bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mapping the distribution of nodal metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma: Where exactly are the nodes?
Authors: Goyal Neerav , Pakdaman Michael , Kamani Dipti , Caragacianu Diana , Goldenberg David , Randolph Gregory W. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveTo characterize nodal disease of patients presenting with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)Study DesignRetrospective chart review.MethodsPTC patients who underwent thyroidectomy and/or neck dissection (revision/primary) from 2004 to 2009 at a tertiary‐care hospital were reviewed. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan and ultrasonography were utilized to identify macroscopic, clinically apparent nodal metastasis (cN+). Demographic data, type of surgery, nodal disease, and primary tumor information were recorded.ResultsOf 416 patients reviewed, 35% had cN+ on initial presentation (IP); of these, 88% and 50% had central (CND) and lateral nodal disease (LND), respectively. The presence of ectopic nodal (END) metastases (nodal disease outside typical CND or LND locations) was absent on IP but occurred in 9% of patients with nodal recurrence. END was typically found in the retropharyngeal area but also was noted in the sublingual region, subcutaneous location, axilla, and chest wall. Extrathyroidal extension (ETE) was found in 8.9% without nodal disease, 33.1% with nodal disease, and 57.1% with END (P < 0.0001). Primary tumor size greater than 4 cm (P = 0.05) was associated with nodal disease.ConclusionThis report represents a large series describing characteristics of the primary PTC tumor and associated nodal disease not only in the central and lateral neck but also in the ectopic locations. Our results suggest that a significant proportion of patients will have nodal disease in the central compartment on IP, especially younger patients. ETE and tumor size are associated with macroscopic nodal disease (including END). Nine percent of the patients with nodal recurrence had ectopic nodes occurring in various locations, most commonly in the retropharynx. CT scan can assist with identification and surgical planning of recurrent nodal disease.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:1959–1964, 2017
Minimum lymph node yield in elective level I–III neck dissection
Authors: Pou Jason D. , Barton Blair M. , Lawlor Claire M. , Frederick Christopher H. , Moore Brian A. , Hasney Christian P. 
Published: March 2017

Objectives/HypothesisUnlike lymphadenectomy at other sites, there is no discrete lymph node count defining an adequate neck dissection. The purpose of this study was to determine the minimum lymph node yield (LNY) of an elective level I–III neck dissection required to reliably capture any positive nodes present in these nodal basins.Study DesignRetrospective single‐institution analysis.MethodsAll patients with the diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who underwent elective level I–III neck dissection between 2004 and 2015 at our institution were analyzed. Preoperatively, patients had no clinical or radiographic evidence of lymphadenopathy. Patients with unknown number of lymph nodes on pathology report were excluded. Age, gender, race, history of radiation, tumor subsite, stage, surgeon, LNY, and number of positive nodes were recorded; bilateral neck dissections were reported separately.ResultsOne hundred eighteen level I–III neck dissections met criteria and were included in the study. Mean LNY was 21.15, and metastatic disease was present in 24.5% of cases, with 8.4% of cases being N2. The highest portion of positive lymph nodes was present in the group with 18 to 24 lymph nodes (36%), which was significantly higher than the group with <18 (14.89%) (P = .044).ConclusionsAlthough there is no accepted minimum for LNY in level I–III neck dissection, at least 18 nodes may be considered an adequate LNY. Such a yield reliably allows for capture of occult disease within these nodal basins.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2070–2073, 2017
Still equivalent for dose calculation in the Monte Carlo era? A comparison of free breathing and average intensity projection CT datasets for lung SBRT using three generations of dose calculation algorithms
Authors: Zvolanek Kristina , Ma Rongtao , Zhou Christina , Liang Xiaoying , Wang Shuo , Verma Vivek , Zhu Xiaofeng , Zhang Qinghui , Driewer Joseph , Lin Chi , Zhen Weining , Wahl Andrew , Zhou Su‐Min , Zheng Dandan 
Published: March 2017

PurposeInhomogeneity dose modeling and respiratory motion description are two critical technical challenges for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy, an important treatment modality for small size primary and secondary lung tumors. Recent studies revealed lung density‐dependent target dose differences between Monte Carlo (Type‐C) algorithm and earlier algorithms. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the equivalence of the two most popular CT datasets for treatment planning, free breathing (FB) and average intensity projection (AIP) CTs, using Type‐C algorithms, and comparing with two older generation algorithms (Type‐A and Type‐B).MethodsTwenty patients (twenty‐one lesions) were planned using a Type‐A algorithm on the FB CT. Lung was contoured separately on FB and AIP CTs and compared. Dose comparison was obtained between the two CTs using four commercial dose algorithms including one Type‐A (Pencil Beam Convolution – PBC), one Type‐B (Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm – AAA), and two Type‐C algorithms (Voxel Monte Carlo – VMC and Acuros External Beam – AXB). For each algorithm, the dosimetric parameters of the target (PTV, Dmin, Dmax, Dmean, D95, and D90) and lung (V5, V10, V20, V30, V35, and V40) were compared between the two CTs using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Correlation between dosimetric differences and density differences for each algorithm were studied using linear regression and Spearman correlation, in which both global and local density differences were evaluated.ResultsAlthough the lung density differences on FB and AIP CTs were statistically significant (P = 0.003), the magnitude was small at 1.21 ± 1.45%. Correspondingly, for the two Type‐C algorithms, target and lung dosimetric differences were small in magnitude and statistically insignificant (P > 0.05) for all but one instance, similar to the findings for the older generation algorithms. Nevertheless, a significant correlation was shown between the dosimetric and density differences for Type‐C and Type‐B algorithms, but not for the Type‐A algorithm.ConclusionsWith the capability to more accurately model inhomogeneity, Monte Carlo (Type‐C) algorithms are sensitive to respiration‐induced local and global tissue density changes and exhibit a strong correlation between dosimetric and density differences. However, FB and AIP CTs may still be considered equivalent for dose calculation in the Monte Carlo era, due to the small magnitude of lung density differences between these two datasets.
Energy and field size dependence of a silicon diode designed for small‐field dosimetry
Authors: Yarahmadi Mehran , Wegener Sonja , Sauer Otto A. 
Published: March 2017

PurposeTo investigate the energy dependence/spectral sensitivity of silicon diodes designed for small‐field dosimetry and obtain response factors (RFs) for arbitrary photon spectra using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations.MethodsThe EGSnrc user‐code DOSRZnrc was used to calculate the dose deposition in water and in the active volume of a stereotactic diode field detector (SFD). Then, the RFs of the SFD were calculated for several circular field sizes and energies at 5 cm depth in water. Several low‐energy photon spectra (mean energy 55 to 200 keV), as well as Co‐60 radiation (mean energy 1.25 MeV) and a 6 MV Elekta Synergy beam (mean energy 2.9 MeV), in 10 × 10 cm2 field size were used to validate the MC calculations, using a simple beam model. The RFs of the SFD detector for a 6 MV Elekta Synergy linac photon beam in different field sizes were calculated. These were also measured with EBT3 Gafchromic film and the SFD detector.ResultsFor the reference field size, differences between measured and calculated RFs were less than 5% at mean energies below 1 MeV and less than 1% at energies above 1 MeV. The calculated RFs for a 6 MV Elekta Synergy linac photon beam as a function of different field sizes showed a good agreement between the measurements and previously reported results. This agreement was within 2% for all considered field sizes.ConclusionWhile at high photon energies, the change of response of the SFD is marginal, whereas it is extreme at low energies. Therefore, it is desirable to benchmark response calculations also in the low‐energy domain. Our results, with a simple beam model and geometry, indicate that a validation of the simulations by experimental results is achievable. The present work provides a comprehensive table that can be used to calculate SFD detector response factors depending on both, field size and photon energy.
Performance evaluation of 18F radioluminescence microscopy using computational simulation
Authors: Wang Qian , Sengupta Debanti , Kim Tae Jin , Pratx Guillem 
Published: March 2017

PurposeRadioluminescence microscopy can visualize the distribution of beta‐emitting radiotracers in live single cells with high resolution. Here, we perform a computational simulation of 18F positron imaging using this modality to better understand how radioluminescence signals are formed and to assist in optimizing the experimental setup and image processing.MethodsFirst, the transport of charged particles through the cell and scintillator and the resulting scintillation is modeled using the GEANT4 Monte‐Carlo simulation. Then, the propagation of the scintillation light through the microscope is modeled by a convolution with a depth‐dependent point‐spread function, which models the microscope response. Finally, the physical measurement of the scintillation light using an electron‐multiplying charge‐coupled device (EMCCD) camera is modeled using a stochastic numerical photosensor model, which accounts for various sources of noise. The simulated output of the EMCCD camera is further processed using our ORBIT image reconstruction methodology to evaluate the endpoint images.ResultsThe EMCCD camera model was validated against experimentally acquired images and the simulated noise, as measured by the standard deviation of a blank image, was found to be accurate within 2% of the actual detection. Furthermore, point source simulations found that a reconstructed spatial resolution of 18.5 μm can be achieved near the scintillator. As the source is moved away from the scintillator, spatial resolution degrades at a rate of 3.5 μm per μm distance. These results agree well with the experimentally measured spatial resolution of 30–40 μm (live cells). The simulation also shows that the system sensitivity is 26.5%, which is also consistent with our previous experiments. Finally, an image of a simulated sparse set of single cells is visually similar to the measured cell image.ConclusionsOur simulation methodology agrees with experimental measurements taken with radioluminescence microscopy. This in silico approach can be used to guide further instrumentation developments and to provide a framework for improving image reconstruction.
Can diffusion tensor imaging and tractography represent cross‐sectional area of lumbar multifidus in patients with LUMBAR spine disease?
Authors: Oh Jeehae , Jung Joon‐Yong , Ko Young Jin 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Cross‐sectional area (CSA) is a useful measurement to evaluate the lumbar multifidus, but it cannot reflect the morphological characteristics of the entire muscle. Recently, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography (DTT) have been used to assess 3‐dimensional muscle structures both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this study we investigate the correlation between CSA and multifidus volume and the clinical utility of DTI and DTT. Methods: Twenty‐eight lumbar multifidi from 14 subjects with lumbar spine disease were analyzed. We conducted correlation analysis between CSA from conventional magnetic resonance images and DTI‐derived parameters, including muscle volume, fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity (MD); we performed morphological assessment using DTT. Results: Multifidus volume had a strong positive correlation with CSA (r = 0.760, P < 0.001). Neither FA nor MD correlated with CSA. Multifidi spanning fewer vertebral segments were smaller in volume. Discussion: DTT can be a valuable tool to visualize and quantify the lumbar multifidus in lumbar spine disease. Muscle Nerve 57: 200–205, 2018
Ultrasound Verification Of Safe Needle Examination Of The Rhomboid Major Muscle
Authors: Cushman Daniel , Henrie Michael , Vernon Scholl Linda , Ludlow Monica , Teramoto Masaru 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Palpation of a thoracic rib is a common method for reducing the risk of pneumothorax during electromyographic examination of the rhomboid major muscle, but its accuracy is unknown. Methods: Two physicians palpated healthy subjects to attempt to identify the center of a rib located beneath the rhomboid major muscle. The identified location was examined with ultrasonography to examine its accuracy and the subject's anatomical depths. Results: Forty‐four subjects (88 ribs) were studied. Palpation demonstrated a 66.3% accuracy rate, with significantly more incorrect palpations seen with greater muscle thickness (P = 0.004) and body mass index (P = 0.037), but not adipose thickness, age, or skin thickness (P > 0.05). Discussion: Palpation of the ribs in an attempt to avoid inadvertent pneumothorax while examining the rhomboid major may be inaccurate, primarily in patients with large muscle bulk. We suggest a brief ultrasound evaluation before electromyography to gauge correct needle depth. Muscle Nerve 57: 61–64, 2018
Understanding Tetrahydropyranyl as a Protecting Group in Peptide Chemistry
Authors: Sharma Anamika , Ramos‐Tomillero Iván , El‐Faham Ayman , Nicolas Ernesto , Rodriguez Hortensia , de la Torre Beatriz G. , Albericio Fernando 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTetrahydropyranyl (Thp) is recognized as a useful protecting group for alcohols in organic synthesis. It has several advantages, including low cost, ease of introduction, general stability to most non‐acidic reagents, it confers good solubility, and the ease with which it can be removed if the functional group it protects requires manipulation. However, little attention has been paid to Thp in peptide chemistry. Provided here is a concise analysis of the Thp protection of various amino acid functionalities (OH, SH, NH and COOH) and its application to peptide synthesis. Thp is a useful moiety for the side‐chain protection of serine, threonine and cysteine and is suitable for the Fmoc/tBu solid‐phase peptide synthesis strategy. The immobilized version of 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran, the so‐called Ellman resin, is also discussed as a useful solid support for anchoring the side chains of serine, threonine and tryptophan residues.
Thiamine Assays—Advances, Challenges, and Caveats
Authors: Edwards Katie A. , Tu‐Maung Nicole , Cheng Krystal , Wang Binbin , Baeumner Antje J. , Kraft Clifford E. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThiamine (vitamin B1) is essential to the health of all living organisms and deficiency has long been associated with diseases in animals such as fish, birds, alligators, and domesticated ruminant mammals. Thiamine is also implicated in several human diseases including Alzheimer's, diabetes, dementia, depression and, most notably, Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome and Beriberi disease. Yet, highly sensitive and specific detection of thiamine remains an analytical challenge, as pM to nm levels of thiamine need to be detected in environmental and human samples, respectively, various phosphorylated variants need to be discriminated, and rapid on‐site detection would be highly desirable. Furthermore, appropriate sample preparation is mandatory, owing to the complexity of the relevant sample matrices including fish tissues, ocean water, and body fluids. This Review has two objectives. First, it provides a thorough overview of analytical techniques published for thiamine detection over the last 15 years. Second, it describes the principles of analytical approaches that are based on biorecognition and may open up new avenues for rapid and high‐throughput thiamine analysis. Most notably, periplasmic binding proteins, ribozymes, and aptamers are of particular interest, as they function as bioaffinity recognition elements that can fill an important assay technology gap, owing to the unavailability of thiamine‐specific commercial antibodies. Finally, the authors provide brief evaluations of key outcomes of the major assay concepts and suggest how innovative techniques could help develop sensitive and specific thiamine analytical test systems.
Acute Care Management of the HIV‐Infected Patient: A Report from the HIV Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy
Authors: Durham Spencer H. , Badowski Melissa E. , Liedtke Michelle D. , Rathbun R. Chris , Pecora Fulco Patricia 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivePatients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) admitted to the hospital have complex antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens with an increased medication error rate upon admission. This report provides a resource for clinicians managing HIV‐infected patients and ART in the inpatient setting.MethodsA survey of the authors was conducted to evaluate common issues that arise during an acute hospitalization for HIV‐infected patients. After a group consensus, a review of the medical literature was performed to determine the supporting evidence for the following HIV‐associated hospital queries: admission/discharge orders, antiretroviral hospital formularies, laboratory monitoring, altered hepatic/renal function, drug‐drug interactions (DDIs), enteral administration, and therapeutic drug monitoring.ResultsWith any hospital admission for an HIV‐infected patient, a specific set of procedures should be followed including a thorough admission medication history and communication with the ambulatory HIV provider to avoid omissions or substitutions in the ART regimen. DDIs are common and should be reviewed at all transitions of care during the hospital admission. ART may be continued if enteral nutrition with a feeding tube is deemed necessary, but the entire regimen should be discontinued if no oral access is available for a prolonged period. Therapeutic drug monitoring is not generally recommended but, if available, should be considered in unique clinical scenarios where antiretroviral pharmacokinetics are difficult to predict. ART may need adjustment if hepatic or renal insufficiency ensues.ConclusionsTreatment of hospitalized patients with HIV is highly complex. HIV‐infected patients are at high risk for medication errors during various transitions of care. Baseline knowledge of the principles of antiretroviral pharmacotherapy is necessary for clinicians managing acutely ill HIV‐infected patients to avoid medication errors, identify DDIs, and correctly dose medications if organ dysfunction arises. Timely ambulatory follow‐up is essential to prevent readmissions and facilitate improved transitions of care.
Sample Clean‐up Strategies for ESI Mass Spectrometry Applications in Bottom‐up Proteomics: Trends from 2012 to 2016
Authors: Tubaon Ria Marni , Haddad Paul R. , Quirino Joselito P. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBottom‐up proteomics is a mass spectrometric (MS)‐based approach for the characterization of peptides obtained from in‐solution protein digestion. MS is favored over other methods for peptide and protein analysis because of its better sensitivity and high throughput. Inorganic ions and surfactants present in the sample or produced during tryptic digestion are detrimental in MS analysis and affect the proteome data, thus sample preparation for removal of these unwanted components has become essential. Here, we review 48 research papers on strategies for removal of salts and surfactants (in particular, SDS) prior to ESI‐MS analysis in bottom‐up proteomics from 2012 to 2016. The strategies were mostly based on SPE and membrane‐based filter‐aided sample preparation for salt and SDS removal, respectively. Some known limitations of SPE and filter‐aided sample preparation procedures are that they can be time consuming, laborious, and require the use of organic solvents before a concentrated extract suitable for analysis is obtained. The development of faster analytical methods by reducing the sample preparation time and thereby, increasing sample throughput, and in a solvent‐less and membrane‐less operation, is a significant contribution to proteome research.
A series of novel side chain liquid crystalline polysiloxanes containing cyano‐ and cholesterol‐terminated substituents: Where will the structure‐dependence of terminal behavior of the side chain reappear?
Authors: Yao Wenhuan , Gao Yanzi , Zhang Cuihong , Li Chenyue , Li Fasheng , Yang Zhou , Zhang Lanying 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTA series of polysiloxane side chain liquid crystal polymers with strong polarity cyano substitution‐terminated achiral side chains and cholesterol‐terminated chiral side chains was successfully synthesized via thiol‐ene click chemistry. 1H‐NMR, FT‐IR, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to confirm their chemical structures and thermal stabilities. Their phase transition behaviors and phase structures were systematically investigated by a combination of analysis methods such as differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and X‐ray. Results revealed that attributing to the decisive role of the polarity interaction, all the polymers only developed a monolayer interdigitated SmA phase in which the period arrangement was determined by the cyano‐terminated side chains, the increased content of cholesterol‐terminated chiral side chains (Xchol) just expanded the distance between neighboring molecules within a layer. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1765–1772
Single domain antibodies for the knockdown of cytosolic and nuclear proteins
Authors: Böldicke Thomas 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSingle domain antibodies (sdAbs) from camels or sharks comprise only the variable heavy chain domain. Human sdAbs comprise the variable domain of the heavy chain (VH) or light chain (VL) and can be selected from human antibodies. SdAbs are stable, nonaggregating molecules in vitro and in vivo compared to complete antibodies and scFv fragments. They are excellent novel inhibitors of cytosolic/nuclear proteins because they are correctly folded inside the cytosol in contrast to scFv fragments. SdAbs are unique because of their excellent specificity and possibility to target posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation sites, conformers or interaction regions of proteins that cannot be targeted with genetic knockout techniques and are impossible to knockdown with RNAi. The number of inhibiting cytosolic/nuclear sdAbs is increasing and usage of synthetic single pot single domain antibody libraries will boost the generation of these fascinating molecules without the need of immunization. The most frequently selected antigenic epitopes belong to viral and oncogenic proteins, followed by toxins, proteins of the nervous system as well as plant‐ and drosophila proteins. It is now possible to select functional sdAbs against virtually every cytosolic/nuclear protein and desired epitope. The development of new endosomal escape protein domains and cell‐penetrating peptides for efficient transfection broaden the application of inhibiting sdAbs. Last but not least, the generation of relatively new cell‐specific nanoparticles such as polymersomes and polyplexes carrying cytosolic/nuclear sdAb‐DNA or –protein will pave the way to apply cytosolic/nuclear sdAbs for inhibition of viral infection and cancer in the clinic.