bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Augmented Quadruple-Phase Contrast Media Administration and Triphasic Scan Protocol Increases Image Quality at Reduced Radiation Dose During Computed Tomography Urography
Authors: Saade Charbel , Mohamad May , Kerek Racha , Hamieh Nadine , Alsheikh Deeb Ibrahim , El-Achkar Bassam , Tamim Hani , Abdul Razzak Farah , Haddad Maurice , Abi-Ghanem Alain S. , El-Merhi Fadi 
Published: November 2017

Purpose
The aim of this article was to investigate the opacification of the renal vasculature and the urogenital system during computed tomography urography by using a quadruple-phase contrast media in a triphasic scan protocol.

Materials and Methods
A total of 200 patients with possible urinary tract abnormalities were equally divided between 2 protocols. Protocol A used the conventional single bolus and quadruple-phase scan protocol (pre, arterial, venous, and delayed), retrospectively. Protocol B included a quadruple-phase contrast media injection with a triphasic scan protocol (pre, arterial and combined venous, and delayed), prospectively. Each protocol used 100 mL contrast and saline at a flow rate of 4.5 mL. Attenuation profiles and contrast-to-noise ratio of the renal arteries, veins, and urogenital tract were measured. Effective radiation dose calculation, data analysis by independent sample t test, receiver operating characteristic, and visual grading characteristic analyses were performed.

Results
In arterial circulation, only the inferior interlobular arteries in both protocols showed a statistical significance (P < 0.05). Venously, the inferior vena cava, proximal and distal renal veins demonstrated a significant opacification reduction in protocol B than in protocol A (P < 0.001). Protocol B showed a significantly higher mean contrast-to-noise ratio than protocol A (protocol B: 22.68 ± 13.72; protocol A: 14.75 ± 5.76; P < 0.001). Radiation dose was significantly reduced in protocol B (7.38 ± 2.22 mSv) than in protocol A (12.28 ± 2.72 mSv) (P < 0.001). Visual grading characteristic (P < 0.027) and receiver operating characteristic (P < 0.0001) analyses demonstrated a significant preference for protocol B.

Conclusions
In computed tomography urography, augmented quadruple-phase contrast media and triphasic scan protocol usage increases the image quality at a reduced radiation dose.
Correlation Between Semen Analysis Parameters and Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Testicles in Patients With Varicocele: A Pilot Study
Authors: Çekiç Bülent , Kiliç Koray Kaya , Toslak Iclal Erdem , Şükun Abdullah , Sağlik Semih , Savaş Murat , Köroğlu Mert 
Published: November 2017

PurposeThe aims of this study were to evaluate using testicle apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in patients with varicocele and compare them with those of healthy individuals, to identify an optimal ADC threshold level to predict abnormal semen analysis using diffusion-weighted imaging.Materials and MethodsThirty-one patients with the diagnosis of varicocele and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent testicle diffusion-weighted imaging atbvalues of 0, 400, and 800 s/mm2and semen analysis. Studentttests were used to compare continuous variables between 2 groups. Testicle ADC values were correlated with semen analysis parameters. The relationship between ADC values and impaired semen analysis parameters was evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficient analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were formed. Cut-off values for ADC, sensitivity, and specificity values were measured.ResultsThere was a negative correlation between mean ADC values and plexus pampiniformis vein diameter (r= −0.467,P< 0.001) and a positive correlation between mean ADC values and sperm count (r= 0.838,P< 0.001) as well as sperm morphology (r= 0.548,P< 0.05). Sensitivity values of 94.3% and 86.6% and specificity values of 87.5% and 43.8% were determined for the best cut-off ADC values in diagnosing the sperm count and morphology, respectively (area under the curve, 0.961 and 0.781).ConclusionsDecreased testicular ADC values in patients with varicocele are significantly correlated with semen parameters. This method may be used to determine the degree of testicular parenchymal destruction. In addition, testicular ADC cut-off values might be useful in dyspermia patients for the management of patients with varicocele.
Incidental Case of Relapsing Polychondritis Detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Kaida Hayato , Ishii Kazunari , Hanada Soichiro , Tohda Yuji , Murakami Takamichi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA 78-year-old man had fever, persistent wheezing, and serum C-reactive protein elevation. Malignant lymphoma was suspected because of mediastinal lymph nodes swelling on CT and soluble interleukin 2 receptor elevation. Symmetric18F-FDG uptake in the tracheobronchial tree and bilateral auricles was observed on PET/CT. He was finally diagnosed as having relapsing polychondritis by auricular cartilage biopsy.18F-FDG PET/CT may have crucial role in evaluating the extent of inflammation and deciding the biopsy site of relapsing polychondritis.
Metastatic Male Breast Cancer With Increased Uptake on 18F-Fluciclovine PET/CT Scan
Authors: Gill Harkanwar S. , Tade Funmilayo , Greenwald David Theodore , Yonover Paul M. , Savir-Baruch Bital 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Prostate imaging with 18F-labeled 1-amino-3-fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (FACBC, 18F-fluciclovine) PET/CT scan (Axumin) was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for men with suspected prostate cancer recurrence based on elevated blood prostate-specific antigen levels following prior treatment. We present a rare case of a 77-year-old man with suspected recurrent prostate cancer with an incidental finding of advanced-stage breast cancer showing different degrees of 18F-fluciclovine uptake.
Rapid Anterior Segmental Maxillary Retraction by Compression Osteogenesis
Authors: Hellal Usama Saad , Fayed Nabila , Elsharkawy Rehab , Abdelrahmen Mostafa 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Maxillary protrusion is one of the deformities of the upper jaw. Orthodontics and orthodontics combined with anterior segmental osteotomy are the common treatment strategies for this deformity. The hypothesis of this study was that the maxillary bone segment could be gradually moved backward safely by using a tooth-borne-specific compression device that causes bone compression at the bony segment interface after performance of surgical bone cuts in cases of anterior maxillary protrusion. Ten patients with skeletal maxillary protrusion were treated by modified subapical maxillary osteotomy. Then the protrusion was gradually set back and fixed in a new position through the use of a compression device. After 8 weeks, the device was removed, and soft and hard tissue was evaluated. The average setback of the anterior maxillary segment was found to be 6.8 mm. The ratio of the upper lip to the maxillary incisor retraction was 0.52:1. The nasolabial angle increased with a change of 13.5°. The mentolabial angle increased with a change of 12.5°. This study is the first clinical study in using compression osteogenesis aided by a modified anterior subapical maxillary osteotomy technique in the management of skeletal maxillary protrusion that considered as an alternative to traditional surgical methods and to avoid its complications. It can be used successfully and safely, leading to rapid maximum setback of the anterior maxillary segment with great contact between bone segment, better and gradual hard and soft tissue remodeling, short treatment duration, and avoid using plates and screws with its complications.
Craniosynostosis Surgery and the Impact of Tranexamic Acid Dosing
Authors: Kurnik Nicole M. , Pflibsen Lacey R. , Do Annie , Bristol Ruth , Singh Davinder J. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Consensus does not exist regarding the best dosage regimen for using tranexamic acid (TXA) for patients undergoing open calvarial vault remodeling in craniosynostosis surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 2 dosing protocols, as well as the cost of using TXA. Previously, the institutional protocol was to give patients undergoing open calvarial vault remodeling a loading infusion of TXA (10 mg/kg) at the start of their procedure, after which intravenous TXA (5 mg/kg/h) was given throughout surgery and for 24 hours postoperatively. In July 2015, the protocol changed to a reduced postoperative infusion time of 4 hours. A retrospective review was conducted of records of 30 patients who had surgery before the protocol change (24-hour group) and 23 patients whose surgery occurred after the protocol change (4-hour group). The following data were collected: blood volume transfused, hemoglobin levels, estimated blood loss, and intensive care days; and costs of TXA and blood transfusion. Results showed a 4-hour infusion was as effective as a 24-hour infusion for reducing blood loss in patients undergoing craniosynostosis. Transfusion requirements, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and estimated blood loss were not significantly different for the groups. The cost of TXA and transfusion in the 4-hour group was significantly less (P < 0.001) than in the 24-hour group. No significant difference in cost existed for patients who received blood transfusion alone versus patients who received the 4-hour TXA infusion.
Cancer-derived extracellular vesicles: friend and foe of tumour immunosurveillance
Authors: Dörsam Bastian , Reiners Kathrin S. , von Strandmann Elke Pogge 
Published: November 2017

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important players of intercellular signalling mechanisms, including communication with and among immune cells. EVs can affect the surrounding tissue as well as peripheral cells. Recently, EVs have been identified to be involved in the aetiology of several diseases, including cancer. Tumour cell-released EVs or exosomes have been shown to promote a tumour-supporting environment in non-malignant tissue and, thus, benefit metastasis. The underlying mechanisms are numerous: loss of antigen expression, direct suppression of immune effector cells, exchange of nucleic acids, alteration of the recipient cells' transcription and direct suppression of immune cells. Consequently, tumour cells can subvert the host's immune detection as well as suppress the immune system. On the contrary, recent studies reported the existence of EVs able to activate immune cells, thus promoting the tumour-directed immune response. In this article, the immunosuppressive capabilities of EVs, on the one hand, and their potential use in immunoactivation and therapeutic potential, on the other hand, are discussed.
This article is part of the discussion meeting issue ‘Extracellular vesicles and the tumour microenvironment’.
Extracellular vesicle-mediated cell–cell communication in haematological neoplasms
Authors: Ohyashiki Junko H. , Umezu Tomohiro , Ohyashiki Kazuma 
Published: November 2017

Crosstalk between bone marrow tumour cells and surrounding cells, including bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs), endothelial cells and immune cells, is important for tumour growth in haematological neoplasms. In addition to conventional signalling pathways, extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are endosome-derived vesicles containing proteins, mRNAs, lipids and miRNAs, can facilitate modulation of the bone marrow microenvironment without directly contacting non-tumourous cells. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of EV-mediated cell–cell communication in haematological neoplasms, particularly leukaemia and multiple myeloma. We highlight the actions of tumour and BM-MSC EVs in multiple myeloma. The origin of EVs, their tropism and mechanism of EV transfer are emerging issues that need to be addressed in EV-mediated cell–cell communication in haematological neoplasms.
This article is part of the discussion meeting issue ‘Extracellular vesicles and the tumour microenvironment’.
Diurnal changes in glutamate/glutamine levels of healthy young adults assessed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Volk C. , Jaramillo V. , Merki RR. , O’Gorman RL. , Huber R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMolecular and electrophysiological studies suggest that sleep ensures efficient functioning of the brain by maintaining synaptic homeostasis. The glutamate receptor α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA receptor) is involved in synaptic plasticity processes and it was shown that its expression changes across the sleep wake cycle. Moreover, animal studies have shown that glutamate levels are reduced during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and that the rate of the decrease is positively correlated with sleep EEG slow wave activity (SWA). In this study, we aimed to assess if proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is sensitive to diurnal changes of glutamate + glutamine (GLX) in healthy young adults and if potential overnight changes of GLX are correlated to SWA. 1H-MRS spectra of 16 adult subjects were measured in the parietal lobe in the evening and in the subsequent morning using a 3T MRI scanner. The night between the scans was recorded with high-density EEG. Our results revealed a significant overnight reduction in GLX levels, whereas other metabolites did not show any significant change. Moreover, the decrease in GLX was positively correlated with the decrease of SWA in the course of the night. Our study demonstrates that quantification of diurnal changes in GLX is possible by means of 1H-MRS and indicates a relationship between changes in GLX and SWA, a marker that is closely linked to the restorative function of sleep. This relationship might be of particular interest in clinical populations in which sleep is disturbed.
The Association between Tuberculosis and Diphtheria
Authors: Coleman S. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis research investigates the now-forgotten relationship between diphtheria and tuberculosis. Historical medical reports from the 19thcentury are reviewed followed by a statistical regression analysis of the relationship between the two diseases in the early 20thcentury. Historical medical records show a consistent association between diphtheria and tuberculosis that can increase the likelihood and severity of either disease in a co-infection. The statistical analysis uses historical weekly public health data on reported cases in five American cities over a period of several years, finding a modest but statistically significant relationship between the two diseases. No current medical theory explains the association between diphtheria and tuberculosis. Alternative explanations are explored with a focus on how the diseases assimilate iron. In a co-infection, the effectiveness of tuberculosis at assimilating extracellular iron can lead to increased production of diphtheria toxin, worsening that disease, which may in turn exacerbate tuberculosis. Iron-dependent repressor genes connect both diseases.
Rethinking the importance of the structure of ecological networks under an environment-dependent framework
Authors: Cenci Simone , Song Chuliang , Saavedra Serguei 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA major quest in network and community ecology has been centered on understanding the importance of structural patterns in species interaction networks—the synthesis of who interacts with whom in a given location and time. In the past decades, much effort has been devoted to infer the importance of a particular structure by its capacity to tolerate an external perturbation on its structure or dynamics. Here we demonstrate that such a perspective leads to inconsistent conclusions. That is, the importance of a network structure changes as a function of the external perturbations acting on a community at any given point in time. Thus, we discuss a research agenda to investigate the relative importance of the structure of ecological networks under an environment-dependent framework. We hypothesize that only by studying systematically the link between network structure and community dynamics under an environment-dependent framework, we can uncover the limits at which communities can tolerate environmental changes.“Variation stands out as the only meaningful reality”Stephen J. Gould.
Experimental evidence of non-classical brain functions
Authors: Kerskens Christian , Pérez David López 
Published: November 2017

Recent proposals in quantum gravity have suggested that unknown systems can mediate entanglement between two known quantum systems, if and only if the mediator itself is non-classical. This approach may be applicable to the brain, where speculations about quantum operations in consciousness and cognition have a long history.Proton spins of bulk water, which most likely interfere with any brain function, can act as the known quantum systems. If an unknown mediator exists, then NMR methods based on multiple quantum coherence (MQC) can act as entanglement witness. However, there are doubts that today’s NMR signals can contain quantum correlations in general, and specifically in the brain environment. Here, we used a witness protocol based on zero quantum coherence (ZQC) whereby we minimised the classical signals to circumvent the NMR detection limits for quantum correlation. For short repetitive periods, we found evoked signals in most parts of the brain, whereby the temporal appearance resembled heartbeat-evoked potentials (HEPs). We found that those signals had no correlates with any classical NMR contrast. Similar to HEPs, the evoked signal depended on conscious awareness. Consciousness-related or electrophysiological signals are unknown in NMR. Remarkably, these signals only appeared if the local properties of the magnetisation were reduced. Our findings suggest that we may have witnessed entanglement mediated by consciousness-related brain functions. Those brain functions must then operate non-classically, which would mean that consciousness is non-classical.
Comparison of multiple transcriptomes exposes unified and divergent features of quiescent and activated skeletal muscle stem cells
Authors: Pietrosemoli Natalia , Mella Sébastien , Yennek Siham , Baghdadi Meryem B. , Sakai Hiroshi , Sambasivan Ramkumar , Pala Francesca , Di Girolamo Daniela , Tajbakhsh Shahragim 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundSkeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are quiescent in adult mice and can undergo multiple rounds of proliferation and self-renewal following muscle injury. Several labs have profiled transcripts of myogenic cells during developmental and adult myogenesis with the aim of identifying quiescent markers. Here, we focused on the quiescent cell state and generated new transcriptome profiles that include subfractionations of adult MuSC populations, and an artificially induced prenatal quiescent state, to identify core signatures for quiescent and proliferating MuSCs.MethodsComparison of available data offered challenges related to the inherent diversity of datasets and biological conditions. We developed a standardized workflow to homogenize the normalization, filtering, quality control steps for the analysis of gene expression profiles allowing the identification up- and down-regulated genes and the subsequent gene set enrichment analysis. To share the analytical pipeline of this work, we developed Sherpa, an interactive Shiny server that allows multiscale comparisons for extraction of desired gene sets from the analysed datasets. This tool is adaptable to cell populations in other contexts and tissues.ResultsA multiscale analysis comprising eight datasets of quiescent MuSCs had 207 and 542 genes commonly up- and down-regulated, respectively. Shared up-regulated gene sets include an over-representation of the TNFa pathway via NFKb signaling, Il6-Jak-Stat3 signaling, and the apical surface processes, while shared down-regulated gene sets exhibited an over-representation ofMycandE2Ftargets, and genes associated to the G2M checkpoint and oxidative phosphorylation. However, virtually all datasets contained genes that are associated with activation or cell cycle entry, such as the immediate early stress response genesFosandJun. Empirical examination of fixed and isolated MuSCs showed that these and other genes were absentin vivo, but activated during procedural isolation of cells.ConclusionsThrough the systematic comparison and individual analysis of diverse transcriptomic profiles, we identified genes that were consistently differentially expressed among the different datasets and common underlying biological processes key to the quiescent cell state. Our findings provide impetus to define and distinguish transcripts associated with truein vivoquiescence from those that are first responding genes due to disruption of the stem cell niche.
Predator-prey feedback in a gyrfalcon-ptarmigan system?
Authors: Barraquand Frédéric , Nielsen Ólafur K. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSpecialist predators with oscillating dynamics are often strongly affected by the population dynamics of their prey, yet they do not always participate in a predator-prey cycle. Only those that exert strong population regulation of their prey do so. Inferring the strength and direction of the predator-prey coupling from time series therefore requires contrasting models with top-down versus bottom-up predator-prey dynamics. We examine such population-level coupling using multivariate autoregressive models. The models translate several hypotheses for the joint dynamics of population densities of the Icelandic gyrfalconFalco rusticolus, and its prey, the rock ptarmiganLagopus muta. The dynamics of both species are likely not only linked to each other but also to stochastic weather variables acting as confounding factors on the joint dynamics. The classical MAR(1) model, used most often in ecology, predicts that the times series exhibit predator-prey feedback (i.e., Granger causality): the predator helps to explain prey dynamics and the prey helps to explain predator dynamics. Weather, in the form of spring temperature, influences gyrfalcon population growth but not ptarmigan population growth, despite individual-level evidence that ptarmigan chicks can be strongly affected by weather. MAR(2) models, allowing for species to cycle independently from each other, further suggests alternative scenarios where a cyclic prey influence its predator but not the other way around; such bottom-up models produce a better fit but less realistic cross-correlation patterns. Simulations of MAR(1) and MAR(2) models further demonstrate that the top-down MAR(1) models are most likely to be misidentified as bottom-up dynamics than vice-versa. We therefore conclude that predator-prey feedback in the gyrfalcon-ptarmigan system is very likely, though bottom-up dynamics cannot be excluded with certainty. We finally discuss what sort of information is needed to advance the characterization of joint predator-prey dynamics in birds and other vertebrates.
LSx: Automated reduction of gene-specific lineage evolutionary rate heterogeneity for multi-gene phylogeny inference
Authors: Rivera-Rivera Carlos J. , Montoya-Burgos Juan I. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMotivationLS3 is a recently published algorithm to reduce lineage evolutionary rate heterogeneity, a condition that can produce inference artifacts in molecular phylogenetics. The LS3 scripts are Linux-specific and the criterion to reduce lineage rate heterogeneity can be too stringent in datasets with both very long and very short branches.ResultsLSx is a multi-platform user-friendly R script that performs the LS3 algorithm, and has added features in order to make better lineage rate calculations. In addition, we developed and implemented an alternative version of the algorithm, LS4, which reduces lineage rate heterogeneity not only by detecting branches that are too long but also branches that are too short, resulting in less stringent data filtering.AvailabilityThe LSx script LSx_v.1.1.R and the user manual are available for download at: https://genev.unige.ch/research/laboratory/Juan-Montoya