bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of performances of femtosecond laser and microkeratome for thin‐flap laser in situ keratomileusis
Authors: Kasetsuwan Ngamjit , Satitpitakul Vannarut , Puangsricharern Vilavun , Reinprayoon Usanee , Pariyakanok Lalida 
Published: March 2016

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical outcomes of femtosecond laser (FS) and microkeratome (MK) for thin‐flap in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).Materials and MethodsData from patients with moderate to high myopia (spherical equivalent, >−4 diopters [D]) who underwent thin‐flap LASIK using FS (199 eyes/110 patients) and MK (157 eyes/86 patients) were analyzed in this retrospective study. Preoperative and postoperative data were recorded from day 1 and months 1 and 3, postoperatively. Visual and refractive outcomes were compared for efficacy, safety, predictability, stability, and the efficacy and safety indices.ResultsThree months postoperatively, more eyes in the FS group had an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/40 or better compared to MK group (relative risk [RR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–1.05, P = 0.58); significantly more eyes in FS group had an UCVA of 20/20 or better (RR, 1.26, 95%CI, 1.08–1.48, P = 0.003). Intraoperative bleeding occurred in 5% and 36.7%, respectively, of FS and MK groups. There were no significant differences in the refractive predictability within spherical equivalents of 0.5 D (FS, 72%; MK, 63%) and 1.0 D (FS, 90%; MK, 86%). Both groups showed good stability 3 months, postoperatively. The efficacy index in FS group was 113.4%; that in MK group was 102.5% at 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). The safety indices for FS and MK groups at 3 months postoperatively were 116.4% and 108.2%, respectively (P < 0.05).ConclusionsBoth methods of thin‐flap created LASIK were effective, safe, predicable, and stable. FS group had significant improvements in efficacy and safety, confirmed by the efficacy and safety indices, compared to MK group. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:596–601, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Distributing coil elements in three dimensions enhances parallel transmission multiband RF performance: A simulation study in the human brain at 7 Tesla
Authors: Wu Xiaoping , Tian Jinfeng , Schmitter Sebastian , Vaughan J. Tommy , Uğurbil Kâmil , Van de Moortele Pierre‐François 
Published: March 2016

PurposeWe explore the advantages of using a double‐ring radiofrequency (RF) array and slice orientation to design parallel transmission (pTx) multiband (MB) pulses for simultaneous multislice (SMS) imaging with whole‐brain coverage at 7 Tesla (T).MethodsA double‐ring head array with 16 elements split evenly in two rings stacked in the z‐direction was modeled and compared with two single‐ring arrays consisting of 8 or 16 elements. The array performance was evaluated by designing band‐specific pTx MB pulses with local specific absorption rate (SAR) control. The impact of slice orientations was also investigated.ResultsThe double‐ring array consistently and significantly outperformed the other two single‐ring arrays, with peak local SAR reduced by up to 40% at a fixed excitation error of 0.024. For all three arrays, exciting sagittal or coronal slices yielded better RF performance than exciting axial or oblique slices.ConclusionsA double‐ring RF array can be used to drastically improve SAR versus excitation fidelity tradeoff for pTx MB pulse design for brain imaging at 7 T; therefore, it is preferable against single‐ring RF array designs when pursuing various biomedical applications of pTx SMS imaging. In comparing the stripline arrays, coronal and sagittal slices are more advantageous than axial and oblique slices for pTx MB pulses. Magn Reson Med 75:2464–2472, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Overview of the 2015 ICS Consensus Conference
Authors: Biardeau X. , Aharony S. ,   the AUS Consensus Group, Campeau L. , Corcos J. 
Published: March 2016

PurposeThe AMS800™ device is considered to be the “gold‐standard” when male incontinence surgical treatment is contemplated. Despite 40 years of experience, it is still a specialized procedure with a number of challenges. Here, we present the recommendations issued from the AUS Consensus Group, regarding indications, management and follow‐up AMS800™ implantation or revision.Materials and MethodsUnder ICS auspices, an expert panel met on July 10, 2015 in Chicago, IL, USA in an attempt to reach a consensus on diverse issues related to the AMS800™ device. Participants were selected by the two co‐chairs on the basis of their practice in a University hospital and their experience: number of implanted AUSs according to AMS (American Medical System Holdings Inc., Minnetonka, MN) records and/or major published articles. Topics listed were the result of a pre‐meeting email brainstorming by all participants. The co‐chairs distributed topics randomly to all participants, who then had to propose a statement on each topic for approval by the conference after a short evidence‐based presentation, when possible.ResultsThe present recommendations, based on the most recent and relevant data available in literature as well as expert opinions, successively address multiple specific and problematic issues associated with the AMS800™ trough a 6‐chapter structure: pre‐operative assessment, pre operative challenges, implantation technique, post‐operative care, trouble‐shooting, and special populations.ConclusionThese guidelines undoubtedly constitute a reference document, which will help urologists to carefully select patients and apply the most adapted management to implantation, follow‐up and trouble‐shooting of the AMS800™. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:437–443, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Calculating the fetal fraction for noninvasive prenatal testing based on genome‐wide nucleosome profiles
Authors: Straver Roy , Oudejans Cees B. M. , Sistermans Erik A. , Reinders Marcel J. T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveWhile large fetal copy number aberrations can generally be detected through sequencing of DNA in maternal blood, the reliability of tests depends on the fraction of DNA that originates from the fetus. Existing methods to determine this fetal fraction require additional work or are limited to male fetuses. We aimed to create a sex‐independent approach without additional work.MethodsDNA fragments used for noninvasive prenatal testing are cut only by natural processes; thus, influences on cutting by the packaging of DNA in nucleosomes will be preserved in sequencing. As cuts are expected to be made preferentially in linker regions, the shorter fetal fragments should be enriched for reads starting in nucleosome covered positions.ResultsWe generated genome‐wide nucleosome profiles based on single end sequencing of cell‐free DNA. We found a difference between DNA digestion of fetal cell‐free DNA and maternal cell‐free DNA and used this to calculate the fraction of fetal DNA in maternal plasma for both male and female fetuses.ConclusionOur method facilitates cost‐effective noninvasive prenatal testing, as the fetal DNA fraction can be estimated without the need for expensive paired‐end sequencing or additional tests.The methodology is implemented as a tool, which we called SANEFALCON (Single reAds Nucleosome‐basEd FetAL fraCtiON). It is available for academic and non‐profit purposes under Creative Commons Attribution‐NonCommercial‐ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License. github.com/rstraver/sanefalcon. © 2016 The Authors. Prenatal Diagnosis published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stepwise Differentiation of Retinal Ganglion Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Enables Analysis of Glaucomatous Neurodegeneration
Authors: Ohlemacher Sarah K. , Sridhar Akshayalakshmi , Xiao Yucheng , Hochstetler Alexandra E. , Sarfarazi Mansoor , Cummins Theodore R. , Meyer Jason S. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, possess the unique ability to readily differentiate into any cell type of the body, including cells of the retina. Although previous studies have demonstrated the ability to differentiate hPSCs to a retinal lineage, the ability to derive retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from hPSCs has been complicated by the lack of specific markers with which to identify these cells from a pluripotent source. In the current study, the definitive identification of hPSC-derived RGCs was accomplished by their directed, stepwise differentiation through an enriched retinal progenitor intermediary, with resultant RGCs expressing a full complement of associated features and proper functional characteristics. These results served as the basis for the establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a patient with a genetically inherited form of glaucoma, which results in damage and loss of RGCs. Patient-derived RGCs specifically exhibited a dramatic increase in apoptosis, similar to the targeted loss of RGCs in glaucoma, which was significantly rescued by the addition of candidate neuroprotective factors. Thus, the current study serves to establish a method by which to definitively acquire and identify RGCs from hPSCs and demonstrates the ability of hPSCs to serve as an effective in vitro model of disease progression. Moreover, iPSC-derived RGCs can be utilized for future drug screening approaches to identify targets for the treatment of glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.
A high-throughput screening strategy for accurate quantification of menaquinone based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting
Authors: Liu Yan , Xue Zheng-lian , Chen Shao-peng , Wang Zhou , Zhang Yong , Gong Wei-liang , Zheng Zhi-ming 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTo enhance the screening efficiency and accuracy of a high-yield menaquinone (vitamin K2, MK) bacterial strain, a novel, quantitative method by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was developed. The staining technique was optimized to maximize the differences in fluorescence signals between spontaneous and MK-accumulating cells. The fluorescence carrier rhodamine 123 (Rh123), with its ability to reflect membrane potential, proved to be an appropriate fluorescent dye to connect the MK content with fluorescence signal quantitatively. To promote adequate access of the fluorescent molecule to the target and maintain higher cell survival rates, staining and incubation conditions were optimized. The results showed that 10 % sucrose facilitated uptake of Rh123, while maintaining a certain level of cell viability. The pre-treatment of cells with MgCl2 before staining with Rh123 also improved cell viability. Using FACS, 50 thousands cells can easily be assayed in less than 1 h. The optimized staining protocol yielded a linear response for the mean fluorescence against high performance liquid chromatography-measured MK content. We have developed a novel and useful staining protocol in the high-throughput evaluation of Flavobacterium sp. mutant libraries, using FACS to identify mutants with increased MK-accumulating properties. This study also provides reference for the screening of other industrial microbial strains.
Women’s Work Pathways Across the Life Course
Authors: Damaske Sarah , Frech Adrianne 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDespite numerous changes in women’s employment in the latter half of the twentieth century, women’s employment continues to be uneven and stalled. Drawing from data on women’s weekly work hours in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79), we identify significant inequality in women’s labor force experiences across adulthood. We find two pathways of stable full-time work for women, three pathways of part-time employment, and a pathway of unpaid labor. A majority of women follow one of the two full-time work pathways, while fewer than 10 % follow a pathway of unpaid labor. Our findings provide evidence of the lasting influence of work–family conflict and early socioeconomic advantages and disadvantages on women’s work pathways. Indeed, race, poverty, educational attainment, and early family characteristics significantly shaped women’s work careers. Work–family opportunities and constraints also were related to women’s work hours, as were a woman’s gendered beliefs and expectations. We conclude that women’s employment pathways are a product of both their resources and changing social environment as well as individual agency. Significantly, we point to social stratification, gender ideologies, and work–family constraints, all working in concert, as key explanations for how women are “tracked” onto work pathways from an early age.
Preclinical Alzheimer's disease: Definition, natural history, and diagnostic criteria
Authors: Dubois Bruno , Hampel Harald , Feldman Howard H. , Scheltens Philip , Aisen Paul , Andrieu Sandrine , Bakardjian Hovagim , Benali Habib , Bertram Lars , Blennow Kaj , Broich Karl , Cavedo Enrica , Crutch Sebastian , Dartigues Jean‐François , Duyckaerts Charles , Epelbaum Stéphane , Frisoni Giovanni B. , Gauthier Serge , Genthon Remy , Gouw Alida A. , Habert Marie‐Odile , Holtzman David M. , Kivipelto Miia , Lista Simone , Molinuevo José‐Luis , O'Bryant Sid E. , Rabinovici Gil D. , Rowe Christopher , Salloway Stephen , Schneider Lon S. , Sperling Reisa , Teichmann Marc , Carrillo Maria C. , Cummings Jeffrey , Jack Cliff R. ,   Proceedings of the Meeting of the International Working Group (IWG) and the American Alzheimer's Association on “The Preclinical State of AD”; July 23, 2015; Washington DC, USA
Published: March 2016

AbstractDuring the past decade, a conceptual shift occurred in the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) considering the disease as a continuum. Thanks to evolving biomarker research and substantial discoveries, it is now possible to identify the disease even at the preclinical stage before the occurrence of the first clinical symptoms. This preclinical stage of AD has become a major research focus as the field postulates that early intervention may offer the best chance of therapeutic success. To date, very little evidence is established on this “silent” stage of the disease. A clarification is needed about the definitions and lexicon, the limits, the natural history, the markers of progression, and the ethical consequence of detecting the disease at this asymptomatic stage. This article is aimed at addressing all the different issues by providing for each of them an updated review of the literature and evidence, with practical recommendations.
HOW TO BE AN OPTIMIST ABOUT AESTHETIC TESTIMONY
Authors: McKinnon Rachel 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAn ongoing debate concerns whether agents can come to know that a particular piece of art is beautiful on the basis of someone's say-so. This debate concerns the epistemology of aesthetic testimony. Pessimists of various stripes claim that testimony-based knowledge of aesthetic propositions is impossible; optimists of various stripes claim that such testimony-based knowledge is possible. In this paper, I defend an optimist position: agents can come to know aesthetic propositions on the basis of testimony. Moreover, agents come to gain this knowledge quite readily. I make my case by considering a parallel debate in epistemology regarding assertions based on a particular kind of testimony, cases of what Jennifer Lackey (2011, 2013) has called “isolated second-hand knowledge” (ISHK). I argue that assertions based on isolated second-hand knowledge are appropriate, and hearers can come to know aesthetic propositions via testimony.
Computation of Stress Intensity Factors Using Wavelet-Based Element
Authors: Xiang J.-W. , Liang M. , Zhong Y.-T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA new approach for the analysis of stress intensity factors (SIFs) for cracked plane plate is proposed based on the wavelet finite element method using the scaling functions of B-spline wavelet on the interval (BSWI). The performance of the method is investigated through the comparison of the results with the available numerical examples in the literate. It is shown that the solution quality is much better than that of the traditional adaptive finite element method. Though the method is applied to plane structures in this paper, it can be extended to solving problems for other classes of structures.
Voronoi Based Discrete Least Squares Meshless Method for Assessment of Stress Field in Elastic Cracked Domains
Authors: Labibzadeh M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA new approach in meshless methods has been introduced for stress assessment around a crack in two-dimensional elastic solids. This method with the name VDLSM (Voronoi Based Discrete Least Squares Meshless) is a pure meshless method which does not implement nodal mesh for trial and test functions. Rather, it uses a collection of the scattered nodal points and implements the discrete least squares approach to discretize the strong form of the governing differential equations on the domain of interest. This can reduce considerably the pre-processing cost of the analysis. Meshless methods generally are faced with some difficulty to accommodate the stress analysis in the vicinity of sharply concave surfaces such as cracks. Some techniques have been used to fix that problem such as visibility, transparency and diffraction, but these methods require some additional back corrective analyses for those parts of the domain located near the crack, which lengthen the time consumed for the solution and, moreover, do not provide the desired accuracy for the unknowns in these regions. VDLSM as a new, straightforward and easy applicable method has been suggested here for overcoming such deficiency using the algorithm of the Voronoi tessellation for constructing the Moving Least Squares (MLS) shape functions.
Dietary fat intakes in Irish adults in 2011: how much has changed in 10 years?
Authors: Li Kaifeng , McNulty Breige A. , Tiernery Ann M. , Devlin Niamh F. C. , Joyce Triona , Leite Joao C. , Flynn Albert , Walton Janette , Brennan Lorraine , Gibney Michael J. , Nugent Anne P. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractImbalances in dietary fat intakes are linked to several chronic diseases. This study describes dietary intakes and food sources of fat and fatty acids in 1051 Irish adults (aged 18–90 years), using data from the 2011 national food consumption survey, the National Adult Nutrition Survey. It also compares current intakes for 18–64-year-olds with those reported in the last such survey in 2001, the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey. Dietary fat intakes were estimated using data from 4-d semi-weighed (2011) and 7-d estimated (2001) food diaries. In 2011, intakes for 18–64-year-olds were as follows: total fat, 34·1 (sd6·1) % total energy (%TE); SFA, 13·3 (sd3·3) %TE; MUFA, 12·5 (sd2·6) %TE; PUFA, 6·1 (sd2·2) %TE; andtrans-fat, 0·511 (sd0·282) %TE. Apart from MUFA, intakes decreased (P<0·001) compared with 2001. There was no statistically significant difference in intakes of EPA and DHA by 18–64-year-olds in 2011 (269·0 (sd515·0) mg/d) and 2001 (279·1 (sd497·5) mg/d). In 2011, adults aged >65 years had the highest intakes of SFA; however, intakes were typically higher than UK-recommended values for all groups. In contrast, intakes of long-chainn-3 fatty acids were lowest in younger age groups. Intakes oftrans-fat were well within UK-recommended levels. Although there have been some improvements in the profile of intakes since 2001, imbalances persist in the quantity and quality of dietary fat consumed by Irish adults, most notably for total and SFA and for younger age groups for long-chainn-3 fatty acids.
How I do it: modified Todd's meatoplasty
Authors: Elsamanody A N , Topsakal V , Grolman W , Tange R A 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackground:Chronic otorrhoea after canal wall down mastoidectomy can be a clinical challenge. Basic principles for canal wall down surgery include establishing a large meatus. Several meatoplasty techniques have been reported. This paper describes this new indication for Todd's meatoplasty with surgical improvements.Study design:Retrospective review.Setting:Academic tertiary referral centre.Methods:Modifications of transposition postauricular flap meatoplasty are reported. This technique was applied in a series of patients with chronic otorrhoea after a canal wall down mastoidectomy.Results:In general, a dry radical cavity was successfully created within six weeks and follow-up visits at the out-patient clinic were reduced. Only minor complications occurred, which are all reported.Conclusion:The postauricular flap meatoplasty is a valuable tool in the management of chronic otorrhoea after an open cavity approach for cholesteatoma.
TGF-βreceptor type II costameric localization in cardiomyocytes and host cell TGF-βresponse is disrupted byTrypanosoma cruziinfection
Authors: CALVET CLAUDIA MAGALHÃES , SILVA TATIANA ARAÚJO , DE MELO TATIANA GALVÃO , DE ARAÚJO-JORGE TÂNIA CREMONINI , PEREIRA MIRIAN CLAUDIA DE SOUZA 
Published: March 2016

SUMMARYTransforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) cytokine is involved in Chagas disease establishment and progression. SinceTrypanosoma cruzican modulate host cell receptors, we analysed the TGF-βreceptor type II (TβRII) expression and distribution duringT. cruzi– cardiomyocyte interaction. TβRII immunofluorescent staining revealed a striated organization in cardiomyocytes, which was co-localized with vinculin costameres and enhanced (38%) after TGF-βtreatment. Cytochalasin D induced a decrease of 45·3% in the ratio of cardiomyocytes presenting TβRII striations, demonstrating an association of TβRII with the cytoskeleton. Western blot analysis showed that cytochalasin D significantly inhibited Smad 2 phosphorylation and fibronectin stimulation after TGF-βtreatment in cardiomyocytes.Trypanosoma cruziinfection elicited a decrease of 79·8% in the frequency of cardiomyocytes presenting TβRII striations, but did not interfere significantly in its expression. In addition,T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes present a lower response to exogenous TGF-β, showing no enhancement of TβRII striations and a reduction of phosphorylated Smad 2, with no significant difference in TβRII expression when compared to uninfected cells. Together, these results suggest that the co-localization of TβRII with costameres is important in activating the TGF-βsignalling cascade, and thatT. cruzi-derived cytoskeleton disorganization could result in altered or low TGF-βresponse in infected cardiomyocytes.
Deficits in executive functions among youths with autism spectrum disorders: an age-stratified analysis
Authors: Chen S.-F. , Chien Y.-L. , Wu C.-T. , Shang C.-Y. , Wu Y.-Y. , Gau S. S. 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundImpaired executive function (EF) is suggested to be one of the core features in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, little is known about whether the extent of worse EF in ASD than typically developing (TD) controls is age-dependent. We used age-stratified analysis to reveal this issue.MethodWe assessed 111 youths with ASD (aged 12.5 ± 2.8 years, male 94.6%) and 114 age-, and sex-matched TD controls with Digit Span and four EF tasks of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB): Spatial Span (SSP), Spatial Working Memory (SWM), Stockings of Cambridge (SOC), and Intradimensional/Extradimensional Shift Test (I/ED).ResultsCompared to TD controls, youths with ASD performed poorer on the Digit Span, SWM, SOC, and I/ED tasks. The performance of all the tasks improved with age for both groups. Age-stratified analyses were conducted due to significant age × group interactions in visuospatial planning (SOC) and set-shifting (I/ED) and showed that poorer performance on these two tasks in ASD than TD controls was found only in the child (aged 8–12 years) rather than the adolescent (aged 13–18 years) group. By contrast, youths with ASD had impaired working memory, regardless of age. The increased magnitude of group difference in visuospatial planning (SOC) with increased task demands differed between the two age groups but no age moderating effect on spatial working memory.ConclusionsOur findings support deficits in visuospatial working memory and planning in youths with ASD; however, worse performance in set-shifting may only be demonstrated in children with ASD.