bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Renal sonography in bipolar patients on long‐term lithium treatment
Authors: Jończyk‐Potoczna Katarzyna , Abramowicz Maria , Chłopocka‐Woźniak Maria , Strzelczuk‐Judka Lidia , Michalak Michał , Czekalski Stanisław , Rybakowski Janusz K. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTPurposeThe aim of the study was to analyze sonographic (US) renal findings in lithium‐treated bipolar patients and to correlate them with renal function.MethodsRenal US and renal function tests were performed on 120 patients with bipolar disorder. Ninety patients (30 males, 60 females), aged 36–82 years, had received lithium therapy for an average of 16 years, whereas 30 patients (10 males, 20 females), aged 35–85 years, who had never been exposed to lithium, served as controls.ResultsIn the lithium‐treated group, patients with macrocysts (22%) had poorer renal function with higher creatinine serum concentrations, lower estimated glomerular filtration rates, and lower urine specific gravity, compared with the patients without macrocysts. The US changes characteristic for lithium nephropathy (punctate hyperechoic foci, microcysts < 2 mm, and increased echogenicity) were seen in three patients. These patients had been treated with lithium for more than 20 years and had impaired renal function. Sixteen percent of patients in the control group had macrocysts; however, no correlation between their presence and impaired renal function was found.ConclusionsThe presence of macrocysts in the kidneys of lithium‐treated bipolar patients is associated with impaired renal function. The US changes characteristic for lithium nephropathy are rare, and in our study, were only found in patients treated with lithium for 20 years or more. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:354–359, 2016
Sonographically detected free appendicolith as a sign of retrocecal perforated appendicitis in a 2‐year‐old child
Authors: Lovrenski Jovan , Jokić Radoica , Varga Ivan 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTPrompt and accurate diagnosis of perforated appendicitis is crucial for proper and timely treatment. The appendix, however, cannot always be identified with sonography (US). We report the case of a 2‐year‐old child with atypical clinical presentation, and US detection of a free appendicolith as a sign of perforated appendicitis, without visualization of the appendix itself. Laparoscopy revealed a retrocecal, gangrenous, perforated appendix with autoamputation, fibrinopurulent peritonitis, and a free appendicolith within the abdominal fluid. US detection of a free appendicolith in a child is a very rare, but unequivocal sign of perforated appendicitis, which should be sought. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:395–398, 2016
Thyroid calcifications: a pictorial essay
Authors: Lacout Alexis , Chevenet Carole , Thariat Juliette , Marcy Pierre Yves 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTIncidental diagnosis of thyroid nodules is very common on adult neck ultrasonography examination. Thyroid calcifications are encountered in benign thyroid nodules and goiters as well as in thyroid malignancy. Depiction and characterization of such calcifications within a thyroid nodule may be a key element in the thyroid nodule diagnosis algorithm. The goal of this paper is to display typical radio‐pathological correlations of various thyroid pathologies of benign and malignant conditions in which the calcification type diagnosis can play a key role in the final diagnosis of the thyroid nodule. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:245–251, 2016
Cardiac troponin in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yousufuddin Mohammed , Abdalrhim Ahmed D. , Wang Zhen , Murad M. Hassan 
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUNDElevated cardiac troponin (cTn) is often observed in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We assessed the magnitude of association and quality of supporting evidence between cTn and clinically important outcomes in persons hospitalized for ADHF.METHODSWe searched MEDLINE In‐Process & Other Non‐Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus from inception through February 28, 2015. The outcomes analyzed included hospital length of stay (LOS), readmissions, and mortality. Random effects meta‐analysis was used to combine outcomes across studies.RESULTSWe included 26 clinical studies. A detectable or elevated cTn was associated with increased LOS (odds ratio [OR]: 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01‐1.10), increased in‐hospital mortality (OR: 2.57; 95% CI: 2.27‐2.91), and a composite of mortality and major adverse events (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.03‐1.71) during hospitalization. ADHF patients with a detectable or elevated cTn were at increased risk for mortality and composite of mortality and readmission over the short term (mortality OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.43‐3.12; composite OR: 2.81; 95% CI: 1.60‐4.92), intermediate term (mortality OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.46‐3.35; composite OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.78‐2.99), and long term (mortality OR: 3.69; 95% CI: 2.64‐5.18; composite OR: 3.49; 95% CI: 2.08‐5.84). The overall confidence in estimates was moderate.CONCLUSIONSAmong ADHF patients, a detectable or elevated cTn identifies subjects at increased risk for adverse clinical outcomes during acute hospitalization and those at higher risk for postdischarge mortality and composite of readmission and mortality. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:446–454. 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Molecular mechanisms of biological aging in intervertebral discs
Authors: Vo Nam V. , Hartman Robert A. , Patil Prashanti R. , Risbud Makarand V. , Kletsas Dimitris , Iatridis James C. , Hoyland Judith A. , Le Maitre Christine L. , Sowa Gwendolyn A. , Kang James D. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTAdvanced age is the greatest risk factor for the majority of human ailments, including spine‐related chronic disability and back pain, which stem from age‐associated intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Given the rapid global rise in the aging population, understanding the biology of intervertebral disc aging in order to develop effective therapeutic interventions to combat the adverse effects of aging on disc health is now imperative. Fortunately, recent advances in aging research have begun to shed light on the basic biological process of aging. Here we review some of these insights and organize the complex process of disc aging into three different phases to guide research efforts to understand the biology of disc aging. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the current knowledge and the recent progress made to elucidate specific molecular mechanisms underlying disc aging. In particular, studies over the last few years have uncovered cellular senescence and genomic instability as important drivers of disc aging. Supporting evidence comes from DNA repair‐deficient animal models that show increased disc cellular senescence and accelerated disc aging. Additionally, stress‐induced senescent cells have now been well documented to secrete catabolic factors, which can negatively impact the physiology of neighboring cells and ECM. These along with other molecular drivers of aging are reviewed in depth to shed crucial insights into the underlying mechanisms of age‐related disc degeneration. We also highlight molecular targets for novel therapies and emerging candidate therapeutics that may mitigate age‐associated IDD. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1289–1306, 2016.
Small scholar‐led scholarly journals: Can they survive and thrive in an open access future?
Authors: Morrison Heather 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis article presents early results of a research project designed to further our understanding of how to ensure that small scholar‐led journals can survive and thrive in a global open access knowledge commons. This phase of the research focuses on generation of ideas through interviews and focus groups with 15 participants involved in producing small scholar‐led journals that either are or would like to become open access. Although a couple of journals reported that they could survive in an open access future based on existing resources, most were concerned about survival and none expressed confidence that they could thrive in an open‐access future. These journals are far more diverse than one might imagine. Comparing the costs of article production from one journal with another might not make sense. A number of avenues for further research are discussed.
Induced Microphase Separation in Hybrid Composite Polymer Electrolytes Based on Poly(acrylonitrile‐r‐butadienes) and Ionic Liquids
Authors: Wirey Michael , Hunt Marcus , Blensdorf Tyler , Stein Barry D. , Werner‐Zwanziger Ulrike , Hanson Margaret A. , Mahmoud Waleed E. , Al‐Ghamdi Ahmed A. , Carini John , Bronstein Lyudmila M. 
Published: February 2016

Novel hybrid, composite polymer electrolytes (HCPEs) based on poly(acrylonitrile‐r‐butadiene) (PAN‐r‐PB), CN‐modified silica nanoparticles (CN‐MSNs), Li triflate, and ionic liquids (ILs) are synthesized. Using a combination of methods, it is demonstrated that these materials segregate into PAN‐rich and PB‐rich phases, the behavior of which changes depending on the IL type. The incorporation of ILs containing hexyl and octyl substituents at the imidazolium rings leads to a higher mobility of the PB‐rich phase and a decrease of the density of the neighboring PAN‐rich phase, allowing an improvement of the Li ion conductivity. However, with an increase of the substituent length from decyl to dodecyl, ordering of the hydrophobic tails in the PB‐rich phase leads to both stiffening of the latter and corresponding ordering of the ionic pairs of ILs, resulting in a decreased conductivity. The results of this work are broadly applicable for controlling the structure and properties of polymeric materials exhibiting microphase segregation.
image
Regional T1 relaxation time constants in Ex vivo human brain: Longitudinal effects of formalin exposure
Authors: Raman Mekala R. , Shu Yunhong , Lesnick Timothy G. , Jack Clifford R. , Kantarci Kejal 
Published: February 2016

PurposeRelaxation time constants are useful as markers of tissue properties. Imaging ex vivo tissue is done for research purposes; however, T1 relaxation time constants are altered by tissue fixation in a time‐dependent manner. This study investigates regional changes in T1 relaxation time constants in ex vivo brain tissue over 6 months of fixation.MethodsFive ex vivo human brain hemispheres in 10% formalin were scanned over 6 months. Mean T1 relaxation time constants were measured in regions of interest (ROIs) representing gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) regions and analyzed as a function of fixation time.ResultsCortical GM ROIs had longer T1 relaxation time constants than WM ROIs; the thalamus had T1 relaxation time constants similar to those of WM ROIs. T1 relaxation time constants showed rapid shortening within the first 6 weeks after fixation followed by a slower rate of decline.ConclusionBoth GM and WM T1 relaxation time constants of fixed brain tissue show rapid decline within the first 6 weeks after autopsy and slow by 6 months. This information is useful for optimizing MR imaging acquisition parameters according to fixation time for ex vivo brain imaging studies. Magn Reson Med 77:774–778, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution‐NonCommercial‐NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non‐commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Amplified magnetic resonance imaging (aMRI)
Authors: Holdsworth Samantha J. , Rahimi Mahdi Salmani , Ni Wendy W. , Zaharchuk Greg , Moseley Michael E. 
Published: February 2016

PurposeThis work describes a new method called amplified MRI (aMRI), which uses Eulerian video magnification to amplify the subtle spatial variations in cardiac‐gated brain MRI scans and enables better visualization of brain motion.MethodsThe aMRI method takes retrospective cardiac‐gated cine MRI data as input, applies a spatial decomposition, followed by temporal filtering and frequency‐selective amplification of the MRI cardiac‐gated frames before synthesizing a motion‐amplified cine data set.ResultsThis approach reveals deformations of the brain parenchyma and displacements of arteries due to cardiac pulsatility, especially in the brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord.ConclusionaMRI has the potential for widespread neuro‐ and non‐neuro clinical use because it can amplify and characterize small, often barely perceptible motion and can visualize the biomechanical response of tissues using the heartbeat as an endogenous mechanical driver. Magn Reson Med 75:2245–2254, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐resolution dynamic CE‐MRA of the thorax enabled by iterative TWIST reconstruction
Authors: Wetzl Jens , Forman Christoph , Wintersperger Bernd J. , D'Errico Luigia , Schmidt Michaela , Mailhe Boris , Maier Andreas , Stalder Aurélien F. 
Published: February 2016

PurposeTo evaluate the clinical benefit of using a new iterative reconstruction technique fully integrated on a standard clinical scanner and reconstruction system using a TWIST acquisition for high‐resolution dynamic three‐dimensional contrast‐enhanced MR angiography (CE‐MRA).MethodsLow‐dose, high‐resolution TWIST datasets of 11 patients were reconstructed using both standard GRAPPA‐based reconstruction for reference and iterative reconstruction, which reduces the temporal footprint of reconstructed images. Image quality of both techniques was assessed by two experienced readers, as well as quantitatively evaluated using a time‐signal curve analysis.ResultsImage quality scores consistently and significantly improved by using iterative reconstruction compared with the standard approach. Most notably, the delineation of small to mid‐size vasculature improved from a mean Likert score between “nondiagnostic” and “poor” for standard to between “good” and “excellent” for iterative reconstruction. The full width at half maximum of the contrast agent bolus computed from the time‐signal curve was also reduced by iterative reconstruction, allowing for more precise bolus timing.ConclusionIterative reconstruction can substantially improve high‐resolution dynamic CE‐MRA image quality, most notably in small to mid‐size vasculature. Dynamic CE‐MRA with iterative reconstruction could become an alternative to conventional static 3D CE‐MRA, thus simplifying the clinical workflow. Magn Reson Med 77:833–840, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Longitudinal relaxation time editing for acetylcarnitine detection with 1H‐MRS
Authors: Lindeboom Lucas , Bruls Yvonne M.H. , van Ewijk Petronella A. , Hesselink Matthijs K.C. , Wildberger Joachim E. , Schrauwen Patrick , Schrauwen‐Hinderling Vera B. 
Published: February 2016

PurposeAcetylcarnitine formation is suggested to be crucial in sustaining metabolic flexibility and glucose homeostasis. Recently, we introduced a method to detect acetylcarnitine in vivo with long TE 1H‐MRS. Differences in T1 relaxation time between lipids and acetylcarnitine can be exploited for additional lipid suppression in subjects with high myocellular lipid levels.MethodsAcquisition of spectra with an inversion recovery sequence was alternated with standard signal acquisition to suppress short T1 metabolite signals. A proof of principle experiment was conducted in a lean subject and the new approach was subsequently tested in four overweight/obese subjects.ResultsUsing the new T1 editing approach, lipid signals in spectra of skeletal muscle can be (additionally) suppressed by a factor of 10 using a TI of 900 ms. Combination of the long TE protocol with the T1 editing resulted in a well‐resolved acetylcarnitine peak in the obese subjects.ConclusionThe T1 editing approach suppresses short T1 metabolites and offers a new contrast in 1H‐MRS. The approach should be used in combination with a long TE in subjects with high lipid contamination for accurate quantification of the acetylcarnitine concentration. Magn Reson Med 77:505–510, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
T2‐Weighted intracranial vessel wall imaging at 7 Tesla using a DANTE‐prepared variable flip angle turbo spin echo readout (DANTE‐SPACE)
Authors: Viessmann Olivia , Li Linqing , Benjamin Philip , Jezzard Peter 
Published: February 2016

PurposeTo optimize intracranial vessel wall imaging (VWI) at 7T for sharp wall depiction and high boundary contrast.MethodsA variable flip angle turbo spin echo scheme (SPACE) was optimized for VWI. SPACE provides black‐blood contrast, but has less crushing effect on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, a delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation (DANTE) preparation suppresses the signal from slowly moving spins of a few mm per second. Therefore, we optimized a DANTE‐preparation module for 7T. Signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and signal ratio for vessel wall, CSF, and lumen were calculated for SPACE and DANTE‐SPACE in 11 volunteers at the middle cerebral artery (MCA). An exemplar MCA stenosis patient was scanned with DANTE‐SPACE.ResultsThe 7T‐optimized SPACE sequence improved the vessel wall point‐spread function by 17%. The CNR between the wall and CSF was doubled (12.2 versus 5.6) for the DANTE‐SPACE scans compared with the unprepared SPACE. This increase was significant in the right hemisphere (P = 0.016), but not in the left (P = 0.090). The CNR between wall and lumen was halved, but remained at a high value (24.9 versus 56.5).ConclusionThe optimized SPACE sequence improves VWI at 7T. Additional DANTE preparation increases the contrast between the wall and CSF. Increased outer boundary contrast comes at the cost of reduced inner boundary contrast. Magn Reson Med 77:655–663, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A 16‐channel combined loop‐dipole transceiver array for 7 Tesla body MRI
Authors: Ertürk M. Arcan , Raaijmakers Alexander J.E. , Adriany Gregor , Uğurbil Kâmil , Metzger Gregory J. 
Published: February 2016

PurposeTo develop a 16‐channel transceive body imaging array at 7.0 T with improved transmit, receive, and specific absorption rate (SAR) performance by combining both loop and dipole elements and using their respective and complementary near and far field characteristics.MethodsA 16‐channel radiofrequency (RF) coil array consisting of eight loop‐dipole blocks (16LD) was designed and constructed. Transmit and receive performance was quantitatively investigated in phantom and human model simulations, and experiments on five healthy volunteers inside the prostate. Comparisons were made with 16‐channel microstrip line (16ML) and 10‐channel fractionated dipole antenna (10DA) arrays. The 16LD was used to acquire anatomic and functional images of the prostate, kidneys, and heart.ResultsThe 16LD provided > 14% improvements in the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), peak
,
transmit, and SAR efficiencies over the 16ML and 10DA in simulations inside the prostate. Experimentally, the 16LD had > 20% higher SNR and
transmit efficiency compared with other arrays, and achieved up to 51.8% higher peak
compared with 10DA.ConclusionCombining loop and dipole elements provided a body imaging array with high channel count and density while limiting inter‐element coupling. The 16LD improved both near and far‐field performance compared with existing 7.0T body arrays and provided high‐quality MRI of the prostate kidneys and heart. Magn Reson Med 77:884–894, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Effects of training on attitudes of psychiatric personnel towards patients who self‐injure
Authors: Tapola Vojna , Wahlström Jarl , Lappalainen Raimo 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundImproving attitudes of personnel towards self‐injurious patients leads to better working alliance and contributes to better patient outcomes. Previous research into the improvement of these attitudes has recorded the need for specific training in evidence‐based assessment and treatment of self‐injurious patients.AimThe current study describes the attitudes towards self‐injurious patients among psychiatric personnel. The study also evaluates the effect of a structured clinical training program on psychiatric personnel's attitudes towards patients who self‐injure. It further examines whether age, education, frequency of self‐injurious patients contact, and work experience of the personnel are associated with the existing attitudes.MethodsPsychiatric personnel (N = 50) attended a four‐day training program, presenting evidence‐based knowledge regarding self‐injury assessment and treatment, using group exercises and reflective learning principles. The personnel completed the Understanding Suicidal Patients Questionnaire (USP) anonymously PreTraining, on 17 January 2014, and PostTraining, on 20 June 2014. The mean differences as well as single USP items before and after the training were tested by unpaired t‐test. Two‐way ANOVA was used to test impact of background variables on the USP scores.ResultsThe training program had statistically significant impact (P < 0·01) on the following individual items of the USP scale: Patients who have tried to commit suicide are usually treated well in my work unit (d = 1·02); A person who has made several suicide attempt is at greater risk of committing suicide (d = 0·64); Because the patients who have tried to commit suicide have emotional problems, they need the best possible treatment (d = 0·57). The results also suggested that the frequency of patient contact had impact on attitudes towards self‐injurious patients.
Effect of postprandial gum chewing on diet‐induced thermogenesis
Authors: Hamada Yuka , Miyaji Akane , Hayashi Naoyuki 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of postprandial gum chewing on diet‐induced thermogenesis (DIT).MethodsTwelve healthy normal‐weight males completed four trials on four different days. They chewed a 621‐kcal test meal for as long as possible and as many times as possible in the slow‐eating trials, while they consumed the same meal as rapidly as possible in the rapid‐eating trials. In the gum‐chewing trials, they chewed a 3‐kcal gum for 15 min after the meal. In the non‐gum‐chewing trials, they consumed 3 kcal of sugar with the test meal instead of chewing the gum. DIT was calculated based on the oxygen uptake, body mass, and postprandial increments in energy expenditure above the baseline as measured before each trial.ResultsDIT was significantly greater in the gum‐chewing trials than in the non‐gum‐chewing trials for both rapid‐eating and slow‐eating trials. The difference in DIT between rapid‐eating and slow‐eating trials was greater than that between non‐gum‐chewing and gum‐chewing trials.ConclusionsPostprandial gum chewing enhanced DIT, but the effect of gum chewing on DIT did not exceed that of slow eating when consuming a meal.