bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Movement and survival of an amphibian in relation to sediment and culvert design
Authors: Honeycutt R. Ken , Lowe Winsor H. , Hossack Blake R. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTHabitat disturbance from stream culverts can affect aquatic organisms by increasing sedimentation or forming barriers to movement. Land managers are replacing many culverts to reduce these negative effects, primarily for stream fishes. However, these management actions are likely to have broad implications for many organisms, including amphibians in small streams. To assess the effects of culverts on movement and survival of the Idaho giant salamander (Dicamptodon aterrimus), we used capture‐mark‐recapture surveys and measured sediment in streams with 2 culvert types (i.e., unimproved culverts, improved culverts) and in streams without culverts (i.e., reference streams). We predicted culverts would increase stream sediment levels, limit movement, and reduce survival of Idaho giant salamanders. We also determined the effect of sediment levels on survival of salamanders because although sediment is often associated with distribution and abundance of stream amphibians, links with vital rates remain unclear. To estimate survival, we used a spatial Cormack–Jolly–Seber (CJS) model that explicitly incorporated information on movement, eliminating bias in apparent survival estimated from traditional (i.e., non‐spatial) CJS models caused by permanent emigration beyond the study area. To demonstrate the importance of using spatial data in studies of wildlife populations, we compared estimates from the spatial CJS to estimates of apparent survival from a traditional CJS model. Although high levels of sediment reduced survival of salamanders, culvert type was unrelated to sediment levels or true survival of salamanders. Across all streams, we documented only 15 movement events between study reaches. All movement events were downstream, and they occurred disproportionately in 1 stream, which precluded measuring the effect of culvert design on movement. Although movement was low overall, the variance among streams was high enough to bias estimates of apparent survival compared to true survival. Our results suggest that where sedimentation occurs from roads and culverts, survival of the Idaho giant salamander could be reduced. Though culverts clearly do not completely block downstream movements of Idaho giant salamanders, the degree to which culvert improvements affect movements under roads in comparison to unimproved culverts remains unclear, especially for rare, but potentially important, upstream movements. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Recovery of American peregrine falcons along the upper Yukon River, Alaska
Authors: Ambrose Skip , Florian Chris , Ritchie Robert J. , Payer David , O'brien Robert M. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTAmerican peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus anatum) throughout North America declined following the introduction of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in 1947. In the 1960s, intensive studies were initiated in many areas of North America, including interior Alaska, to determine the cause of the decline and assess population status. From 1977 to 2015, we studied peregrine falcons along a 265‐km section of the upper Yukon River in east‐central Alaska. We counted occupied territories, documented breeding success and productivity, and collected unhatched eggs for contaminant analysis. We observed 1,602 occupied territories and 2,349 nestlings. Annual breeding success averaged 64%, and annual productivity averaged 1.54 nestlings/territory and 2.38 nestlings/successful territory. Annual rates of increase in the number of occupied territories were greatest in the late 1970s and 1980s (8.6%), moderate in the 1990s (2.8%), and least in the 2000s (1.5%). Reproductive metrics were highest in the late 1970s and 1980s, declining in recent years. As the number of occupied territories increased (14–60) and average nearest neighbor distance decreased (from 9.8 km to 2.6 km), breeding success declined (from 71% in the 1980s to 57% in the 2000s). Productivity, as measured by nestlings per occupied territory, declined (from 1.84 in the 1980s to 1.29 in the 2000s). Nestlings per successful territory also declined from 2.56 in the 1980s to 2.25 in the 2000s. Survey data for 1966–2015 reveal a declining population in the 1960s and early 1970s, increasing in the late 1970s through the early 2000s, and apparently stabilizing in recent years. The recovery of this local population took roughly 40 years, from a low of 12 occupied territories in early 1970s to 60 in 2012–2014. Importantly, the recovery of American peregrine falcons in Alaska occurred without captive breeding, releases, or nest site manipulations. Long‐term studies are essential in fully understanding the biology of any species, and this study provides insight into the unaided, natural recovery of American peregrine falcons in Alaska. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Oligomeropathies and pathogenesis of Alzheimer and Parkinson's diseases
Authors: Forloni Gianluigi , Artuso Vladimiro , La Vitola Pietro , Balducci Claudia 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTThe term oligomeropathies defines the neurodegenerative disorders associated with protein misfolding, where small soluble aggregates (oligomers 4‐200 KDa) are the cause of neuronal dysfunction and are responsible for spreading the pathology. The ability of these soluble β‐sheet conformers to induce neuronal damage has been investigated in direct challenge with the monomeric and fibrillary structures, showing that only the oligomeric species affected the neurons. β amyloid oligomers were initially purified from Alzheimer brains and obtained using synthetic peptides. Together with the neuronal death, synaptic dysfunction, loss of spines, and LTP impairment were seen with the direct application of β amyloid oligomers. Similar results have been described with proteins associated with other neurodegenerative disorders. The biological activities of oligomeric forms of α synuclein have been described in Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. Detrimental effects have been associated with the oligomeric forms of prion, tau, and huntingtin, the key proteins in prion diseases, frontotemporal dementia, and Huntington's disease, respectively. The molecular mechanisms of the oligomer‐related toxic effects can be summarized under three headings: nonspecific perturbance of cellular and intracellular membranes, specific interaction with various cellular entities, and amyloid pore channel formation. To characterize and distinguish oligomer actions better, we compared the ability of β amyloid and α synuclein oligomers to induce cognitive impairment when applied directly into the brain in the same acute mouse model. We also investigated the role of inflammatory components. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 As an Emerging Therapeutic Target for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: So Wing Yan , Leung Po Sing 
Published: April 2016

AbstractFibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 is a distinctive member of the FGF family that functions as an endocrine factor. It is expressed predominantly in the liver, but is also found in adipose tissue and the pancreas. Pharmacological studies have shown that FGF21 normalizes glucose and lipid homeostasis, thereby preventing the development of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. Despite growing evidence for the therapeutic potential of FGF21, paradoxical increases of FGF21 in different disease conditions point to the existence of FGF21 resistance. In this review, we give a critical appraisal of recent advances in the understanding of the regulation of FGF21 production under various physiological conditions, its antidiabetic actions, and the clinical implications. We also discuss recent preclinical and clinical trials using engineered FGF21 analogs in the management of diabetes, as well as the potential side effects of FGF21 therapy.
Incorporating dixon multi‐echo fat water separation for novel quantitative magnetization transfer of the human optic nerve in vivo
Authors: Smith Alex K. , Dortch Richard D. , Dethrage Lindsey M. , Lyttle Bailey D. , Kang Hakmook , Welch E. Brian , Smith Seth A. 
Published: April 2016

PurposeThe optic nerve (ON) represents the sole pathway between the eyes and brain; consequently, diseases of the ON can have dramatic effects on vision. However, quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) applications in the ON have been limited to ex vivo studies, in part because of the fatty connective tissue that surrounds the ON, confounding the magnetization transfer (MT) experiment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to implement a multi‐echo Dixon fat‐water separation approach to remove the fat component from MT images.MethodsMT measurements were taken in a single slice of the ON and frontal lobe using a three‐echo Dixon readout, and the water and out‐of‐phase images were applied to a two‐pool model in ON tissue and brain white matter to evaluate the effectiveness of using Dixon fat‐water separation to remove fatty tissue from MT images.ResultsWhite matter data showed no significant differences between image types; however, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in variation in the out‐of‐phase images in the ON relative to the water images.ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that Dixon fat‐water separation can be robustly used for accurate MT quantification of anatomies susceptible to partial volume effects resulting from fat. Magn Reson Med 77:707–716, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
LORAKS makes better SENSE: Phase‐constrained partial fourier SENSE reconstruction without phase calibration
Authors: Kim Tae Hyung , Setsompop Kawin , Haldar Justin P. 
Published: April 2016

PurposeParallel imaging and partial Fourier acquisition are two classical approaches for accelerated MRI. Methods that combine these approaches often rely on prior knowledge of the image phase, but the need to obtain this prior information can place practical restrictions on the data acquisition strategy. In this work, we propose and evaluate SENSE‐LORAKS, which enables combined parallel imaging and partial Fourier reconstruction without requiring prior phase information.Theory and MethodsThe proposed formulation is based on combining the classical SENSE model for parallel imaging data with the more recent LORAKS framework for MR image reconstruction using low‐rank matrix modeling. Previous LORAKS‐based methods have successfully enabled calibrationless partial Fourier parallel MRI reconstruction, but have been most successful with nonuniform sampling strategies that may be hard to implement for certain applications. By combining LORAKS with SENSE, we enable highly accelerated partial Fourier MRI reconstruction for a broader range of sampling trajectories, including widely used calibrationless uniformly undersampled trajectories.ResultsOur empirical results with retrospectively undersampled datasets indicate that when SENSE‐LORAKS reconstruction is combined with an appropriate k‐space sampling trajectory, it can provide substantially better image quality at high‐acceleration rates relative to existing state‐of‐the‐art reconstruction approaches.ConclusionThe SENSE‐LORAKS framework provides promising new opportunities for highly accelerated MRI. Magn Reson Med 77:1021–1035, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Absence of anti–HMG‐CoA reductase autoantibodies in severe self‐limited statin‐related myopathy
Authors: Floyd James S. , Brody Jennifer A. , Tiniakou Eleni , Psaty Bruce M. , Mammen Andrew 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Patients with self‐limited statin‐related myopathy improve spontaneously when statins are stopped. In contrast, patients with statin‐associated autoimmune myopathy have autoantibodies recognizing 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and usually require immunosuppressive therapy to control their disease. On initial presentation, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between these 2 diseases, as both present with muscle pain, weakness, and elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) levels. The goal of this study was to determine whether patients with severe self‐limited statin‐related myopathy also make anti‐HMGCR autoantibodies. Methods: We screened 101 subjects with severe self‐limited cerivastatin‐related myopathy for anti‐HMGCR autoantibodies. Results: No patient with severe self‐limited cerivastatin‐related myopathy had anti‐HMGCR autoantibodies. Conclusion: Anti‐HMGCR autoantibody testing can be used to help differentiate whether a patient has self‐limited myopathy due to cerivastatin or autoimmune statin‐associated myopathy; these findings may apply to other statins as well. Muscle Nerve 54: 142–144, 2016
Pelvic floor dysfunction and sensory impairment: Current evidence
Authors: Mahoney Charlotte , Smith Anthony , Marshall Andy , Reid Fiona 
Published: April 2016

AimsTo explore the role of sensory nerve impairment in women with pelvic organ prolapse, painful bladder syndrome, urinary and fecal incontinence, and sexual dysfunction.MethodsMedline and Embase were searched for articles in which sensory testing, either quantitative sensory testing or current perception thresholds, had been used to evaluate women with pelvic organ prolapse, stress and urge urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and female sexual dysfunction. All search terms were expanded within each database prior to searching.ResultsResearch to date has included small numbers of participants, used poorly matched controls, lacked a systemic sensory examination and applied non‐standardized sensory testing techniques. However, the evidence suggests women with pelvic organ prolapse demonstrate sensory dysfunction. The role of sensory impairment in stress urinary incontinence is inconclusive. In women with urge urinary incontinence there is some evidence to suggest it may be urethrally mediated. Women with painful bladder syndrome may have more sensitive nerve endings which are unable to ignore repeated stimuli. Sensory impairment is common in women with sexual dysfunction, typically involving larger nerve fibres. There were no studies evaluating sensory function in women with fecal incontinence.ConclusionCurrent evidence suggests women with pelvic floor dysfunction demonstrate sensory impairment though the causes remain unclear. Further studies are needed to investigate the different conditions of pelvic floor dysfunction using standardized sensory testing techniques, as well as evaluate the timing and mechanism by which any sensory impairment develops. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:550–556, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Urethral bulking for recurrent stress urinary incontinence after midurethral sling failure
Authors: Zivanovic Irena , Rautenberg Oliver , Lobodasch Kurt , von Bünau Günther , Walser Claudia , Viereck Volker 
Published: April 2016

AimsTo assess the effectiveness of a polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAHG; Bulkamid®) in treating recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following a previous midurethral sling (MUS) implant.MethodsThis observational study, conducted since 2009, included 60 patients with recurrent SUI or mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) after a previous MUS and who chose to be treated with PAHG. Objective and subjective outcomes were assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months after the initial injection. Patients were classified as cured based on a negative cough test (supine and standing) and <2 g urine on 1‐hr pad test and a VAS score improved by ≥90%. Improved were those with the loss of only a few drops of urine during the cough test and 2–10 g urine on 1‐hr pad test or a reduction >50% compared with preoperative urine loss and a VAS score improved by ≥75%.ResultsThe volume of PAHG injected in the current study ranged from 1–3 ml. Cured/improved rates were 93.3% (56/60), 88.3% (53/60), and 83.6% (46/55) at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Patients with MUI had a cured urgency urinary incontinence rate of 36.8%, 47.4%, and 38.9%, respectively. Voiding dysfunction rates were 13.3% (8/60), 8.3% (5/60), and 1.8% (1/55) at 1, 6, and 12 months and urinary tract infection rates were 5% (3/60), 11.7% (7/60), and 3.6% (2/55), respectively. Other adverse events were short‐term and/or observed in <4% of patients.ConclusionsPAHG can be used to treat recurrent SUI after MUS failure with good outcome and low complication rates. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:722–726, 2017. © 2016 The Authors. Neurourology and Urodynamics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Doubly Stochastic Sequential Assignment Problem
Authors: Khatibi Arash , Jacobson Sheldon H. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis article introduces the Doubly Stochastic Sequential Assignment Problem (DSSAP), an extension of the Sequential Stochastic Assignment Problem (SSAP), where sequentially arriving tasks are assigned to workers with random success rates. A given number of tasks arrive sequentially, each with a random value coming from a known distribution. On a task arrival, it must be assigned to one of the available workers, each with a random success rate coming from a known distribution. Optimal assignment policies are proposed for DSSAP under various assumptions on the random success rates. The optimal assignment algorithm for the general case of DSSAP, where workers have distinct success rate distribution, has an exponential running time. An approximation algorithm that achieves a fraction of the maximum total expected reward in a polynomial time is proposed. The results are illustrated by several numerical experiments. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 63: 124–137, 2016
Feasibility of Pegylated Interferon in Children and Young Adults With Resected High‐Risk Melanoma
Authors: Navid Fariba , Herzog Cynthia E. , Sandoval John , Daryani Vinay M. , Stewart Clinton F. , Gattuso Jami , Mandrell Belinda , Phipps Sean , Chemaitilly Wassim , Sykes April , Davidoff Andrew M. , Shulkin Barry L. , Bahrami Armita , Furman Wayne L. , Mao Shenghua , Wu Jianrong , Schiff Deborah , Rao Bhaskar , Pappo Alberto 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundPegylated interferon α‐2b (IFN α‐2b) improves disease‐free survival in adults with resected stage III melanoma. We conducted a study to determine the feasibility and safety of incorporating pegylated IFN α‐2b as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of children and adolescents with high‐risk melanoma. Pharmacokinetic studies of IFN α‐2b and neuropsychological and quality of life (OL) assessments were performed.Patient and MethodsEligible patients with resected American Joint Committee on Cancer Stage IIC, IIIA, and IIIB cutaneous melanoma received nonpegylated IFN α‐2b 20 million units/m2/day intravenously 5 days per week for 4 weeks (induction) followed by pegylated IFN α‐2b 1 μg/kg/dose weekly subcutaneously (SQ) for 48 weeks (maintenance).ResultsTwenty‐three patients (15 females, median age 10 years) were enrolled. All patients completed induction therapy; five patients did not complete maintenance therapy either because of recurrent disease (n = 2) or toxicity (n = 3). The most common grade 3 and 4 toxicities of pegylated IFN α‐2b were neutropenia (35%) and elevated liver transaminases (17%). The median nonpegylated IFN α‐2b AUC0‐∞ (5,026 pcg⋅hr/ml) was similar to adults. The median pegylated IFN α‐2b exposure (48,480 pcg⋅hr/ml) was greater than the cumulative weekly exposure for nonpegylated IFN α‐2b administered SQ three times per week (TIW). Validated measures demonstrated an improvement in QOL scores and no decline in psychological functioning over the course of therapy.ConclusionsPegylated IFN α‐2b 1 μg/kg/dose SQ weekly as maintenance therapy in children and adolescents with high‐risk melanoma is feasible with tolerable toxicity and appears to yield higher exposures than nonpegylated IFN α‐2b administered SQ TIW.
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Study to Determine the Effect of Romiplostim on Health‐Related Quality of Life in Children with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia and Associated Burden in Their Parents
Authors: Mathias Susan D. , Li Xiaoyan , Eisen Melissa , Carpenter Nancy , Crosby Ross D. , Blanchette Victor S. 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundChronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in children can negatively impact their health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and impose a burden on their parents. This study sought to examine the effect of romiplostim on HRQoL and parental burden in children with primary ITP.ProcedureThis was a phase 3, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. Children aged <18 years with ITP ≥6 months were randomly assigned to receive romiplostim or placebo for 24 weeks. The Kids’ ITP Tool (KIT) was used to measure HRQoL and was administered to patients and/or their parents at baseline and weeks 8, 16, and 25. Mean KIT scores at each assessment and mean changes in KIT scores from baseline were calculated overall by treatment group and platelet response status. Psychometric properties of the KIT were evaluated and the minimally important difference (MID) was estimated for different KIT versions.ResultsSixty‐two patients (42 romiplostim and 20 placebo) were enrolled. Changes in KIT scores by treatment group showed numerically greater and more often statistically significant improvements from baseline to each assessment for children receiving romiplostim versus placebo. Mixed‐effects analysis demonstrated statistically significantly greater reduction in parental burden from baseline in the romiplostim group versus placebo. Ranges for the MID were estimated as 9–13 points for the Child Self‐Report version and 11–13 points for the Parent Impact version.ConclusionsThe treatment with romiplostim may be associated with improved HRQoL in children with primary ITP and reduced burden to their parents.
Synthesis of single component element‐block materials based on siloxane‐based cage frameworks
Authors: Naka Kensuke , Irie Yasuyuki 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis mini‐review focuses on recent efforts to prepare single component element‐block materials based on siloxane‐based cage frameworks, a promising approach to control the sequence of organic and inorganic segments in organic–inorganic hybrids at the molecular level. Polyhedral octasilsesquioxanes, denoted (RSiO1.5)8 or labeled T8 cages, and octadimethylsiloxy‐Q8 cages, denoted (RSiMe2OSiO1.5)8, are used here as siloxane‐based cage frameworks. Thermoplastic optically transparent silsesquioxane materials derived from a single cage compound can be obtained with dumbbell‐ and star‐shaped cage structures, allowing precise design of their structures for tuning properties. The siloxane‐based cage core dendrimers are ideal candidates for single component element‐block materials which possess three‐dimensional, well‐defined molecular level structures. Their rigid and cubic inorganic frameworks provide unique features for siloxane‐based cage core dendrimers. These topics attract attention in both academia and industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry