bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel computerized surgeon–machine interface for robot‐assisted laser phonomicrosurgery
Authors: Mattos Leonardo S. , Deshpande Nikhil , Barresi Giacinto , Guastini Luca , Peretti Giorgio 
Published: December 2013

Objectives/HypothesisTo introduce a novel computerized surgical system for improved usability, intuitiveness, accuracy, and controllability in robot‐assisted laser phonomicrosurgery.Study DesignPilot technology assessment.MethodsThe novel system was developed involving a newly designed motorized laser micromanipulator, a touch‐screen display, and a graphics stylus. The system allows the control of a CO2 laser through interaction between the stylus and the live video of the surgical area. This empowers the stylus with the ability to have actual effect on the surgical site. Surgical enhancements afforded by this system were established through a pilot technology assessment using randomized trials comparing its performance with a state‐of‐the‐art laser microsurgery system. Resident surgeons and medical students were chosen as subjects in performing sets of trajectory‐following exercises. Image processing–based techniques were used for an objective performance assessment. A System Usability Scale–based questionnaire was used for the qualitative assessment.ResultsThe computerized interface demonstrated superiority in usability, accuracy, and controllability over the state‐of‐the‐art system. Significant ease of use and learning experienced by the subjects were demonstrated by the usability score assigned to the two compared interfaces: computerized interface = 83.96% versus state‐of‐the‐art = 68.02%. The objective analysis showed a significant enhancement in accuracy and controllability: computerized interface = 90.02% versus state‐of‐the‐art = 75.59%.ConclusionsThe novel system significantly enhances the accuracy, usability, and controllability in laser phonomicrosurgery. The design provides an opportunity to improve the ergonomics and safety of current surgical setups.Level of EvidenceN/A Laryngoscope, 124:1887–1894, 2014
Contribution of synchrotron radiation to photoactivation studies of biomolecular ions in the gas phase
Authors: Giuliani Alexandre , Milosavljević Aleksandar R. , Canon Francis , Nahon Laurent 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPhoton activation of ions in the visible and ultraviolet range attracts a growing interest, partly for its promising applications in tandem mass spectrometry. However, this task is not trivial, as it requires notably high brilliance photon sources. Hence, most of the work in that field has been performed using lasers. Synchrotron radiation is a source continuously tunable over a wide photon energy range and which possesses the necessary characteristics for ion activation. This review focuses on the array of applications of synchrotron radiation in photon activation of ions ranging from near UV to soft X‐rays. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 33: 424–441, 2014.
Effects of 3‐hydroxyflavone on the cellular and molecular characteristics of bovine embryos produced by somatic‐cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Su Jianmin , Wang Yongsheng , Li Wenzhe , Gao Mingqing , Ma Yefei , Hua Song , Quan Fusheng , Zhang Yong 
Published: December 2013

SUMMARYThis study aimed to investigate the effects of 3‐hydroxyflavone, a natural antioxidant pigment enriched in vegetables, on the developmental cellular and molecular characteristics of bovine somatic‐cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. There were no significant differences in the cleavage rate at 48 hr of culture or in the inner cell mass (ICM)‐to‐trophectoderm (TE) ratio between 3‐hydroxyflavone addition and untreated (control) groups (P > 0.05). 3‐hydroxyflavone (20 µM) did, however, increase the cleavage rate at 24 hr of culture and the blastocyst‐formation rate on Days 6 and 7 (P < 0.05); decrease the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species in two‐, four‐, and eight‐cell stage embryos (P < 0.05); increase H3K9ac levels in two‐ and four‐cell stages (P < 0.05); increase the total cell number; and decrease the apoptosis index in Day‐7 blastocysts. Furthermore, the addition of 3‐hydroxyflavone resulted in lower expression of the stress‐related gene HSP70.1 and pro‐apoptotic gene BAX, as well as higher expression of the anti‐apoptotic gene BCL‐xL and pluripotency‐related genes OCT4 and SOX2 in Day‐7 blastocysts produced by SCNT (P < 0.05). The addition of 3‐hydroxyflavone during in vitro culture thus exerted beneficial effects on preimplantation development of bovine SCNT embryos both at the cellular and molecular levels. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Convex gradient optimization for increased spatiotemporal resolution and improved accuracy in phase contrast MRI
Authors: Middione Matthew J. , Wu Holden H. , Ennis Daniel B. 
Published: December 2013

PurposeTo evaluate convex gradient optimization (CVX) for increased spatiotemporal resolution and improved accuracy for phase‐contrast MRI (PC‐MRI).MethodsA conventional flow‐compensated and flow‐encoded (FCFE) PC‐MRI sequence was compared with a CVX PC‐MRI sequence using numerical simulations, flow phantom experiments, and in vivo experiments. Flow measurements within the ascending aorta, main pulmonary artery, and right/left pulmonary arteries of normal volunteers (N = 10) were acquired at 3T and analyzed using a conventional FCFE sequence and a CVX sequence with either higher spatial resolution or higher temporal resolution. All sequences mitigated chemical shift–induced phase errors and used equivalent breath‐hold durations.ResultsChemical shift–optimized PC‐MRI has increased sequence efficiency when using CVX, which can provide either higher spatial or higher temporal resolution compared with conventional FCFE PC‐MRI. Numerical simulations, flow phantom experiments, and in vivo experiments indicate that CVX measurements of total flow and peak velocity are increased and more accurate when compared with FCFE.ConclusionCVX PC‐MRI increases sequence efficiency while reducing chemical shift–induced phase errors. This can be used to provide either higher spatial or higher temporal resolution than conventional chemical shift–mitigated PC‐MRI methods to provide more accurate measurements of blood flow and peak velocity. Magn Reson Med 72:1552–1564, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
3D Multi‐slab diffusion‐weighted readout‐segmented EPI with real‐time cardiac‐reordered k‐space acquisition
Authors: Frost Robert , Miller Karla L. , Tijssen Rob H.N. , Porter David A. , Jezzard Peter 
Published: December 2013

PurposeThe aim of this study was to develop, implement, and demonstrate a three‐dimensional (3D) extension of the readout‐segmented echo‐planar imaging (rs‐EPI) sequence for diffusion imaging.Theory and MethodsPotential k‐space acquisition schemes were assessed by simulating their associated spatial point spread functions. Motion‐induced phase artifacts were also simulated to test navigator corrections and a real‐time reordering of the k‐space acquisition relative to the cardiac cycle. The cardiac reordering strategy preferentially chooses readout segments closer to the center of 3D k‐space during diastole. Motion‐induced phase artifacts were quantified by calculating the voxel‐wise temporal variation in a set of repeated diffusion‐weighted acquisitions. Based on the results of these simulations, a 2D navigated multi‐slab rs‐EPI sequence with real‐time cardiac reordering was implemented. The multi‐slab implementation enables signal‐to‐noise ratio‐optimal repetition times of 1–2 s.ResultsCardiac reordering was validated in simulations and in vivo using the multi‐slab rs‐EPI sequence. In comparisons with standard k‐space acquisitions, cardiac reordering was shown to reduce the variability due to motion‐induced phase artifacts by 30–50%. High‐resolution diffusion tensor imaging data acquired with the cardiac‐reordered multi‐slab rs‐EPI sequence are presented.ConclusionA 3D multi‐slab rs‐EPI sequence with cardiac reordering has been demonstrated in vivo and is shown to provide high‐quality 3D diffusion‐weighted data sets. Magn Reson Med 72:1565–1579, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhaled corticosteroids and bone mineral density at school age: A follow‐up study after early childhood wheezing
Authors: Sidoroff Virpi H. , Ylinen Mari K. , Kröger Liisa M. , Kröger Heikki P.J. , Korppi Matti O. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate the association between previous use of ICS and bone mineral density (BMD) at school age in a cohort followed after early childhood wheezing.MethodsAs part of a prospective follow‐up study after hospitalization for wheezing at <24 months of age, BMD was measured in 89 children at 12.3 (median) years of age. Data on ICS use were collected by interviewing the parents, and this was supplemented with data from patient records. Cumulative doses and the duration of ICS use were calculated. Areal BMD (BMDareal, g/cm2) was measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), and apparent volumetric BMD (aBMDvol, g/cm3) was calculated, for the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Weight, height and pubertal stage were recorded.FindingsAge, sex, and pubertal stage were significantly associated with BMDareal and aBMDvol of the lumbar spine and BMDareal of the femoral neck. The regular use of ICS for >6 months at age <6 years was associated with a lower BMD of the lumbar spine. A lower BMDareal and aBMDvol of the femoral neck were associated with higher cumulative doses of ICS at age 0–12.3 (median) years. The results were robust to adjustment for age, sex, pubertal stage, height, weight, and use of systemic steroids.ConclusionICS use during childhood may be related to a decrease in BMD at late school age. It is important to use the lowest possible ICS dose that maintains adequate asthma control. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:1–7. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Crystal structures of the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus protein farnesyltransferase complexed with substrates and inhibitors reveal features for antifungal drug design
Authors: Mabanglo Mark F. , Hast Michael A. , Lubock Nathan B. , Hellinga Homme W. , Beese Lorena S. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractSpecies of the fungal genus Aspergillus are significant human and agricultural pathogens that are often refractory to existing antifungal treatments. Protein farnesyltransferase (FTase), a critical enzyme in eukaryotes, is an attractive potential target for antifungal drug discovery. We report high‐resolution structures of A. fumigatus FTase (AfFTase) in complex with substrates and inhibitors. Comparison of structures with farnesyldiphosphate (FPP) bound in the absence or presence of peptide substrate, corresponding to successive steps in ordered substrate binding, revealed that the second substrate‐binding step is accompanied by motions of a loop in the catalytic site. Re‐examination of other FTase structures showed that this motion is conserved. The substrate‐ and product‐binding clefts in the AfFTase active site are wider than in human FTase (hFTase). Widening is a consequence of small shifts in the α‐helices that comprise the majority of the FTase structure, which in turn arise from sequence variation in the hydrophobic core of the protein. These structural effects are key features that distinguish fungal FTases from hFTase. Their variation results in differences in steady‐state enzyme kinetics and inhibitor interactions and presents opportunities for developing selective anti‐fungal drugs by exploiting size differences in the active sites. We illustrate the latter by comparing the interaction of ED5 and Tipifarnib with hFTase and AfFTase. In AfFTase, the wider groove enables ED5 to bind in the presence of FPP, whereas in hFTase it binds only in the absence of substrate. Tipifarnib binds similarly to both enzymes but makes less extensive contacts in AfFTase with consequently weaker binding.
Upregulation of androgen‐responsive genes and transforming growth factor‐β1 cascade genes in a rat model of non‐bacterial prostatic inflammation
Authors: Funahashi Yasuhito , O'Malley Katherine J. , Kawamorita Naoki , Tyagi Pradeep , DeFranco Donald B. , Takahashi Ryosuke , Gotoh Momokazu , Wang Zhou , Yoshimura Naoki 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDProstatic inflammation is associated with the development of prostatic hyperplasia. We investigated the effects of prostatic inflammation on expression levels of androgen‐responsive genes and growth factors in the prostate.METHODSProstatic inflammation was induced by formalin injection into bilateral ventral lobes of the prostate of male SD rats. After 28 days, the prostate was harvested for analyses of proinflammatory cytokines, androgen‐responsive genes in the epithelium, and TGF‐β1 cascade genes in the stroma. Some rats were given a COX‐2 inhibitor (celecoxib; 10 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage for 28 days.RESULTSThe formalin‐injected prostate exhibited widespread low‐grade inflammation (<50 leukocytes/10,000 μm2) along with focal high‐grade inflammation (>100 leukocytes/10,000 μm2) in limited areas. Compared to control, formalin‐injected prostate exhibited a 2.5‐fold to sixfold increased protein expression of IL‐1α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6. In the low‐grade inflammatory regions, threefold to ninefold and twofold to threefold upregulations of mRNA levels of androgen receptors/androgen‐responsive genes and TGF‐β1 cascade genes were respectively, observed in the epithelium and stroma obtained by laser‐capture microdissection. Positive staining for androgen receptors in the epithelial nuclei, and TGF‐β1, IL‐6, and COX‐2 in the stroma was increased in the low‐grade inflammation area. COX‐2 inhibitor treatment suppressed these upregulations of cytokines, androgen‐responsive, and TGF‐β1 cascade genes.CONCLUSIONSProstatic inflammation induced increased expression of androgen‐responsive genes in the epithelium and TGF‐β1 cascade genes in the stroma, which were suppressed by COX‐2 inhibitors, suggesting that activation of these genes in the low‐grade inflammatory region might be involved in the development of symptomatic BPH. Prostate 74:337–345, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Skp2 regulates androgen receptor through ubiquitin‐mediated degradation independent of Akt/mTOR pathways in prostate cancer
Authors: Li Bo , Lu Wenfu , Yang Qing , Yu Xiuping , Matusik Robert J. , Chen Zhenbang 
Published: December 2013

BACKGROUNDThe intervention of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) in patients has been commonly depending on androgen deprivation therapy. Despite of tremendous research efforts, however, molecular mechanisms on AR regulation remain poorly understood, particularly for castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Targeting AR and associated factors is considered an effective strategy in PCa treatment.METHODSHuman prostate cancer cells were used in this study. Manipulations of Skp2 expression were achieved by Skp2 shRNA/siRNA or overexpression of plasmids. Dual luciferase reporter assay was applied for AR activity assessment. Western blot, ubiquitination assay, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence were applied to detect the proteins.RESULTSOur results demonstrated that Skp2 directly involves the regulation of AR expression through ubiquitination‐mediated degradation. Skp2 interacted with AR protein in PCa cells, and enforced expression of Skp2 resulted in a decreased level and activity of AR. By contrast, Skp2 knockdown increased the protein accumulation and activity of AR. Importantly, changes of AR contributed by Skp2 led to subsequent alterations of PSA level in PCa cells. AR ubiquitination was significantly increased upon Skp2 overexpression but greatly reduced upon Skp2 knockdown. AR mutant at K847R abrogated Skp2‐mediated ubiquitination of AR. NVP‐BEZ235, a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, remarkably inhibited Skp2 level with a striking elevation of AR.CONCLUSIONSThe results indicate that Skp2 is an E3 ligase for proteasome‐dependent AR degradation, and K847 on AR is the recognition site for Skp2‐mediated ubiquitination. Our findings reveal an essential role of Skp2 in AR signaling. Prostate 74:421–432, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Green Technology with Silicides and Related Materials
Authors: Maeda Yoshihito , Suzuki Motofumi 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe, the organizing committee, are very pleased to publish the proceedings of the Asia‐Pacific Conference on Green Technology with Silicides and Related Materials (APAC‐SILICIDE 2013) for scientists, researchers and students with interest in the science and technology of semiconducting silicides and related materials. In the last five years, studies of silicides have shown rapid progress, mainly because of success in high‐quality crystal growth, thin‐film synthesis, development of light‐emitting diodes, and photonic applications.Researchers in the Asia‐Pacific and other areas have constantly contributed to the progress in investigating the fundamental properties and applications. This movement was the motivation to organize APAC‐SILICIDE 2013 that follows upon APAC‐SILICIDE 2010 in Tsukuba and APAC‐SILICIDE 2006 in Kyoto. These proceedings were published as special issues of Thin Solid Films 515 (2007) and Thin Solid Films 519 (2011), and involved advanced silicide science and technology towards sustainability of optoelectronics, photonics, and spintronics.We believe that these professional conferences are timely to discuss the most recent and advanced results in order to stimulate an international connection between semiconducting silicides research and the development of sustainable semiconductor technology. These conferences surely covered crucial technical areas of semiconducting silicides and related materials. The APAC‐SILICIDE 2013 covered the following technical areas: Silicide Green Technology (newly launched area), Electronics, Spintronics and Photonics, Crystal growth, Structural analyses, Surface sciences and technology, Optical, electrical, electronic and magnetic properties, Theory and Simulations. Attractive studies and fruitful discussions at this conference have been harvested into 55 manuscripts of invited and contributed presentations in this volume.The editors would like to take this opportunity to thank all reviewers and members of the publishing committee for their timely and rapid action.Finally, we, the organizing committee, mourn for the loss of Professor Li‐Jen Chou, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, before this conference. He was a distinguished researcher in silicide nanoelectronics and contributed to organizing this conference as a member of the international advisory committee. We would like to express our sorrow for the loss of Professor Chou.December 2013
Abnormal thermal conductivity of [720]‐oriented BaTiO3 single crystal
Authors: Zhao K. Y. , Zeng H. R. , Zhang X. W. , Xu K. Q. , Yu H. Z. , Li G. R. , Luo H. S. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe 3ω ‐scanning thermal microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy techniques were combined to characterize the local thermal conductivity (λ) of ferroelastic domains in [720]‐oriented and [001]‐oriented BaTiO3 single crystal. The [720]‐oriented BaTiO3 showed a local λ value of 3.39 W/m·K, while it was 5.95 W/m·K for [001]‐oriented BaTiO3. The underlying mechanism for such drastic thermal conductivity reduction in [720]‐oriented BaTiO3 is ascribed to a stronger phonon‐scattering effect due to the high strains appearing in [720]‐oriented BaTiO3 single crystals. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bayesian sequential meta‐analysis design in evaluating cardiovascular risk in a new antidiabetic drug development program
Authors: Chen Ming‐Hui , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Amy Xia H. , Liu Thomas , Hennessey Violeta 
Published: December 2013

AbstractRecently, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the Food and Drug Administration released a guidance that makes recommendations about how to demonstrate that a new antidiabetic therapy to treat type 2 diabetes is not associated with an unacceptable increase in cardiovascular risk. One of the recommendations from the guidance is that phases II and III trials should be appropriately designed and conducted so that a meta‐analysis can be performed. In addition, the guidance implies that a sequential meta‐analysis strategy could be adopted. That is, the initial meta‐analysis could aim at demonstrating the upper bound of a 95% confidence interval (CI) for the estimated hazard ratio to be < 1.8 for the purpose of enabling a new drug application or a biologics license application. Subsequently after the marketing authorization, a final meta‐analysis would need to show the upper bound to be < 1.3. In this context, we develop a new Bayesian sequential meta‐analysis approach using survival regression models to assess whether the size of a clinical development program is adequate to evaluate a particular safety endpoint. We propose a Bayesian sample size determination methodology for sequential meta‐analysis clinical trial design with a focus on controlling the familywise type I error rate and power. We use the partial borrowing power prior to incorporate the historical survival meta‐data into the Bayesian design. We examine various properties of the proposed methodology, and simulation‐based computational algorithms are developed to generate predictive data at various interim analyses, sample from the posterior distributions, and compute various quantities such as the power and the type I error in the Bayesian sequential meta‐analysis trial design. We apply the proposed methodology to the design of a hypothetical antidiabetic drug development program for evaluating cardiovascular risk. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of trapping and camera survey methods for determining presence of allegheny woodrats
Authors: Castleberry Steven B. , Mengak Michael T. , Menken Theron E. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTDeclines in Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) distribution and numbers have been documented in the northern and western portions of the range for >30 years. Population trends in other parts of the range are uncertain, largely due to a lack of, or inconsistent, survey effort. We examined the efficacy of the trapping protocol currently used by many state and federal agencies for determining presence or absence of Allegheny woodrats at 17 study sites in western Virginia, USA. We compared trapping results with a remote camera methodology to determine whether remote cameras provide an effective alternative to trapping. We found that detection probabilities were high after 2 survey nights for both the trapping (0.86 ± 0.06) and camera (0.97 ± 0.03) methodologies. Percent of sites with documented woodrat presence after 2 nights was 88% and 94% for traps and cameras, respectively. We conclude that both methods are adequate for determining presence or absence of Allegheny woodrats and that each method has distinct advantages depending on the objectives. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.