bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sleep surgery and medical malpractice
Authors: Tolisano Anthony M. , Bager Jennifer M. 
Published: December 2013

Objectives/HypothesisTo describe and analyze the causes and outcomes of lawsuits pertaining to sleep surgery to mitigate future litigation and improve physician education.Study DesignA retrospective review of a publicly available database containing jury verdicts and settlements.MethodsThe LexisNexis MEGA Jury Verdicts and Settlements database was reviewed for all lawsuits including settlements and trial verdicts related to sleep surgery. Data including type of surgery performed, plaintiff allegation, nature of injury, outcomes, and indemnities were collected and analyzed.ResultsFifty‐one cases met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 30 were decided by a jury, nine were settled out of court, and 10 were resolved by other means. Overall, 57% of known outcomes favored the defendant. The most common surgery performed was tonsillectomy (57%), followed by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (45%), adenoidectomy (31%), and septoplasty (31%). No difference was found between outcomes when comparing the most common injuries cited, including wrongful death (P = .572), airway compromise (P = .376), and drug reaction (P = .443). If failure to recognize a complication (P = .034) or delay in diagnosis (P = .026) was a component of the legal allegations, the outcome significantly favored the plaintiff. The median settlement ($545,000) and plaintiff award ($1.45 million) were not significantly different (P = .13).ConclusionsThe majority of outcomes favored the defendant. Type of injury did not predict outcome. Failure to recognize complications and delay in diagnosis strongly predicted a verdict in favor of the plaintiff.Level of Evidence2c Laryngoscope, 124:E250–E254, 2014
Anatomical brain imaging at 7T using two‐dimensional GRASE
Authors: Trampel Robert , Reimer Enrico , Huber Laurentius , Ivanov Dimo , Heidemann Robin M. , Schäfer Andreas , Turner Robert 
Published: December 2013

PurposeSpecific absorption rate is a serious problem at high field strengths, especially for sequences involving many high power radiofrequency pulses, such as turbo spin echo (TSE). GRASE (gradient and spin echo) may overcome this problem by omitting a certain number of refocusing pulses of a TSE sequence, and replacing them with segmented echo‐planar imaging readouts.MethodsGRASE and TSE were compared using similar sequence parameters at a field strength of 7T. The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) per unit time, contrast, and point spread function (PSF) were determined. High‐resolution human brain images were acquired and the implementation of an inversion recovery preparation for T1 weighting was evaluated.ResultsTSE and GRASE images at 7T showed very similar SNR and contrast. The slightly worse PSF for GRASE is balanced by a significant reduction in scan time or increase in spatial coverage compared with TSE. Furthermore, implementing an additional inversion recovery preparation enables the acquisition of T1‐weighted images with high SNR per unit time.ConclusionGRASE is highly suitable for structural scanning at ultra‐high field strengths and is a valid alternative to the commonly used TSE sequence. Magn Reson Med 72:1291–1301, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous dual contrast weighting using double echo rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) imaging
Authors: Fuchs Katharina , Hezel Fabian , Klix Sabrina , Mekle Ralf , Wuerfel Jens , Niendorf Thoralf 
Published: December 2013

PurposeThis work proposes a dual contrast rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) variant (2in1‐RARE), which provides simultaneous proton density (PD) and T2* contrast in a single acquisition.Theory and MethodsThe underlying concept of 2in1‐RARE is the strict separation of spin echoes and stimulated echoes. This approach offers independent weighting of spin echoes and stimulated echoes. 2in1‐RARE was evaluated in phantoms including signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and point spread function assessment. 2in1‐RARE was benchmarked versus coherent RARE and a split‐echo RARE variant. The applicability of 2in1‐RARE for brain imaging was demonstrated in a small cohort of healthy subjects (n = 10) and, exemplary, a multiple sclerosis patient at 3 Tesla as a precursor to a broader clinical study.Results2in1‐RARE enables the simultaneous acquisition of dual contrast weighted images without any significant image degradation and without sacrificing SNR versus split‐echo RARE. This translates into a factor of two speed gain over multi‐contrast, sequential split‐echo RARE. A 15% broadening of the point spread function was observed in 2in1‐RARE. T1 relaxation effects during the mixing time can be neglected for brain tissue.Conclusion2in1‐RARE offers simultaneous acquisition of images of anatomical (PD) and functional (T2*) contrast. It presents an alternative to address scan time constraints frequently encountered during sequential acquisition of T2* or PD‐weighted RARE. Magn Reson Med 72:1590–1598, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Four dimensional spectral‐spatial fat saturation pulse design
Authors: Zhao Feng , Nielsen Jon‐Fredrik , Noll Douglas C. 
Published: December 2013

PurposeThe conventional spectrally selective fat saturation pulse may perform poorly with inhomogeneous amplitude of static (polarizing) field (B0) and/or amplitude of (excitation) radiofrequency field (B1) fields. We propose a four dimensional spectral‐spatial fat saturation pulse that is more robust to
inhomogeneity and also shorter than the conventional fat saturation pulse.TheoryThe proposed pulse is tailored for local B0 inhomogeneity, which avoids the need of a sharp transition band in the spectral domain, so it improves both performance and pulse length. Furthermore, it can also compensate for B1 inhomogeneity. The pulse is designed sequentially by small‐tip‐angle approximation design and an automatic rescaling procedure.MethodsThe proposed method is compared to the conventional fat saturation in phantom experiments and in vivo knee imaging at 3 T for both single‐channel and parallel excitation versions.ResultsCompared to the conventional method, the proposed method produces superior fat suppression in the presence of B0 and B1 inhomogeneity and reduces pulse length by up to half of the standard length.ConclusionThe proposed four dimensional spectral‐spatial fat saturation suppresses fat more robustly with shorter pulse length than the conventional fat saturation in the presence of B0 and B1 inhomogeneity. Magn Reson Med 72:1637–1647, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automatic cardiac LV segmentation in MRI using modified graph cuts with smoothness and interslice constraints
Authors: Albà Xènia , Figueras i Ventura Rosa M. , Lekadir Karim , Tobon‐Gomez Catalina , Hoogendoorn Corné , Frangi Alejandro F. 
Published: December 2013

PurposeMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI), specifically late‐enhanced MRI, is the standard clinical imaging protocol to assess cardiac viability. Segmentation of myocardial walls is a prerequisite for this assessment. Automatic and robust multisequence segmentation is required to support processing massive quantities of data.MethodsA generic rule‐based framework to automatically segment the left ventricle myocardium is presented here. We use intensity information, and include shape and interslice smoothness constraints, providing robustness to subject‐ and study‐specific changes. Our automatic initialization considers the geometrical and appearance properties of the left ventricle, as well as interslice information. The segmentation algorithm uses a decoupled, modified graph cut approach with control points, providing a good balance between flexibility and robustness.ResultsThe method was evaluated on late‐enhanced MRI images from a 20‐patient in‐house database, and on cine‐MRI images from a 15‐patient open access database, both using as reference manually delineated contours. Segmentation agreement, measured using the Dice coefficient, was
and
for late‐enhanced MRI and cine‐MRI, respectively. The method was also compared favorably to a three‐dimensional Active Shape Model approach.ConclusionThe experimental validation with two magnetic resonance sequences demonstrates increased accuracy and versatility. Magn Reson Med 72:1775–1784, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of health‐insurance access and hospital retention policies on childhood cancer treatment in Kenya
Authors: Mostert S. , Njuguna F. , van de Ven P.M. , Olbara G. , Kemps L.J.P.A. , Musimbi J. , Strother R.M. , Aluoch L.M. , Skiles J. , Buziba N.G. , Sitaresmi M.N. , Vreeman R.C. , Kaspers G.J.L. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundKenyan national policies for public hospitals dictate that patients are retained on hospital wards until their hospital bills are paid, but this payment process differs for patients with or without access to National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) at diagnosis. Whether these differences impact treatment outcomes has not been described. Our study explores whether childhood cancer treatment outcomes in Kenya are influenced by health‐insurance status and hospital retention policies.ProcedureThis study combined retrospective review of medical records with an illustrative case report. We identified children diagnosed with malignancies at a large Kenyan academic hospital between 2007 and 2009, their treatment outcomes, and health‐insurance status at diagnosis.ResultsBetween 2007 and 2009, 222 children were diagnosed with malignancies. Among 180 patients with documented treatment outcome, 54% abandoned treatment, 22% had treatment‐related death, 4% progressive/relapsed disease, and 19% event‐free survival. Health‐insurance status at diagnosis was recorded in 148 children: 23% had NHIF and 77% had no NHIF. For children whose families had NHIF compared with those who did not, the relative risk for treatment abandonment relative to event‐free survival was significantly smaller (relative‐risk ratio = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.12–0.81, P = 0.016). The case report illustrates difficulties that Kenyan families might face when their child is diagnosed with cancer, has no NHIF, and is retained in hospital.ConclusionsChildren with NHIF at diagnosis had significantly lower chance of abandoning treatment and higher chance of survival. Childhood cancer treatment outcomes could be improved by interventions that prevent treatment abandonment and improve access to NHIF. Hospital retention of patients over unpaid medical bills must stop. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:913–918. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CdS/CdTe thin‐film solar cells with Cu‐free transition metal oxide/Au back contacts
Authors: Paudel Naba Raj , Xiao Chuanxiao , Yan Yanfa 
Published: December 2013

AbstractSuperstrate CdS/CdTe thin‐film solar cells with Cu‐free transition metal oxide (TMO)/Au and Au‐only back contacts have been fabricated. The TMOs include MoO3‐x, V2O5‐x, and WO3‐x. The incorporation of the TMO buffer layers at the back contacts resulted in significant improvement on open‐circuit voltage (VOC) as compared with the cells with Cu‐free Au‐only back contacts. Among the cells using TMO buffer layers, the ones with MoO3‐x buffer layers exhibited the best performance, yielding an efficiency of 14.1% under AM1.5 illumination with VOC of 815 mV and a fill factor of 67.9%. Though the performance is slightly behind the best reference cell with a Cu/Au back contact fabricated in our lab with VOC of 844 mV, fill factor of 76.3%, and efficiency of 15.7%, the use of Cu‐free back contacts may lead to improved long‐term cell stability. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Five‐factor model personality domains in the prediction of Axis II personality disorders: An exploratory study in late adulthood women non‐clinical sample
Authors: Henriques‐Calado Joana , Duarte‐Silva Maria Eugénia , Junqueira Diana , Sacoto Carlota , Keong Ana Marta 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTRelationships between Axis II personality disorders (DSM‐IV) and the five‐factor model were explored in a non‐clinical sample of late adulthood women. The sample consists of 90 women (M = 72.29 years of age, standard deviation = 7.10), who were administered with two measures, the NEO‐FFI and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire‐4+. Some personality disorders scales such as paranoid, schizotypal, borderline and dependent demonstrate a differentiated pattern of five‐factor model domain predictors. Low agreeableness predicted schizoid, narcissistic and antisocial; histrionic, obsessive‐compulsive and negativistic were predicted by high neuroticism and low agreeableness; high neuroticism and low extraversion, in turn, predicted dependent and depressive scales. Also, two clusters of personality disorders are identified, one associated with low agreeableness and another with low agreeableness and high neuroticism. This study suggest that some traits become maladaptive personality traits, and correspond more closely to psychopathology, when they become opposite to what would be expected in line with studies in normal late adulthood development. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional structure of a sugar N‐formyltransferase from Francisella tularensis
Authors: Zimmer Alex L. , Thoden James B. , Holden Hazel M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractN‐formylated sugars have been observed on the O‐antigens of such pathogenic Gram‐negative bacteria as Campylobacter jejuni and Francisella tularensis. Until recently, however, little was known regarding the overall molecular architectures of the N‐formyltransferases that are required for the biosynthesis of these unusual sugars. Here we demonstrate that the protein encoded by the wbtj gene from F. tularensis is an N‐formyltransferase that functions on dTDP‐4‐amino‐4,6‐dideoxy‐d‐glucose as its substrate. The enzyme, hereafter referred to as WbtJ, demonstrates a strict requirement for N10‐formyltetrahydrofolate as its carbon source. In addition to the kinetic analysis, the three‐dimensional structure of the enzyme was solved in the presence of dTDP‐sugar ligands to a nominal resolution of 2.1 Å. Each subunit of the dimeric enzyme is dominated by a “core” domain defined by Met 1 to Ser 185. This core motif harbors the active site residues. Following the core domain, the last 56 residues fold into two α‐helices and a β‐hairpin motif. The hairpin motif is responsible primarily for the subunit:subunit interface, which is characterized by a rather hydrophobic pocket. From the study presented here, it is now known that WbtJ functions on C‐4′ amino sugars. Another enzyme recently investigated in the laboratory, WlaRD, formylates only C‐3′ amino sugars. Strikingly, the quaternary structures of WbtJ and WlaRD are remarkably different. In addition, there are several significant variations in the side chains that line their active site pockets, which may be important for substrate specificity. Details concerning the kinetic and structural properties of WbtJ are presented.
Characterization of the divalent metal binding site of bacterial polysaccharide deacetylase using crystallography and quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Munan Shaik Md , Bhattacharjee Nicholus , Bhattacharjee Anirban , Field Martin J. , Zanotti Giuseppe 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTPeptidoglycan deacetlyase (HP0310, HpPgdA) from the gram‐negative pathogen Helicobacter pylori, is the enzyme responsible for a peptidoglycan modification that counteracts the host immune response. In a recent study, we determined the crystallographic structure of the enzyme, which is a homo‐tetramer (Shaik et al., PloS One 2011;6:e19207). The metal‐binding site, which is essential for the enzyme's catalytic activity, is visible within the structure, but we were unable to identify the nature of the metal itself. In this study, we have obtained a higher‐resolution crystal structure of the enzyme, which shows that the ion bound is, in fact, zinc. Analysis of the structure of the four sites, one per monomer, and quantum chemical calculations of models of the site in the presence of different divalent metal ions show an intrinsic preference for zinc, but also significant flexibility of the site so that binding of other ions can eventually occur. Proteins 2014; 82:1311–1318. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determination of low levels of 2H‐labeling using high‐resolution mass spectrometry: Application in studies of lipid flux and beyond
Authors: Herath Kithsiri B. , Zhong Wendy , Yang Jiong , Mahsut Ablatt , Rohm Rory J. , Shah Vinit , Castro‐Perez Jose , Zhou Haihong , Attygalle Athula B. , Kang Ling , Singh Sheo , Johns Douglas G. , Cleary Michele A. , Hubbard Brian K. , Previs Stephen F. , Roddy Thomas P. 
Published: December 2013

RATIONALEThe ability to measure low levels of 2H‐labeling is important in studies of metabolic flux, e.g. one can estimate lipid synthesis by administering 2H2O and then measuring the incorporation of 2H into fatty acids. Unfortunately, the analyses are complicated by the presence of more abundant naturally occurring stable isotopes, e.g. 13C. Conventional approaches rely on coupling gas chromatographic separation of lipids with either quadrupole‐mass spectrometry (q‐MS) and/or pyrolysis‐isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The former is limited by high background labeling (primarily from 13C) whereas the latter is not suitable for routine high‐throughput analyses.METHODSWe have contrasted the use of continuous flow‐pyrolysis‐IRMS against high‐resolution mass spectrometry (i.e. Qq‐FT‐ICR MS) for measuring the 2H‐enrichment of fatty acids and peptides.RESULTSIn contrast to IRMS, which requires ~30 min per analysis, it is possible to measure the 2H‐enrichment of palmitate via direct infusion high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) in ~3 min per sample. In addition, Qq‐FT‐ICR MS enabled measurements of the 2H‐enrichment of peptides (which is not possible using IRMS).CONCLUSIONSHigh‐resolution mass spectrometry can be used to measure low levels of 2H‐labeling so we expect that this approach will enhance studies of metabolic flux that rely on 2H‐labeled tracers, e.g. 2H2O. However, since the high‐resolution analyses require greater amounts of a given analyte one potential limitation centers on the overall sensitivity. Presumably, future advances can overcome this barrier. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drying method has no substantial effect on δ15N or δ13C values of muscle tissue from teleost fishes
Authors: Bessey Cindy , Vanderklift Mathew A. 
Published: December 2013

RATIONALEStable isotope analysis (SIA) is a powerful tool in many fields of research that enables quantitative comparisons among studies, if similar methods have been used. The goal of this study was to determine if three different drying methods commonly used to prepare samples for SIA yielded different δ15N and δ13C values.METHODSMuscle subsamples from 10 individuals each of three teleost species were dried using three methods: (i) oven, (ii) food dehydrator, and (iii) freeze‐dryer. All subsamples were analysed for δ15N and δ13C values, and nitrogen and carbon content, using a continuous flow system consisting of a Delta V Plus mass spectrometer and a Flush 1112 elemental analyser via a Conflo IV universal interface. The δ13C values were normalized to constant lipid content using the equations proposed by McConnaughey and McRoy.RESULTSAlthough statistically significant, the differences in δ15N values between the drying methods were small (mean differences ≤0.21‰). The differences in δ13C values between the drying methods were not statistically significant, and normalising the δ13C values to constant lipid content reduced the mean differences for all treatments to ≤0.65‰. A statistically significant difference of ~2% in C content existed between tissues dried in a food dehydrator and those dried in a freeze‐dryer for two fish species. There was no significant effect of fish size on the differences between methods.CONCLUSIONSNo substantial effect of drying method was found on the δ15N or δ13C values of teleost muscle tissue. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Desorption/ionization induced by neutral cluster impact as a soft and efficient ionization source for ion trap mass spectrometry of biomolecules
Authors: Baur Markus , Gebhardt Christoph R. , Dürr Michael 
Published: December 2013

RATIONALEDesorption and ionization induced by neutral clusters (DINeC) using SO2 as cluster constituents was previously shown to produce clear and fragmentation‐free spectra with low background from samples prepared with standard oligopeptides. Here we demonstrate a more general applicability of this method based on examples from different classes of (bio‐)molecules. In order to make better use of the ions generated during the millisecond cluster‐pulse, the DINeC source was combined with an ion trap mass spectrometer.METHODSDesorption and ionization was induced by neutral SO2 clusters with a mean size of 103 to 104 molecules seeded in a pulsed He beam. The desorbed ions were accumulated in an ion trap over the whole pulse duration prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Samples were prepared by simply drop casting the respective aqueous solution of biomolecules on Si/SiO2 substrates.RESULTSClear and fragmentation‐free spectra of oligopeptides were detected in single pulse operation mode. The very soft nature of the desorption process was demonstrated for phosphopeptides. DINeC spectra from bovine serum albumin samples after tryptic digest led to a clear identification of the original sequence using mass fingerprinting analysis. MSn capability was illustrated with two types of rhodamine dyes.CONCLUSIONSDesorption and ionization induced by neutral clusters can efficiently be combined with ion trap mass spectrometry since the pulse width and repetition rate of a typical pulsed cluster beam correspond well to the discontinuous accumulation time as well as the spectral rate of the ion trap. Clear mass spectra were obtained with such a setup for a variety of biosamples demonstrating the wider applicability of the DINeC process. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural elucidation of co‐eluted triglycerides in the marine diatom model organism Thalassiosira pseudonana by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Shuang , Xu Jilin , Chen Jiao , Chen Juanjuan , Zhou Chengxu , Yan Xiaojun 
Published: December 2013

RATIONALEThe precise identification of fatty acids at the sn‐2 position of triacylglycerols (TAGs), especially for positional regioisomers (AAB/ABA), needs to be established during mass spectrometry analysis. The detailed structural information about TAGs is significant not only for the assessment of biofuel quality, but also for the tracing of biosynthetic precursors.METHODSTotal lipid was extracted from T. pseudonana by a modified Bligh and Dyer method. The qualitative analysis of TAGs in T. pseudonana was carried out using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS). The raw LC/MS data were analyzed using MassLynx software (version 4.1, Waters).RESULTSThe acyl group at the sn‐2 position of the TAGs has been identified unequivocally by [M + Li‐R1/3COOH‐R2CH = CHCOOH]+ and the abundance of [M + Li‐R1/3COOH‐R2CH = CHCOOH]+ can be used to confirm whether the TAG isomers are co‐eluted. In total, twelve TAGs were identified in T. pseudonana based on the fragmentation patterns discussed above. The data indicated that only C16 fatty acids were located at the sn‐2 position, which was important to trace the biosynthetic precursors of TAGs.CONCLUSIONSWe put forward a hypothesis that TAGs in T. pseudonana are only derived from lipids in chloroplasts through prokaryotic biosynthesis pathway based on the precise information of sn‐2 fatty acids, which is significant not only for the assessment of biofuel quality, but also for the tracing of biosynthetic precursors. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.