bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constant performance in balance and proprioception tests across the menstrual cycle – a pilot study in well trained female ice hockey players on hormonal contraception
Authors: Legerlotz Kirsten , Bey Marie Elena , Götz Susann , Böhlke Nikolai 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIntroductionIt has yet to be explained why female athletes appear to suffer more often from non‐contact ligament injuries during the first half of the menstrual cycle. Fluctuations in balance, caused by impaired proprioception due to increased fluid retention, may be relevant factors contributing to this anomaly in distribution. The aim of this study was therefore to uncover relationships between dynamic stability, proprioception and fluid retention in association with the menstrual cycle as a possible explanation for the observed changes in injury rates.MethodsNine healthy, female, well trained ice hockey players on hormonal contraception with regular cycles were tested at least twelve times during one menstrual cycle. Bioimpedance analysis was applied to investigate body composition and fluid distribution. A joint position sense test was performed to characterize changes in proprioception, while unexpected perturbations on a balance board were used to obtain measures for dynamic postural control.ResultsNo distinct changes in proprioception, dynamic stability and fluid retention were identified across the menstrual cycle in this population. Weak correlations were found between parameters for dynamic stability and proprioception.ConclusionVariations in proprioception, dynamic stability and fluid retention seem unlikely to be major contributors to injury risk peaks, at least in this population of healthy trained athletes using hormonal contraception.
Potential treatment for vocal fold scar with pirfenidone
Authors: Kodama Haruka , Kumai Yoshihiko , Nishimoto Kohei , Toya Yutaka , Miyamaru Satoru , Furushima Shinobu , Yumoto Eiji 
Published: November 2017

Objectives/HypothesisPirfenidone (PFD) is a strong antifibrotic agent that has been clinically approved in Japan for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We examined the antifibrotic effects of PFD on fibroblasts isolated from scarred vocal folds (VFs) of ferrets in vitro.Study DesignProspective animal experiments with controls.MethodsScar fibroblasts (SFs) were isolated from scarred VFs that had been electrocauterized 2 weeks before harvesting (N = 4). Normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from intact VFs (N = 4). SFs and NFs were incubated in the presence of 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1), with or without PFD. After the 48‐hour incubation, mRNA expression levels of α smooth muscle actin (αSMA), TGF‐β1, collagen type I, and hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) were examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry with anti‐αSMA anti‐collagen type I and phosphorylated Smad (p‐Smad)2/3 antibodies in SFs with or without PFD was performed. SFs and NFs were cultured in collagen gel with or without PFD for 48 hours, and the extent of gel contraction was examined quantitatively.ResultsPFD treatment significantly (P < .05) decreased mRNA expression of collagen type I, significantly increased mRNA expression of TGF‐β1 and HAS2, and significantly suppressed collagen gel contraction. However, it did not have a significant effect on the expression of αSMA. The expression of p‐Smad2/3 in the nucleus was faded with PFD, possibly demonstrating the suppression of translocation of p‐Smad2/3 from cytoplasm to nucleus with PFD.ConclusionsThis is the first report to demonstrate the in vitro antifibrotic effects of PFD on fibroblasts isolated from scarred VFs of ferrets.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 128:E171–E177, 2018
Oral sampling methods are associated with differences in immune marker concentrations
Authors: Fakhry Carole , Qeadan Fares , Gilman Robert H. , Yori Pablo , Kosek Margaret , Patterson Nicole , Eisele David W. , Gourin Christine G. , Chitguppi Chandala , Marks Morgan , Gravitt Patti 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveTo determine whether the concentration and distribution of immune markers in paired oral samples were similar.Study TypeClinical research.Study DesignCross‐sectional study.MethodsPaired saliva and oral secretions (OS) samples were collected. The concentration of immune markers was estimated using Luminex multiplex assay (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA). For each sample, the concentration of respective immune markers was normalized to total protein present and log‐transformed. Median concentrations of immune markers were compared between both types of samples. Intermarker correlation in each sampling method and across sampling methods was evaluated.ResultsThere were 90 study participants. Concentrations of immune markers in saliva samples were significantly different from concentrations in OS samples. Oral secretions samples showed higher concentrations of immunoregulatory markers, whereas the saliva samples contained proinflammatory markers in higher concentration.ConclusionThe immune marker profile in saliva samples is distinct from the immune marker profile in paired OS samples.Level of Evidence2b. Laryngoscope, 128:E214–E221, 2018
Genetically engineering Crambe abyssinica—A potentially high‐value oil crop for salt land improvement
Authors: Qi Weicong , Tinnenbroek‐Capel Iris E. M. , Salentijn Elma M. J. , Zhang Zhao , Huang Bangquan , Cheng Jihua , Shao Hongbo , Visser Richard G. F. , Krens Frans A. , Van Loo Eibertus N. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCrambe abyssinica (crambe) is a new industrial oil crop that can grow on saline soil and tolerates salty water irrigation. Genetically engineered crambe in which the seed‐oil composition is manipulated for more erucic acid and less polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) would be highly beneficial to industry. In this research, lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase 2 RNA interference (CaLPAT2‐RNAi) was introduced into the crambe genome to manipulate its oil composition. The result showed in comparison with wild type, CaLPAT2‐RNAi could significantly reduce linoleic and linolenic acid content, simultaneously increasing erucic acid content. Systematic metabolism engineering was then carried out to further study CaLPAT2‐RNAi, combined with the overexpression of Brassica napus fatty acid elongase (BnFAE), Limnanthes douglasii LPAT (LdLPAT), and RNAi of endogenous fatty acid desaturase 2 (CaFAD2‐RNAi). Oil composition analysis on the tranformants' seeds showed that (a) with CaFAD2‐RNAi, PUFA content could be dramatically decreased, in comparison with BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi, and BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi + CaLPAT2‐RNAi seeds showed lower linolenic acid content; (b) BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi + CaLPAT2‐RNAi could increase the erucic acid content in crambe seed oil from less than 66.6% to 71.6%, whereas the highest erucic acid content of BnFAE + LdLPAT + CaFAD2‐RNAi was 79.2%; (c) although the four‐gene combination could not increase the erucic acid content of seed oil to a higher level than the others, it led to increased carbon resource deposited into C22:1 and C18:1 moieties and lower PUFA. Summarily, the present research indicates that suppression of LPAT2 is a new, promising strategy for seed‐oil biosynthesis pathway engineering, which would increase the value of crambe oil.
The physiological response of seven strains of picophytoplankton to light, and its representation in a dynamic photosynthesis model
Authors: Stawiarski Beate , Buitenhuis Erik T. , Fallens Mehera 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPicophytoplankton dominate the phytoplankton community in wide ocean areas and are considered efficient in the acquisition of light compared to other phytoplankton groups. To quantify their photophysiological parameters we use three strains of picoprokaryotes and four strains of picoeukaryotes. We measure the acclimated response of the exponential growth rates and chlorophyll a (Chl a) to carbon ratios, as well as the instantaneous response of photosynthesis rates at 5–7 light intensities. We then use a dynamic photosynthesis model (Geider et al. ) and extend it with a photoinhibition term. We derive five photophysiological parameters: the maximum rate of photosynthesis (), the affinity to light (αchl), the photoinhibition term (βchl), the respiration rate (resp), and the maximum Chl a to carbon ratio (θmax). We show that is significantly lower for picoprokaryotes than for picoeukaryotes and increases significantly with increasing cell size. In turn, αchl decreases significantly with increasing maximum growth rate (μmax). The latter finding is contrary to a previously reported relationship for phytoplankton, but agrees with theoretical assumptions based on size. The higher efficiency in light acquisition gives picoprokaryotes an advantage in light limited environments at the expense of their maximum growth rate. In addition, our results indicate that the accumulation of long‐term damage through photoinhibition during acclimation is not well represented by the dynamic photosynthesis model. Hence, we would recommend to distinguish between the effects of irreversible damage (on a time scale of days) on growth rates and of reversible damage (on a time scale of minutes) on photosynthesis rates.
De novo amino acid synthesis and turnover during N2 fixation
Authors: Loick‐Wilde Natalie , Weber Sarah C. , Eglite Elvita , Liskow Iris , Schulz‐Bull Detlef , Wasmund Norbert , Wodarg Dirk , Montoya Joseph P. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCyanobacteria are the main autotrophs and N2‐fixing (diazotrophic) organisms in large parts of the oligotrophic global ocean, where generally all heterotrophic production depends on their activity. Amino acids (AAs) from cyanobacteria are essential macronutrients for these heterotrophic food webs, yet little is known about the de novo synthesis of AAs during N2 fixation. Through a combination of bulk and amino acid nitrogen (AAN) specific analyses of field based N2 fixation experiments, we demonstrate that the de novo synthesis of 13 AAs accounted for the majority of bulk N2 fixation rates at four stations in the central Baltic Sea in July 2015. Slow AA turnover times of 87 ± 14 d coincided with low phosphate concentrations and high cell‐carbon biomasses of unicellular cyanobacteria. Very fast turnover times of 17 ± 3 d coincided with high phosphate concentrations and undecayed Nodularia spumigena cells, but unexpectedly also with phosphate depletion and decayed N. spumigena cells. In a decayed bloom, volumetric N2 fixation rates into AAN provided a much better estimate of the net incorporation of N2 into biomass than fixation into bulk nitrogen that rather reflected gross N2 fixation. In an undecayed bloom, the turnover times of 13 AAs can be predicted from a single bulk N2 fixation rate. This is the first direct evidence that the very late, decayed stage of a cyanobacteria bloom can be a flashpoint of very fast AA turnover during N2 fixation with hitherto uncharacterized consequences for heterotrophic food webs and diazotroph N inputs to the global ocean.
Comparison of hybrid and cross fragmentation patterns in terms of phaco time and corneal effects
Authors: Asena Bilgehan Sezgin , Kaskaloglu Mahmut 
Published: November 2017

PurposeTo compare two different fragmentation patterns in femtosecond laser‐assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in terms of phaco values, postoperative endothelial cell count (ECC) and corneal thickness (CT).MethodsThis non‐randomized, retrospective cross‐sectional study included patients with senile cataract of grade 3 who underwent FLACS using the LenSx laser system. In Group 1 (32 eyes), lens fragmentation was created as a cross pattern. In Group 2 (35 eyes), lens fragmentation was created as a hybrid pattern. Intraoperative measurements were of the femtosecond procedure time, the ultrasound (US) total time, effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) and mean phacoemulsification power (MPP). Postoperative measurements were of CT and ECC at day 1, day 7 and 4 weeks after surgery.ResultsMPP and the US total time were significantly less with the hybrid pattern (P < 0.001, and P = 0.003). The EPT did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.266). The CT increased significantly in Group 1 from pre‐operative to first day after surgery (28.1 ± 14.9 in Group 1, and 9.8 ± 15.3 in Group 2) (P < 0.001). The loss in ECC as a percentage was significantly greater in Group 1, 1 day, 1 week and 1 month after surgery (P = 0.18, 0.49 and 0.07, respectively).ConclusionThe hybrid fragmentation method resulted in less time spent with the phaco being on and with less phaco power. It also caused less loss in ECC and milder changes in CT during the early post‐operative time. 50:319–323, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Local Glass Transition Temperature Tg(z) Profile in Polystyrene next to Polybutadiene with and without Plasticization Effects
Authors: Kasavan Benjamin L. , Baglay Roman R. , Roth Connie B. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRubber toughening of glassy polystyrene (PS) has been manufactured commercially for decades as high impact polystyrene, where rubbery poly‐butadiene (PB) inclusions are added to modify the PS matrix response to deformation and impact. In this study, measurements of the local glass transition temperature Tg(z) of PS next to PB rubber are presented, expanding the previous data to a polymer with a much lower Tg value (PB Tgbulk = −96 °C). After accounting for a small molecule additive present in the commercial PB sample that would otherwise migrate over to the PS domain causing plasticization, it is found that the Tg(z) profile in PS next to PB is consistent with previous results. It is also demonstrated that these broad and asymmetric experimentally observed Tg(z) profiles are not caused by the migration of low molecular weight chains across the interface by comparing samples made with two different poly(n‐butyl methacrylate) molecular weights.
Influence of parameterization of soil processes on numerical forecasts of vertical profiles of air potential temperature
Authors: Duniec Grzegorz , Mazur Andrzej 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTVery complex physical processes occurring in the soil have an influence on the structure of the atmospheric boundary layer. These processes, together with sub‐grid processes, in general, must be parameterized. A good description of soil (micro)physics, fluid dynamics in porous media, soil dynamics, the water and thermal cycle in soil, and the soil–plants–water–atmosphere relation affects the quality of numerical weather forecasts. The current parameterization of soil's physical processes in the COSMO meteorological model was initially prepared 40 years ago for numerical models with a poor resolution of several kilometres. Nowadays, operational numerical models work with a resolution that has been enhanced significantly. In order to improve the quality of numerical weather prediction, existing parameterizations should be adequately changed. This research was focused on the case of ‘bare soil’. The influence of the changed parameterization of water flux through the soil on forecasts of vertical profiles of potential temperature for the dry and moist cases is presented.
Bioavailability of Terpenes and Postprandial Effect on Human Antioxidant Potential. An Open‐Label Study in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Papada Efstathia , Gioxari Aristea , Brieudes Vincent , Amerikanou Charalampia , Halabalaki Maria , Skaltsounis Alexios Leandros , Smyrnioudis Ilias , Kaliora Andriana C. 
Published: November 2017

ScopeTo assess bioavailability of terpenes in human plasma and their effect on oxidative stress biomarkers.Methods and resultsIn this open‐label and single arm postprandial trial, seventeen healthy male volunteers (20–40 years old) follow a low‐phytochemical diet for 5 days. Next, after overnight fasting, volunteers consume Mastiha powder (a natural resin rich in terpenes) dispersed in water. Blood samples are collected on time points 0 h (before ingestion) and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h (post‐ingestion). Ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography high‐resolution MS (UHPLC‐HRMS/MS) is applied for high throughput analysis of plasma. Serum resistance to oxidation and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) levels are measured. UHPLC‐HRMS/MS analysis shows that major terpenes are bioavailable since 0.5 h after administration, reaching a peak between 2 h and 4 h. Serum resistance to oxidation, expressed as difference of tLAG (time point‐0 h), starts to increase from 0.5 h. This increase reaches statistical significance at 4 h (402.3 ± 65.0 s), peaks at 6 h (524.6 ± 62.9 s), and remains statistically significant until 24 h (424.2 ± 48.0 s). oxLDL levels, expressed as %change from 0 h, are reduced significantly from time point‐1 h until time point‐6 h.ConclusionResults demonstrate the terpene bioavailability pattern after oral administration of Mastiha. Terpenes are potential mediators of antioxidant defense in vivo.
Suitability of microDiamond detectors for the determination of absorbed dose to water around high‐dose‐rate 192Ir brachytherapy sources
Authors: Kaveckyte Vaiva , Malusek Alexandr , Benmakhlouf Hamza , Alm Carlsson Gudrun , Carlsson Tedgren Åsa 
Published: November 2017

PurposeExperimental dosimetry of high‐dose‐rate (HDR) 192Ir brachytherapy (BT) sources is complicated due to high dose and dose‐rate gradients, and softening of photon energy spectrum with depth. A single crystal synthetic diamond detector microDiamond (PTW 60019, Freiburg, Germany) has a small active volume, high sensitivity, direct readout, and nearly water‐equivalent active volume. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability of microDiamond detectors for the determination of absorbed dose to water around HDR 192Ir BT sources. Three microDiamond detectors were used, allowing for the comparison of their properties.MethodsIn‐phantom measurements were performed using microSelectron and VariSource iX HDR 192Ir BT treatment units. Their treatment planning systems (TPSs), Oncentra (v. 4.3) and BrachyVision (v. 13.6), respectively, were used to create irradiation plans for a cubic PMMA phantom with the microDiamond positioned at one of three source‐to‐detector distances (SDDs) (1.5, 2.5, and 5.5 cm) at a time. The source was stepped in increments of 0.5 cm over a total length of 6 cm to yield absorbed dose of 2 Gy at the nominal reference‐point of the detector. Detectors were calibrated in 60Co beam in terms of absorbed dose to water, and Monte Carlo (MC) calculated beam quality correction factors were applied to account for absorbed‐dose energy dependence. Phantom correction factors were applied to account for differences in dimensions between the measurement phantom and a water phantom used for absorbed dose calculations made with a TPS. The same measurements were made with all three of the detectors. Additionally, dose‐rate dependence and stability of the detectors were evaluated in 60Co beam.ResultsThe percentage differences between experimentally determined and TPS‐calculated absorbed doses to water were from −1.3% to +2.9%. The values agreed to within experimental uncertainties, which were from 1.9% to 4.3% (k = 2) depending on the detector, SDD and treatment delivery unit. No dose‐rate or intrinsic energy dependence corrections were applied. All microDiamonds were comparable in terms of preirradiation dose, stability of the readings and energy response, and showed a good agreement.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the microDiamond is potentially suitable for the determination of absorbed dose to water around HDR 192Ir BT sources and may be used for independent verification of TPS's calculations, as well as for QA measurements of HDR 192Ir BT treatment delivery units at clinical sites.
Characterization of 90Y‐SPECT/CT self‐calibration approaches on the quantification of voxel‐level absorbed doses following 90Y‐microsphere selective internal radiation therapy
Authors: Balagopal Anjali , Kappadath S. Cheenu 
Published: November 2017

Purpose90Y‐microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (90Y‐SIRT or 90Y‐radioembolization) is used in the management of unresectable liver tumors. 90Y‐SIRT presents a unique situation where the total 90Y activity inside the liver can be determined with high accuracy (> 95%). 90Y bremsstrahlung single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) can be self‐calibrated to provide quantitative images that facilitate voxel‐level absorbed dose calculations. We investigated the effects of different approaches for 90Y‐SPECT self‐calibration on the quantification of absorbed doses following 90Y‐SIRT.Methods90Y bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT images of 31 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, collected following 90Y‐SIRT, were analyzed, yielding 48 tumor and 31 normal liver contours. We validated the accuracy of absorbed doses calculated by a commercial software against those calculated using Monte Carlo‐based radiation transport. The software package was used to analyze the following definitions of SPECT volume of interest used for 90Y‐SPECT self‐calibration: (a) SPECT field‐of‐view (FOV), (b) chest‐abdomen contour, (c) total liver contour, (d) total liver contour expanded by 5 mm, and (e) total liver contour contracted by 5 mm. Linear correlation and Bland–Altman analysis were performed for tumor and normal liver tissue absorbed dose volume histogram metrics between the five different approaches for 90Y‐SPECT self‐calibration.ResultsThe mean dose calculated using the commercial software was within 3% of Monte Carlo for tumors and normal liver tissues. The tumor mean dose calculated using the chest‐abdomen calibration was within 2% of that calculated using the SPECT FOV, whereas the doses calculated using the total liver contour, expanded total liver contour, and contracted total liver contour were within 68%, 47%, and 107%, respectively, of doses calculated using the SPECT FOV. The normal liver tissue mean dose calculated using the chest‐abdomen contour was within 1.3% of that calculated using the SPECT FOV, whereas the doses calculated using the total liver contour, expanded total liver contour, and contracted total liver contour were within 73%, 50%, and 114%, respectively, of doses calculated using the SPECT FOV.ConclusionsThe mean error of < 3% for commercial software can be considered clinically acceptable for 90Y‐SIRT dosimetry. Absorbed dose quantification using 90Y‐SPECT self‐calibration with the chest‐abdomen contour was equivalent to that calculated using the SPECT FOV, but self‐calibration with the total liver contour yielded substantially higher (~70%) dose values. The large biases revealed by our study suggest that consistent absorbed dose calculation approaches are essential when comparing 90Y‐SIRT dosimetry between different clinical studies.