bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lung congestion in chronic heart failure: haemodynamic, clinical, and prognostic implications
Authors: Melenovsky Vojtech , Andersen Mads J. , Andress Krystof , Reddy Yogesh N. , Borlaug Barry A. 
Published: October 2015

AimsThe goal of the study was to examine the prognostic impact, haemodynamic and clinical features associated with lung congestion in patients with chronic heart failure (HF).Methods and resultsHF patients (n = 186) and HF‐free controls (n = 21) underwent right heart catheterization, echocardiography, pulmonary function testing and chest radiography that was blindly scored for the presence and severity of lung oedema. Lung congestion correlated directly with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR, P = 0.004) and inversely with pulmonary artery (PA) compliance (P < 0.001) and the diffusion limit for carbon monoxide (DLCO, P = 0.009). Compared with dry lung HF, wet lung HF patients (congestion score > median) had 25% lower PA compliance and 25–35% higher PVR, transpulmonary gradients and PA pressures (40 vs. 32 mmHg, P < 0.001) despite marginally higher PA wedge pressure (PAWP; 22 vs. 19 mmHg, P = 0.002). Wet lung HF patients displayed more right ventricular (RV) dilatation and dysfunction, more restrictive ventilation and greater reduction of DLCO. The strongest correlates of lung congestion were NT‐proBNP, haemoglobin, albumin, and glomerular filtration, all surpassing PAWP. After a median of 333 days (interquartile range 80–875), 59 patients (32%) died. Lung congestion was associated with reduced survival (P < 0.0001), even after adjusting for PAWP, NT‐proBNP, anaemia, CAD and renal dysfunction.ConclusionInterstitial lung oedema is associated with pulmonary vascular disease, RV overload and dysfunction and increased mortality in HF. These data reinforce the importance of aggressive decongestion in HF and suggest that novel agents aimed at reducing lung water may help to deter progression of pulmonary vascular disease and biventricular HF.
Historical decline and altered congener patterns of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in fish and sediment in response to process changes at a pulp mill discharging into Jackfish Bay, Lake Superior
Authors: Dahmer Shari C. , Tetreault Gerald R. , Hall Roland I. , Munkittrick Kelly R. , McMaster Mark E. , Servos Mark R. 
Published: October 2015

Abstract

Improved regulations for pulp and paper mill effluents and an industry shift away from elemental chlorine bleaching in the 1990s greatly reduced the release of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) into the environment. However, the high potential of these contaminants to persist in sediment and bioaccumulate in biota means that they have remained a concern. To document current contamination from bleached kraft pulp mill effluent, PCDD/Fs were measured in white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) collected from Jackfish Bay, Lake Superior. These values were contrasted to historically reported fish data as well as PCDD/F patterns from dated sediment cores. Patterns of PCDD/Fs in sediment cores from Jackfish Bay and reference sites demonstrated a relationship between contamination and mill process changes. During the peak PCDD/F contamination period (1991), when the mill was still using elemental chlorine, the contamination patterns in fish and sediment were distinct and dominated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran. Following the reduction in the use of elemental chlorine during the early 1990s, a rapid decline was observed in PCDD/F contamination of fish tissue, and levels are now approaching background conditions with congener patterns more reflective of atmospheric sources. Although surface sediments from Jackfish Bay continue to have elevated PCDD/Fs, with some locations exceeding sediment quality guidelines, they do not appear to be highly bioavailable to benthic fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2489–2502. © 2015 SETAC
Insight and psychosis: Functional and anatomical brain connectivity and self‐reflection in Schizophrenia
Authors: Ćurčić‐Blake Branislava , van der Meer Lisette , Pijnenborg Gerdina H.M. , David Anthony S. , Aleman André 
Published: October 2015

AbstractImpaired insight into illness, associated with worse treatment outcome, is common in schizophrenia. Insight has been related to the self‐reflective processing, centred on the medial frontal cortex. We hypothesized that anatomical and functional routes to and from the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) would differ in patients according to their degree of impaired insight. Forty‐five schizophrenia patients and 19 healthy subjects performed a self‐reflection task during fMRI, and underwent diffusion tensor imaging. Using dynamic causal modelling we observed increased effective connectivity from the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), inferior parietal lobule (IPL), and dorsal mPFC (dmPFC) towards the vmPFC with poorer insight and decrease from vmPFC to the IPL. Stronger connectivity from the PCC to vmPFC during judgment of traits related to self was associated with poorer insight. We found small‐scale significant changes in white matter integrity associated with clinical insight. Self‐reflection may be influenced by synaptic changes that lead to the observed alterations in functional connectivity accompanied by the small‐scale but measurable alterations in anatomical connections. Our findings may point to a neural compensatory response to an impairment of connectivity between self‐processing regions. Similarly, the observed hyper‐connectivity might be a primary deficit linked to inefficiency in the component cognitive processes that lead to impaired insight. We suggest that the stronger cognitive demands placed on patients with poor insight is reflected in increased effective connectivity during the task in this study. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4859–4868, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design and efficacy of a single‐use bioreactor for heart valve tissue engineering
Authors: Converse Gabriel L. , Buse Eric E. , Neill Kari R. , McFall Christopher R. , Lewis Holley N. , VeDepo Mitchell C. , Quinn Rachael W. , Hopkins Richard A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHeart valve tissue engineering offers the promise of improved treatments for congenital heart disorders; however, widespread clinical availability of a tissue engineered heart valve (TEHV) has been hindered by scientific and regulatory concerns, including the lack of a disposable, bioreactor system for nondestructive valve seeding and mechanical conditioning. Here we report the design for manufacture and the production of full scale, functional prototypes of such a system. To evaluate the efficacy of this bioreactor as a tool for seeding, ovine aortic valves were decellularized and subjected to seeding with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). The effects of pulsatile conditioning using cyclic waveforms tuned to various negative and positive chamber pressures were evaluated, with respect to the seeding of cells on the decellularized leaflet and the infiltration of seeded cells into the interstitium of the leaflet. Infiltration of hMSCs into the aortic valve leaflet was observed following 72 h of conditioning under negative chamber pressure. Additional conditioning under positive pressure improved cellular infiltration, while retaining gene expression within the MSC‐valve interstitial cell phenotype lineage. This protocol resulted in a subsurface pilot population of cells, not full tissue recellularization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 249–259, 2017.
Caloric restriction and aerobic exercise in sarcopenic and non‐sarcopenic obese women: an observational and retrospective study
Authors: Barbat‐Artigas Sébastien , Garnier Sophie , Joffroy Sandra , Riesco Éléonor , Sanguignol Frédéric , Vellas Bruno , Rolland Yves , Andrieu Sandrine , Aubertin‐Leheudre Mylène , Mauriège Pascale 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenic obese (SO) individuals are a unique subset of subjects that combines obesity and sarcopenia. Traditional weight loss programmes including aerobic exercises may worsen their condition by further reducing their lean mass. The objective of this observational and retrospective study was to verify the effect of a mixed weight loss programme combining caloric restriction and exercise on body composition, and lipid‐lipoprotein profile of obese women according to their sarcopenic status.MethodsOne hundred and forty‐six obese women (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and fat mass ≥ 40%) participated to the 3 week usual and institutionalized weight‐reducing programme combining a dietary plan (1400 ± 200 kcal/day) and aerobic exercise (1 h/day, 6 days/week) of a specialized medical institution. The lean body mass index (LMI; lean mass/height2) was calculated, and women in the lowest tertile of LMI were considered SO.ResultsAt baseline, SO women were older, and their body weight and LMI were lower than non‐sarcopenic obese (N‐SO) women (p < 0.05). N‐SO and SO women similarly lost fat mass and improved their lipid‐lipoprotein profile (p < 0.05), while differences in LMI between groups persisted at the end of the weight‐reducing programme. Indeed, N‐SO women lost lean mass (p < 0.05) while SO did not.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that a short weight loss programme combining caloric restriction and aerobic exercise may significantly reduce fat mass and improve lipid‐lipoprotein profile in obese women, independently of their sarcopenic status. Such programmes may have deleterious effects on lean mass in N‐SO subjects, only.
Interplatform reproducibility of liver and spleen stiffness measured with MR elastography
Authors: Yasar Temel Kaya , Wagner Mathilde , Bane Octavia , Besa Cecilia , Babb James S. , Kannengiesser Stephan , Fung Maggie , Ehman Richard L. , Taouli Bachir 
Published: October 2015

PurposeTo assess interplatform reproducibility of liver stiffness (LS) and spleen stiffness (SS) measured with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) based on a 2D gradient echo (GRE) sequence.Materials and MethodsThis prospective Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)‐compliant and Institutional Review Board (IRB)‐approved study involved 12 subjects (five healthy volunteers and seven patients with liver disease). A multislice 2D‐GRE‐based MRE sequence was performed using two systems from different vendors (3.0T GE and 1.5T Siemens) on the same day. Two independent observers measured LS and SS on confidence maps. Bland–Altman analysis (with coefficient of reproducibility, CR), coefficient of variability (CV), and intraclass correlation (ICC) were used to analyze interplatform, intra‐ and interobserver variability. Human data were validated using a gelatin‐based phantom.ResultsThere was excellent reproducibility of phantom stiffness measurement (CV 4.4%). Mean LS values were 3.44–3.48 kPa and 3.62–3.63 kPa, and mean SS values were 7.54–7.91 kPa and 8.40–8.85 kPa at 3.0T and 1.5T for observers 1 and 2, respectively. The mean CVs between platforms were 9.2%–11.5% and 13.1%–14.4% for LS and SS, respectively, for observers 1 and 2. There was excellent interplatform reproducibility (ICC >0.88 and CR <36.2%) for both LS and SS, and excellent intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility (intraobserver: ICC >0.99, CV <2.1%, CR <6.6%; interobserver: ICC >0.97, CV and CR <16%).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that 2D‐GRE MRE provides platform‐ and observer‐independent LS and SS measurements. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1064–1072.
Can combining triple‐arterial phase acquisition with fluoroscopic triggering provide both optimal early and late hepatic arterial phase images during gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI?
Authors: Sofue Keitaro , Marin Daniele , Jaffe Tracy A. , Nelson Rendon C. , Bashir Mustafa R. 
Published: October 2015

PurposeTo determine whether triple‐arterial phase acquisition with fluoroscopic triggering can provide both well‐timed early and late hepatic arterial phase (HAP) images more frequently than when using a fixed‐time delay during gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and MethodsWritten informed consent was obtained for this Institutional Review Board (IRB)‐approved prospective, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)‐compliant study. Ninety patients underwent gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI at 3T with a single‐breath‐hold triple‐arterial phase acquisition using either a fixed‐time delay (n = 45) or fluoroscopic triggering injection protocol (n = 45). Three radiologists, blinded to method of timing and other data, independently determined whether well‐timed early or late HAP were obtained for each arterial phase image set and assessed for transient severe motion (TSM). Rates of successful HAP acquisitions and of TSM were compared between the two protocols using χ2 or Fisher's exact test.ResultsThe rate of successful acquisition of late HAP images was similar in the two groups (93% [42/45] for fixed‐time delay vs. 98% [44/45] for fluoroscopic triggering, P = 0.62). There was a trend toward higher rates of successful acquisition of both early and late HAP images in the fluoroscopic triggering group (69% [31/45] vs. 49% [22/45], P = 0.05). TSM occurred in five patients (6% [5/90]) and at similar frequencies in the two groups (2% [1/45] vs. 9% [4/45], P = 0.36).ConclusionTriple‐arterial phase acquisition with fluoroscopic triggering tended to provide both well‐timed early and late HAP images more frequently than when using a fixed‐time delay during gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1073–1081.
T2* mapping of ovine intervertebral discs: Normative data for cervical and lumbar spine
Authors: Kolf Anna‐Katharina , Hesper Tobias , Schleich Christoph , Hosalkar Harish S. , Jankowiak Silvia , Cacchi Claudio , Antoch Gerald , Zilkens Christoph , Krauspe Rüdiger , Bittersohl Bernd 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTTo obtain T2* values in histologically evaluated healthy ovine intervertebral discs of the cervical and lumbar spine. Intervertebral discs of nine sheep and nine lambs underwent histological assessment with the modified Boos score for grading of disc degeneration. Discs with a score <10 points (maximum = 40 points) underwent T2* mapping (n = 64). Mid‐sagittal T2* values were obtained in five regions: Anterior annulus fibrosus, anterior nucleus pulposus, central nucleus pulposus, posterior nucleus pulposus, and posterior annulus fibrosus. We noted a zonal T2* distribution with high values in the central nucleus and low T2* values in the anterior and posterior annulus fibrosus. The T2* values were higher in lamb than in sheep IVDs for both cervical and lumbar spine (p < 0.001). The T2* values were also higher in the cervical than in the lumbar spine (p = 0.029 for sheep and p < 0.001 for lamb IVDs). The T2* values obtained in these ovine intervertebral discs can serve as baseline values for future T2* measurements both in health and disease. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:717–724, 2016.
Hen egg white ovomacroglobulin promotes fibroblast migration via mediating cell adhesion and cytoskeleton
Authors: Geng Fang , Huang Xi , Ma Meihu 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDHen egg white ovomacroglobulin (OVM) possesses a variety of bioactivities and could potentially be used as a pharmaceutical agent. It has been reported that OVM is involved in wound healing and cancer pathological processes, and previous results suggest that OVM plays a potential role in cell proliferation and migration; however, this has not yet been proven. In the present study, the effects of OVM on fibroblast proliferation and migration were evaluated.RESULTSResults of cell counting, cell viability, and cell cycle indicated that proliferation of fibroblasts was not altered by OVM treatment. However, scratch assays showed that OVM could promote the migration of 3 T6 mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human skin fibroblasts (HSF). Also, the adhesion of HSF to the collagen matrix was also enhanced by OVM treatment. RT‐qPCR and western blot analysis showed that β1‐integrin, β‐tubulin, and β‐actin were up‐regulated while E‐cadherin was down‐regulated in OVM‐treated HSF cells. The effect of OVM was silenced after forming a complex with trypsin, suggesting that the protease inhibitory ability of OVM is important for its effect on cell migration.CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that promotion of OVM on cell migration was achieved by enhancing cell adhesion to extracellular matrix, reducing intercellular aggregation, and strengthening cytoskeleton. The finding of the promotion effect of OVM on cell migration is important for understanding its role in wound healing and cancer pathological processes. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Comprehensive review on agro technologies of low‐calorie natural sweetener stevia (Stevia rebaudianaBertoni): a boon to diabetic patients
Authors: Sharma Saurabh , Walia Swati , Singh Bikram , Kumar Rakesh 
Published: October 2015

AbstractStevia rebaudianaBertoni is a low‐calorie natural sweetener plant native to Paraguay. The leaves of stevia have sweetening compounds called steviol glycosides (SGs), which contain different marker compounds, i.e. stevioside (St), rebaudioside (Rb) A, B, C, D and E, dulcoside A and steviol biosides, which are nearly 300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is a better alternative to sugar in formulating food products, reducing the harmful effect of sugar and improving the nutrient properties. We have tried to compile a literature on various agronomic and management aspects which are helpful in increasing the yield and quality of stevia to be grown as a crop that will benefit farmers and industrialists. The stevioside thus obtained can be used to make different food products for sweetening purposes, which could be a boon to diabetic patients. Incorporation of different agronomic techniques like propagation method, transplanting time, intercropping, irrigation, mulching, plant geometry, pinching and harvesting time not only improve the biomass but also increase the quality of stevia. Therefore, agronomic considerations are of high priority to utilize its maximum potential. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Randomized Controlled Trial of Online Expressive Writing to Address Readjustment Difficulties Among U.S. Afghanistan and Iraq War Veterans
Authors: Sayer Nina A. , Noorbaloochi Siamak , Frazier Patricia A. , Pennebaker James W. , Orazem Robert J. , Schnurr Paula P. , Murdoch Maureen , Carlson Kathleen F. , Gravely Amy , Litz Brett T. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe examined the efficacy of a brief, accessible, nonstigmatizing online intervention—writing expressively about transitioning to civilian life. U.S. Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans with self‐reported reintegration difficulty (N = 1,292, 39.3% female, M = 36.87, SD = 9.78 years) were randomly assigned to expressive writing (n = 508), factual control writing (n = 507), or no writing (n = 277). Using intention to treat, generalized linear mixed models demonstrated that 6‐months postintervention, veterans who wrote expressively experienced greater reductions in physical complaints, anger, and distress compared with veterans who wrote factually (ds = 0.13 to 0.20; ps < .05) and greater reductions in PTSD symptoms, distress, anger, physical complaints, and reintegration difficulty compared with veterans who did not write at all (ds = 0.22 to 0.35; ps ≤ .001). Veterans who wrote expressively also experienced greater improvement in social support compared to those who did not write (d = 0.17). Relative to both control conditions, expressive writing did not lead to improved life satisfaction. Secondary analyses also found beneficial effects of expressive writing on clinically significant distress, PTSD screening, and employment status. Online expressive writing holds promise for improving health and functioning among veterans experiencing reintegration difficulty, albeit with small effect sizes.
Endoscope‐assisted approach to excision of branchial cleft cysts
Authors: Teng Stephanie E. , Paul Benjamin C. , Brumm John D. , Fritz Mark , Fang Yixin , Myssiorek David 
Published: October 2015

Objectives/HypothesisThe purpose of this study is to describe an endoscope‐assisted surgical technique for the excision of branchial cleft cysts and compare it to the standard approach.Study DesignRetrospective case series review.MethodsTwenty‐seven cases described as branchial cleft excisions performed by a single surgeon at one academic medical center were identified between 2007 and 2014. Twenty‐five cases (8 endoscopic, 17 standard approach) were included in the study. Cases were excluded if final pathology was malignant. Patient charts were reviewed, and two techniques were compared through analysis of incision size, operative time, and surgical outcomes.ResultsThis study showed that the length of incision required for the endoscopic approach (mean = 2.13 ± 0.23) was significantly less than that of the standard approach (mean = 4.10 ± 1.46, P = 0.008) despite the fact that there was no significant difference in cyst size between the two groups (P = 0.09). The other variables examined, including operative time and surgical outcomes, were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionThis transcervical endoscope‐assisted approach to branchial cleft cyst excision is a viable option for uncomplicated cases. It provides better cosmetic results than the standard approach and does not negatively affect outcomes, increase operative time, or result in recurrence.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 126:1339–1342, 2016
Direct Comparison of IR and DRI Detector for HT‐GPC of Polyolefins
Authors: Honghong Huang , Meifang Guo , Dong Wei , Suárez Inmaculada , Coto Baudilio , López Esther , Ortín Alberto , Yau Wallace W. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryMolar mass distribution (MMD) of polyolefins is routinely analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), also known as size exclusion chromatography (SEC), practiced in different methods and detector systems. The filter‐based infrared detector (IR) has become a preferred alternative to the traditional use of differential refractive index detector (DRI) for high temperature GPC (HT‐GPC) when applied to polyolefins. The main reason is that a modern multiple band filter‐based IR detector can be used to determine the distribution of co‐monomer along the molar mass distribution in a copolymer, in a single HT‐GPC analysis directly without the need of additional analytical procedures. In addition to that, the performance of the modern IR detector when used as primary concentration detector in the HT‐GPC instrument, in either the single or the multiple detection schemes, proves to be superior to that of DRI detector. This is due to the high signal‐to‐noise ratio achievable by the modern IR detector and its excellent baseline stability. Such high detection quality can be attributed to the inherent robustness of IR spectroscopy against external factors such as GPC temperature and flow rate variations. The impact of that higher detection performance on the final processed analytical results of polymer MMD and molar mass averages among others, is the focus of this current investigation. Different application scenarios of industrial interest have been selected to show a direct comparison of both the IR and DRI detectors installed on a same GPC instrument.