bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of Perivascular Spaces in 7 T MR Image using Haar Transform of Non-local Cubes and Block-matching Filtering
Authors: Hou Yingkun , Park Sang Hyun , Wang Qian , Zhang Jun , Zong Xiaopeng , Lin Weili , Shen Dinggang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPerivascular spaces (PVSs) in brain have a close relationship with typical neurological diseases. The quantitative studies of PVSs are meaningful but usually difficult, due to their thin and weak signals and also background noise in the 7 T brain magnetic resonance images (MRI). To clearly distinguish the PVSs in the 7 T MRI, we propose a novel PVS enhancement method based on the Haar transform of non-local cubes. Specifically, we extract a certain number of cubes from a small neighbor to form a cube group, and then perform Haar transform on each cube group. The Haar transform coefficients are processed using a nonlinear function to amplify the weak signals relevant to the PVSs and to suppress the noise. The enhanced image is reconstructed using the inverse Haar transform of the processed coefficients. Finally, we perform a block-matching 4D filtering on the enhanced image to further remove any remaining noise, and thus obtain an enhanced and denoised 7 T MRI for PVS segmentation. We apply two existing methods to complete PVS segmentation, i.e., (1) vesselness-thresholding and (2) random forest classification. The experimental results show that the PVS segmentation performances can be significantly improved by using the enhanced and denoised 7 T MRI.
Deletion of EP4 in S100a4-lineage cells reduces scar tissue formation during early but not later stages of tendon healing
Authors: Ackerman Jessica E. , Best Katherine T. , O’Keefe Regis J. , Loiselle Alayna E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTendon injuries heal via scar tissue rather than regeneration. This healing response forms adhesions between the flexor tendons in the hand and surrounding tissues, resulting in impaired range of motion and hand function. Mechanistically, inflammation has been strongly linked to adhesion formation, and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is associated with both adhesion formation and tendinopathy. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that deletion of the PGE2 receptor EP4 in S100a4-lineage cells would decrease adhesion formation. S100a4-Cre; EP4flox/flox (EP4cKOS100a4) repairs healed with improved gliding function at day 14, followed by impaired gliding at day 28, relative to wild type. Interestingly, EP4cKOS100a4 resulted in only transient deletion of EP4, suggesting up-regulation of EP4 in an alternative cell population in these mice. Loss of EP4 in Scleraxis-lineage cells did not alter gliding function, suggesting that Scx-lineage cells are not the predominant EP4 expressing population. In contrast, a dramatic increase in α-SMA+, EP4+ double-positive cells were observed in EP4cKOS100a4 suggesting that EP4cKOS100a4 repairs heal with increased infiltration of EP4 expressing α-SMA myofibroblasts, identifying a potential mechanism of late up-regulation of EP4 and impaired gliding function in EP4cKOS100a4 tendon repairs.
Investigations of Phase Transformation in Monocrystalline Silicon at Low Temperatures via Nanoindentation
Authors: Wang Shunbo , Liu Hang , Xu Lixia , Du Xiancheng , Zhao Dan , Zhu Bo , Yu Miao , Zhao Hongwei 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNanoindentations of monocrystalline silicon are conducted to investigate the phase transformation process at a temperature range from 292 K to 210 K. The load-displacement curves are obtained and the residual indents are detected by Raman spectra. MD simulations are also conducted to identify the phase state during nanoindentation. The results show that the low temperature has no influence on the generation of Si-II during loading process of indentation, but the phenomenon of pop-out is inhibited with the temperature decreasing. The probability of pop-out occurrence has a dramatic drop from 260 K to 230 K. Both the generation and propagation of Si-III/XII transformed from Si-II are inhibited by the low temperature, and only a-Si was generated as a final phase state.
Alveolar and Postalveolar Voiceless Fricative and Affricate Productions of Spanish–English Bilingual Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Li Fangfang , Bunta Ferenc , Tomblin J. Bruce 
Published: August 2017

Purpose
This study investigates the production of voiceless alveolar and postalveolar fricatives and affricates by bilingual and monolingual children with hearing loss who use cochlear implants (CIs) and their peers with normal hearing (NH).

Method

Fifty-four children participated in our study, including 12 Spanish–English bilingual CI users (
M
= 6;0 [years;months]), 12 monolingual English-speaking children with CIs (
M
= 6;1), 20 bilingual children with NH (
M
= 6;5), and 10 monolingual English-speaking children with NH (
M
= 5;10). Picture elicitation targeting /s/, /tʃ/, and /ʃ/ was administered. Repeated-measures analyses of variance comparing group means for frication duration, rise time, and centroid frequency were conducted for the effects of CI use and bilingualism.

Results
All groups distinguished the target sounds in the 3 acoustic parameters examined. Regarding frication duration and rise time, the Spanish productions of bilingual children with CIs differed from their bilingual peers with NH. English frication duration patterns for bilingual versus monolingual CI users also differed. Centroid frequency was a stronger place cue for children with NH than for children with CIs.

Conclusion
Patterns of fricative and affricate production display effects of bilingualism and diminished signal, yielding unique patterns for bilingual and monolingual CI users.
Performance evaluation of floating solar chimney power plant in Iran: estimation of technology progression and cost investigation
Authors: Maghrebi Mohammad Javad , Masoudi Nejad Reza 
Published: August 2017

High direct solar radiation and the vast desert areas in Iran are the main factors to the attraction in using solar technologies such as floating solar chimney power plant (FSCPP) for electrical and thermal productions of energy. This article studies the performance of floating solar chimney technology for manufacturing purpose. In order to find the best area for the FSCPP, 14 different areas across the country are considered. The results revealed that FSCPP can produce 5–200 MW of electrical energy. Then a study was performed according to the return of finance rate, net price value, and finance return period criterions. The results showed that these power plants are able to be built in large scales of 100 and 200 MW of electricity with the annual capacity of 311 and 641 GW, respectively. However, a comparison between the cost analysis of two tested models shows that the 200 MW power plant with the cost of 14,273.64 Rials is more beneficial.‏
Neonatal-Onset Recurrent Guillain–Barré Syndrome-Like Disease: Clues for Inherited CD59 Deficiency
Authors: Ardicli Didem , Taskiran Ekim , Kosukcu Can , Temucin Cagri , Oguz Kader , Haliloglu Goknur , Alikasifoglu Mehmet , Topaloglu Haluk 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInherited CD59 deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by chronic hemolysis, recurrent ischemic central nervous system strokes, and early-onset relapsing peripheral demyelinating neuropathy mimicking recurrent Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). We report a 7-year-old girl who presented with neonatal-onset relapsing weakness accompanied by diffuse sensory-motor demyelinating peripheral polyneuropathy. She was diagnosed as having a CIDP-like disease and partially responded to immunomodulatory treatments. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed multiphasic brainstem and cerebellar ischemic lesions consistent with vasculopathy and chronic left middle cerebral artery infarction. Whole exome sequencing (WES) analysis revealed a frameshift deletion in CD59 (c.146delA, p.Asp49Valfs*31). Inherited CD59 deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with early-onset severe neurologic symptoms even without an overt hemolysis. We would like to highlight the role of WES in the diagnosis of a condition with a targeted therapy.
Intramuscular Perfusion Response in Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): A Quantitative Analysis with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS)
Authors: Kellermann Marion , Heiss Rafael , Swoboda Bernd , Gelse Kolja , Freiwald Jürgen , Grim Casper , Nagel Armin , Uder Michael , Wildner Dane , Hotfiel Thilo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to analyse intramuscular perfusion response in ultrastructural muscle lesions, by applying contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to a delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) model. Results of this analysis were compared to high-resolution 3 Tesla MRI T2-weighted sequences. 14 healthy participants were recruited. Average perfusion parameters, represented as Peak enhancement (contrast agent inflow) and wash-in area under curve (WiAUC) of the gastrocnemius (GM) and soleus muscle (SM) were assessed before (baseline) and 60 h after inducing DOMS by eccentric exercise. Additionally, conventional ultrasound, high-resolution 3T MRI, creatine kinase level, range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, calf circumference and muscle soreness data were collected. Perfusion quantification revealed a statistically significant increase of intramuscular perfusion, corresponding to an increase in peak enhancement of 129.6% (p=0.0031) and in WiAUC of 115.2% (p=0.0107) in the gastrocnemius muscle at post-intervention. At follow-up, the MRI investigations showed intramuscular oedema for GM in all participants corresponding to a significant rise in T2 signal intensity (p=0.001) and in T2 time value (p=0.005). CEUS seems to be able to detect intramuscular perfusion changes and therefore may contribute to gaining deeper insight into the histopathology, inflammatory reactions and regeneration processes of ultrastructural muscle lesions.
Pilotstudien sind wichtig
Authors: Porthun Jan 
Published: August 2017

ZusammenfassungDie Wichtigkeit von Pilotstudien, wie man sie schreibt und was sie bedeuten.[Vogel S, Draper-Rodi J. The importance of pilot studies, how to write them and what they mean. In: International Journal of Osteopathic
Medicine 2017; 23: 2–3.]DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijosm.2017.02.001
Entwicklung des neuen Phytopharmakons Episalvan (Betulin) zur Wundheilung
Authors: Scheffler Armin 
Published: August 2017

ZusammenfassungDas Projekt umfasst die Erschließung des pflanzlichen Wirkstoffs Triterpentrockenextrakt (Betulin) aus der Birkenrinde für die Wundheilung:▪ mit den weltweit patentierten Erfindungen der „Betulin-Emulsion“ und des „Betulin-Oleogels“,▪ dem innovativen klinischen Nachweis der beschleunigten Wundheilung,▪ der publizierten Aufklärung der Wirkweise bei der Wundheilung bis auf die molekulare Ebene▪ und der zentralen Europäischen Zulassung mit Qualitäts-, Unbedenklichkeits- und Wirksamkeitsnachweis im Januar 2016 für das Arzneimittel Episalvan.Mit diesem Projekt haben wir gezeigt, dass wissenschaftlich fundierte Neuentwicklungen in der Phytotherapie in Europa möglich sind. Der Wirkstoff ist neu und die Indikation ist erstmals mit Studien evident belegt. Episalvan ist das erste Arzneimittel seiner Indikation und bis 2030 patentgeschützt. Zugleich ist es das erste Phytotherapeutikum in der Chirurgie, erschließt also ein neues Therapiefeld für die Phytotherapie.Die Birkenrinde enthält in dem weißen Korkgewebe durchschnittlich 22 % Betulin, sodass der Wirkstoff nachhaltig aus der holzverarbeitenden Industrie Nordeuropas im Maßstab von mehreren 100 000 t jährlich zur Verfügung steht. Neben seinem höchsten Wert als Arzneimittel haben wir mit dem Aufbau eines innovativen kontinuierlichen Extraktionsverfahrens eine bisher ungenutzte pflanzliche Feinchemikalie der nachhaltigen industriellen Nutzung deutlich nähergebracht.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of hepatocellular carcinoma not detected during the screening procedure
Authors: Dong Yi , Wang Wen-Ping , Mao Feng , Dietrich Christoph 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Aim The aim of this retrospective study is to report on the characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of primarily not detected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during the screening procedure of patients at risk.
Methods Sixty-four patients with a finally solitary and histologically proven HCC not detected HCC during the screening procedure were retrospectively analyzed. Most of HCC lesions (90.6 %, 58/64) measured < 20 mm in diameter. All HCC lesions were not detected during the initial screening procedure but suspected using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The final gold standard was biopsy or surgery with histological examination.
Results On CEUS, 62/64 (96.8 %) of HCC were characterized as an obviously hyperenhanced lesion in arterial phase, and 41/64 (64.1 %) of HCC were characterized as hypoenhancing lesions in the portal venous and late phases. During the arterial phase of CEUS, 96.8 % of HCC displayed homogeneous hyperenhancement. Knowing the CEUS and magnetic resonance imaging findings, 45/64 (70.3 %) could have been detected using B-mode ultrasound (BMUS).
Conclusion BMUS as a screening procedure is generally accepted. Contrast-enhanced imaging modalities have improved detection and characterization of HCC. Homogeneous hyperenhancement during the arterial phase and mild washout are indicative for HCC in liver cirrhosis.
Endometriosis in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Specific Symptomatic and Demographic Profile, and Response to the Low FODMAP Diet
Authors: Moore Judith S. , Gibson Peter R. , Perry Richard E. , Burgell Rebecca E. 
Published: August 2017

(Abstracted from Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2017;57:201–205)
For women presenting with chronic abdominal and/or pelvic symptoms, defining the cause (endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], or both) is challenging. Women with endometriosis are often misdiagnosed as having IBS, because many symptoms—dyspareunia and diarrhea and/or constipation—are similar to those reported by patients with IBS.
Accuracy and Clinical Value of Maternal Incidental Findings During Noninvasive Prenatal Testing for Fetal Aneuploidies
Authors: Brison Nathalie , van den Bogaert Kris , Dehaspe Luc , van den Oever Jessica M. E. , Janssens Katrien , Blaumeiser Bettina , Peeters Hilde , van Esch Hilde , van Buggenhout Griet , Vogels Annick , de Ravel Thomy , Legius Eric , Devriendt Koen , Vermeesch Joris R. 
Published: August 2017

(Abstracted from Genet Med 2017;19(3):306–313)
Genome-wide shotgun sequencing of cell-free (cf)DNA from the serum of pregnant women can identify chromosomal imbalances in an unborn fetus. Although initially developed to screen for fetal trisomies 21, 18, and 13, several studies have now demonstrated that genome-wide analysis can also detect other fetal aneuploidies, segmental imbalances, and even submicroscopic copy-number variations (CNVs).
Exercise During Pregnancy
Authors: Perales María , Artal Raul , Lucia Alejandro 
Published: August 2017

(Abstracted from JAMA 2017;317(11):1113–1114)
Historically, providers have generally advised pregnant women to avoid vigorous exercise during pregnancy because of concerns of adverse impact such as preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. Such concerns were not evidence based and have contributed to the worldwide obesity epidemic.
Adenovirus Infection in Children With Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Renzi Samuele , Ali Salah , Portwine Carol , Mitchell David , Dix David , Lewis Victor , Price Victoria , Science Michelle , Sung Lillian 
Published: August 2017

Background:
Children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are at high risk of life-threatening bacterial and fungal infection. However, little is known about the prevalence or severity of adenovirus infection in this population. Objective was to describe the characteristics, treatments and outcomes of adenovirus infection in children with newly diagnosed AML.

Methods:
We performed a retrospective chart review based upon 2 multicenter cohort studies that focused on identifying risk factors for infection in children with AML. Inclusion criteria were patients with de novo AML who were ≤18 years of age at diagnosis with a clinical specimen positive for adenovirus.

Results:
Among the 235 patients with AML, 12 (5.1%) had positive adenovirus testing. The most common site of isolation was stool (n = 11, 91.6 %), and the most frequent symptom was diarrhea (n = 11, 91.6 %). Two patients received specific treatment for adenovirus, namely intravenous immunoglobulin only in 1 patient and both intravenous immunoglobulin and inhaled ribavirin in a second patient. In 11 patients, adenovirus resolved uneventfully without recurrence, including 10 that received no adenovirus-specific therapy. However, 1 patient developed sepsis syndrome in the setting of disseminated adenoviral infection and died from multiorgan failure.

Conclusion:
In children with AML, adenovirus infection was rare and typically not associated with severe disease, even without specific treatment. However, disseminated and fatal disease can occur in this population. Further investigations are needed to identify pediatric AML patients at particular risk for severe adenovirus infection and to determine optimal treatment approaches in these patients.
Evaluation of Maximal Speech Intelligibility With Vibrant Soundbridge in Patients With Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Lee Hyun-Jin , Lee Jeon Mi , Choi Jae Young , Jung Jinsei 
Published: August 2017

Objective:
The study investigated improvements in maximal speech intelligibility after Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) implantation and analyzed the effect of the hearing loss pattern on maximal speech intelligibility represented by a phonetically balanced word score (PBmax). The effect of middle ear implants on PBmax has not been evaluated yet.

Study Design:
Study.

Setting:
Tertiary academic medical center.

Patients/Interventions:
Sixty patients who underwent VSB from December 2011 to January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients had hearing aids preoperatively.

Main Outcome Measures:
Pure-tone and speech audiometry were checked with and without hearing aids and then with the VSB. The patients were divided into two groups: flat and down-sloping type of hearing loss. PBmax score was evaluated at the most comfortable listening level before and after VSB implantation and compared with scores with/without HA.

Results:
PBmax for both conventional HA and VSB were significantly higher compared with the unaided condition. The improvement in speech recognition was significantly better using VSB than using HA (p = 0.003). However, there was no significant difference in the improvement provided by VSB and HA in patients with a flat hearing loss. Patients with a down-sloping audiogram showed significantly better improvement with VSB than with HA (p = 0.003). Moreover, patients with greater preoperative high-frequency hearing loss had greater improvement in PBmax after VSB implantation.

Conclusion:
Speech intelligibility can be significantly improved by VSB implantation, especially in patients with a down-sloping hearing loss. This finding can help select patients who will benefit most from VSB implantation.
Transgender Veterans’ Satisfaction With Care and Unmet Health Needs
Authors: Lehavot Keren , Katon Jodie G. , Simpson Tracy L. , Shipherd Jillian C. 
Published: August 2017

Background:
Transgender individuals are overrepresented among Veterans. However, little is known regarding their satisfaction with Veterans Administration (VA) care and unmet health needs.

Objectives:
This study examined transgender Veterans’ satisfaction with VA medical and mental health care, prevalence of delaying care, and correlates of these outcomes.

Research Design:
We used data from transgender Veterans collected in 2014 through an online, national survey.

Subjects:
In total, 298 transgender Veterans living in the United States.

Measures:
We assessed patient satisfaction with VA medical and mental health care and self-reported delays in seeking medical and mental health care in the past year. Potential correlates associated with these 4 outcomes included demographic, health, and health care variables.

Results:
Over half of the sample used VA (56%) since their military discharge. Among transgender Veterans who had used VA, 79% were satisfied with medical care and 69% with mental health care. Lower income was associated with dissatisfaction with VA medical care, and being a transgender man was associated with dissatisfaction with VA mental health care. A substantial proportion reported delays in seeking medical (46%) or mental (38%) health care in the past year (not specific to VA). Screening positive for depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder was associated with delays in seeking both types of care.

Conclusions:
Although the majority of transgender Veterans are satisfied with VA health care, certain subgroups are less likely to be satisfied with care. Further, many report delaying accessing care, particularly those with depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Adapting health care settings to better engage these vulnerable Veterans may be necessary.
Clinical Epidemiology of Single Versus Multiple Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Bhalla Ish P. , Stefanovics Elina A. , Rosenheck Robert A. 
Published: August 2017

Objective:
While research on substance abuse has largely focused on people who have a single substance use disorder (SUD), many people abuse multiple substances. Studies have yet to examine the distinctive characteristics of patients diagnosed with more than 1 SUD and how those with polysubstance use disorder (PSUD) differ from those with a single SUD.

Methods:
National Veterans Health Administration data from fiscal year 2012 were used to compare veterans diagnosed 1 SUD to veterans diagnosed with 2–3, and >3 SUDs on demographic characteristics, psychiatric and medical diagnoses, medical and psychiatric service utilization, and psychotropic medication fills. Comparisons of the 3 groups were based on bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results:
Of the 472,624 veterans with at least 1 diagnosed SUD, 346,329 (73.2%) had 1 disorder, 113,598 (24.0%) had 2–3, and 12,715 (2.7%) had >3 SUDs. Veterans with higher levels of PSUD were more likely to be black and homeless, were more likely to have hepatic disease as well as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and personality disorders. Higher levels of PSUD were associated with greater use of psychiatric inpatient care, residential and rehabilitative treatment, and with multiple psychotropic medication prescription fills.

Conclusions:
Veterans with PSUD have more severe problems along several dimensions and use more numerous and varied services than those with 1 SUD. This distinctive clinical profile warrants research to develop and evaluate methods for treating patients with complex multimorbid disorders that involve interactions between medical morbidity and psychosocial dysfunction.