bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating population size for Hawaiian monk seals using haulout data
Authors: Harting Albert L. , Baker Jason D. , Johanos Thea C. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTObtaining a range‐wide abundance estimate for the Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi; monk seal) has formerly not been possible because of data limitation at sites where the only available data are infrequent counts. We describe a new method for obtaining abundance estimates for these sites that relies upon the proportion of the non‐pup population observed in standardized counts at other sites with known abundance. We converted these proportions (p), compiled over all sites and years having full population enumeration, to haulout correction factors (CF), where CF = 1/p. We then applied these CF values to counts at sites with unknown population size to provide a bounded distribution of population estimates. We used 2,179 CFs from 44 site‐years at intensively studied sites. We used these CFs for population estimation at 2 sites, Necker and Nihoa Islands, Hawaii, USA, where infrequent counts occurred and total abundance was unknown. The resulting population estimates ( and 5 and 95 percentiles) indicated that abundance had increased at Nihoa from 2001 ( = 31 non‐pups, 5–95% = 21–47) to 2015 ( = 116, 5–95% = 79–177), but there was no increase evident at Necker. We conducted method validation by randomly selecting 1–5 of the observed counts at site‐years with full enumeration, applying the CFs to the observed count, and testing whether the true (known) value lay within the 5–95% range of the resulting distribution of estimates. When we used only 1 count, the method succeeded in capturing the true value in >85% of 1,000 randomizations for single islands and 65–87% of the randomizations in atolls. Performance markedly improved when we used >1 randomly selected count to estimate population size. For the monk seal, this methodology represents a significant advancement because it enables a more complete estimate of the species’ abundance and a better assessment of the relative importance of different regions of its range to the overall recovery initiative. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Tough and Enzyme‐Degradable Hydrogels
Authors: Chen Ginger , Taghavi Shadi , Marecak Dale , Amsden Brian G. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMechanically robust hydrogels that degrade only via cell action have potential as scaffolds for the generation of load‐bearing soft connective tissue. This study demonstrates that terminally acrylated 4‐arm‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐oligo(trimethylene carbonate) (4a‐PEG‐(TMC)n) can be readily reacted with a collagenase‐degradable bis‐cysteine peptide to form hydrogels. The inclusion of the TMC blocks renders the hydrogels mechanically tough when tested under compression, with modulus and toughness values within the range of those of articular cartilage. Moreover, the hydrogels formed are resistant to degradation by hydrolysis in the absence of collagenase but degrade via surface erosion in the presence of collagenase. The strategy employed to form these hydrogels is readily tailored to create a variety of tough, enzyme‐degradable hydrogels of varying mechanical and degradation properties.
Progressive ataxia and palatal tremor: Two autopsy cases of a novel tauopathy
Authors: Gao Andrew F. , Faust‐Socher Achinoam , Al‐Murshed Maryam , Del Bigio Marc R. , Lang Anthony E. , Munoz David G. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTBackground: Sporadic progressive ataxia and palatal tremor is a rare syndrome characterized by mid‐ to late‐adult‐onset symptomatic palatal tremor and slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia. To date, there has been only one autopsy report, which described a novel 4‐repeat tauopathy with hypertrophic olivary degeneration and tau‐positive inclusions in olivary neurons and dystrophic neuritic processes termed glomeruloid bodies. We report on 2 additional autopsy cases.Methods: Sections from selected paraffin‐embedded brain regions were stained with hematoxylin and eosin/Luxol fast blue and processed for phosphorylated tau, 3‐repeat tau, 4‐repeat tau, neurofilament, glial fibrillary acid protein, phosphorylated α‐synuclein, phosphorylated TAR DNA‐binding protein 43, beta‐amyloid, and p62 immunohistochemistry.Results: Two male patients were aged 74 and 64 years at onset. Both had clinical findings consistent with progressive ataxia and palatal tremor and T2 hyperintensity in the bilateral olives on MRI. Pathological findings included bilateral hypertrophic olivary degeneration accompanied by glomeruloid bodies, 3‐repeat and 4‐repeat tau‐positive neuronal inclusions in the olive, and additional tauopathy in the midbrain, pons, and thalamus. Cerebellar cortical degeneration was extensive, but involvement of the dentate was minimal. P62‐positive, but tau‐ and TAR DNA‐binding protein 43–negative, inclusions in the cerebellum of 1 case was also a feature.Conclusions: Whereas our findings are largely in keeping with the previously published case report, we found a more extensive and mixed 3/4‐repeat tauopathy and additional cerebellar p62 pathology, highlighting our incomplete understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A user's guide for α‐synuclein biomarker studies in biological fluids: Perianalytical considerations
Authors: Mollenhauer Brit , Batrla Richard , El‐Agnaf Omar , Galasko Douglas R. , Lashuel Hilal A. , Merchant Kalpana M. , Shaw Lesley M. , Selkoe Dennis J. , Umek Robert , Vanderstichele Hugo , Zetterberg Henrik , Zhang Jing , Caspell‐Garcia Chelsea , Coffey Chris , Hutten Samantha J. , Frasier Mark , Taylor Peggy ,   for the Investigating Synuclein Consortium of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Published: July 2017

AbstractParkinson's disease biomarkers are needed to increase diagnostic accuracy, to objectively monitor disease progression and to assess therapeutic efficacy as well as target engagement when evaluating novel drug and therapeutic strategies. This article summarizes perianalytical considerations for biomarker studies (based on immunoassays) in Parkinson's disease, with emphasis on quantifying total α‐synuclein protein in biological fluids. Current knowledge and pitfalls are discussed, and selected perianalytical variables are presented systematically, including different temperature of sample collection and types of collection tubes, gradient sampling, the addition of detergent, aliquot volume, the freezing time, and the different thawing methods. We also discuss analytical confounders. We identify gaps in the knowledge and delineate specific areas that require further investigation, such as the need to identify posttranslational modifications of α‐synuclein and antibody‐independent reference methods for quantification, as well as the analysis of potential confounders, such as comorbidities, medication, and phenotypes of Parkinson's disease in larger cohorts. This review could be used as a guideline for future Parkinson's disease biomarker studies and will require regular updating as more information arises in this growing field, including new technical developments as they become available. In addition to reviewing best practices, we also identify the current technical limitations and gaps in the knowledge that should be addressed to enable accurate and quantitative assessment of α‐synuclein levels in the clinical setting. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Subcortical shape analysis of progressive mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Chung Su Jin , Shin Jeong‐Hyeon , Cho Kyoo Ho , Lee Yoonju , Sohn Young H. , Seong Joon‐Kyung , Lee Phil Hyu 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundCortical neural correlates of ongoing cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease (PD) have been suggested; however, the role of subcortical structures in longitudinal change of cognitive dysfunction in PD has not been fully investigated. Here, we used automatic analysis to explore subcortical brain structures in patients with PD with mild cognitive impairment that converts into PD with dementia.MethodsOne hundred eighty‐two patients with PD with mild cognitive impairment were classified as PD with mild cognitive impairment converters (n = 74) or nonconverters (n = 108), depending on whether they were subsequently diagnosed with dementia in PD. We used surface‐based analysis to compare atrophic changes of subcortical brain structures between PD with mild cognitive impairment converters and nonconverters.ResultsPD with mild cognitive impairment converters had lower cognitive composite scores in the attention and frontal executive domains than did nonconverters. Subcortical shape analysis revealed that PD with mild cognitive impairment converters had smaller local shape volumes than did nonconverters in the bilateral thalamus, right caudate, and right hippocampus. Logistic regression analysis showed that local shape volumes in the bilateral thalamus and right caudate were significant independent predictors of PD with mild cognitive impairment converters. In the PD with mild cognitive impairment converter group, thalamic local shape volume was associated with semantic fluency and attentional composite score.ConclusionsThe present data suggest that the local shape volumes of deep subcortical structures, especially in the caudate and thalamus, may serve as important predictors of the development of dementia in patients with PD. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Time‐dependent factors in DIEP flap breast reconstruction
Authors: Laporta Rosaria , Longo Benedetto , Sorotos Michail , Farcomeni Alessio , Amorosi Vittoria , Santanelli di Pompeo Fabio 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundThe process of harvesting and performing microsurgical anastomosis may lengthen deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction affecting results and patient safety. The aim of the study was to investigate the associations between predictors and operative time (OT).MethodsBetween 2004 and 2016, 336 immediate and 68 delayed unilateral reconstructions were performed in 404 patients. Age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), nulliparity, or pluriparity condition were collected to determine the impact of patient characteristics on OT. Flap weight, mastectomy type, flap zone, perforator number, venous anastomoses, recipient vessels selection, reconstruction timing, contralateral symmetrization, and a dedicated anesthesiologist were analyzed as possible predictors.ResultsMean OT was 289 min (range, 150–550 min). Using univariate analysis, for each increment of BMI value and patient weight OT increased, respectively, 3.5‐ and 1.4 min (97.5% CI: 1.768–5.145, 97.5% CI: 0.739–1.949; P < 0.001). Skin‐sparing mastectomy (SSM) (97.5% CI: 2.487–36.637; P = 0.025), perforator number, and venous anastomoses (97.5% CI: 24.468–43.690, 97.5% CI: 24.843–50.492; P < 0.001) negatively influenced OT while nipple‐sparing mastectomy (NSM) reduced OT of 22.7‐min (97.5% CI: −40.333 to −5.098; P = 0.012). The use of circumflex scapular vessels as recipients reduced OT of 75.4‐min while internal mammary vessels (IMV) increased OT of 55.8‐min (97.5% CI: −88.631 to −62.209, 97.5% CI: 22.918–88.642; P < 0.001). A dedicated anesthesiologist and the learning curve (LC) reduced OT, respectively, of 39.63‐min and of 13‐min for every year (97.5% CI: −57.119 to −22.137, 97.5% CI: −14.666 to −11.898; P < 0.001). Using multivariate regression, LC was a negative predictor while SSM, perforators number, superficial epigastric vein, IMV, and flap weight were positive predictors (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe increase of flap weight, related perforators number, and venous drainage negatively influence OT. LC meaning systematic approach for surgery can optimize DIEP flap surgery efficiency.
(‐)‐Epicatechin regulates blood lipids and attenuates hepatic steatosis in rats fed high‐fat diet
Authors: Cheng Hui , Xu Na , Zhao Wenxia , Su Jingjing , Liang Mengru , Xie Zhongwen , Wu Xianli , Li Qinglin 
Published: July 2017

Scope(‐)‐Epicatechin (EC) is a natural flavanol monomer found in cocoa, green tea, and a variety of other plant foods. In this study, effects of EC on blood lipids and hepatic steatosis, and the underlying mechanisms were investigated.Methods and resultsA hyperlipidemic rat model was induced by high‐fat, high‐cholesterol diet. EC was then administrated to the animals by gavage at doses of 10, 20, 40 mg/kg body weight (BW) for 12 weeks. Simvastatin was included as a positive control. The results showed that EC significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride, alleviated liver fat accumulation, while increased HDL cholesterol, in hyperlipidemic rats. EC also reduced lipid peroxidation, inhibited the pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and lowered serum AST and ALT. The potential molecular mechanisms of EC underlying these effects were proposed to be associated to regulating Insig‐1‐SREBP‐SCAP pathway, and other lipid metabolic related genes including LXR‐α, FAS, and SIRT1.ConclusionEC effectively improved blood lipid profile and protected liver from accumulating excessive fat in hyperlipidemic rats. The results shed a light on the potential role of EC as a promising natural product in preventing hyperlipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Genistein and enterolactone in relation to Ki‐67 expression and HER2 status in postmenopausal breast cancer patients
Authors: Jaskulski Stefanie , Jung Audrey Y. , Rudolph Anja , Johnson Theron , Thöne Kathrin , Herpel Esther , Sinn Peter , Chang‐Claude Jenny 
Published: July 2017

ScopePhytoestrogens (PE) may improve breast cancer prognosis by modifying tumor prognostic markers, such as cell proliferation marker Ki‐67 and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Epidemiological evidence linking lignans and isoflavones to Ki‐67 and HER2 is limited. We examined associations between the major metabolites of lignans and isoflavones – enterolactone (ENL) and genistein (GEN) – respectively, and Ki‐67 expression and HER2 in tumor tissue of breast cancer patients.Methods and resultsData from 1060 invasive breast cancer patients from the population‐based MARIE study were used. Multivariate‐adjusted linear (Ki‐67 log‐transformed) and quantile regression, and logistic regression analyses (HER2, Ki‐67 dichotomized) were performed to calculate β estimates and ORs, respectively. Median post‐diagnostic ENL and GEN concentrations were 19.5 and 4.8 nmol/L, respectively. Median Ki‐67 was 12.0%, and 21.2% of the tumors were HER2+. After adjustment, there was an inverse association between GEN and Ki‐67 at high expression levels (OR for Ki‐67 ≥20% versus <20% of 0.93 (95%CI [0.87;0.99]) per 10 nmol/L GEN increment).ConclusionOur findings indicate an inverse association between GEN and Ki‐67 at high levels of Ki‐67 expression. Additional investigations are recommended to confirm our findings and to further elucidate mechanisms linking PE metabolites to breast cancer survival.
pH‐sensitive amide proton transfer effect dominates the magnetization transfer asymmetry contrast during acute ischemia—quantification of multipool contribution to in vivo CEST MRI
Authors: Wu Yin , Zhou Iris Yuwen , Lu Dongshuang , Manderville Emiri , Lo Eng H. , Zheng Hairong , Sun Phillip Zhe 
Published: July 2017

PurposeTo determine the origins of in vivo magnetization transfer asymmetry contrast during acute ischemic stroke, particularly in the diffusion lesion, perfusion lesion, and their mismatch using a middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model of acute stroke.MethodsAdult male Wistar rats underwent multiparametric MRI of diffusion, perfusion, T1, and amide proton transfer (APT) imaging at 4.7 T following a middle cerebral artery occlusion procedure. A multipool Lorentzian model, including the nuclear Overhauser effect, magnetization transfer, direct water saturation, amine and amide chemical exchange saturation transfer effects, was applied for Z‐spectrum fitting to determine the sources of in vivo magnetization transfer asymmetry following acute stroke.ResultsWe showed that changes in amine chemical exchange saturation transfer (2 ppm) and APT (3.5 ppm) effects, particularly the APT MRI effect, dominate the commonly used magnetization transfer asymmetry analysis and hence confer pH sensitivity to APT imaging of acute stroke. Also, the nuclear Overhauser effect and magnetization transfer show small changes that counteracted each other, contributing less than 0.3% to magnetization transfer asymmetry at 3.5 ppm. Moreover, we showed that diffusion lesion had worsened acidosis from perfusion/diffusion lesion mismatch (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe study complements recent in vivo quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer work to shed light on the sensitivity and specificity of endogenous APT MRI to tissue acidosis. Magn Reson Med 79:1602–1608, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Deep convolutional neural network and 3D deformable approach for tissue segmentation in musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Liu Fang , Zhou Zhaoye , Jang Hyungseok , Samsonov Alexey , Zhao Gengyan , Kijowski Richard 
Published: July 2017

PurposeTo describe and evaluate a new fully automated musculoskeletal tissue segmentation method using deep convolutional neural network (CNN) and three‐dimensional (3D) simplex deformable modeling to improve the accuracy and efficiency of cartilage and bone segmentation within the knee joint.MethodsA fully automated segmentation pipeline was built by combining a semantic segmentation CNN and 3D simplex deformable modeling. A CNN technique called SegNet was applied as the core of the segmentation method to perform high resolution pixel‐wise multi‐class tissue classification. The 3D simplex deformable modeling refined the output from SegNet to preserve the overall shape and maintain a desirable smooth surface for musculoskeletal structure. The fully automated segmentation method was tested using a publicly available knee image data set to compare with currently used state‐of‐the‐art segmentation methods. The fully automated method was also evaluated on two different data sets, which include morphological and quantitative MR images with different tissue contrasts.ResultsThe proposed fully automated segmentation method provided good segmentation performance with segmentation accuracy superior to most of state‐of‐the‐art methods in the publicly available knee image data set. The method also demonstrated versatile segmentation performance on both morphological and quantitative musculoskeletal MR images with different tissue contrasts and spatial resolutions.ConclusionThe study demonstrates that the combined CNN and 3D deformable modeling approach is useful for performing rapid and accurate cartilage and bone segmentation within the knee joint. The CNN has promising potential applications in musculoskeletal imaging. Magn Reson Med 79:2379–2391, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Simultaneous measurement of brain perfusion and labeling efficiency in a single pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling scan
Authors: Chen Zhensen , Zhao Xihai , Zhang Xingxing , Guo Rui , Teeuwisse Wouter M. , Zhang Bida , Koken Peter , Smink Jouke , Yuan Chun , van Osch Matthias J.P. 
Published: July 2017

PurposeThe aim of this study was to propose, optimize, and validate a pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) sequence for simultaneous measurement of brain perfusion and labeling efficiency.MethodsThe proposed sequence incorporates the labeling efficiency measurement into the postlabeling delay period of a conventional perfusion pCASL sequence by using the time‐encoding approach. In vivo validation experiments were performed on nine young subjects by comparing it to separate perfusion and labeling efficiency sequences. Sensitivity of the proposed combined sequence for measuring labeling efficiency changes was further addressed by varying the flip angles of the pCASL labeling radiofrequency pulses.ResultsThe proposed combined sequence decreased the perfusion signal by ∼4% and a lower labeling efficiency (by ∼10%) was found as compared to the separate sequences. However, the temporal signal‐noise‐ratio of the perfusion signal remained unchanged. When the pCASL flip angle was decreased to a suboptimal setting, a strong correlation was found between the combined and the separate sequences for the relative change in pCASL perfusion signal as well as for the relative change in labeling efficiency. High correlation was also observed between relative changes in perfusion signal and the measured labeling efficiencies.ConclusionThe proposed sequence allows simultaneous measurement of brain perfusion and labeling efficiency with high time‐efficiency at the price of only a small compromise in measurement accuracy. The additional labeling efficiency measurement can be used to facilitate qualitative interpretation of pCASL perfusion images. Magn Reson Med 79:1922–1930, 2018. © 2017 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 License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Evaluation of the impact of strain correction on the orientation of cardiac diffusion tensors with in vivo and ex vivo porcine hearts
Authors: Ferreira Pedro F. , Nielles‐Vallespin Sonia , Scott Andrew D. , de Silva Ranil , Kilner Philip J. , Ennis Daniel B. , Auger Daniel A. , Suever Jonathan D. , Zhong Xiaodong , Spottiswoode Bruce S. , Pennell Dudley J. , Arai Andrew E. , Firmin David N. 
Published: July 2017

PurposeTo evaluate the importance of strain‐correcting stimulated echo acquisition mode echo‐planar imaging cardiac diffusion tensor imaging.MethodsHealthy pigs (n = 11) were successfully scanned with a 3D cine displacement‐encoded imaging with stimulated echoes and a monopolar‐stimulated echo‐planar imaging diffusion tensor imaging sequence at 3 T during diastasis, peak systole, and strain sweet spots in a midventricular short‐axis slice. The same diffusion tensor imaging sequence was repeated ex vivo after arresting the hearts in either a relaxed (KCl‐induced) or contracted (BaCl2‐induced) state. The displacement‐encoded imaging with stimulated echoes data were used to strain‐correct the in vivo cardiac diffusion tensor imaging in diastole and systole. The orientation of the primary (helix angles) and secondary (E2A) diffusion eigenvectors was compared with and without strain correction and to the strain‐free ex vivo data.ResultsStrain correction reduces systolic E2A significantly when compared without strain correction and ex vivo (median absolute E2A = 34.3° versus E2A = 57.1° (P = 0.01), E2A = 60.5° (P = 0.006), respectively). The systolic distribution of E2A without strain correction is closer to the contracted ex vivo distribution than with strain correction, root mean square deviation of 0.027 versus 0.038.ConclusionsThe current strain‐correction model amplifies the contribution of microscopic strain to diffusion resulting in an overcorrection of E2A. Results show that a new model that considers cellular rearrangement is required. Magn Reson Med 79:2205–2215, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.