bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Submillisecond unmasked subliminal visual stimuli evoke electrical brain responses
Authors: Sperdin Holger F. , Spierer Lucas , Becker Robert , Michel Christoph M. , Landis Theodor 
Published: December 2014

AbstractSubliminal perception is strongly associated to the processing of meaningful or emotional information and has mostly been studied using visual masking. In this study, we used high density 256‐channel EEG coupled with an liquid crystal display (LCD) tachistoscope to characterize the spatio‐temporal dynamics of the brain response to visual checkerboard stimuli (Experiment 1) or blank stimuli (Experiment 2) presented without a mask for 1 ms (visible), 500 µs (partially visible), and 250 µs (subliminal) by applying time‐wise, assumption‐free nonparametric randomization statistics on the strength and on the topography of high‐density scalp‐recorded electric field. Stimulus visibility was assessed in a third separate behavioral experiment. Results revealed that unmasked checkerboards presented subliminally for 250 µs evoked weak but detectable visual evoked potential (VEP) responses. When the checkerboards were replaced by blank stimuli, there was no evidence for the presence of an evoked response anymore. Furthermore, the checkerboard VEPs were modulated topographically between 243 and 296 ms post‐stimulus onset as a function of stimulus duration, indicative of the engagement of distinct configuration of active brain networks. A distributed electrical source analysis localized this modulation within the right superior parietal lobule near the precuneus. These results show the presence of a brain response to submillisecond unmasked subliminal visual stimuli independently of their emotional saliency or meaningfulness and opens an avenue for new investigations of subliminal stimulation without using visual masking. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1470–1483, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma: A review of recent advances, molecular targets, and clinical trials
Authors: Dillon Patrick M. , Chakraborty Samhita , Moskaluk Christopher A. , Joshi Prashant J. , Thomas Christopher Y. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundAdenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor of secretory glands. In this study, recent advances in molecular characterization and in therapeutics are reviewed.MethodsA search of articles in PubMed and of abstracts from national meetings was performed regarding ACC.ResultsRecent genetic analyses found that recurrent chromosome 6:9 translocations in ACC generate an MYB:NFIB gene fusion resulting in overexpression of the MYB oncoprotein. Several other frequent mutations are recently published that may be relevant for drug development. Several trials of targeted drugs are reviewed. Some agents delay tumor progression, but tumor responses remain rare.ConclusionACCs have a characteristic chromosomal translocation, but also frequently pick up additional mutations. Clinical research is limited by the rarity and slow growth of ACC. Several ongoing trials are testing agents that inhibit fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling or other signaling pathways. Novel treatments based on the recently sequenced tumor genome are under development. © 2015 The Authors Head & Neck Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 38: 620–627, 2016
Efficient, effective, safe procedure to identify nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery
Authors: Watanabe Akihito , Taniguchi Masanobu , Kimura Yuki , Ito Suguru , Hosokawa Masao , Sasaki Shigeyuki 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve (NRILN) is always associated with the aberrant subclavian artery. CT images can detect this vascular anomaly, which predicts an NRILN. The purpose of this study was to report our procedure to identify the NRILN in patients with the aberrant subclavian artery.MethodsFour of 730 patients undergoing thyroid operation in our hospital were preoperatively diagnosed with aberrant subclavian artery by CT of the neck. To avoid vocal cord paralysis, we approached the vagal nerve first before dissecting the paratracheal region to discover the separation point of the NRILN from the vagal nerve.ResultsThe NRILN was identified without difficulty in all 4 patients. No patients showed vocal cord paralysis.ConclusionApproaching the vagal nerve first before dissecting the paratracheal region is an efficient, effective, and safe procedure to identify an NRILN in patients who are preoperatively diagnosed as having the aberrant subclavian artery. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 573–577, 2016
Extent of neck dissection after transoral robotic surgical resection of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Report of a case and potential indications for inclusion of level I in a selective neck dissection
Authors: Noel Christopher W. , Foreman Andrew , Goldstein David P. , de Almeida John R. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundWith new minimally invasive surgical techniques playing a role in the management of early oropharyngeal carcinomas, appropriate surgical management of the neck is an increasingly important consideration.MethodsWe present a case of a 47‐year‐old patient with a clinical T2N1M0 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the right tonsil with anterior extension toward the floor of the mouth from the right glossotonsillar sulcus. Imaging revealed a solitary necrotic lymph node in level IIA. The decision was made to proceed with a transoral robotic pharyngectomy and selective neck dissection of levels II to IV, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy.ResultsA postoperative scan revealed progressive regional disease in the anterior aspect of level IB, and, as such, a completion neck dissection of level I was performed.ConclusionSpecial consideration must be given to level I, particularly in patients with glossotonsillar sulcus involvement and anterior extension toward the floor of the mouth. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: E130–E133, 2015
Characterization of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding 2 protein expression and its RNA binding activity
Authors: Turimella Sada Lakshmi , Bedner Peter , Skubal Magdalena , Vangoor Vamshidhar Reddy , Kaczmarczyk Lech , Karl Kevin , Zoidl Georg , Gieselmann Volkmar , Seifert Gerald , Steinhäuser Christian , Kandel Eric , Theis Martin 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTCytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) proteins are translational regulators that are involved in the control of cellular senescence, synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. We have previously found all four known CPEB family members to be transcribed in the mouse hippocampus. Aside from a brief description of CPEB2 in mouse brain, not much is known about its biological role. Hence, this study aims to investigate CPEB2 expression in mouse brain. With reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) of total mouse brain cDNA, we identified four distinct CPEB2 splice variants. Single‐cell RT‐PCR showed that CPEB2 is predominantly expressed in neurons of the juvenile and adult brain and that individual cells express different sets of splice variants. Staining of brain slices with a custom‐made CPEB2 antibody revealed ubiquitous expression of the protein in many brain regions, including hippocampus, striatum, thalamus, cortex, and cerebellum. We also found differential expression of CPEB2 protein in excitatory, inhibitory, and dopaminergic neurons. In primary hippocampal cultures, the subcellular localization of CPEB2 in neurons and astrocytes resembled that of CPEB1. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and RNA coimmunoprecipitation revealed CPEB2 interaction with β‐catenin and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (both established CPEB1 targets), indicating an overlap in RNA binding specificity between CPEB1 and CPEB2. Furthermore, we identified ephrin receptor A4 as a putative novel target of CPEB2. In conclusion, our study identifies CPEB2 splice variants to be differentially expressed among individual cells and across cell types of the mouse hippocampus, and reveals overlapping binding specificity between CPEB2 and CPEB1. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flow paths and phosphorus transfer pathways in two agricultural streams with contrasting flow controls
Authors: Mellander Per‐Erik , Jordan Phil , Shore Mairead , Melland Alice R. , Shortle Ger 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn this paper, we analyse 4 years of data from simultaneous high‐frequency monitoring of streamflow and phosphorus (P) concentration. This was carried out to investigate hydrological flow paths and P transfer pathways from diffuse sources in two intensively farmed river catchments (~10 km2) with contrasting flow controls and dominating flow paths. Catchment scale P loss was viewed on an annual and event flow basis and related to hydrological flow paths. A grassland catchment with mostly poorly drained soils, and a higher Q10:Q90 ratio (60 compared with 24), had three times higher annual P loss than an arable catchment with mostly well‐drained soils (1.04 compared with 0.34 kg TP ha−1) despite the arable catchment having larger areas with high soil P status and more discharge. Neither of the catchments indicated supply limitations. The magnitude of the P losses from the two catchments was not defined by land use, source pressure or discharge volume but rather by more basic rainfall‐to‐runoff partitioning influences that determine proportions of quickflow and slowflow. There were larger differences between the years than between the catchments, and the P loss of the arable catchment appeared more sensitive to climate. The results confirmed the need to manage the quickflow components of runoff to moderate P transfers. Therefore, in order to further reduce diffuse pollution it may be necessary to account for the contrast in hydrological function before or in addition to any of the other factors known to influence P losses from catchments (such as soil P and land use). Schemes designed to attenuate diffuse P after mobilization from soil surfaces can then be targeted (and resourced) more effectively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quick analysis of optical spectra to quantify epidermal melanin and papillary dermal blood content of skin
Authors: Jacques Steven L. 
Published: December 2014

This paper presents a practical approach for assessing the melanin and blood content of the skin from total diffuse reflectance spectra, R(λ), where λ is wavelength. A quick spectral analysis using just three wavelengths (585 nm, 700 nm and 800 nm) is presented, based on the 1985 work of Kollias and Baquer who documented epidermal melanin of skin using the slope of optical density (OD) between 620 nm and 720 nm. The paper describes the non‐rectilinear character of such a quick analysis, and shows that almost any choice of two wavelengths in the 600–900 range can achieve the characterization of melanin. The extrapolation of the melanin slope to 585 nm serves as a baseline for subtraction from the OD (585 nm) to yield a blood perfusion score. Monte Carlo simulations created spectral data for a skin model with epidermis, papillary dermis and reticular dermis to illustrate the analysis.
magnified image
Macrophages Promote Osteoblastic Differentiation In Vivo: Implications in Fracture Repair and Bone Homeostasis
Authors: Vi Linda , Baht Gurpreet S , Whetstone Heather , Ng Adeline , Wei Qingxia , Poon Raymond , Mylvaganam Sivakami , Grynpas Marc , Alman Benjamin A 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

Macrophages are activated in inflammation and during early phases of repair processes. Interestingly, they are also present in bone during development, but their function during this process is unclear. Here, we explore the function of macrophages in bone development, growth, and repair using transgenic mice to constitutively or conditionally deplete macrophages. Depletion of macrophages led to early skeletal growth retardation and progressive osteoporosis. By 3 months of age, macrophage-deficient mice displayed a 25% reduction in bone mineral density and a 70% reduction in the number of trabecular bone compared to control littermates. Despite depletion of macrophages, functional osteoclasts were still present in bones, lining trabecular bone and the endosteal surface of the cortical bone. Furthermore, ablation of macrophages led to a 60% reduction in the number of bone marrow mesenchymal progenitor cells and a decrease in the ability of these cells to differentiate to osteoblasts. When macrophages were depleted during fracture repair, bone union was impaired. Calluses from macrophage-deficient animals were smaller, and contained less bone and more fibrotic tissue deposition. Taken together, this shows that macrophages are crucial for maintaining bone homeostasis and promoting fracture repair by enhancing the differentiation of mesenchymal progenitors. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
n‐Octyl Gallate as Inhibitor of Pyruvate Carboxylation and Lactate Gluconeogenesis
Authors: Eler Gabrielle Jacklin , Santos Israel Souza , de Moraes Amarilis Giaretta , Comar Jurandir Fernando , Peralta Rosane Marina , Bracht Adelar 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThe alkyl gallates are found in several natural and industrial products. In the latter products, these compounds are added mainly for preventing oxidation. In the present work, the potencies of methyl gallate, n‐propyl gallate, n‐pentyl gallate, and n‐octyl gallate as inhibitors of pyruvate carboxylation and lactate gluconeogenesis were evaluated. Experiments were done with isolated mitochondria and the isolated perfused rat liver. The potency of the gallic acid esters as inhibitors of pyruvate carboxylation in isolated mitochondria obeyed the following decreasing sequence: n‐octyl gallate > n‐pentyl gallate > n‐propyl gallate > methyl gallate. A similar sequence of decreasing potency for lactate gluconeogenesis inhibition in the perfused liver was found in terms of the portal venous concentration. Both actions correlate with the lipophilicity of the compounds. The effects are harmful at high concentrations. At appropriate concentrations, however, octyl gallate should act therapeutically because its inhibitory action on gluconeogenesis will contribute further to its proposed antihyperglycemic effects.
Optimization of bioleaching conditions for metal removal from spent zinc‐manganese batteries using response surface methodology
Authors: Niu Zhirui , Huang Qifei , Xin Baoping , Qi Chenhao , Hu JunFei , Chen Shi , Li Yuping 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDAs a special residue containing zinc and manganese, spent Zn–Mn batteries cause a serious concern due to their toxicity, abundance and permanence in the environment, and biotechnological recovery of Zn and Mn is one method of recycling this waste. In this study identification of the optimum values of the effective parameters in biotechnological processes was investigated using response surface methodology.RESULTSThe released dose of Zn and Mn was highly dependent on many parameters. Non‐linear equations were formulated to describe the relationship between bioleaching efficiency of Zn and Mn and four important parameters. The optimum parameter values were determined as follows: dose of mixed energy substrates, exogenous‐acid pH adjustment, incubating temperature and pulp density of 28 g L−1, 1.9, 33 °C, 9.7%, respectively, for Zn release and 29 g L−1, 1.8, 36.7 °C, 8%, respectively, for Mn mobilization. The maximum predictive extraction efficiency of Zn and Mn was 52.5% and 52.4%, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe maximum efficiency of extraction of both Zn and Mn reached 50% under optimum conditions after 9 days of bioleaching. Additionally, XRD analyses suggested that Zn and Mn existed mainly as Hetaerolite (ZnMn2O4) in the spent Zn–Mn batteries, which gradually disappeared and released Zn2+ and Mn2+ into solution during bioleaching process. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Central hepatectomy with pancreatoduodenectomy for diffusely spread bile duct cancer
Authors: Mizuno Takashi , Kanemoto Hideyuki , Sugiura Teiichi , Okamura Yukiyasu , Uesaka Katsuhiko 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundMajor hepatectomy with concomitant pancreatoduodenectomy (major‐HPD) is the only procedure that provides a curative resection for diffusely spread extrahepatic bile duct cancer (DSEBDC). We sometimes encounter patients who cannot undergo major‐HPD because of a poor functional hepatic reserve. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of central hepatectomy with pancreatoduodenectomy (central‐HPD) for patients with DSEBDC as an alternative to major‐HPD.MethodsBetween 2002 and 2010, six patients with DSEBDC underwent central‐HPD. The hepatectomy procedures for central‐HPD included central bisectionectomy with S1 resection (S1r) and right anterior sectionectomy with S1r.ResultsThe estimated resection liver volume was decreased from 77.5% to 46.6% by the application of central‐HPD. The median operative duration was 929 min, and the median blood loss was 2568 ml. Postoperative complications were observed in five patients. The proximal ductal stump was histologically positive with non‐invasive cancer in three patients and positive with invasive cancer in one. The overall survival of the six patients was 62.5% at 5 years after surgery.ConclusionsWhile central‐HPD was a technically complicated procedure associated with a high morbidity rate, it offered a favorable overall survival and might be an alternative option for DSEBDC patients with a poor hepatic functional reserve.
Redesigning an inpatient pediatric service using Lean to improve throughput efficiency
Authors: Beck Michael J. , Gosik Kirk 
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUNDData suggest that delays in discharges from inpatient units affect hospital throughput and contribute to emergency department crowding. Lean/Six Sigma (LSS) has been shown to improve inefficiencies in other industries. There are no published data on what impact LSS can have on advancing and sustaining earlier patient discharges.OBJECTIVEDetermine the impact LSS has on advancing times of placement of discharge order and patient discharge compared to control. Secondary outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and readmission rates.DESIGNProspective quality study with concurrent controls.SETTINGAcademic medical center.PATIENTSHospitalized pediatric patients compared to remainder of the children's hospital services.INTERVENTIONSStaff reallocation, creation of standard workflow, multidisciplinary predischarge planning, and creation of a discharge checklist.MEASUREMENTSMedian time of discharge order entry and median time of actual patient discharge, proportion of patients discharged before noon and 2 pm, and LOS and readmission rates.RESULTSThe median time of order entry was 10:45 compared to 14:05, and the median time of discharge was 14:15 compared to 15:48. The LOS and the readmission rates remained the same in both cohorts. The control group had faster baseline discharge order entry and patient discharge, but discharge performance did not improve, despite a significantly lower average daily census.CONCLUSIONSWe determined that Lean approaches can have an immediate and sustained impact on advancing patient discharges, with no negative affect on LOS or readmission rates. Our intervention generated consistent results independent of personnel during the busiest months of the year at a tertiary care children's hospital. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:220–227. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Morphological characteristics of eyes and retinas of two sardines (Sardinops melanostictus and Etrumeus sadina, Clupeidae) and an anchovy (Engraulis japonicus, Engraulididae)
Authors: Miyazaki Taeko , Kobayashi Masashi 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThe morphology of the eyes and distribution of retinal ganglion cells in two sardine species (Sardinops melanostictus and Etrumeus sadina, Clupeidae) and the Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus, Engraulididae) were investigated anatomically and histologically. The eyes of the sardines faced a slightly dorsolateral direction with the visual field extended obliquely upward. In contrast, the eyes in the anchovy were almost laterally directed. It was hypothesized that the sardines may have an advantage in receiving more downward irradiance compared with the anchovy. The lens muscle was larger in these three species than in many other teleosts, and its surface was entirely melanin‐pigmented. Also, the lens muscle directly and tightly adhered to the backside surface of the iris. The relative area of the lens muscle to the area of the lens, a referential value of the relative power of visual accommodation were notably larger in the species studied than in other teleost values that have been previously reported. A higher M/L% value of these clupeid fishes could facilitate fast and wide ranging visual accommodation and was considered to be associated with maintaining and/or re‐establishing school formations quickly. Analysis of topographical distributions of cells in the ganglion cell layer showed that cell density was highest in the ventrotemporal quadrant of the retina (temporal of the optic cleft) in all three species. Another potentially important role for the black‐pigmented lens muscle may be to block the specialized retinal area from intense sunlight that scatters and irradiates upward or laterally in the surface waters that they inhabit. Thus, the sardine and anchovy may take advantage of efficient detection of visual signals in the frontal‐upward direction and further improve visibility of the target in this direction. J. Morphol. 276:415–424, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
2D phase‐sensitive inversion recovery imaging to measure in vivo spinal cord gray and white matter areas in clinically feasible acquisition times
Authors: Papinutto Nico , Schlaeger Regina , Panara Valentina , Caverzasi Eduardo , Ahn Sinyeob , Johnson Kevin J. , Zhu Alyssa H. , Stern William A. , Laub Gerhard , Hauser Stephen L. , Henry Roland G. 
Published: December 2014

PurposeTo present and assess a procedure for measurement of spinal cord total cross‐sectional areas (TCA) and gray matter (GM) areas based on phase‐sensitive inversion recovery imaging (PSIR). In vivo assessment of spinal cord GM and white matter (WM) could become pivotal to study various neurological diseases, but it is challenging because of insufficient GM/WM contrast provided by conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and MethodsWe acquired 2D PSIR images at 3T at each disc level of the spinal axis in 10 healthy subjects and measured TCA, cord diameters, WM and GM areas, and GM area/TCA ratios. Second, we investigated 32 healthy subjects at four selected levels (C2‐C3, C3‐C4, T8‐T9, T9‐T10, total acquisition time <8 min) and generated normative reference values of TCA and GM areas. We assessed test–retest, intra‐ and interoperator reliability of the acquisition strategy, and measurement steps.ResultsThe measurement procedure based on 2D PSIR imaging allowed TCA and GM area assessments along the entire spinal cord axis. The tests we performed revealed high test–retest/intraoperator reliability (mean coefficient of variation [COV] at C2‐C3: TCA = 0.41%, GM area = 2.75%) and interoperator reliability of the measurements (mean COV on the 4 levels: TCA = 0.44%, GM area = 4.20%; mean intraclass correlation coefficient: TCA = 0.998, GM area = 0.906).Conclusion2D PSIR allows reliable in vivo assessment of spinal cord TCA, GM, and WM areas in clinically feasible acquisition times. The area measurements presented here are in agreement with previous MRI and postmortem studies. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:698–708.
Numerical modeling and uncertainty analysis of transistor noise‐parameter measurements
Authors: Randa James 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThis paper provides an overview of the use of noise parameters as a numerical model to represent the noise characteristics of transistors, particularly in the context of a Monte Carlo evaluation of the uncertainties in noise‐parameter measurements. The Monte Carlo also relies on a numerical model of the measurement process, in order to generate simulated measurement results, and this numerical model is also reviewed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.