bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of porosity index of the femoral neck and tibia by 3D ultra‐short echo‐time MRI
Authors: Chen Min , Yuan Huishu 
Published: May 2017

PurposeTo measure the porosity index (PI) by ultrashort echo‐time magnetic resonance imaging (UTE MRI) of the femoral neck and tibia; assess its correlations with age, gender, and body mass index (BMI); and analyze the PI correlations between both sites to assess whether tibial PI can reflect changes of femoral neck PI.Materials and MethodsIn all, 68 healthy men and women (mean age, 45.7 ± 15.9 years) underwent 3D UTE MRI (3.0T) of the hip and mid‐shaft tibia. PI of the inferior femoral neck cortex and the whole cortex of the tibia were analyzed. Associations between parameters and differences of PIs between men and women, pre‐ and postmenopausal women were tested.ResultsFemoral neck PI was negatively correlated with age (r = –0.385, P = 0.043) and curvilinearly correlated with BMI (R2 = 0.225, P = 0.041) in men. Tibial PI was correlated with BMI (r = –0.477, P = 0.002) in women and age (r = 0.469, P = 0.043) in postmenopausal women, although P = 0.097 (r = 0.403) after adjustment for BMI. Femoral PI was significantly higher in men than in women (P < 0.001). No significant difference in femoral and tibial PI was observed between pre‐ and postmenopausal women. The femoral neck and tibial PIs were not significantly correlated in any group.ConclusionPIs had some correlations with age, gender, and BMI. Since femoral neck PI was not correlated with tibial PI, the tibia cannot substitute the femoral neck for estimating bone quality. Direct assessment of the femoral neck cortex is needed.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy Stage: 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:820–828.
Modelling of composite right/left‐handed active multiconductor transmission lines (AMCTL) in time domain
Authors: Ghadimi Amirrreza , Asadi Shahrooz 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAn explicit finite difference time domain method is proposed for modelling of composite right‐/left‐handed active multiconductor transmission lines in time domain. For the first time, the concept of active composite right‐/left‐handed transmission lines is considered in field effect transistor (FET) modelling. In this work, based on the distributed model, the FET is considered as an active multiconductor transmission line in the mm/wave frequency range. In this modelling technique, the FET is divided into 2 different parts, the active part, represents the intrinsic equivalent circuit of the transistor, while the passive part symbolizes the device electrodes. The finite‐difference time‐domain scheme is proposed for the analysis, and the results of this technique are compared with the ones obtained from simulations. Furthermore, the stability issue is investigated and the sufficient condition for stability is derived.
Overexpression of α‐synuclein in an astrocyte cell line promotes autophagy inhibition and apoptosis
Authors: Erustes Adolfo Garcia , Stefani Fernanda Yakel , Terashima Juliana Yoshie , Stilhano Roberta Sessa , Monteforte Priscila Totarelli , da Silva Pereira Gustavo José , Han Sang Won , Calgarotto Andrana Karla , Hsu Yi‐Te , Ureshino Rodrigo Portes , Bincoletto Cláudia , Smaili Soraya Soubhi 
Published: June 2017

Abstractα‐Synuclein is the major component of neuronal cytoplasmic aggregates called Lewy bodies, the main pathological hallmark of Parkinson disease. Although neurons are the predominant cells expressing α‐synuclein in the brain, recent studies have demonstrated that primary astrocytes in culture also express α‐synuclein and regulate α‐synuclein trafficking. Astrocytes have a neuroprotective role in several detrimental brain conditions; we therefore analyzed the effects of the overexpression of wild‐type α‐synuclein and its A30P and A53T mutants on autophagy and apoptosis. We observed that in immortalized astrocyte cell lines, overexpression of α‐synuclein proteins promotes the decrease of LC3‐II and the increase of p62 protein levels, suggesting the inhibition of autophagy. When these cells were treated with rotenone, there was a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, especially in cells expressing mutant α‐synuclein. The level of this decrease was related to the toxicity of the mutants because they show a more intense and sustained effect. The decrease in autophagy and the mitochondrial changes in conjunction with parkin expression levels may sensitize astrocytes to apoptosis.
Characterizing the relationship between systemic inflammatory response syndrome and early cardiac dysfunction in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Chaikittisilpa Nophanan , Krishnamoorthy Vijay , Lele Abhijit V. , Qiu Qian , Vavilala Monica S. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSystolic dysfunction was recently described following traumatic brain injury (TBI), and systemic inflammation may be a contributing mechanism. Our aims were to 1) examine the association between the early systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and systolic cardiac dysfunction following TBI, and 2) describe the longitudinal change in SIRS criteria, cardiac function, and hemodynamic parameters during the first week of hospitalization. We used a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study examining cardiac function (with transthoracic echocardiography on the first day and serially over the first week of hospitalization) in 32 moderate‐severe isolated TBI patients, and quantified the admission and daily SIRS response to injury. We determined the association of admission SIRS and systolic dysfunction following TBI. Admission SIRS was present in 7 (21%) patients and was associated with systolic dysfunction on multivariable analysis (relative risk 4.01; 95% 1.16–13.79, p = .028). Both SIRS criteria and systolic cardiac function improved over the first week of hospitalization. In conclusion, early SIRS is common among patients with moderate‐severe TBI, and the presence of SIRS criteria on admission is associated with systolic cardiac dysfunction following TBI.
Inter‐decadal change of the inter‐annual relationship between the frequency of intense tropical cyclone over the western North Pacific and ENSO
Authors: Tao Li , Lan Yufeng 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTThe inter‐decadal change of the inter‐annual relationship between the frequency of intense tropical cyclone (TC) over the western North Pacific (WNP) and the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is studied based on the TC best track and global reanalysis data. The results show that during 1983–2014 (the recent period), the frequency of intense TC and the November–January (NDJ) Niño3.4 are closely correlated, whereas during 1950–1971 (the prior period), their correlation is not statistically significant.The westward shift of positive sea‐surface temperature anomaly SSTA over the tropical Pacific in the recent El Niño developing years is a key factor that enhanced the relationship between the Niño3.4 index and annual frequency of intense TC. The enhancement of positive (negative) MPI, positive (negative) relative humidity and negative (positive) vertical wind shear anomalies in the southeastern quadrant of the tropical WNP in the El Niño (La Niña) developing years during the recent period are favourable (unfavourable) to TC genesis in the southeastern quadrant of the tropical WNP and enhanced the inter‐annual relationship between the frequency of intense TC and ENSO in the recent period. This is because the TCs forming in the southeastern quadrant are more likely to move over the warm tropical ocean and intensify into intense TCs. In the recent period, more intense TCs formed in the southeastern quadrant in the El Niño developing years, moreover, the difference of the genesis location and lifespan of intense TCs between the El Niño developing years and La Niña developing years has been significantly enlarged in the recent period, compared to that in the prior period.
The late spring Caribbean rain‐belt: climatology and dynamics
Authors: Allen Theodore L. , Mapes Brian E. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTThis study examines the dynamics of late spring rainfall (the Early Rainy Season, ERS) in the Caribbean region, in hopes of identifying mechanistic‐based predictors for low‐frequency climate modulations of the system. The subtropical Caribbean rain‐belt develops in May as seasonal warming proceeds. By July, the rain‐belt retreats north apparently following the westerlies and their vigorous synoptic disturbances. Daily climatology data suggest a physical definition of the Caribbean ERS as mid‐May to mid‐late June. Based on an examination of daily loops for several seasons, we hypothesize that rainfall occurs quasi‐randomly throughout tongues of air with sufficiently high (above 45–50 mm) precipitable water (PW). These moist airmasses are brought north from the deep tropics by low‐level southerlies, and typically bent over into SW‐NE bands by latitudinal shear of the westerlies. The low‐level flow that transports PW tongues is partly induced by upper‐level synoptic disturbances in the westerlies, but also involves the gentle persistent flow around a geographically anchored Panama Low. While forced ascent is sometimes active ahead of these upper‐level troughs, convective and mesoscale processes can produce rain wherever PW is sufficient. In summary, we hypothesize that rainfall hinges largely on the Lagrangian statistics of moist air tongues. Comparison is drawn between the Caribbean rain‐belt and its East Asian counterpart (Meiyu‐Baiu), and other mechanisms and diagnostics from that literature are discussed. Statistical prediction exercises, based on mechanistically chosen predictors, could both test hypotheses and aid local agricultural interests in the region.
A new method of multi‐model ensemble to improve the simulation of the geographic distribution of the Köppen–Geiger climatic types
Authors: Wang Leibin , Rohli Robert V. , Yan Xiaodong , Li Yafei 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTMulti‐model ensembles (MMEs) have been demonstrated to be useful for improving the results of models. Furthermore, previous research suggests that weighted MMEs outperform unweighted multi‐model results in climatological simulations, with the degree of difference in model performance dependent on the suitability of the weighting scheme. The goal of this research is to improve the results of MMEs by optimizing the weighting for each model for predicting the distribution of Köppen–Geiger climatic types. Results suggest that the correspondence between general circulation model‐ (GCM‐) based and Climate Research Unit‐ (CRU‐) based output of the geographic distribution of the Köppen–Geiger climatic types is inadequate for nine GCMs simulations, with only 40–52% of the total land area having agreement for the Köppen climatic type. An unweighted ensemble average GCM‐based simulation produced only marginally improved model performance. However, the terrestrial area with disagreement between the MMEs and CRU was reduced to about 35% by using the nonlinear‐weighted ensemble average. Inconsistent regions between the MMEs and CRU are concentrated along the climatic boundaries, confirming that ecotones are simulated poorly by these models. Because, the Köppen classification is designed so that climatic regions correspond to biomes, this research may have implications for improving simulation of agricultural, forestry, and other biotic realms under past and future climatic conditions.
Trends in temperature and wind speed from 40 years of observations at a 200‐m high meteorological tower in Southwest Germany
Authors: Kohler Martin , Metzger Jutta , Kalthoff Norbert 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTForty years of temperature and wind measurements at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology's 200‐m high meteorological tower in the Upper Rhine Valley in Southwest Germany are used to calculate trends in the mixed and residual layer respectively, which can be compared to trends in the surface layer. For trend analysis, the Mann–Kendall test is used. Data are analysed on an annual, seasonal, and daily scale. For the variable temperature, a significant positive annual trend is found. Seasonally, the strongest temperature increases are observed in spring and summer. This is also reflected by significant positive trends for meteorological indices such as summer days, tropical days, and growing season length. On a daily scale, the strongest temperature increase is found in the mixed layer during nighttime. This results in a stronger stable stratification and in a higher number of surface inversions. Wind speed measurements reveal a significant negative annual trend in the mixed layer at a height of 200 m. Seasonally, weakly negative trends are found for spring and summer. It can be shown that the trends for wind speed are only partly be related to modifications of surface roughness in the vicinity of the site.
Estrogen‐dependent efficacy of limb ischemic preconditioning in female rats
Authors: Pócs Levente , Janovszky Ágnes , Garab Dénes , Terhes Gabriella , Ocsovszki Imre , Kaszaki József , Boros Mihály , Piffkó József , Szabó Andrea 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTOur aim was to examine the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on the local periosteal and systemic inflammatory consequences of hindlimb ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) in Sprague–Dawley rats with chronic estrogen deficiency (13 weeks after ovariectomy, OVX) in the presence and absence of chronic 17beta‐estradiol supplementation (E2, 20 µg kg−1, 5 days/week for 5 weeks); sham‐operated (non‐OVX) animals served as controls. As assessed by intravital fluorescence microscopy, rolling and the firm adhesion of polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMNs) gave similar results in the Sham + IR and OVX + IR groups in the tibial periosteal microcirculation during the 3‐h reperfusion period after a 60‐min tourniquet ischemia. Postischemic increases in periosteal PMN adhesion and PMN‐derived adhesion molecule CD11b expressions, however, were significantly reduced by IPC (two cycles of 10′/10′) in Sham animals, but not in OVX animals; neither plasma free radical levels (as measured by chemiluminescence), nor TNF‐alpha release was affected by IPC. E2 supplementation in OVX animals restored the IPC‐related microcirculatory integrity and PMN‐derived CD11b levels, and TNF‐alpha and free radical levels were reduced by IPC only with E2. An enhanced estrogen receptor beta expression could also be demonstrated after E2 in the periosteum. Overall, the beneficial periosteal microcirculatory effects of limb IPC are lost in chronic estrogen deficiency, but they can be restored by E2 supplementation. This suggests that the presence of endogenous estrogen is a necessary facilitating factor of the anti‐inflammatory protection provided by limb IPC in females. The IPC‐independent effects of E2 on inflammatory reactions should also be taken into account in this model. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:97–105, 2018.
Pretreatment albumin level predicts survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lim Won Sub , Roh Jong‐Lyel , Kim Sung‐Bae , Choi Seung‐Ho , Nam Soon Yuhl , Kim Sang Yoon 
Published: May 2017

Objectives/HypothesisPoor nutritional status in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with tumor progression and survival. This study examined the prognostic value of nutritional and hematological markers in patients with HNSCC who received definitive treatments.Study DesignA prospective observational cohort study.MethodsThis study included 338 consecutive patients who underwent surgery and/or radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy for treatment‐naïve HNSCC. Body weight and nutritional and hematological parameters were regularly measured before and after treatment. Univariate and multivariate analyses using Cox proportional hazards models were performed to identify factors associated with disease‐free survival (DFS), cancer‐specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS).ResultsBody weight, serum total protein and albumin levels, and hematological variables significantly decreased after treatment. Univariate analyses illustrated that age, tumor site, T and N classifications, overall stage, pretreatment serum albumin (<3.5 g/dL) and hemoglobin (<12 g/dL) levels, and neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio were significantly associated with DFS, CSS, and OS (all P < .05). Multivariate analyses identified age, tumor site, N classification, and pretreatment albumin levels as independent predictors of DFS, CSS, and OS (all P < .05). Patients with low serum albumin levels prior to treatment experienced approximately sixfold increases in the risks of tumor progression and cancer‐specific and overall mortality compared to the findings in their counterparts.ConclusionsOur results suggest that pretreatment serum albumin levels predict DFS, CSS, and OS in patients who received definitive treatment for HNSCC. These findings might help to predict treatment outcome and guide nutritional intervention in patients with HNSCC.Level of Evidence2b. Laryngoscope, 127:E437–E442, 2017
Fasciocutaneous free flaps for reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defects
Authors: Piazza Cesare , Bon Francesca Del , Paderno Alberto , Grammatica Alberto , Montalto Nausica , Taglietti Valentina , Nicolai Piero 
Published: June 2017

Objectives/HypothesisDifferent reconstructive options are available for defects following total laryngectomy (TL) and circumferential (CH) or partial hypopharyngectomy (PH). We evaluated the flap success, pharyngocutaneous fistula, and pharyngoesophageal stenosis rates in two groups of patients treated by different policies.Study DesignComparison between two cohorts of patients treated by TL with PH/CH ± cervical esophagectomy and reconstructed according to different strategies.MethodsGroup A (historical) was composed of 89 patients reconstructed by pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC), radial forearm (RF), and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps. A salivary bypass stent (SBPS) was not routinely applied and left in place for a maximum of 14 days. Forty‐four (49%) patients received preoperative radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy (RT/CRT). Group B (prospective) included 105 patients reconstructed by RF or ALT with long‐lasting SBPS left in place for a maximum of 45 days. Sixty‐one (59%) received preoperative RT/CRT.ResultsIn group A, flap failure occurred in four (4%) cases, and all were managed by PMMC. We encountered 22 (26%) fistulas and 14 (16%) stenoses. In group B, flap failure occurred in six (6%) cases and was managed by PMMC. We encountered seven (7%) fistulas and three (3%) stenoses. Comparing complications among the two groups, we encountered a statistically significant difference in favor of group B for both fistula (P < .001) and stenosis (P = .001). We did not evidence any significant difference in terms of flap success rate.ConclusionsFirst‐line application of RF and ALT free flaps with long‐lasting SBPS in reconstruction after PH/CH allows obtaining reduced incidences of both fistula and stenosis.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2731–2737, 2017
Wastewater influences nitrogen dynamics in a coastal catchment during a prolonged drought
Authors: Bruesewitz Denise A. , Hoellein Timothy J. , Mooney Rae F. , Gardner Wayne S. , Buskey Edward J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractEcosystem function measurements can enhance our understanding of nitrogen (N) delivery in coastal catchments across river and estuary ecosystems. Here, we contrast patterns of N cycling and export in two rivers, one heavily influenced by wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), in a coastal catchment of south Texas. We measured N export from both rivers to the estuary over 2 yr that encompass a severe drought, along with detailed mechanisms of N cycling in river, tidal river, and two estuary sites during prolonged drought. WWTP nutrient inputs stimulated uptake of N, but denitrification resulting in permanent N removal accounted for only a small proportion of total uptake. During drought periods, WWTP N was the primary source of exported N to the estuary, minimizing the influence of episodic storm‐derived nutrients from the WWTP‐influenced river to the estuary. In the site without WWTP influence, the river exported very little N during drought, so storm‐derived nutrient pulses were important for delivering N loads to the estuary. Overall, N is processed from river to estuary, but sustained WWTP‐N loads and periodic floods alter the timing of N delivery and N processing. Research that incorporates empirical measurements of N fluxes from river to estuary can inform management needs in the face of multiple anthropogenic stressors such as demand for freshwater and eutrophication.
Biological cycling of volatile organic carbon by phytoplankton and bacterioplankton
Authors: Halsey Kimberly H. , Giovannoni Stephen J. , Graus Martin , Zhao Yanlin , Landry Zachary , Thrash J. Cameron , Vergin Kevin L. , de Gouw Joost 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAcetaldehyde, methanol, acetone, and isoprene are important reactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the oceans that partition to the atmosphere in significant amounts. Reports of potentially high rates of VOC turnover in the North Atlantic suggested that both biotic and abiotic processes are involved. The biological basis for VOC cycling by ocean plankton is unknown, but is potentially important because of VOC contributions to carbon cycle budgets and atmospheric chemistry. We designed dynamic stripping chambers that coupled to a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer to measure VOC production and consumption by cultured phytoplankton and bacterioplankton. The diatom, Thalassiosira pseudonana, produced acetaldehyde in a light‐dependent manner. Acetaldehyde was oxidized by the chemoheterotrophic bacterium, Pelagibacter, at rates that suggest that most acetaldehyde is recycled in the ocean before escaping to the atmosphere. These results show that field observations of acetaldehyde turnover reported previously could be explained by biological activity. Rates of production by phytoplankton cultures of methanol, acetone, and isoprene were also measured. These findings support the conclusion that VOCs are a conduit for carbon transfer directly from phytoplankton to bacterioplankton, with the remainder available for escape to the atmosphere.
Effect of Comonomers on Physical Properties and Cell Attachment to Silica‐Methacrylate/Acrylate Hybrids for Bone Substitution
Authors: Chung Justin J. , Sum Brian S. T. , Li Siwei , Stevens Molly M. , Georgiou Theoni K. , Jones Julian R. 
Published: May 2017

Hybrids with a silica network covalently bonded to a polymer are promising materials for bone repair. Previous work on synthesizing methyl methacrylate (MMA) based copolymers by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization gives high tailorability of mechanical properties since sophisticated polymer structures can be designed. However, more flexible hybrids would be beneficial. Here, n‐butyl methacrylate (BMA) and methyl acrylate (MA) based hybrids are produced. Unlike MMA, BMA and MA hybrids do not show plastic deformation, and BMA hybrid has strain to failure of 33%. Although the new hybrids are more flexible, preosteoblast cells do not adhere on their surfaces, due to higher hydrophobicity and lower stiffness. Comonomer choice is crucial for bone regenerative hybrids.
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