited poor performance due to inadequate representation of the experimental error and missing of the appropriate weight parameters. Some specific peptide arrangement details were discussed as potential sources of ambiguity in the fitting results.ConclusionsThe method of fitting to peptide isotopic envelopes has been improved by using the exact gradient and Hessian of the objective function. The fitting should be repeated with different initial guesses in order to find not only the global minimum, but also the local minima with similar depths which may exist due to eventual ambiguity of the fitting results.
Risk diversification gains from metropolitan housing assets
Authors: Huang MeiChi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe study analyzes the roles of metropolitan housing assets in risk diversification by assessing intertemporal hedging demands for multi‐asset portfolios, which include metropolitan houses, REITs, stocks, bonds, and riskless assets. Investors substitute housing assets in high‐population MSAs with those in low‐population cities, and they switch their holdings of housing assets to less risky bonds in the 2007–2008 housing bust. The findings from the multi‐period portfolio choice problem provide evidence for momentum reversal since forward‐looking investors substitute bottom metropolitan housing assets for top ones in the housing boom, and the GTTB index and the lagged REIT price return have negative impacts on various asset returns.