bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of MR elastography for predicting esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Sun Hye Young , Lee Jeong Min , Han Joon Koo , Choi Byung Ihn 
Published: October 2013

PurposeTo evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) as a noninvasive tool for predicting esophageal varices and identifying high‐risk varices.Materials and MethodsIn all, 126 patients with liver cirrhosis, and who underwent both MRI including MRE of the liver as well as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for variceal screening within 1 month before or after the MRI, were included in this study. The relationship between the liver stiffness values measured by MRE and the degree of esophageal varices was assessed using Spearman's correlation analysis. In addition, the diagnostic performance of MRE for predicting the presence of varices or high‐risk varices (grade ≥II) was evaluated using the receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) curves.ResultsThe mean stiffness values of liver parenchyma measured on MRE were well correlated with the grade of esophageal varices (r = 0.63). In addition, the MRE‐based liver stiffness values were significantly lower in the lower‐risk group than in the higher‐risk group (P < 0.0001). The area under the ROC curve values of MRE for predicting the presence of varices or high‐risk varices (grade ≥II) were 0.859 and 0.810, respectively. Using a liver stiffness cutoff value of 5.803 kPa, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for predicting high‐grade (≥II) esophageal varices were 96%, 60%, 36%, and 98%, respectively.ConclusionThe MRE‐based liver stiffness value may be useful for noninvasively predicting esophageal varices and identifying high‐risk varices in cirrhotic patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:559–566. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Robust estimation of pulse wave transit time using group delay
Authors: Meloni Antonella , Zymeski Heather , Pepe Alessia , Lombardi Massimo , Wood John C. 
Published: October 2013

PurposeTo evaluate the efficiency of a novel transit time (Δt) estimation method from cardiovascular magnetic resonance flow curves.Materials and MethodsFlow curves were estimated from phase contrast images of 30 patients. Our method (TT‐GD: transit time group delay) operates in the frequency domain and models the ascending aortic waveform as an input passing through a discrete‐component “filter,” producing the observed descending aortic waveform. The GD of the filter represents the average time delay (Δt) across individual frequency bands of the input. This method was compared with two previously described time‐domain methods: TT‐point using the half‐maximum of the curves and TT‐wave using cross‐correlation. High temporal resolution flow images were studied at multiple downsampling rates to study the impact of differences in temporal resolution.ResultsMean Δts obtained with the three methods were comparable. The TT‐GD method was the most robust to reduced temporal resolution. While the TT‐GD and the TT‐wave produced comparable results for velocity and flow waveforms, the TT‐point resulted in significant shorter Δts when calculated from velocity waveforms (difference: 1.8 ± 2.7 msec; coefficient of variability: 8.7%). The TT‐GD method was the most reproducible, with an intraobserver variability of 3.4% and an interobserver variability of 3.7%.ConclusionCompared to the traditional TT‐point and TT‐wave methods, the TT‐GD approach was more robust to the choice of temporal resolution, waveform type, and observer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:550–558. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Repetitive exposure of mice to strong static magnetic fields in utero does not impair fertility in adulthood but may affect placental weight of offspring
Authors: Zaun Gregor , Zahedi Yasmin , Maderwald Stefan , Orzada Stephan , Pütter Carolin , Scherag André , Winterhager Elke , Ladd Mark E. , Grümmer Ruth 
Published: October 2013

PurposeTo investigate the effect of daily exposure in utero to static magnetic fields during prenatal development on germ cell development and fertility of exposed offspring in adulthood.Materials and MethodsMice were exposed daily in utero to different static magnetic field strengths at the bore entrance or in the isocenter of 1.5 T and 7 T MRI systems during the entire course of prenatal development.ResultsIn utero‐exposed male mice revealed no effect of magnetic field strength on weight of testes and epididymis or on sperm count, sperm morphology, or fertility. Exposed pregnant female mice showed no reduced fertility in terms of pregnancy rates and litter size, pointing to a normal ovarian function. However, a reduced placental weight of offspring of intrauterine exposed female mice was observed that correlated with a decrease in embryonic weight in those animals exposed at the strongest magnetic field. This effect seemed to be parent‐dependent, since it was not observed in those embryos fathered by in utero‐exposed male mice.ConclusionRepetitive in utero exposure to strong static magnetic fields does not impair fertility but may have a parental‐dependent effect on fetal programming with regard to placental development and fetal growth. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:683–690. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Registration of dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI of the common carotid artery using a fixed‐frame template‐based squared‐difference method
Authors: Ramachandran Sarayu , Calcagno Claudia , Mani Venkatesh , Robson Philip M. , Fayad Zahi A. 
Published: October 2013

PurposeThis study examines template‐based squared‐difference registration for motion correction in dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI studies of the carotid artery wall and compares the results of fixed‐frame template‐based registration with a previously proposed consecutive‐frame registration method.Materials and MethodsTen T1‐weighted black‐blood, turbo spin‐echo DCE‐MRI studies of the carotid artery wall were used to test template‐based squared‐difference registration. An intermediate image from each series was selected as the fixed‐frame template for registration. Squared‐difference minimization was used to align each image and template. Time‐intensity curves generated from data aligned with template‐based squared‐difference registration were compared with gold standard curves created by drawing regions of interest on each image in the series. The results were also compared with unregistered data and data after consecutive‐frame squared‐difference registration.ResultsAn analysis of variance test of root mean‐square error values between gold standard curve and curves from unregistered data and data registered with consecutive‐frame and fixed‐frame template‐based methods was significant (P < 0.005) with template‐based squared‐difference registration producing curves that most closely matched the gold standard.ConclusionA fixed‐frame template‐based squared‐difference registration method was proposed and validated for alignment of DCE‐MRI of carotid arteries. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:1017–1017. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Renal cell carcinoma in patients with acquired cystic disease of the kidney: Assessment using a combination of T2‐weighted, diffusion‐weighted, and chemical‐shift MRI without the use of contrast material
Authors: Akita Hirotaka , Jinzaki Masahiro , Akita Ayano , Mikami Shuji , Oya Mototsugu , Kuribayashi Sachio 
Published: October 2013

PurposeTo evaluate the MRI findings of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), including findings on diffusion‐weighted images (DWIs) and chemical shift images (CSIs), in patients with acquired cystic disease of the kidney (ACDK) in relation to the histopathologic findings.Materials and MethodsTwo radiologists retrospectively reviewed the MRI findings of 10 RCCs in seven consecutive patients with ACDK. They evaluated the signal intensities (SIs) and signal homogeneity of the lesions on T2‐weighted images, DWIs, and T1‐weighted images. Thereafter, they evaluated the cytoplasmic fat in the lesions by CSIs. After image analyses, the MRI findings were correlated with the histopathologic findings.ResultsThe RCCs tended to show heterogeneous high SIs on T2‐weighted images and DWIs. The high SIs on DWIs were mainly attributable to the viable parts, and the heterogeneity was due to the various SIs arising from the intratumoral degenerative components. Unlike the reported findings for hemorrhagic cysts, the RCCs did not show homogeneous high SIs or fluid‐iron levels on T1‐weighted images. The four lesions, in which the presence of cytoplasmic fat was suggested on CSIs, were clear cell RCCs.ConclusionThe MRI findings, including findings on DWIs and CSIs, well reflected the histopathologic findings of RCC in patients with ACDK. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:924–930. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pulmonary 3 T MRI with ultrashort TEs: Influence of ultrashort echo time interval on pulmonary functional and clinical stage assessments of smokers
Authors: Ohno Yoshiharu , Nishio Mizuho , Koyama Hisanobu , Yoshikawa Takeshi , Matsumoto Sumiaki , Seki Shinichiro , Obara Makoto , van Cauteren Marc , Takahashi Masaya , Sugimura Kazuro 
Published: October 2013

PurposeTo assess the influence of ultrashort TE (UTE) intervals on pulmonary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with UTEs (UTE‐MRI) for pulmonary functional loss assessment and clinical stage classification of smokers.Materials and MethodsA total 60 consecutive smokers (43 men and 17 women; mean age 70 years) with and without COPD underwent thin‐section multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT), UTE‐MRI, and pulmonary functional measurements. For each smoker, UTE‐MRI was performed with three different UTE intervals (UTE‐MRI A: 0.5 msec, UTE‐MRI B: 1.0 msec, UTE‐MRI C: 1.5 msec). By using the GOLD guidelines, the subjects were classified as: “smokers without COPD,” “mild COPD,” “moderate COPD,” and “severe or very severe COPD.” Then the mean T2* value from each UTE‐MRI and CT‐based functional lung volume (FLV) were correlated with pulmonary function test. Finally, Fisher's PLSD test was used to evaluate differences in each index among the four clinical stages.ResultsEach index correlated significantly with pulmonary function test results (P < 0.05). CT‐based FLV and mean T2* values obtained from UTE‐MRI A and B showed significant differences among all groups except between “smokers without COPD” and “mild COPD” groups (P < 0.05).ConclusionUTE‐MRI has a potential for management of smokers and the UTE interval is suggested as an important parameter in this setting. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:988–997. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
T1 mapping in the rat myocardium at 7 tesla using a modified CINE inversion recovery sequence
Authors: Smit Henk , Guridi Ruben Pellicer , Guenoun Jamal , Poot Dirk H. J. , Doeswijk Gabriela N. , Milanesi Matteo , Bernsen Monique R. , Krestin Gabriel P. , Klein Stefan , Kotek Gyula 
Published: October 2013

PurposeTo evaluate the reproducibility and sensitivity of the modified CINE inversion recovery (mCINE‐IR) acquisition on rats for measuring the myocardial T1 at 7 Tesla.Materials and MethodsThe recently published mCINE‐IR acquisition on humans was applied on rats for the first time, enabling the possibility of translational studies with an identical sequence. Simulations were used to study signal evolution and heart rate dependency. Gadolinium phantoms, a heart specimen and a healthy rat were used to study reproducibility. Two cryo‐infarcted rats were scanned to measure late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).ResultsIn the phantom reproducibility studies the T1 measurements had a maximum coefficient of variation (COV) of 1.3%. For the in vivo reproducibility the COV was below 5% in the anterior cardiac segments. In simulations with phantoms and specimens, a heart rate dependency of approximately 0.5 ms/bpm was present. The T1 maps of the cryo‐infarcted rats showed a clear lowering of T1 in de LGE region.ConclusionThe results show that mCINE‐IR is highly reproducible and that the sensitivity allows detecting T1 changes in the rat myocardium. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:901–910. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional evaluation of transplanted kidneys using arterial spin labeling MRI
Authors: Heusch Philipp , Wittsack Hans‐Jörg , Blondin Dirk , Ljimani Alexandra , Nguyen‐Quang Michael , Martirosian Petros , Zenginli Hakan , Bilk Philip , Kröpil Patric , Heusner Till A. , Antoch Gerald , Lanzman Rotem S. 
Published: October 2013

PurposeTo investigate non–contrast‐enhanced arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI for functional assessment of transplanted kidneys at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3T.Materials and MethodsThis study was approved by the local ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Ninety eight renal allograft recipients (mean age, 51.5 ± 14.6 years) were prospectively included in this study. ASL MRI was performed at 1.5T (n = 65) and 3T (n = 33) using a single‐slice flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery true–fast imaging with steady‐state precession (FAIR True‐FISP) sequence in the paracoronal plane. ASL perfusion was regional analyzed for the renal cortex on parameter maps. ASL was compared between patients with good or moderate allograft function (Group a; estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] > 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) and patients with heavily impaired allograft function (Group b; eGFR ≤ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) and correlated to renal function as determined by eGFR.ResultsASL perfusion and eGFR were comparable at 1.5T (246.9 ± 66.8 mL/100 g/min and 41.9 ± 22.7 mL/min/1.73 m2) and 3T (236.5 ± 102.3 mL/100 g/min and 35.9 ± 22.9 mL/min/1.73 m2). ASL perfusion was significantly higher in group a (282.7 ± 60.8 mL/100 g/min) as compared to group b (178.2 ± 63.3 mL/100 g/min) (P < 0.0001). ASL perfusion values exhibited a significant correlation with renal function as determined by eGFR (r = 0.59; P < 0.0001).ConclusionCortical ASL perfusion values differ between patients with good or moderate allograft function and poor allograft function and correlate significantly with allograft function. Our results highlight the potential of ASL MRI for functional evaluation of renal allografts. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:84–89. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cerebral arterial and venous blood flow in adolescent multiple sclerosis patients and age‐matched controls using phase contrast MRI
Authors: Macgowan Christopher K. , Chan Katherine Y. , Laughlin Suzanne , Marrie Ruth Ann , Banwell Brenda 
Published: October 2013

PurposeAltered cerebrovascular blood flow has been proposed as a mechanism for multiple sclerosis (MS). The primary objective of this study was to measure arterial and venous blood flow in adolescent MS patients and healthy controls (HC), in whom confounding factors such as age and lifestyle are less influential.Materials and MethodsPhase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure flow in 26 MS patients and 26 controls aged 17.7 ± 1.8 and 17.8 ± 2.1 years, respectively. Flow was measured in the left and right internal carotid arteries (ICA), vertebral arteries (VA), internal jugular veins (IJV), and epidural veins (EV). Eighteen MS patients returned for a second MRI examination after 6 months. In all participants, ultrasound criteria for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) were also evaluated.ResultsFlows (mL/min) in the MS group versus HC group were as follows: right ICA = 262 ± 57 vs. 263 ± 32, left ICA = 260 ± 67 vs. 270 ± 36, right VA = 96 ± 50 vs. 103 ± 30, left VA = 104 ± 37 vs. 118 ± 41, right IJV = 342 ± 180 vs. 345 ± 195, left IJV = 190 ± 131 vs. 250 ± 148, right EV = 33 ± 29 vs. 48 ± 43, and left EV = 36 ± 35 vs. 44 ± 28 (P > 0.17 for all comparisons). In MS participants, a nonsignificant trend to lower flow in the left IJV was observed, and the flow pulsatility index in the epidural veins was higher. Two MS participants met ultrasound criteria for CCSVI, but no significant difference in flow was detected.ConclusionNo population difference in flow rate was detected in adolescent MS participants relative to age‐matched controls. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:341–347. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Potential contribution of saliva to the sexual transmission of HIV through the secretion of CCL20 by genital epithelial cells
Authors: Lourenço Alan Grupioni , Komesu Marilena Chinali , Machado Alcyone Artioli , Bourlet Thomas , Pozzetto Bruno , Delézay Olivier 
Published: October 2013

AbstractSaliva can be considered as an important actor during sexual intercourse. However, there is no data concerning its influence on HIV sexual transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of whole saliva on the in vitro secretion of CCL20 by monolayered HEC‐1A endocervical epithelium cells. HEC‐1A cells were cultivated in 96‐well microplates and incubated with specimens of whole saliva collected from 57 subjects tested seropositive (n = 34) or seronegative (n = 23) for HIV and presenting different oral conditions (healthy periodontally, n = 22, and gingivitis/periodontitis, n = 35). The production of CCL20 in the supernatants of HEC‐1A cells after overnight incubation at 37°C was quantified using ELISA. The salivary concentration of lactoferrin (Lf) and IL‐1β was tested by ELISA. Saliva samples were found able to stimulate dramatically the production of CCL20 by epithelial cells, increasing this synthesis by a mean factor of 38.1 with reference to untreated cells. This stimulation was equivalent to that observed with IL‐1β used as positive control. Although no difference was observed according to oral condition, HIV status or salivary concentration of Lf and IL‐1β, the high salivary concentration of the latter protein could acknowledge in large part for the overproduction of CCL20 by HEC‐1A cells when stimulated by saliva. Saliva was shown to significantly increase CCL20 secretion and may be responsible for an enhanced recruitment of dendritic/Langerhans cells at the genital level. These results suggest that saliva could facilitate HIV entry and possibly other pathogens through the genital mucosa during heterosexual intercourse. J. Med. Virol. 86:58–63, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic analysis of poliovirus strains isolated from sewage in Poland
Authors: Kuryk Ł. , Wieczorek M. , Diedrich S. , Böttcher S. , Witek A. , Litwińska B. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe study describes genetic characterization of poliovirus (PV) strains isolated from sewage samples in Poland. The analyses were performed for the detection of any putative polio revertants and recombinants in three genomic regions by sequencing analysis. Thirty‐six strains were analyzed. The analyzed strains were identified by neutralization assay as 7 strains of serotype P1, 10 strains of serotype P2, and 19 strains of serotype P3. Sewage isolates were sequenced in 5′UTR, VP1, and 3D genomic regions. All detected PVs were classified as vaccine strains on the basis of VP1 sequence. Mutational differences in the VP1 sequences of isolated viruses ranged from 0.0% to 0.4%, indicating a limited replication period. The genetic analysis of the 3D region showed that some strains have recombinant genomes. Nine strains were found as dipartite recombinants (seven strains—S3/S2, one strain—S2/S1, one strain—S3/S1), while one strain was found as tripartite recombinant (S3/S2/S1). No recombinants with non‐PV enteroviruses were identified. None of wild‐type PVs or vaccine‐derived polioviruses (VDPVs) were detected. This study showed the absence of wild or VDPV circulation in the country and demonstrated the usefulness of environmental surveillance in addition to acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in support of polio eradication initiatives. J. Med. Virol. 86:1243–1248, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serine protease identification (in vitro) and molecular structure predictions (in silico) from a phytopathogenic fungus,Alternaria solani
Authors: Chandrasekaran Murugesan , Chandrasekar Raman , Sa Tongmin , Sathiyabama Muthukrishnan 
Published: October 2013

AbstractSerine proteases are involved in an enormous number of biological processes. The present study aims at characterizing three‐dimensional (3D) molecular architecture of serine proteases from early blight pathogen,Alternaria solanithat are hypothesized to be markers of phytopathogenicity. A serine protease was purified to homogeneity and MALDI‐TOF‐MS/MS analysis revealed that protease produced byA. solanibelongs to alkaline serine proteases (AsP). AsP is made up of 403 amino acid residues with molecular weight of 42.1 kDa (Isoelectric point – 6.51) and its molecular formula was C1859H2930N516O595S4. AsP structure model was built based on its comparative homology with serine protease using the program, MODELER. AsP had 16 β‐sheets and 10 α‐helices, with Ser350(G347–G357), Asp158(D158–H169), and His193(H193–G203) in separate turn/coil structures. Biological metal binding region situated near 6th‐helix and His193residue is responsible for metal binding site. Also, calcium ion (Ca2+) is coordinated by the carboxyl groups of Lys84, Ile85, Lys86, Asp87, Phe88, Ala89, Ala90(K84–A90) for first Ca2+binding site and carbonyl oxygen atom of Lys244, Gly245, Arg246, Thr247, Lys248, Lys249, and Ala250(K244–A250), for second Ca2+binding site. Moreover, Ramachandran plot analysis of protein residues falling into most favored secondary structures were determined (83.3%). The predicted molecular 3D structural model was further verified using PROCHECK, ERRAT, and VADAR servers to confirm the geometry and stereo‐chemical parameters of the molecular structural design. The functional analysis of AsP 3D molecular structure predictions familiar in the current study may provide a new perspective in the understanding and identification of antifungal protease inhibitor designing.
Southeastern Australian climate variability 1860–2009: a multivariate analysis
Authors: Ashcroft Linden , Karoly David John , Gergis Joëlle 
Published: October 2013

AbstractHistorical datasets of instrumental temperature, rainfall and atmospheric pressure observations have recently been developed for southeastern Australia (SEA), extending the regional climate record back to 1860. In this study we use the newly extended datasets to conduct the first multivariate examination of SEA climatic changes from 1860 to 2009.The climate in SEA is highly variable in response to fluctuations in large‐scale circulation features including El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). To examine how teleconnection patterns in the SEA region have changed over time, we then applied a path analysis over the 1871–2009 period to isolate the independent relationships between SEA climate variables, ENSO and the IOD. The extended data revealed several relatively unknown periods of 19th century SEA climate variations. Cool and wet conditions were identified in the early parts of the 1860s, 1870s and 1890s, while dry conditions were found in the late 1870s, 1880–1885, and during the well‐known Federation Drought (1895–1902).Path analysis identified a decrease in the influence of ENSO on SEA rainfall during 1920–1959, particularly in the austral winter. Increasing correlations between the IOD and annual SEA rainfall and pressure were found in the recent 1970–2009 period, but appear to be within the range of natural variability in the context of the last 140 years. Despite large changes in the correlations between SEA rainfall, ENSO and the IOD, correlations between SEA rainfall and temperature remained stable over 1871–2009. Similar results were obtained using 20th Century Reanalysis data for 1871–2009, supporting the quality of the extended historical datasets and providing verification for the reanalysis data in SEA from the late 19th century.