bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructural immunolocalization of hyaluronate in regenerating tail of lizards and amphibians supports an immune‐suppressive role to favor regeneration
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHyaluronate is produced in high amount during the initial stages of regeneration of the tail and limbs of lizards, newts, and frog tadpoles. The fine distribution of hyaluronate in the regenerating tail blastemas has been assessed by ultrastructural immunolocalization of the Hyaluronate Binding Protein (HABP), a protein that indirectly reveals the presence of hyaluronate in tissues. The present electron microscopic study shows that HABP is detected in the cytoplasm but this proteins is mainly localized on the surfaces of cells in the wound epidermis and mesenchymal cells of the blastema. HABP appears, therefore, accumulated along the cell surface, indicating that hyaluronate coats these embryonic‐like cells and their antigens. The high level of hyaluronate in the blastema, aside favoring tissue hydration, cell movements, and remodeling for blastema formation and growth, likely elicits a protection from the possible immune‐reaction of lymphocytes and macrophages to embryonic‐fetal‐like antigens present on the surface of blastema and epidermal cells. Their survival, therefore, allows the continuous multiplication of these cells in regions rich in hyaluronate, promoting the regeneration of a new tail or limbs. The study suggests that organ regeneration in vertebrates is only possible in the presence of high hyaluronate content and hydration. These two conditions facilitate cell movement, immune‐protection, and activate the Wnt signaling pathway, like during development.
Five‐minute knee MRI for simultaneous morphometry and T2 relaxometry of cartilage and meniscus and for semiquantitative radiological assessment using double‐echo in steady‐state at 3T
Authors: Chaudhari Akshay S. , Black Marianne S. , Eijgenraam Susanne , Wirth Wolfgang , Maschek Susanne , Sveinsson Bragi , Eckstein Felix , Oei Edwin H.G. , Gold Garry E. , Hargreaves Brian A. 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundBiomarkers for assessing osteoarthritis activity necessitate multiple MRI sequences with long acquisition times.PurposeTo perform 5‐minute simultaneous morphometry (thickness/volume measurements) and T2 relaxometry of both cartilage and meniscus, and semiquantitative MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Scoring (MOAKS).Study TypeProspective.SubjectsFifteen healthy volunteers for morphometry and T2 measurements, and 15 patients (five each Kellgren–Lawrence grades 0/2/3) for MOAKS assessment.Field Strength/SequenceA 5‐minute double‐echo steady‐state (DESS) sequence was evaluated for generating quantitative and semiquantitative osteoarthritis biomarkers at 3T.AssessmentFlip angle simulations evaluated tissue signals and sensitivity of T2 measurements. Morphometry and T2 reproducibility was compared against morphometry‐optimized and relaxometry‐optimized sequences. Repeatability was assessed by scanning five volunteers twice. MOAKS reproducibility was compared to MOAKS derived from a clinical knee MRI protocol by two readers.Statistical TestsCoefficients of variation (CVs), concordance confidence intervals (CCI), and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests compared morphometry and relaxometry measurements with their reference standards. DESS MOAKS positive percent agreement (PPA), negative percentage agreement (NPA), and interreader agreement was calculated using the clinical protocol as a reference. Biomarker variations between Kellgren–Lawrence groups were evaluated using Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests.ResultsCartilage thickness (P = 0.65), cartilage T2 (P = 0.69), and meniscus T2 (P = 0.06) did not significantly differ from their reference standard (with a 20° DESS flip angle). DESS slightly overestimated meniscus volume (P < 0.001). Accuracy and repeatability CVs were <3.3%, except the meniscus T2 accuracy (7.6%). DESS MOAKS had substantial interreader agreement and high PPA/NPA values of 87%/90%. Bone marrow lesions and menisci had slightly lower PPAs. Cartilage and meniscus T2, and MOAKS (cartilage surface area, osteophytes, cysts, and total score) was higher in Kellgren–Lawrence groups 2 and 3 than group 0 (P < 0.05).Data ConclusionThe 5‐minute DESS sequence permits MOAKS assessment for a majority of tissues, along with repeatable and reproducible simultaneous cartilage and meniscus T2 relaxometry and morphometry measurements.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1328–1341.
Quaternary ammonium isobaric tag for a relative and absolute quantification of peptides
Authors: Setner Bartosz , Stefanowicz Piotr , Szewczuk Zbigniew 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIsobaric labeling quantification of peptides has become a method of choice for mass spectrometry‐based proteomics studies. However, despite of wide variety of commercially available isobaric tags, none of the currently available methods offers significant improvement of sensitivity of detection during MS experiment. Recently, many strategies were applied to increase the ionization efficiency of peptides involving chemical modifications introducing quaternary ammonium fixed charge. Here, we present a novel quaternary ammonium–based isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification of peptides (QAS‐iTRAQ 2‐plex). Upon collisional activation, the new stable benzylic‐type cationic reporter ion is liberated from the tag. Deuterium atoms were used to offset the differential masses of a reporter group. We tested the applicability of QAS‐iTRAQ 2‐plex reagent on a series of model peptides as well as bovine serum albumin tryptic digest. Obtained results suggest usefulness of this isobaric ionization tag for relative and absolute quantification of peptides.
Identifying Fetal Growth Disorders Using Ultrasonography in Women With Diabetes
Authors: Dude Annie M. , Yee Lynn M. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesWe evaluated the ability of third‐trimester ultrasonography (US) to diagnose disorders of fetal growth among women with diabetes mellitus.MethodsThis work was a retrospective cohort study of women with diabetes who delivered term singleton neonates at a single academic medical center and who had a US examination within 5 weeks of delivery. We characterized the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of US to detect large‐for‐gestational age (LGA) and small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) infants. Large and small for gestational age were defined as a US estimated fetal weight of greater than 90% and less than 10%, respectively, based on the Hadlock formula (Radiology 1991; 181:129–133); US estimates of LGA or SGA were compared with postnatal findings of LGA or SGA based on gestational age–based weight percentiles. Test characteristics were analyzed for the total cohort and by the type of diabetes. We compared the areas under the curve for receiver operating characteristic curves for different types of diabetes.ResultsOf 521 women, 3 (0.6%) screened positive for SGA, and 64 (12.3%) delivered an SGA neonate. In contrast, 129 (24.8%) screened positive for LGA, and 61 (11.7%) delivered an LGA neonate. The receiver operating characteristic curves did not differ significantly for different types of diabetes (P = .68).ConclusionsUltrasonography in women with diabetes and term or late preterm pregnancies has high specificity but poor sensitivity for SGA and a low positive predictive value for LGA. The diagnostic capability of US to detect fetal growth abnormalities did not differ significantly by the type of diabetes.
Noninvasive Prediction of Renal Stone Surface Irregularities by Numerical Analysis of the Color Doppler Twinkling Artifact: An Ex Vivo Study
Authors: Jamzad Amoon , Setarehdan Seyed Kamaledin 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesThe physical structures of renal stones are highly correlated with their breakability. Noninvasive estimation of stone roughness will be beneficial for management. The intensity of the twinkling artifact appearing at the site of renal stones on Doppler ultrasound imaging is also influenced by the stone's roughness level. This article proposes a quantitative method for roughness prediction of ex vivo renal stones based on a twinkling analysis of their color Doppler images.MethodsTwenty surgically removed renal stones were first spatially modeled by an optical method, and 12 standard roughness measures were extracted from them. Stones were then embedded in an agar‐based phantom and Doppler imaged with a calibrated ultrasound system. The images were preprocessed, and 11 twinkling intensities were measured numerically. The twinkling data along with the roughness labels were then analyzed by multiple linear regressions, and finally, a linear roughness predictor was trained for renal stones.ResultsThe core height measure of roughness had the best linear fit to the twinkling data among other roughness parameters. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated a strong linear relationship between twinkling data and stones' roughness, with an R2 value of 83.29% and high statistical significance of F(11,868) = 393.36 and P < .001.ConclusionsIt was possible to predict the core roughness of renal stones using the proposed method and the twinkling artifact data acquired from the color Doppler images ex vivo.
A Yolk Sac Larger Than 5 mm Suggests an Abnormal Fetal Karyotype, Whereas an Absent Embryo Indicates a Normal Fetal Karyotype
Authors: Yoneda Satoshi , Shiozaki Arihiro , Yoneda Noriko , Sameshima Azusa , Ito Mika , Shima Tomoko , Nakashima Akitoshi , Yoshino Osamu , Kigawa Mika , Takamori Ryosuke , Shinagawa Yasuhiro , Saito Shigeru 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesIt is very hard to estimate an abnormal or normal fetal karyotype in miscarriage before surgery. We investigated whether the abnormal fetal karyotype in early miscarriage could be estimated by comprehensive ultrasonographic findings by a multivariate analysis.MethodsOne hundred fifty‐one patients with early miscarriage (<12 weeks' gestation) were selected in our hospital. The clinical characteristics were compared between pregnant women carrying a fetus with an abnormal karyotype and those with a normal one, and the size and configuration of the gestational sac, yolk sac, and embryo at diagnosis of early miscarriage were also evaluated.ResultsThe rate of abnormal fetal karyotypes was 66.2 % (100 of 151). A maternal age older than 35 years (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–7.4; P = .005), yolk sac larger than 5 mm (odds ratio, 6.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.2–22.7, P < .001), and absent embryo (odds ratio, 0.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.16–0.95; P = .038) were independent markers for predicting an abnormal fetal karyotype by multiple logistic regression analysis.ConclusionsAt the point of early miscarriage diagnosis, a yolk sac larger than 5 mm suggests an abnormal fetal karyotype, whereas an absent embryo indicates a normal fetal karyotype.
MRSA chronic bacterial laryngitis: A growing problem
Authors: Carpenter Patrick S. , Kendall Katherine A. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesChronic bacterial infection of the larynx is characterized by long‐standing hoarseness and exudative laryngitis. Prolonged antibiotic therapy is required to clear the infection, and methicillin‐resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) may be the responsible pathogen. The objective of this study was to describe the presentation, comorbidities, treatment response, and underlying etiology— including the incidence of MRSA—in our patient population with chronic bacterial laryngitis.MethodsA review of patients with a diagnosis of chronic bacterial laryngitis from 2012 to 2016 was performed. Diagnosis of chronic bacterial laryngitis was based on clinical history and findings on flexible laryngoscopy. In selected cases, the diagnosis of bacterial laryngitis was confirmed by operative biopsy. Information regarding clinical presentation and course was collected.ResultsTwenty‐eight patients were included in the study. Twenty‐three were treated empirically with Amoxicillin‐clavulonic acid for a minimum of 21 days. Twelve of the 23 (52%) had recurrence or nonresolution of infection. Seven of the 12 nonresponders (58%) were found to have MRSA by laryngeal tissue culture. Five patients were treated initially with Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, and all resolved the infection without the need for further treatment. There was a nonstatistically significant increase in smoking and reflux in the MRSA population compared to the non‐MRSA group.ConclusionMRSA infection was documented in 30% of patients overall with chronic bacterial laryngitis. Based on the results of the study, a treatment algorithm for management of this unusual patient population is suggested.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:921–925, 2018
Utility of intraoperative imaging in cochlear implantation: A systematic review
Authors: Appachi Swathi , Schwartz Seth , Ishman Stacey , Anne Samantha 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundMany institutions routinely perform intraoperative imaging during cochlear implant (CI) surgery to determine accurate electrode placement. Different modalities exist; however, there remains some controversy regarding the usefulness of intraoperative imaging.ObjectiveSystematically review the utility of intraoperative imaging in CI surgery and implications for management.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane library were searched from inception to April 2017. Studies analyzing the use of intraoperative imaging during CI surgery were included. Outcome measures included unsatisfactory placement and change in management. Two independent evaluators reviewed each abstract and article.ResultsTwo hundred and sixty‐seven articles were identified. Of those, 17 met inclusion criteria. There were no randomized controlled trials. Intraoperative X‐rays were performed in 917 CIs in eight studies. Placement was unsatisfactory on radiograph in 19 implants (3.5%), and management was changed in 18 of 19 (94.7%). Intraoperative computed tomography (CT) was performed in 69 CIs in seven studies. Placement was unsatisfactory on CT in two implants (3.0%), and management was changed in both (100%). Intraoperative real‐time fluoroscopy was performed in 20 CIs in two studies to help guide correct placement. Twenty‐two of these patients had abnormal cochleas. Fifteen out of 17 studies concluded that intraoperative imaging is useful, especially with challenging anatomy or when the surgeon questions placement.ConclusionIntraoperative imaging detects unsatisfactory placement of electrodes during CI surgery at a low, but not negligible, rate. The current literature is not conclusive regarding the utility of routine imaging, but it appears to be most useful with abnormal cochlear anatomy or when the surgeon questions placement.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 1914–1921, 2018
Open the SterivexTM casing: An easy and effective way to improve DNA extraction yields
Authors: Cruaud Perrine , Vigneron Adrien , Fradette Marie‐Stéphanie , Charette Steve J. , Rodriguez Manuel J. , Dorea Caetano C. , Culley Alexander I. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe describe an inexpensive, reliable, and easily executed improvement for the extraction of DNA from SterivexTM filter units, that involves the separation of the SterivexTM filter from its casing. Our study demonstrates that our modification of the original extraction protocol significantly increased DNA yields, with an average increase of 4.1‐fold more DNA than with the standard approach. A comparison of the diversity after Illumina MiSeq sequencing of bacterial communities extracted with both the standard approach and the proposed one indicated that our modified protocol has no or little impact on the results. This protocol provides a relatively straight forward means to achieve higher yields of DNA from the extraction of SterivexTM cartridges without altering the community composition and will likely be of interest to a wide range of scientists that use techniques based on the recovery of DNA from filters.
Transaktionen: von Ost nach West
Authors: Kofler Florian , Mehran Benjamin , Schneider Bernd 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMegadeals, hohe Unternehmensbewertungen und gut verfügbare Finanzierungsquellen führen zu Höchstständen bei Zusammenschlüssen und Akquisitionen. Dies zeigt sich nicht nur in den USA.
Benzol dearomatisieren mit Licht
Authors: Teichert Johannes F. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBenzolderivate zu dearomatisieren, ist schwierig und lässt nur selten zu, zusätzliche funktionelle Gruppen aufzubauen. Eine neue Möglichkeit zur Benzoldearomatisierung ist die lichtinduzierte Cycloaddition. Schlüsselreagenzien hierfür sind Triazolindione.
Poor Health and Experiences of Being Bullied in Adolescents: Self‐Perceived Overweight and Frustration with Appearance Matter
Authors: Lin Yi‐Ching , Latner Janet D. , Fung Xavier C. C. , Lin Chung‐Ying 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveTo examine the associations between body image (actual and self‐perceived weight status; feelings about appearance) and health outcomes (overall health, life satisfaction, and mental health) and between body image and experiences of being bullied.MethodsParticipants included 8,303 children from 7th to 10th grade in the Health Behavior of School‐Aged Children (HBSC) 2009‐2010 data set, a large‐scale sample in the United States. Several multiple linear regressions (with health outcomes as dependent variables) and multivariate logistic regressions (with being bullied or not as dependent variable) were conducted to investigate the associations between each dependent variable and the following independent variables: relationship with parents, frustration with appearance, and actual and self‐perceived weight status.ResultsSelf‐perceived underweight, self‐perceived overweight (OW), and frustration with appearance were positively associated with being bullied. Frustration with appearance was a risk factor, while good relationship with parents was a protective factor, especially for psychological health outcomes. Self‐perceived OW had a stronger association with the experience of being bullied than actual OW. The relationship between actual OW and being bullied might be attenuated when self‐perceived OW is simultaneously considered.ConclusionsBody image may be an important factor in the association between weight status and the experience of being bullied.
Passive Stretch Induces Structural and Functional Maturation of Engineered Heart Muscle as Predicted by Computational Modeling
Authors: Abilez Oscar J. , Tzatzalos Evangeline , Yang Huaxiao , Zhao Ming-Tao , Jung Gwanghyun , Zöllner Alexander M. , Tiburcy Malte , Riegler Johannes , Matsa Elena , Shukla Praveen , Zhuge Yan , Chour Tony , Chen Vincent C. , Burridge Paul W. , Karakikes Ioannis , Kuhl Ellen , Bernstein Daniel , Couture Larry A. , Gold Joseph D. , Zimmermann Wolfram H. , Wu Joseph C. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe ability to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into cardiomyocytes (CMs) makes them an attractive source for repairing injured myocardium, disease modeling, and drug testing. Although current differentiation protocols yield hPSC-CMs to &gt;90% efficiency, hPSC-CMs exhibit immature characteristics. With the goal of overcoming this limitation, we tested the effects of varying passive stretch on engineered heart muscle (EHM) structural and functional maturation, guided by computational modeling. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs, H7 line) or human induced pluripotent stem cells (IMR-90 line) were differentiated to hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) in vitro using a small molecule based protocol. hPSC-CMs were characterized by troponin+ flow cytometry as well as electrophysiological measurements. Afterwards, 1.2 × 106 hPSC-CMs were mixed with 0.4 × 106 human fibroblasts (IMR-90 line) (3:1 ratio) and type-I collagen. The blend was cast into custom-made 12-mm long polydimethylsiloxane reservoirs to vary nominal passive stretch of EHMs to 5, 7, or 9 mm. EHM characteristics were monitored for up to 50 days, with EHMs having a passive stretch of 7 mm giving the most consistent formation. Based on our initial macroscopic observations of EHM formation, we created a computational model that predicts the stress distribution throughout EHMs, which is a function of cellular composition, cellular ratio, and geometry. Based on this predictive modeling, we show cell alignment by immunohistochemistry and coordinated calcium waves by calcium imaging. Furthermore, coordinated calcium waves and mechanical contractions were apparent throughout entire EHMs. The stiffness and active forces of hPSC-derived EHMs are comparable with rat neonatal cardiomyocyte-derived EHMs. Three-dimensional EHMs display increased expression of mature cardiomyocyte genes including sarcomeric protein troponin-T, calcium and potassium ion channels, β-adrenergic receptors, and t-tubule protein caveolin-3. Passive stretch affects the structural and functional maturation of EHMs. Based on our predictive computational modeling, we show how to optimize cell alignment and calcium dynamics within EHMs. These findings provide a basis for the rational design of EHMs, which enables future scale-up productions for clinical use in cardiovascular tissue engineering.
The Fascia Iliaca Block as the Primary Intraoperative Anesthesia for Hip Fracture Surgery: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Ruzbarsky Joseph J. , Gausden Elizabeth B. , Goldwyn Elan M. , Lowenwirt Isaac P. , Kotlyar Vitaly 
Published: October 2017

Background Early surgical intervention for hip fractures in the elderly has proven efficacious. However, surgical delays commonly occur in this patient population due to comorbid conditions that put these patients at a high risk for hypotension-related complications of general or neuraxial anesthesia or anticoagulants that delay the safe use of neuraxial anesthesia. Questions/Purposes The questions/purposes of this study are (1) to investigate if a fascia iliaca block in conjunction with light to moderate sedation could provide adequate analgesia throughout open surgery for intertrochanteric hip fractures (AO/OTA 31-1) without requiring conversion to general anesthesia with airway support and (2) to assess its perioperative complication profile. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients with intertrochanteric hip fractures who underwent anesthesia with a fascia iliaca block over a 1.5-year period. Results In the six patients identified, there were no intraoperative conversions to general anesthesia requiring airway support. Additionally, there were no intraoperative complications, no mortalities within 30 days, 2 patients on anticoagulation who required a blood transfusion, and a single patient who developed a postoperative hospital-acquired pneumonia that resolved with an antibiotic course. Conclusions In this series of patients, we demonstrate that a fascia iliaca block can reliably be utilized as the primary anesthetic for patients undergoing surgical fixation of intertrochanteric hip fractures, with an acceptable perioperative complication profile. Although concomitant sedation was provided with the block, this anesthesia strategy has the potential to reduce preoperative delays and minimize the overall burden of sedative and anesthetic medications in a geriatric population. These initial findings may serve as a basis for future, higher-quality prospective and comparative studies.