bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of robust pattern separability in the hippocampal dentate gyrus
Authors: Zylberberg Joel , Hyde Robert A. , Strowbridge Ben W. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTThe dentate gyrus (DG) is thought to perform pattern separation on inputs received from the entorhinal cortex, such that the DG forms distinct representations of different input patterns. Neuronal responses, however, are known to be variable, and that variability has the potential to confuse the representations of different inputs, thereby hindering the pattern separation function. This variability can be especially problematic for tissues such as the DG, in which the responses can persist for tens of seconds following stimulation: the long response duration allows for variability from many different sources to accumulate. To understand how the DG can robustly encode different input patterns, we investigated a recently developed in vitro hippocampal DG preparation that generates persistent responses to transient electrical stimulation. For 10–20 s after stimulation, the responses are indicative of the pattern of stimulation that was applied, even though the responses exhibit significant trial‐to‐trial variability. Analyzing the dynamical trajectories of the evoked responses, we found that, following stimulation, the neural responses follow distinct paths through the space of possible neural activations, with a different path associated with each stimulation pattern. The neural responses' trial‐to‐trial variability shifts the responses along these paths rather than between them, maintaining the separability of the input patterns. Manipulations that redistributed the variability more isotropically over the space of possible neural activations impeded the pattern separation function. Consequently, we conclude that the confinement of neuronal variability to these one‐dimensional paths mitigates the impacts of variability on pattern encoding and, thus, may be an important aspect of the DG's ability to robustly encode input patterns. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hemocompatibility evaluation in vitro of methoxy polyethyleneglycol–polycaprolactone copolymer solutions
Authors: Hu Qian , Zhang Yi , Wang Changyong , Xu Jiake , Wu Jianping , Liu Zonghua , Xue Wei 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAmphiphilic block copolymer methoxy polyethyleneglycol–polycaprolactone (mPEG–PCL) has attracted interest in the biomedical field, due to its water solubility and biodegradability. Nevertheless, the blood safety of mPEG–PCL copolymers has not been investigated in detail. Because mPEG–PCL copolymers introduced in vivo would inevitably interact with blood tissue, an investigation of possible interactions of mPEG–PCL with key blood components is crucial. We studied the effects of two mPEG–PCL copolymer solutions on blood coagulation, the morphology and lysis of human red blood cells (RBCs), the structure of plasma fibrinogen, complement activation, and platelet aggregation. We found that higher concentrations of the mPEG–PCL copolymers impaired blood clotting, and the copolymers had little impact on the morphology or lysis of RBCs. From the spectroscopy results, the copolymers affected the local microstructure of fibrinogen. The copolymers significantly activated the complement system in a concentration‐dependent way. At higher concentrations, the copolymers impaired platelet aggregation, which may have been mediated by an inhibition of the arachidonic acid pathway. These findings provide important information that may be useful for the molecular design and biomedical applications of mPEG–PCL copolymers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 802–812, 2016.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound of embolic consolidations in patients with pulmonary embolism: A pilot study
Authors: Bartelt Sybille , Trenker Corinna , Görg Christian , Neesse Albrecht 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTPurposeTo analyze and describe the contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) patterns of peripheral lung lesions in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) confirmed on CT angiography or lung scintigraphy.MethodsCEUS had been performed on 35 patients with peripheral lung lesions detected on gray‐scale imaging and confirmed as PE. The following data were evaluated retrospectively: (1) accumulation of contrast medium (absent or present), (2) differentiation between pulmonary arterial (PA) and bronchial arterial blood supply, and (3) contrast‐enhancement pattern (absent/nonhomogeneous or homogeneous). A CEUS pattern of absent or nonhomogeneous enhancement was suspicious (ie, typical) of embolic consolidations (EC), whereas a pattern of homogeneous PA enhancement was considered to be atypical of EC.ResultsPeripheral lesions showed a CEUS pattern suspicious of EC in 80% of the patients, with no enhancement in 40% and nonhomogeneous enhancement in another 40%. A CEUS pattern of homogeneous PA enhancement, atypical of EC, was identified in the remaining 20% of the patients. Pulmonary lesions larger than 1 cm showed vascularization more often than smaller lesions did (p < 0.001).ConclusionsPeripheral lung lesions in patients with confirmed PE show a CEUS pattern of absent or nonhomogeneous contrast enhancement for suspicious EC. Further prospective studies are required to verify the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS for EC. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:129–135, 2016
Comprehensive geriatric assessment in patients with gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma undergoing gastrectomy
Authors: Pujara Deep , Mansfield Paul , Ajani Jaffer , Blum Mariela , Elimova Elena , Chiang Yi‐Ju , Das Prajnan , Badgwell Brian 
Published: October 2015

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify clinical and geriatric assessment variables associated with outcome in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who have undergone gastrectomy.MethodsWe reviewed demographic, clinical, and geriatric assessment variables, including recent falls, pain, performance status, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, assistive device use, comorbidity, polypharmacy, and weight change, for patients undergoing gastrectomy between 2005 and 2014. Outcome variables included morbidity, mortality, hospital length of stay, and readmission.ResultsOf 279 patients, 133 (48%) underwent total gastrectomy. The 90‐day major morbidity rate was 24% and the mortality rate was 1%. Length of hospital stay ≥14 days occurred in 38%, with readmission within 30 days in 13%. On multivariate analysis, gastroesophageal junction involvement, (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [1.1–5.8]), additional organ resection, (OR 3.2, [1.6–6.3]), pain score >0 (OR 3.8, [1.6–8.7]), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status >0, (OR 2.3, [1.2–4.6]), and polypharmacy (OR 2.4, [1.1–5.2]) were associated with major morbidity. Hospital stay ≥14 days was associated with age ≥75 years (OR 3.9, [1.7–9.2]), total gastrectomy (OR 3.5, [2.0–6.3]), performance status >0 (OR 1.8, [1.0–3.2]), and preoperative chemotherapy (OR 0.3, [0.2–0.7]).ConclusionsFuture studies are needed to identify methods to improve performance status, as this may improve postoperative complications and resource utilization. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015;112:883–887. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The hyper‐fluorescent transitional bands in ultra‐late phase of indocyanine green angiography in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Hua Rui , Yao Kai , Xia Fan , Li Jun , Guo Lei , Yang Guoxing , Tao Jun 
Published: October 2015

Background and ObjectivesChronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is regarded as a type of severe diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy. There is an atrophic tract at level of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) due to hyper‐permeability of choroidal vessels, along with photoreceptor (PR) atrophy. Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) is considered a gold standard for diagnosis. The purpose of this work is to investigate the hyper‐fluorescent transitional bands (HFTB) between hypo‐fluorescent and normal regions of the retina in the ultra‐late phase of ICGA in CSCR.Methods26 chronic CSCR eyes and 12 relative normal eyes received spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT), and ICGA at the 24th hour after indocyanine green (ICG) intravenous injection.ResultsIn the ultra‐late phase, images showed homogenous fluorescence in all normal eyes. On the contrary, geographical hypofluorescent lesions with atrophy of RPE was noted in 26 chronic CSCR eyes. Moreover, HFTB with intact RPE and disrupted PR was detected in 20 out of 26 chronic CSCR eyes (76.9%).ConclusionsThe HFTB may indicate the early damage in chronic CSCR. Ultra‐late ICGA can monitor not only metabolic status by endogenous melanin, but also membrane function in RPE by exogenous ICG molecule. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:260–263, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Developing a Tool for Remote Digital Assessment of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Kassavetis Panagiotis , Saifee Tabish A. , Roussos George , Drougkas Loukas , Kojovic Maja , Rothwell John C. , Edwards Mark J. , Bhatia Kailash P. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe natural fluctuation of motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) makes judgement of any change challenging and the use of clinical scales such as the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS)‐UPDRS imperative. Recently developed commodity mobile communication devices, such as smartphones, could possibly be used to assess motor symptoms in PD patients in a convenient way with low cost. We provide the first report on the development and testing of stand‐alone software for mobile devices that could be used to assess both tremor and bradykinesia of PD patients.MethodsWe assessed motor symptoms with a custom‐made smartphone application in 14 patients and compared the results with their MDS‐UPDRS scores.ResultsWe found significant correlation between five subscores of MDS‐UPDRS (rest tremor, postural tremor, pronation‐supination, leg agility, and finger tapping) and eight parameters of the data collected with the smartphone.ConclusionsThese results provide evidence as a proof of principle that smartphones could be a useful tool to objectively assess motor symptoms in PD in clinical and experimental settings.
TVT for the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence: Efficacy and adverse effects at 13‐year follow‐up
Authors: Serati Maurizio , Sorice Paola , Bogani Giorgio , Braga Andrea , Cantaluppi Simona , Uccella Stefano , Caccia Giorgio , Salvatore Stefano , Ghezzi Fabio 
Published: October 2015

AimTo assess long‐term subjective, objective, and urodynamic outcomes of retropubic mid‐urethral slings at 13‐year follow‐up.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study. Consecutive women with proven urodynamic stress incontinence were treated with standard retropubic tension free vaginal tape (TVT). Patients with mixed incontinence and/or anatomic evidence of pelvic organ prolapse were excluded. All the included patients underwent preoperative clinical and urodynamic evaluations. During follow‐up examinations, women were assessed for subjective satisfaction and objective cure rates. The Cox model was used in order to investigate factors predicting the risk of recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI), over the study period.ResultsOverall, 55 patients were suitable for the analysis. At 13‐year follow‐up, 47 out of 55 (85.5%) patients declared themselves cured (p‐for‐trend 0.02) and 48 out of 58 (87.2%) were at least improved (p‐for‐trend 0.07). No significant deterioration of objective cure rates was observed over time (P = 0.29). At the time of the last evaluation, 50 out of 55 (90.9%) women were objectively cured; urodynamic evaluation confirmed this finding in 49 (89.1%) patients. Considering factors predictive of SUI recurrence, we observed that, via multivariate analysis, obesity (HR 7.2; P = 0.01) and maximum detrusor pressure during the voiding phase ≤29 cmH2O (HR 8.0; P = 0.01) were the only independent predictors of recurrent SUI.ConclusionOur data confirmed that TVT is a highly effective and safe procedure also at 13‐year follow‐up. Interestingly, we observed a significant decrease of subjective satisfaction over time. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:192–197, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Pilot Study on the Utility of Serum Metabolomics in Neuroblastoma Patients and Xenograft Models
Authors: Beaudry Paul , Campbell Martin , Dang N. Ha , Wen Jing , Blote Karen , Weljie Aalim M. 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundImproved prediction of neuroblastoma (NB) behavior is needed to detect treatment‐refractory disease and may allow further reduction in therapy for some patients. In this regard, serum metabolomic analysis has proven utility in several cancer types. We hypothesize that serum metabolomic analysis will correlate with risk‐group classification for patients with NB, and sensitively detect NB in murine xenograft models.ProcedureA pilot study was done on Children's Oncology Group (COG) tumor bank sera from 10 patients (five high‐, five low‐risk). An institutional pilot study was carried out on five patients comparing sera obtained during active versus minimal disease (complete response/very good partial response; CR/VGPR).XenograftFlank tumors were established in Nu/Nu mice by injection of NB cell lines (IMR‐32, SH‐EP, SK‐N‐AS). Serum for comparison was drawn pre‐injection, at 1 week after injection when there was no visible tumor, and again once tumors were grossly visible. Comparisons were also made between tumor bearing mouse serum and supernatants from NB cell lines.Metabolomic analysisSamples were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance and/or gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Multivariate data analysis was conducted using SIMCA‐P (Umetrics).ResultsSerum metabolomic analysis differentiated high‐ and low‐risk patients as well as active disease from CR/VGPR. Differences were in nitrogen, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as ketosis. The serum metabolomic signature in murine xenograft models sensitively detected NB cells and correlated with disease burden. Similar metabolic changes attributable to NB were noted in both human and murine serum.ConclusionsSerum metabolomic analysis can distinguish several characteristics of NB. A larger analysis of COG banked sera is warranted.
Preserved High Probability of Overall Survival with Significant Reduction of Chemotherapy for Myeloid Leukemia in Down Syndrome: A Nationwide Prospective Study in Japan
Authors: Taga Takashi , Watanabe Tomoyuki , Tomizawa Daisuke , Kudo Kazuko , Terui Kiminori , Moritake Hiroshi , Kinoshita Akitoshi , MD Shotaro Iwamoto , MD Hideki Nakayama , MD Hiroyuki Takahashi , MD Akira Shimada , Taki Tomohiko , Toki Tsutomu , Ito Etsuro , Goto Hiroaki , Koh Katsuyoshi , Saito Akiko M. , Horibe Keizo , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Tawa Akio , Adachi Souichi 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundOn the basis of results of previous Japanese trials for myeloid leukemia in Down syndrome (ML‐DS), the efficacy of risk‐oriented therapy was evaluated in the Japanese Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group AML‐D05 study.ProcedureAll patients received induction chemotherapy that consisted of pirarubicin, intermediate‐dose cytarabine, and etoposide. Patients who achieved complete remission (CR) after initial induction therapy were stratified to the standard risk (SR) group and received four courses of reduced‐dose intensification therapy. Patients who did not achieve CR were stratified to the high risk (HR) group and received intensified therapy that consisted of continuous or high‐dose cytarabine.ResultsA total of 72 patients were eligible and evaluated. One patient died of sepsis during initial induction therapy. Sixty‐nine patients were stratified to SR and two patients to HR. No therapy‐related deaths were observed during intensification therapy. The 3‐year event‐free and overall survival rates were 83.3% ± 4.4% and 87.5% ± 3.9 %, respectively. Age at diagnosis less than 2 years was a significant favorable prognostic factor for risk of relapse (P = 0.009).ConclusionsThe attempt of risk‐oriented prospective study for ML‐DS was unsuccessful, but despite the dose reduction of chemotherapeutic agents, the overall outcome was good, and further dose reduction might be possible for specific subgroups.
A novel conducting nanocomposite obtained by p‐anisidine and aniline with titanium(IV) oxide nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical properties
Authors: Chouli F. , Radja I. , Morallon E. , Benyoucef A. 
Published: October 2015

Nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by the oxidative polymerization of p‐anisidine and/or aniline monomers (at initial “p‐anisidine:aniline” mole ratios of “100 : 0,” 50 : 50,” and “0 : 100”) with titanium(IV) oxide nanoparticles, in the presence of hydrochloric acid as a dopant with ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. The morphological, structural, conductivity, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized nanocomposites were studied using Transmission Electron Microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopies. The presence of polymer on TiO2 nanoparticles in samples nanocomposites was confirmed by the Transmission Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy. The thermal stability of samples nanocomposites were evaluated using the Thermogravimetric Analysis. Electrical conductivity of nanocomposites obtained is in the range of 0.08 − 0.91 S cm−1. The electrochemical behavior of the polymers extracted from the nanocomposites has been analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. Good electrochemical response has been observed for polymer films; the observed redox processes indicate that the polymerization on TiO2 nanoparticles produces electroactive polymers. These composite microspheres can potentially be used in commercial applications as fillers for antistatic and anticorrosion coatings. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E254–E260, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Theorising Chance: Capturing the Role of Ad Hoc Social Interactions in Migrants' Trajectories
Authors: Gladkova Nataliia , Mazzucato Valentina 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWhen collecting migrants' life stories, researchers often report on the role of chance encounters in influencing the way migration trajectories have taken shape or how migrants have managed their lives in a new country. Aside from reporting on such encounters, however, there have been no explicit efforts to theorise chance or to make it central to in‐depth analysis in migration studies. This paper aims to theorise the role of chance encounters in migrants' trajectories by drawing on insights from the psychology literature of chance encounters and life paths. Our analysis of the role of chance encounters, structured by the interplay between environmental and personal factors, suggests that how people deal with chance is an influential factor in the ways people migrate from the Global South to the Global North and manage their lives in transit. The paper makes use of evidence collected among 46 African migrants in Ukraine during 7 months of field research in 2011–2012 and reflects on the methodological implications in studying chance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resveratrol, sirtuins, and viruses
Authors: Yang Tao , Li Shugang , Zhang Xuming , Pang Xiaowu , Lin Qinlu , Cao Jianzhong 
Published: October 2015

SummaryResveratrol is a natural phenolic product found in some plants in response to stress and has been linked to the many health benefits of red wine. Over the past several decades, a great deal of research has identified diverse biological roles associated with resveratrol, including anti‐oxidant, anti‐proliferation, anti‐inflammation, anti‐cancer, anti‐fungal, and antiviral activities. Such biological activities of resveratrol are likely mediated through multiple cellular targets or pathways, such as sirtuins, a family of NAD+‐dependent deacetylases. In this treatise, the literatures focusing on the roles of resveratrol and sirtuins in modulating infections by a broad‐spectrum of viruses are reviewed, with an emphasis on its potential antiviral mechanisms. A working model about the effects of resveratrol on virus infection is proposed to stimulate further researches on this exciting topic. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social isolation increases male aggression toward females in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus
Authors: Kuriwada Takashi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractSocial isolation has often been reported to facilitate male aggressiveness in various animal species. If social isolation also escalates male aggressive behavior towards females, the mating success of the aggressive males will be low. This study evaluated the effect of social isolation on mating behavior in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, which has traditionally been considered to be an asocial species. The results showed that social isolation from same‐sex individuals enhanced male aggressiveness to females, and the mating success of aggressive males was reduced under the experimental conditions. More aggressive males exhibited a longer latency to court than less aggressive males. These results suggest that because male aggressiveness causes a delay in courtship, aggressive males may have reduced mating success. This demonstrated that social relationships are a critical factor affecting male mating success, even if the species is normally considered solitary.
Whirly 3-interval exchange transformations
Authors: WU YUE 
Published: October 2015

Irreducible interval exchange transformations are studied with regard to the whirly property, a condition for a non-trivial spatial factor. A uniformly whirly transformation is defined and is further studied. An equivalent condition is introduced for the whirly transformation. We will prove that almost all 3-interval exchange transformations are whirly, using a combinatorics approach with application of the Rauzy–Veech induction. It is still an open question whether the whirly property is a generic property for $m$-interval exchange transformations for $m\geq 4$.
Folate and vitamin B12status and dietary intake of anaemic adolescent schoolgirls in the delta region of Myanmar
Authors: Htet Min Kyaw , Fahmida Umi , Thurnham David I. , Hlaing Lwin Mar , Akib Arwin , Utomo Budi , Houghton Lisa A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of deficiency of folate and vitamin B12and, simultaneously, the nutrient intake adequacy of folate, vitamin B12, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6and calcium in 391 adolescent anaemic (Hb<120 g/l) schoolgirls living in the delta region of Myanmar (Burma). Dietary intakes were assessed using a 3 d estimated food record. The distribution of observed intakes calculated from the food records were adjusted for usual intakes, and the prevalence of inadequacy was estimated using the estimated average requirement cut-point method. Median (first, third quartile) serum folate and vitamin B12concentrations were 6·5 (4·6, 8·5) nmol/l and 612·8 (443·2, 795·2) pmol/l, respectively. The prevalence of folate deficiency defined as <6·8 nmol/l was 54 %; however, vitamin B12deficiency defined as <148 pmol/l was negligible (<1 %). The prevalence of inadequate intake of folate was high (100 %) as was the prevalence of inadequate intakes of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6and calcium, ranging from 60 to 100 %. Red meat or poultry was rarely consumed, but fish was consumed on a daily basis. Green leafy vegetables were also consumed frequently but consumption of dairy products was uncommon. Folate deficiency was high, and the prevalence of inadequate intake of folate among other key micronutrients was relatively common in this sample of anaemic adolescent schoolgirls. Appropriate strategies such as food fortification and dietary diversification are needed to improve the micronutrient status of these young women to ensure optimal health and future reproductive success.