bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impaired Fetal Myocardial Deformation in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Authors: Fan Xuemei , Zhou Qichang , Zeng Shi , Zhou Jiawei , Peng Qinghai , Zhang Ming , Ding Yiling 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesTo investigate changes in fetal myocardial deformation in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.MethodsPatients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy were divided into 2 groups according to the total maternal serum bile acid concentration: mild cholestasis (10–40 μmol/L) and severe cholestasis (>40 μmol/L). Fetal echocardiography and velocity vector imaging were performed on women with cholestasis and control patients. The left ventricular global longitudinal strain and strain rate were measured. Clinical characteristics, maternal serum bile acid levels, and N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels in umbilical vein blood were compared between groups. The relationships among fetal myocardial deformation, maternal total bile acids, and cord NT‐proBNP were analyzed.ResultsTwenty women with mild cholestasis, 20 with severe cholestasis, and 40 control patients were enrolled. There were no significant differences in maternal and gestational ages between the case and control groups. Maternal bile acids and NT‐proBNP were significantly higher in fetuses of mothers with cholestasis than control fetuses. The left ventricular longitudinal strain (−10.56% ± 1.83% versus −18.36% ± 1.11%; P < .01), systolic strain rate (−1.63 ± 0.18 versus −2.04 ± 0.18 secondsz−1; P < .01), and diastolic strain rate (1.37 ± 0.18 versus 1.83 ± 0.14 seconds−1; P < .01) were significantly decreased in fetuses with severe cholestasis compared with control fetuses. There were positive correlations between fetal myocardial deformation and maternal total bile acids (r = 0.705, 0.643, and 0.690, respectively; P < .01) and between myocardial deformation and NT‐proBNP (r = 0.672, 0.643, and 0.647; P < .01).ConclusionsFetal myocardial deformation is impaired in severe intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Further investigation is needed to determine whether fetal echocardiography and velocity vector imaging can help predict which fetuses of mothers with cholestasis are likely to have poor outcomes.
Reference Charts of Fetal Biometric Parameters in 31,476 Brazilian Singleton Pregnancies
Authors: Araujo Júnior Edward , Martins Santana Eduardo Félix , Martins Wellington P. , Júnior Julio Elito , Ruano Rodrigo , Pires Claudio Rodrigues , Filho Sebastião Marques Zanforlin 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to establish reference charts of fetal biometric parameters measured by 2‐dimensional sonography in a large Brazilian population.MethodsA cross‐sectional retrospective study was conducted including 31,476 low‐risk singleton pregnancies between 18 and 38 weeks' gestation. The following fetal parameters were measured: biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated fetal weight. To assess the correlation between the fetal biometric parameters and gestational age, polynomial regression models were created, with adjustments made by the determination coefficient (R2).ResultsThe means ± SDs of the biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated fetal weight measurements at 18 and 38 weeks were 4.2 ± 2.34 and 9.1 ± 4.0 cm, 15.3 ± 7.56 and 32.3 ± 11.75 cm, 13.3 ± 10.42 and 33.4 ± 20.06 cm, 2.8 ± 2.17 and 7.2 ± 3.58 cm, and 256.34 ± 34.03 and 3169.55 ± 416.93 g, respectively. Strong correlations were observed between all fetal biometric parameters and gestational age, best represented by second‐degree equations, with R2 values of 0.95, 0.96, 0.95, 0.95, and 0.95 for biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and estimated fetal weight.ConclusionsFetal biometric parameters were determined for a large Brazilian population, and they may serve as reference values in cases with a high risk of intrauterine growth disorders.
Do Clinical Practitioners Seeking Credentialing for Nuchal Translucency Measurement Demonstrate Compliance With Biosafety Recommendations?
Authors: Bromley Bryann , Spitz Jean , Fuchs Karin , Thornburg Loralei L. 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate compliance with the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle by practitioners seeking credentialing for nuchal translucency (NT) measurement between 11 and 14 weeks' gestation.MethodsNuchal Translucency Quality Review Program credentialing requires quantitative scoring of 5 NT measurements from 5 different fetuses. Images submitted by 100 consecutive practitioners were retrospectively evaluated for the output display standard (ODS). The thermal index (TI) type (bone [TIb] or soft tissue [TIs]) and numeric value of the index were recorded. The TIb was considered the correct index for this study. Compliance with the numeric value was evaluated in several ways. Collectively, a TIb lower than 0.5 was considered optimal, lower than 0.7 compliant, and 1.0 or lower satisfactory.ResultsAn ODS was present in at least 1 image submitted by 77 practitioners. The TIb was used exclusively by 15 (19.5%), the TIs by 37 (48.1%), and 25 used a combination of the TIb and TIs. Only 4 of 77 providers (5%) used the correct TI type (TIb) at lower than 0.5 for all submitted images, 5 of 77 (6%) at lower than 0.7, and 9 of 77 (12%) at 1.0 or lower. A TI (TIb or TIs) higher than 1.0 was used by 15 of 77 providers (19.5%). Proficiency in NT measurement and educational background (physician or sonographer) did not influence compliance with ALARA.ConclusionsClinicians seeking credentialing in NT do not demonstrate compliance with the recommended use of the TIb in monitoring acoustic output.
Intraobserver Variability in Fibroid Size Measurements
Authors: Moshesh Malana , Peddada Shyamal D. , Cooper Tracy , Baird Donna 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesTo evaluate intraobserver variability of fibroid sonographic measurements and apply this factor to fibroid growth assessment.MethodsStudy participants were African American women aged 23 to 34 years who had never had a diagnosis of uterine fibroids. All participants underwent transvaginal sonography to screen for the presence of previously undiagnosed fibroids (≥0.5 cm in diameter). The diameters of up to 6 fibroids were measured in 3 perpendicular planes at 3 separate times during the examinations by experienced sonographers. Intraobserver variability as measured by the coefficient of variation (CV) for fibroid diameter and volume was calculated for each fibroid, and factors associated with the CV were assessed by regression models. The impact of variability on growth assessment was determined.ResultsNinety‐six of 300 women screened were found to have at least 1 fibroid, yielding a total of 174 fibroids for this analysis. The mean CV for the 3 measurements of fibroid maximum diameter was 5.9%. The mean CV for fibroid volume was 12.7%. Fibroid size contributed significantly to intraobserver variability (P = .04), with greater variability for smaller fibroids. Fibroid type (submucosal, intramural, or subserosal) was not important. Fibroids from the same woman tended to have similar measurement variability when assessed for volume but not for maximum diameter. Calculations showed that when following up fibroids, as much as a 20% increase in diameter could be due to measurement error, not “true growth.”ConclusionsA small fibroid must have a greater change in size than a large fibroid to conclude that it is growing, but even for small fibroids an increase in diameter of greater than 20% is likely to indicate true growth, not measurement variability.
Integrated Cardiopulmonary Sonography
Authors: Wang Xiao-Ting , Liu Da-Wei , Zhang Hong-Min , Chai Wen-Zhao 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesBedside sonography has become a popular method of assessment of critically ill patients with shock and dyspnea. This study evaluated the usefulness of integrated cardiopulmonary sonography for assessment of acute pulmonary edema.MethodsA total of 128 intensive care unit (ICU) patients with acute pulmonary edema were randomly divided into 2 groups: a sonography group, which received standard treatment as well as cardiopulmonary sonography, and a control group, which received standard treatment only. All patients were treated according to the same therapeutic strategies and underwent chest radiography and central venous catheter placement. Serum myocardial injury marker levels and central venous/arterial blood gas parameters were measured 0, 24, and 72 hours after enrollment. The cumulative fluid infusion volume at 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours, the time to diagnosis of the pulmonary edema etiology by the attending physician, the lengths of ICU and hospital stays, and ICU mortality were recorded.ResultsThe sonography group had a shorter time to diagnosis and received a smaller fluid infusion volume than the control group. There were no significant differences in ICU mortality and lengths of ICU and hospital stays between the sonography and control groups. In patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema, the sonography group had a significantly shorter ICU stay and a faster return to normal myocardial injury marker levels and perfusion parameters than the control group (P < .05).ConclusionsIntegrated cardiopulmonary sonography resulted in faster and better‐informed clinical decision making, shortened the time to diagnosis of the pulmonary edema etiology, and decreased fluid use. However, the impact of this examination on prognoses requires further study. We propose that integrated cardiopulmonary sonography may be a useful bedside tool for treatment of ICU patients with acute pulmonary edema.
Sonographic Evaluation of Knee Cartilage Defects Implanted With Preconditioned Scaffolds
Authors: Ghorayeb Sleiman R. , Levin Adam , Ast Michael , Schwartz John A. , Grande Daniel A. 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to develop a novel method for creating an acellular bioactive scaffold, to prove its efficacy in vivo and in vitro for the augmentation of biological repair, and to confirm that sonographic microscopy is a viable modality for monitoring the healing process of osteochondral defects implanted with preconditioned bioactive scaffolds.MethodsRabbit marrow stromal cells were retrovirally transduced with either bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP‐7) or insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) genes, cultured for 9 weeks in nonwoven poly‐L‐lactic acid scaffolds, and then frozen and lyophilized. The knees were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery using 20‐MHz ultrasound and then prepared for routine histologic analysis. B‐scans of the extracellular matrix defects were compared to histologic results.ResultsControl defects showed a void or a mixture of fibrocartilage tissue. Both types of scaffolds resulted in a higher percentage (both P< .001) of primarily hyaline cartilage tissue with intact articular surfaces. The osteochondral defects were clearly observed in each sonographic signature. There were no differences between images of scaffolds treated with IGF‐1 or BMP‐7. Extracellular matrix regrowth was found to closely parallel (R2 = 0.968; P < .003) the histologic images. A 3‐mm defect depth and a 2.5‐mm scaffold thickness were measured on the sonograms, comparing well to actual dimensions.ConclusionsThere was a gradual increase in healing bordering the defects for the 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐week samples. Also, we have shown that sonography can aid in monitoring implantation of preconditioned scaffolds in osteochondral defects and thus assessing the healing process and cartilage/bone quality.
Hair Morphology in Androgenetic Alopecia
Authors: Wortsman Ximena , Guerrero Robinson , Wortsman Jacobo 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesTo assess hair morphology in androgenetic alopecia on sonography and electron microscopy.MethodsA prospective study was performed in 33 patients with androgenetic alopecia and 10 unaffected control participants. In vivo sonography of the hair follicles of the scalp and in vitro sonography and electron microscopy of the hair shafts were performed according to a standardized protocol that included analysis of the right frontal and occipital regions. The upper frequency limit of the ultrasound probes ranged between 15 and 18 MHz.ResultsScalp hair follicles and hair shafts were recognizable on sonography in all cases. Hair follicles in alopecia cases had significantly lower depths (P < .05). The hair shafts in alopecia also had a different distribution of their laminar pattern on in vitro sonography, with a greater presence of mixed (trilaminar and bilaminar) and solely bilaminar tracts in comparison with the controls (mostly trilaminar). On electron microscopy, the alopecia hair tracts showed irregularities and commonly a “melted candle” appearance of the cuticle.ConclusionsSonography and electron microscopy uncover distinct abnormalities in the morphology of hair in androgenetic alopecia, which may potentially support the diagnosis and management of this common condition.
Quantitative Ultrasound Measurements of the Calcaneus and Hand Phalanges in Elderly Spanish Men
Authors: Lavado-Garcia Jesus M. , Moran Jose M. , Roncero-Martin Raul , Calderon-Garcia Julian F. , Pedrera-Canal Maria , Rodriguez-Dominguez Trinidad , Fernandez-Fernandez Pilar , Pedrera-Zamorano Juan D. 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesThe aims of this pilot study were to describe quantitative ultrasound (US) measurements and peripheral bone mineral density (BMD) of the hand phalanges on dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry and to examine the correlations between them in elderly Spanish men.MethodsWe studied 199 healthy men (mean age ± SD, 73.31 ± 5.10 years). The participants were not taking any medications, and they reported no diseases, including diseases that are associated with abnormalities in mineral metabolism. Phalangeal and calcaneal quantitative US measurements and phalangeal BMD measurements were performed in all participants.ResultsA bivariate correlation analysis showed no association between quantitative US assessments at the phalanges or the calcaneus (P = .409). After adjustment for potential confounders, the correlation between phalangeal BMD and phalangeal quantitative US measurements was r = 0.417 (P < .0001), and the correlation for calcaneal quantitative US was r = 0.26 (P = .001). Further adjustment by percentage of body fat increased quantitative US correlations with phalangeal BMD: r = 0.450 (P < .0001) at the phalanges; r = 0.291 (P = .001) at the calcaneus.ConclusionsThere is a small correlation between quantitative US measurements at the calcaneus and phalangeal BMD that increases to a moderate level with quantitative US measurements at the phalanges in elderly Spanish men.
Prevalence of adverse effects among students taking technique classes: A retrospective study
Authors: Kizhakkeveettil Anupama , Sikorski David , Tobias Gene , Korgan Christos 
Published: June 2014

Objective
The main objective of this study was to determine characteristics of injuries experienced by students while learning chiropractic procedures in the classroom.

Methods
Injury was defined as any physical adverse effect such as pain, stiffness, headache, and muscle spasm. Survey questions included age, sex, role, anatomical areas of injury, adjustive technique utilized, types of injury, treatment (if any), and recovery time. The survey was administered among the students in the 5th, 6th, and 8th trimesters of our doctor of chiropractic program. Only students who had completed one or more chiropractic procedures courses at the institution were asked to participate in the study.

Results
Female recipients had a higher prevalence of adverse effects as the recipient of the adjustment than did male recipients. The most common site for injury overall was the lower back. The relationship between recipient role and sacroiliac joint injury and the relationship between adjustor role and wrist/hand injury were statistically significant. Students were more likely to be injured in the beginning of their technique education.

Conclusion
This study suggests that students in technique courses learning adjustive procedures experience minor adverse physical effects related to the physical skills being learned. Strategies for prevention need to be considered.
Catchments as simple dynamical systems: A case study on methods and data requirements for parameter identification
Authors: Melsen L. A. , Teuling A. J. , van Berkum S. W. , Torfs P. J. J. F. , Uijlenhoet R. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn many rainfall‐runoff models, at least some calibration of model parameters has to take place. Especially for ungauged or poorly gauged basins this can be problematic, because there is little or no data available for calibration. A possible solution to overcome the problems caused by data scarcity is to set up a measurement campaign for a limited time period. In this study, we determine the minimum amount of data required to determine robust parameter values for a simple model with two parameters. The model is constructed such that the parameters can be determined not only with automatic calibration, but also by recession analysis and a priori from Boussinesq theory. The model has been applied to a research catchment in Switzerland. For automatic calibration and recession analysis, one season (5 months) is found to be sufficient to give robust parameters for simulation of high flows over the full observation period. For automatic calibration, this should be the season with the highest precipitation, for recession analysis the season with least evapotranspiration. The Boussinesq equation is able to give good parameter estimates for modeling high flows, but detailed in situ knowledge of the catchment is required. Automatic calibration outperforms recession analysis and Boussinesq theory by far when it comes to parameter estimation with a focus on prediction of low flows. It was shown that a single set of parameters cannot simultaneously describe high and low flows with a reasonable accuracy, suggesting that more than two parameters are needed to characterize subsurface properties.
Coping with model error in variational data assimilation using optimal mass transport
Authors: Ning Lipeng , Carli Francesca P. , Ebtehaj Ardeshir Mohammad , Foufoula‐Georgiou Efi , Georgiou Tryphon T. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractClassical variational data assimilation methods address the problem of optimally combining model predictions with observations in the presence of zero‐mean Gaussian random errors. However, in many natural systems, uncertainty in model structure and/or model parameters often results in systematic errors or biases. Prior knowledge about such systematic model error for parametric removal is not always feasible in practice, limiting the efficient use of observations for improved prediction. The main contribution of this work is to advocate the relevance of transportation metrics for quantifying nonrandom model error in variational data assimilation for nonnegative natural states and fluxes. Transportation metrics (also known as Wasserstein metrics) originate in the theory of Optimal Mass Transport (OMT) and provide a nonparametric way to compare distributions which is natural in the sense that it penalizes mismatch in the values and relative position of “masses” in the two distributions. We demonstrate the promise of the proposed methodology using 1‐D and 2‐D advection‐diffusion dynamics with systematic error in the velocity and diffusivity parameters. Moreover, we combine this methodology with additional regularization functionals, such as the
‐norm of the state in a properly chosen domain, to incorporate both model error and potential prior information in the presence of sparsity or sharp fronts in the underlying state of interest.
Recent increases in extreme temperature occurrence over land
Authors: Weaver Scott J. , Kumar Arun , Chen Mingyue 
Published: June 2014

AbstractRecently observed global and U.S. temperature increases are probed from the perspective of several hundred climate realizations afforded by the availability of reforecast climate model runs from the NCEP Climate Forecast System Version 2. The large number of seasonal realizations with the observed time‐varying CO2 affords a unique opportunity to explore the role of greenhouse gas changes on 3 month seasonal mean temperature increases, and specifically, whether they are the result of a shift in the mean temperature distribution or an increase in its variability. It is found that significant positive shifts in the temperature probability density function (PDF) occur primarily as the result of the time‐varying CO2 included in the historical model runs, although a contribution from natural climate variability modes cannot be categorically excluded. The temperature PDF comparison further indicates that the increasing global and U.S. temperatures over the last 30 years are predominantly the result of shifts in the mean temperature distribution and not increasing temperature variability. As such, the likelihood of increases in the occurrence of warm temperature extremes will likely continue to increase worldwide, leading to significant impacts on many socioeconomic sectors such as agriculture and public health.
Seasonal variations in the South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation from observations and numerical models
Authors: Dong Shenfu , Baringer Molly O. , Goni Gustavo J. , Meinen Christopher S. , Garzoli Silvia L. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractMonthly climatologies of temperature and salinity from observations and numerical models are used to estimate the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) at 34°S. Observational estimates suggest that the geostrophic transport plays an equal role to the Ekman transport in the AMOC seasonal variations at this latitude, whereas in the models, the Ekman transport controls the AMOC seasonality. The seasonality of the geostrophic transport from observations is largely controlled by the seasonal density variations at the western boundary, but in the models, the eastern boundary dominates. The observed density seasonality at the western boundary is linked to the intensity of the Malvinas Current, which is poorly reproduced in the models. The results indicate that the weak seasonal cycle in the model geostrophic transport can primarily be attributed to excessively strong baroclinicity below the surface mixed layer, whereas the observations show a strong vertical coherence in the velocity down to 1200 m.
Return periods of global climate fluctuations and the pause
Authors: Lovejoy S. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAn approach complementary to General Circulation Models (GCMs), using the anthropogenic CO2 radiative forcing as a linear surrogate for all anthropogenic forcings [Lovejoy, ], was recently developed for quantifying human impacts. Using preindustrial multiproxy series and scaling arguments, the probabilities of natural fluctuations at time lags up to 125 years were determined. The hypothesis that the industrial epoch warming was a giant natural fluctuation was rejected with 99.9% confidence. In this paper, this method is extended to the determination of event return times. Over the period 1880–2013, the largest 32 year event is expected to be 0.47 K, effectively explaining the postwar cooling (amplitude 0.42–0.47 K). Similarly, the “pause” since 1998 (0.28–0.37 K) has a return period of 20–50 years (not so unusual). It is nearly cancelled by the pre‐pause warming event (1992–1998, return period 30–40 years); the pause is no more than natural variability.