bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Animal models are reliably mimicking human diseases? A morphological study that compares animal with human NAFLD
Authors: Solinas Paola , Isola Michela , Lilliu Maria Alberta , Conti Gabriele , Civolani Alberto , Demelia Luigi , Loy Francesco , Isola Raffaella 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical‐pathological syndrome that includes a wide spectrum of morphological alterations. In research, animal models are crucial in evaluating not only the pathogenesis of NAFLD and its progression, but also the therapeutic effects of various agents. Investigations on the ultrastructural features of NAFLD in humans are not copious, due to the difficulty to obtain human samples and to the long time of NAFLD to evolve. Translational comparative studies on the reliability of animal models in representing the histopathologic picture as seen in humans are missing. To overcome this lack of investigations, we compared the ultrastructural NAFLD features of an animal model versus human. Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed with a high fat diet (HFD) for 1–4 weeks, while control rats were fed with a standard diet. Human specimens were collected from patients with diagnosed fatty liver disease, undergoing liver biopsies or surgery. Rat and human samples were examined by light microscopy and by transmission and high resolution scanning electron microscopy. The present work demonstrated that NAFLD in animal model and in human, share overlapping ultrastructural features. In conclusion, animal HFD represent an appropriate tool in studying the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:790–796, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ex vivo gene delivery to synovium using foamy viral vectors
Authors: Armbruster Nicole , Weber Conrad , Wictorowicz Tatiana , Rethwilm Axel , Scheller Carsten , Steinert Andre F. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundGene transfer technologies have the potential to fundamentally improve current therapies for arthritic conditions, although this is essentially dependent on safe and efficient vector systems. The foamy virus (FV)‐based vectors have many safety features that favour their use in the treatment of arthritis. In the present study, we investigated the use of safe prototype foamy viral vectors (FVV) for indirect gene delivery to articular tissues.MethodsWe generated recombinant FVV encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist protein (IL1RA) cDNA under the control of the spleen focus forming virus U3 promoter and explored their transgene expression profile following ex vivo gene delivery to knee joints of Wistar and athymic nude rats.ResultsFVV efficiently transduced primary rat synovial fibroblasts using the EGFP and the IL1RA transgene in vitro. FVV‐mediated IL1RA expression was functional in blocking IL1 effects in vitro. After the transplantation of FVV transduced synovial fibroblasts, the intra‐articular transgene expression in Wistar rats was initially high and declined after approximately 3 weeks for both transgenes. By contrast, FVV‐mediated expression of EGFP and IL1RA persisted for at least 12 weeks at high levels in immunocompromised nude rats. FVV‐meditated gene delivery was well tolerated by all animals without extra‐articular transgene expression, arguing for the safety of this approach.ConclusionsOur results indicate that FVV are capable of efficient ex vivo gene transfer to synovium and merit further investigation as a means to provide long‐term intra‐articular transgene expression for arthritis treatment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigations of Nitrile Rubber Composites Containing Imidazolium Ionic Liquids
Authors: Laskowska Anna , Marzec Anna , Boiteux Gisele , Zaborski Marian , Gain Olivier , Serghei Anatoli 
Published: July 2014

SummaryThis work aimed to investigate the impact of hydrophobic imidazolium ionic liquids with alkyl chains of varying length attached to the cation imidazolium ring on the rheometric data, the mechanical, morphological, thermal and conductive properties of acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR) composites. The presence of ionic liquids not only increased the conductivity (AC) of the composites but also influenced their curing behaviour and mechanical properties. A maximum conductivity of 8.9  ·  10−8 S · cm−1 was achieved at room temperature in the NBR sample containing 15 phr (parts per hundred rubber) of 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane‐ sulfone)imide (HMIM TFSI). Moreover, the presence of HMIM TFSI at 15 phr loading in the NBR composite contributed most significantly to the downward shift in the glass transition temperature (Tg) from ‐30 to −33 °C, indicating a plasticizing effect
Altered corticomotor‐cerebellar integrity in young ataxia telangiectasia patients
Authors: Sahama Ishani , Sinclair Kate , Fiori Simona , Pannek Kerstin , Lavin Martin , Rose Stephen 
Published: July 2014

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research in identifying altered brain structure and function in ataxia‐telangiectasia, an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder, is limited. Diffusion‐weighted MRI were obtained from 11 ataxia telangiectasia patients (age range, 7‐22 years; mean, 12 years) and 11 typically developing age‐matched participants (age range, 8‐23 years; mean, 13 years). Gray matter volume alterations in patients were compared with those of healthy controls using voxel‐based morphometry, whereas tract‐based spatial statistics was employed to elucidate white matter microstructure differences between groups. White matter microstructure was probed using quantitative fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity measures. Reduced gray matter volume in both cerebellar hemispheres and in the precentral‐postcentral gyrus in the left cerebral hemisphere was observed in ataxia telangiectasia patients compared with controls (P < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons). A significant reduction in fractional anisotropy in the cerebellar hemispheres, anterior/posterior horns of the medulla, cerebral peduncles, and internal capsule white matter, particularly in the left posterior limb of the internal capsule and corona radiata in the left cerebral hemisphere, was observed in patients compared with controls (P < 0.05). Mean diffusivity differences were observed within the left cerebellar hemisphere and the white matter of the superior lobule of the right cerebellar hemisphere (P < 0.05). Cerebellum‐localized gray matter changes are seen in young ataxia telangiectasia patients along with white matter tract degeneration projecting from the cerebellum into corticomotor regions. The lack of cortical involvement may reflect early‐stage white matter motor pathway degeneration within young patients. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Revealing signal from noisy19F MR images by chemical shift artifact correction
Authors: Meissner Mirko , Reisert Marco , Hugger Thimo , Hennig Jürgen , von Elverfeldt Dominik , Leupold Jochen 
Published: July 2014

PurposeThe correction of chemical shift artifacts in MR images of fluorinated molecules with a multi‐resonance spectrum is investigated. The goal is to find a deconvolution method which is capable of correcting the artifact, thereby enhancing signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and revealing signal that vanishes in the noise in the original image.Theory and MethodsSimulations for inspecting the influence of MRI acquisition parameters on the possibility to correct the artifact are performed. Artifact correction is studied on the spectrum of a perfluorocarbon compound by means of deconvolution of complex images with a measured or an optimized point spread function and by using lasso regularization.ResultsDistinct parameter settings for image acquisition are identified that should be avoided for successful deconvolution. With in vitro and in vivo images it is shown that the SNR of the corrected image can be increased significantly by 20–50% by a regularized deconvolution of the artifact image and19F signal can be revealed from noise.ConclusionBy deconvolution, SNR can be enhanced as compared to an image which only exploits the strongest peak of the spectrum. Thus, the limit of detection of the19F signal can be lowered by exciting all resonances and by means of correcting the chemical shift artifact. Magn Reson Med 73:2225–2233, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intermolecular zero quantum coherences enable accurate temperature imaging in red bone marrow
Authors: Davis Ryan M. , Warren Warren S. 
Published: July 2014

PurposeRed bone marrow metastases are common in breast and prostate cancer patients, but those metastases are currently incurable. Recent developments show that hyperthermia could be a successful treatment for bone metastasis, but thermometry remains difficult or inaccurate in red marrow.MethodThe technique evaluated in this study measures the evolution frequency of intermolecular zero quantum coherences (iZQCs) between fat and water. The iZQC evolution frequency was mapped linearly to temperature. The temperature accuracy and coherence lifetime of the iZQC method were evaluated against other thermometry methods that are based on localized spectroscopy and multiple gradient echo imaging.ResultsThe temperature coefficient (α) was 9.8 ± 0.7 ppb/°C with the iZQC method and 2 ± 7 ppb/°C with traditional localized spectroscopy.ConclusionBecause the accuracy of thermometry is limited by the reproducibility of α between samples, iZQCs provide nearly a 10‐fold accuracy improvement in red marrow (0.7 ppb/°C for iZQCs versus 7 ppb/°C for localized spectroscopy.) The iZQC technique in this study will for the first time allow accurate and quantitative thermal imaging of red marrow. Magn Reson Med, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Magn Reson Med 74:63–70, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improved SENSE imaging using accurate coil sensitivity maps generated by a global magnitude‐phase fitting method
Authors: Ma Ya‐Jun , Liu Wentao , Tang Xin , Gao Jia‐Hong 
Published: July 2014

PurposeTo develop a novel coil sensitivity processing technique that is able to reduce or eliminate aliasing artifacts and noise amplification in image‐domain parallel imaging (i.e., SENSE).MethodsInitial coil sensitivity maps were derived from the center k‐space lines by a common self‐calibration method. Then continuous trigonometric functions were used to fit both magnitude and phase maps of the self‐calibrated coil sensitivity profile globally. Further, the global fitted coil sensitivity maps were adopted for SENSE reconstruction. Numerical simulations, as well as experiments on phantoms and human subjects were performed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of this global magnitude‐phase fitting approach with traditional local fitting methods.ResultsBoth simulation and experimental results demonstrated that the proposed novel global fitting method was able to obtain accurate coil sensitivity profiles without Gibbs oscillations. The resultant SENSE images were improved substantially in terms of aliasing imaging artifacts.ConclusionA global magnitude‐phase fitting method for better estimation of accurate coil sensitivity maps was developed, and it was successfully used in producing high‐quality parallel images. Magn Reson Med 74:217–224, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cross‐cultural validation of Cancer Communication Assessment Tool in Korea
Authors: Shin Dong Wook , Shin Jooyeon , Kim So Young , Park Boram , Yang Hyung‐Kook , Cho Juhee , Lee Eun Sook , Kim Jong Heun , Park Jong‐Hyock 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundCommunication between cancer patients and caregivers is often suboptimal. The Cancer Communication Assessment Tool for Patient and Families (CCAT‐PF) is a unique tool developed to measure congruence in patient–family caregiver communication employing a dyadic approach. We aimed to examine the cross‐cultural applicability of the CCAT in the Korean healthcare setting.MethodsLinguistic validation of the CCAT‐PF was performed through a standard forward–backward translation process. Psychometric validation was performed with 990 patient–caregiver dyads recruited from 10 cancer centers.ResultsMean scores of CCAT‐P and CCAT‐F were similar at 44.8 for both scales. Mean CCAT‐PF score was 23.7 (8.66). Concordance of each items between patients and caregivers was low (weighted kappa values <0.20 for all items and Spearman's rho <0.18 for scale scores). Scale scores did not differ significantly across a variety of cancer types and stages. The CCAT‐P or CCAT‐F score was weakly associated with mental health and quality of life outcomes. The CCAT‐PF was correlated weakly with both patient‐perceived and caregiver‐perceived family avoidance of cancer care scales.ConclusionThe CCAT‐PF Korean version showed similar psychometric properties to the original English version in the assessment of communication congruence between cancer patient and family caregivers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of each Trp residue toward the intrinsic fluorescence of the Giα1 protein
Authors: Najor Matthew S. , Olsen Kenneth W. , Graham Daniel J. , Mota de Freitas Duarte 
Published: July 2014

AbstractGiα1 is the inhibitory G‐protein that, upon activation, reduces the activity of adenylyl cyclase. Comparison of the crystal structures of Giα1 bound to GDP•AMF or GTPγS with that of the inactive, GPD‐bound protein indicates that a conformational change occurs in the activation step centered on three switch regions. The contribution of each tryptophan residue (W211 in the switch II region, W131 in the α‐helical domain, and W258 in the GTPase domain) toward the intrinsic protein fluorescence was evaluated by using W211F, W131F, and W258F mutants. All three tryptophan residues contributed significantly toward the emission spectra regardless of the conformation. When activated by either GDP•AMF or GTPγS, the observed maximal‐fluorescence scaled according to the solvent accessibilities of the tryptophan residues, calculated from molecular dynamics simulations. In the GDP•AMF and GTPγS, but not in the GDP, conformations, the residues W211 and R208 are in close proximity and form a π‐cation interaction that results in a red shift in the emission spectra of WT, and W131F and W258F mutants, but a blue shift for the W211F mutant. The observed shifts did not show a relationship with the span of the W211‐R208 bridge, but rather with changes in the total interaction energies. Trypsin digestion of the active conformations only occurred for the W211F mutant indicating that the electrostatic π‐cation interaction blocks access to R208, which was consistent with the molecular dynamics simulations. We conclude that solvent accessibility and interaction energies account for the fluorescence features of Giα1.
A brief overview of amyloids and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ow Sian‐Yang , Dunstan Dave E. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAmyloid fibrils are self‐assembled fibrous protein aggregates that are associated with a number of presently incurable diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Millions of people worldwide suffer from amyloid diseases. This review summarizes the unique cross‐β structure of amyloid fibrils, morphological variations, the kinetics of amyloid fibril formation, and the cytotoxic effects of these fibrils and oligomers. Alzheimer's disease is also explored as an example of an amyloid disease to show the various approaches to treat these amyloid diseases. Finally, this review investigates the nanotechnological and biological applications of amyloid fibrils; as well as a summary of the typical biological pathways involved in the disposal of amyloid fibrils and their precursors.
Supersonic Molecular Beam Experiments on Surface Chemical Reactions
Authors: Okada Michio 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe interaction of a molecule and a surface is important in various fields, and in particular in complex systems like biomaterials and their related chemistry. However, the detailed understanding of the elementary steps in the surface chemistry, for example, stereodynamics, is still insufficient even for simple model systems. In this Personal Account, I review our recent studies of chemical reactions on single‐crystalline Cu and Si surfaces induced by hyperthermal oxygen molecular beams and by oriented molecular beams, respectively. Studies of oxide formation on Cu induced by hyperthermal molecular beams demonstrate a significant role of the translational energy of the incident molecules. The use of hyperthermal molecular beams enables us to open up new chemical reaction paths specific for the hyperthermal energy region, and to develop new methods for the fabrication of thin films. On the other hand, oriented molecular beams also demonstrate the possibility of understanding surface chemical reactions in detail by varying the orientation of the incident molecules. The steric effects found on Si surfaces hint at new ways of material fabrication on Si surfaces. Controlling the initial conditions of incoming molecules is a powerful tool for finely monitoring the elementary step of the surface chemical reactions and creating new materials on surfaces.
Assessing Deaf Awareness Training: Knowledge and Attitudes of Recent Genetic Counseling Graduates
Authors: Nagakura Honey , Schneider Gretchen , Morris James , Lafferty Katherine A. , Palmer Christina G. S. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractResearch suggests that when healthcare providers lack cultural competence, minority groups, including the Deaf community, are adversely affected. Although most genetic counseling programs incorporate cultural competency training into their curricula, the extent and impact of Deaf awareness training is unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess Deaf awareness training of recent graduates and its impact on knowledge of deafness and Deaf culture, and attitudes toward deaf people. Genetic counselors who graduated within the past 5 years were invited to participate in an anonymous, online survey. Of the 135 respondents, 26 % reported no Deaf awareness training and 51 % reported limited training (1–2 h) conducted primarily by program instructors. Nearly one‐third felt their Deaf awareness training was insufficient. Respondents lacked knowledge regarding effects of cochlear implants on residual hearing, communication between deaf children and hearing parents, and working with sign language interpreters. However, scores on knowledge of deafness and Deaf culture items and scores on attitudes toward deaf people scale did not differ significantly between respondents who had Deaf awareness training and those who did not. These findings suggest that genetic counseling students may not receive adequate Deaf awareness training. Future efforts should focus on increasing Deaf awareness in genetic counseling students, and investigating whether this change improves genetic counseling experiences for Deaf individuals.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Nwawka O. Kenechi , Konin Gabrielle P. , Sneag Darryl B. , Gulotta Lawrence V. , Potter Hollis G. 
Published: July 2014

Background Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging evaluation of the painful failed shoulder arthroplasty is a useful imaging modality due to advancements in metal artifact reduction techniques, which allow assessment of the integrity of the supporting soft-tissue envelope and the implant. Questions/Purposes The focus of this pictorial review is to illustrate the benefits of MR imaging, whether used alone or as an adjunct to other imaging modalities, in aiding the clinician in the complex decision making process. Methods A PubMed (MEDLINE) search focusing on the complications and imaging assessment of shoulder arthroplasty was performed. Articles were selected for review based on their pertinence to the aforementioned topics. Results We discuss the ability of MR imaging to identify why a patient's arthroplasty may have failed. Specific causes including component loosening and implant failure, rotator cuff and deltoid integrity, infection, subtle fractures, and nerve pathology are reviewed, with illustrative sample images. Conclusion MRI is a valuable tool in the assessment for pathology in the shoulder following arthroplasty.
Polymorphism of milk fat studied by differential scanning calorimetry and real‐time X‐ray powder diffraction
Authors: ten Grotenhuis E. , van Aken G. A. , van Malssen K. F. , Schenk H. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe crystallization behavior of milk fat was investigated by varying the cooling rate and by isothermal solidification at various temperatures while monitoring the formation of crystals by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD). Three different polymorphic crystal forms were observed in milk fat: γ, α, and β′. The β‐form, occasionally observed in previous studies, was not found. The kind of polymorph formed during crystallization of milk fat from its melted state was dependent on the cooling rate and the final temperature. Moreover, transitions between the different polymorphic forms were shown to occur upon storing or heating the milk fat. The characteristic DSC heating curve of milk fat is interpreted on the basis of the XRD measurements, and appears to be a combined effect of selective crystallization of triglycerides and polymorphism.
Training health professionals in conducting maternal death reviews
Authors: De Brouwere Vincent , Zinnen Véronique , Delvaux Thérèse , Nana Philip Njotang , Leke Robert 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIn countries where maternal death review (MDR) sessions are proposed as an intervention to improve quality of obstetric care, training focuses on the theory behind this method. However, experience shows that health staff lack confidence to apply the theory if they have not attended a practical training session. To address this problem, a training curriculum based on the new guidelines from the FIGO Leadership in Obstetrics and Gynecology for Impact and Change (LOGIC) Initiative for preparing and conducting MDR sessions was designed and tested in Cameroon. This curriculum is competency‐based and consists primarily of practical individual or group exercises.
Troubling the Path to Decolonization: Indian Residential School Case Law, Genocide, and Settler Illegitimacy1
Authors: Thielen-Wilson Leslie 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
In this paper, I argue that Indian Residential School (IRS) litigation, and the emphasis on “cultural loss” or genocide, threatened to expose the illegitimacy of Canada’s claim to sovereignty and the settler collective’s occupancy of Indigenous lands today. When settler illegitimacy is brought into view, settler collectives typically respond with violence. In IRS case law, this violence consists of the dehumanization of the Indigenous collective as property. I trace this violence on the part of Canada (government and law) in Blackwater v Plint (1996–2005). I suggest that Canada’s “disturbing defence strategy” in Blackwater likely contributed to Canada’s signing of the 2006–2007 IRS settlement agreement that brought Baxter v Canada to a close. I conclude that settler illegitimacy, genocide, and law’s racialized violence in the present ought to trouble the settler collective’s vision of both decolonization and the role of settler law in decolonization.