bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Volume‐targeted and whole‐heart coronary magnetic resonance angiography using an intravascular contrast agent
Authors: Tang Lijun , Merkle Nico , Schär Michael , Korosoglou Grigorios , Solaiyappan Meiyappan , Hombach Vinzenz , Stuber Matthias 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPurposeTo compare volume‐targeted and whole‐heart coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) after the administration of an intravascular contrast agent.Materials and MethodsSix healthy adult subjects underwent a navigator‐gated and ‐corrected (NAV) free breathing volume‐targeted cardiac‐triggered inversion recovery (IR) 3D steady‐state free precession (SSFP) coronary MRA sequence (t‐CMRA) (spatial resolution = 1 × 1 × 3 mm3) and high spatial resolution IR 3D SSFP whole‐heart coronary MRA (WH‐CMRA) (spatial resolution = 1 × 1 × 2 mm3) after the administration of an intravascular contrast agent B‐22956. Subjective and objective image quality parameters including maximal visible vessel length, vessel sharpness, and visibility of coronary side branches were evaluated for both t‐CMRA and WH‐CMRA.ResultsNo significant differences (P = NS) in image quality were observed between contrast‐enhanced t‐CMRA and WH‐CMRA. However, using an intravascular contrast agent, significantly longer vessel segments were measured on WH‐CMRA vs. t‐CMRA (right coronary artery [RCA] 13.5 ± 0.7 cm vs. 12.5 ± 0.2 cm; P < 0.05; and left circumflex coronary artery [LCX] 11.9 ± 2.2 cm vs. 6.9 ± 2.4 cm; P < 0.05). Significantly more side branches (13.3 ± 1.2 vs. 8.7 ± 1.2; P < 0.05) were visible for the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) on WH‐CMRA vs. t‐CMRA. Scanning time and navigator efficiency were similar for both techniques (t‐CMRA: 6.05 min; 49% vs. WH‐CMRA: 5.51 min; 54%, both P = NS).ConclusionBoth WH‐CMRA and t‐CMRA using SSFP are useful techniques for coronary MRA after the injection of an intravascular blood‐pool agent. However, the vessel conspicuity for high spatial resolution WH‐CMRA is not inferior to t‐CMRA, while visible vessel length and the number of visible smaller‐diameter vessels and side‐branches are improved. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1191–1196. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diffusion‐weighted MRI: A new tool for the diagnosis of fistula in ano
Authors: Hori Masatoshi , Oto Aytekin , Orrin Sarah , Suzuki Kenji , Baron Richard L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPurpose:To retrospectively determine the additional value of diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to T2‐weighted imaging in the evaluation of anal fistulae in comparison with gadolinium (Gd)‐enhanced imaging.Materials and Methods:Thirteen patients (mean age, 35.2 years) with 20 anal fistulae were included. The protocol consisted of fat‐suppressed T2‐weighted fast spin‐echo, diffusion‐weighted single‐shot echo‐planar (b factors 0 and 800 s/mm2), and fat‐suppressed Gd‐enhanced T1‐weighted gradient echo sequences. Two radiologists evaluated images in consensus.Results:Eighteen (90%) fistulae were detected on T2‐weighted images, and 19 (95%) and 19 (95%) were detected on diffusion‐weighted and T2‐weighted images combined and on Gd‐enhanced and T2‐weighted images combined, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in sensitivity of the techniques (P > 0.5 for all comparison pairs). Confidence scores with diffusion‐weighted and T2‐weighted images combined or those with Gd‐enhanced and T2‐weighted images combined were significantly greater than those with T2‐weighted images alone (P = 0.0047 and 0.014, respectively).Conclusion:Diffusion‐weighted MRI of anal fistulae is a useful sequence and can be a helpful adjunct to T2‐weighted imaging, especially in patients with risk factors for contrast agents. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1021–1026. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contrast‐enhanced intracranial magnetic resonance angiography with a spherical shells trajectory and online gridding reconstruction
Authors: Shu Yunhong , Bernstein Matt A. , Huston John , Rettmann Dan 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPurpose:To evaluate the feasibility of applying the shells trajectory to single‐phase contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography.Materials and Methods:Several methods were developed to overcome the challenges of the clinical implementation of shells including off‐resonance blurring (eg, from lipid signal), aliasing artifacts, and long reconstruction times. These methods included: 1) variable TR with variable readout length to reduce fat signal and off‐resonance blurring; 2) variable sampling density to suppress aliasing artifacts while minimizing acquisition time penalty; and 3) an online 3D gridding algorithm that reconstructed an 8‐channel, 2403 image volume set. Both phantom and human studies were performed to establish the initial feasibility of the methods.Results:Phantom and human study results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Shells with variable TR and readout length further suppressed the fat signal compared to the fixed‐TR shells acquisition. Reduced image aliasing was achieved with minimal scan time penalty when a variable sampling density technique was used. The fast online reconstruction algorithm completed in 2 minutes at the scanner console, providing a timely image display in a clinical setting.Conclusion:It was demonstrated that the use of the shells trajectory is feasible in a clinical setting to acquire intracranial angiograms with high spatial resolution. Preliminary results demonstrate effective venous suppression in the cavernous sinuses and jugular vein region. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1101–1109. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prediction of hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke using texture analysis of postcontrast T1‐weighted MR images
Authors: Kassner Andrea , Liu Fang , Thornhill Rebecca E. , Tomlinson George , Mikulis David J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPurpose:To test the hypothesis that texture analysis of postcontrast T1‐weighted MR images will predict hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with better accuracy than visual evidence of contrast‐enhancement (VE).Materials and Methods:Thirty‐four AIS patients were examined within 3.5 ± 1.5 h after stroke. T1‐weighted MR images were acquired 19 ± 7 min postcontrast injection. HT was determined by follow‐up imaging at 24–72 h. Postcontrast images were evaluated for VE. Four second‐order textural features were extracted (f1, f2, f3, and f9) for each patient. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for VE and for textural features, with HT as the outcome measure.Results:The f2 for HT patients (n = 12) was significantly lower than in non‐HT patients (1058 ± 356 versus 1568 ± 527; P = 0.005); the converse was true for f3 (0.67 ± 0.12 versus 0.54 ± 0.13; P = 0.007). ROC analysis indicated that the f2 and f3 textural features were the only two significant predictors of HT (P = 0.0018 and P = 0.0042). The addition of VE to either f2 or f3 did not result in a significant improvement in accuracy.Conclusion:Texture analysis of postcontrast T1‐weighted images may be superior to visual evidence of enhancement for the prediction of HT. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:933–941. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Magnetic resonance T2‐relaxometry and 2D L‐correlated spectroscopy in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Singhal Aparna , Nagarajan Rajakumar , Kumar Rajesh , Huda Amir , Gupta Rakesh K. , Thomas M. Albert 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPurpose:To evaluate T2‐relaxation changes in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) using T2 relaxometry and to correlate T2 values with brain metabolites evaluated using 2D magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).Materials and Methods:Eight MHE patients and 13 healthy subjects were evaluated using T2 relaxometry, and eight patients and nine healthy subjects underwent 2D MRS in right frontal and left occipital regions. Whole‐brain T2‐relaxation maps were compared between MHE and control subjects using analysis‐of‐covariance, with age and gender included as covariates. T2 values derived from the right frontal and left occipital lobes were correlated with the metabolite ratios.Results:Multiple brain regions including anterior and mid cingulate cortices, right anterior and left posterior insular cortices, right prefrontal, medial frontal, and right superior temporal cortices showed significantly increased T2 values in MHE patients compared to control subjects. MRS showed significantly increased ratios of glutamine/glutamate (Glx) and decreased ratios of myo‐inositol, taurine, choline, and myo‐inositol/choline (mICh) with respect to creatine (Cr_d) in patients compared to controls. Frontal Glx/Cr_d showed significantly positive correlation with T2 values.Conclusion:MHE patients showed significantly increased T2 values in multiple brain regions reflecting increased free water content and T2 values in frontal lobe correlated with the increased Glx/Cr_d ratio. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1034–1041. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of hyperpolarized 3He lung MRI for regional evaluation of interventional therapy: A pilot study in pediatric cystic fibrosis
Authors: Woodhouse Neil , Wild Jim M. , van Beek Edwin J.R. , Hoggard Nigel , Barker Nicki , Taylor Christopher J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPurpose:To determine whether regional changes in lung ventilation in a group of pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients following a course of chest physiotherapy could be detected with 3He MRI.Materials and Methods:The reproducibility of lung ventilation volume measurements obtained with 3He lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was established in a group of five children with CF age 6–15 years. The same methodology was then used to evaluate whether standard chest physiotherapy (percussion and drainage) had any immediate effect on regional ventilated lung volumes in a further group of nine age‐matched CF children (5–15 years).Results:Global lung ventilation volumes remained the same within the limits of sensitivity derived from the reproducibility study; however, regional lung ventilation was observed to change in most patients after therapy.Conclusion:3He MRI can be successfully used in children with CF, and has the sensitivity to detect regional quantitative changes in lung ventilation following chest physiotherapy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:981–988. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The carotenoid fucoxanthin from brown seaweed affects obesity
Authors: Miyashita Kazuo 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe unique and phenomenal biodiversity of the marine environment provides a large pool of novel and bioactive molecules. Fucoxanthin, a characteristic carotenoid found in brown seaweeds, shows anti‐obesity effect on the basis of specific molecular mechanism. Nutrigenomic study reveals that fucoxanthin induces uncoupling protein 1 expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) mitochondria leading to oxidation of fatty acids and heat production in WAT. Fucoxanthin improves insulin resistance and decreases blood glucose level, at least in part, through the down‐regulation of TNFα in WAT of animals. Furthermore, the anti‐obesity effect of fucoxanthin is likely linked to its structural characteristic – an allene bond and an additional hydroxyl substituent on the side group of the fucoxanthin metabolites, fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A. Thus, there is growing interest in fucoxanthin as a major molecule for the increasing biological significance of seaweed lipids. Our recent study showed that total lipids belonging to Sargassaceae species are rich in fucoxanthin as well as other bioactive compounds such as omega‐3 (20:5n‐3 and 18:4n‐3) and omega‐6 (20:4n‐6) highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), fucosterols, and polyphenols. The importance of these omega‐3 and omega‐6 HUFA on human health has been proven beyond any doubt. Fucosterols and polyphenols are also known to show beneficial health effects. Furthermore, we found a synergistic effect of omega‐3 HUFA on the anti‐obesity effect of fucoxanthin. Therefore, brown seaweed lipids are expected to be a good source for functional food ingredients.
Microbial production of conjugated fatty acids
Authors: Kishino Shigenobu , Ogawa Jun , Yokozeki Kenzo , Shimizu Sakayu 
Published: October 2009

AbstractConjugated fatty acids have attracted much attention as a novel type of biologically beneficial functional lipid. Some isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduce carcinogenesis, atherosclerosis and body fat. Considering the use of CLA for medicinal and nutraceutical purposes, a safe isomer‐selective process of production is required. The introduction of biological reactions for CLA production could be an answer. We screened microbial reactions useful for CLA production and found several unique reactions in microorganisms. Lactic acid bacteria produced CLA from linoleic acid. The CLA, which was obtained as the free fatty acid form, comprised a mixture of cis‐9,trans‐11‐octadecadienoic acid (18:2) and trans‐9,trans‐11‐18:2. Furthermore, lactic acid bacteria transformed ricinoleic acid [12‐hydroxy‐cis‐9‐octadecenoic acid (18:1)] to CLA (a mixture of cis‐9,trans‐11‐18:2 and trans‐9,trans‐11‐18:2). Castor oil, rich in the triacylglycerol form of ricinoleic acid, was also found to act as a substrate for CLA production by lactic acid bacteria with the aid of lipase‐catalyzed triacylglycerol hydrolysis. Filamentous fungi transformed trans‐vaccenic acid (trans‐11‐18:1) to cis‐9,trans‐11‐18:2 by Δ9 desaturation. This CLA was obtained as a triacylglycerol. In addition, lactic acid bacteria produced conjugated trienoic fatty acids from α‐ and γ‐linolenic acid. The trienoic fatty acids produced from α‐linolenic acid were cis‐9,trans‐11,cis‐15‐octadecatrienoic acid (18:3) and trans‐9,trans‐11,cis‐15‐18:3. Those produced from γ‐linolenic acid were cis‐6,cis‐9,trans‐11‐18:3 and cis‐6,trans‐9,trans‐11‐18:3.
Genetic variation in MicroRNA genes and risk of oral premalignant lesions
Authors: Clague Jessica , Lippman Scott M. , Yang Hushan , Hildebrandt Michelle A.T. , Ye Yuanqing , Lee J. Jack , Wu Xifeng 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play a key role in oncogenesis and, recently, studies have examined the role miRNAs might play in the risk of premalignant lesions. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the association between miRNA polymorphisms and risk of oral premalignant lesions (OPLs). We genotyped 31 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among 21 miRNA‐related genes in a case–control study including 136 OPL patients and 136 matched controls. Patients with at least one variant allele of mir26a‐1:rs7372209 had a significantly increased risk of OPL (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.23–3.56). Likewise, patients with at least one variant allele of DICER:rs3742330 had a significantly increased risk of OPL (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.03–4.24). To assess the cumulative effects, we performed a combined unfavorable genotype analysis that included all SNPs showing at least a borderline statistical significance. A significant trend of increased risk of OPL with increasing number of unfavorable genotypes was observed (P for trend <0.0001). This study presents the first epidemiologic evidence supporting that individual as well as combined genotypes of miRNA‐related variants may be used to predict the risk of OPL, and may be useful for identifying patients with OPL at high risk for progression to oral cancer. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HSL_MI20: An efficient AMG preconditioner for finite element problems in 3D
Authors: Boyle Jonathan , Mihajlović Milan , Scott Jennifer 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAlgebraic multigrid (AMG) is one of the most effective iterative methods for the solution of large, sparse linear systems obtained from the discretization of second‐order scalar elliptic self‐adjoint partial differential equations. It can also be used as a preconditioner for Krylov subspace methods. In this communication, we report on the design and development of a robust, effective and portable Fortran 95 implementation of the classical Ruge–Stüben AMG, which is available as packageHSL_MI20within the HSL mathematical software library. The routine can be used as a ‘black‐box’ preconditioner, but it also offers the user a range of options and parameters. Proper tuning of these parameters for a particular application can significantly enhance the performance of an AMG‐preconditioned Krylov solver. This is illustrated using a number of examples arising in the unstructured finite element discretization of the diffusion, the convection–diffusion, and the Stokes equations, as well as transient thermal convection problems associated with the Boussinesq approximation of the Navier–Stokes equations in 3D. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic ablation of the alpha 6‐integrin subunit in Tie1Cre mice enhances tumour angiogenesis
Authors: Germain Mitchel , De Arcangelis Adèle , Robinson Stephen D , Baker Marianne , Tavora Bernardo , D'Amico Gabriela , Silva Rita , Kostourou Vassiliki , Reynolds Louise E , Watson Alan , Jones J Louise , Georges‐Labouesse Elisabeth , Hodivala‐Dilke Kairbaan 
Published: October 2009

AbstractLaminins are expressed highly in blood vessel basement membranes and have been implicated in angiogenesis. α6β1‐ and α6β4‐integrins are major receptors for laminins in endothelial cells, but the precise role of endothelial α6‐integrin in tumour angiogenesis is not clear. We show that blood vessels in human invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast have decreased expression of the α6‐integrin‐subunit when compared with normal breast tissue. These data suggest that a decrease in α6‐integrin‐subunit expression in endothelial cells is associated with tumour angiogenesis. To test whether the loss of the endothelial α6‐integrin subunit affects tumour growth and angiogenesis, we generated α6fl/fl‐Tie1Cre+ mice and showed that endothelial deletion of α6‐integrin is sufficient to enhance tumour size and tumour angiogenesis in both murine B16F0 melanoma and Lewis cell lung carcinoma. Mechanistically, endothelial α6‐integrin deficiency elevated significantly VEGF‐mediated angiogenesis bothin vivoandex vivo. In particular, α6‐integrin‐deficient endothelial cells displayed increased levels of VEGF‐receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and VEGF‐mediated downstream ERK1/2 activation. By developing the first endothelial‐specific α6‐knockout mice, we show that the expression of the α6‐integrin subunit in endothelial cells acts as a negative regulator of angiogenesis bothin vivoandex vivo. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polynonanolactone synthesized from vegetable oil: Evaluation of physical properties, biodegradation, and drug release behavior
Authors: Abraham Sinoj , Narine Suresh S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA systematic investigation of the synthesis, physical properties, biodegradation, and drug release behavior of an aliphatic polynonanolactone from vegetable oil was performed. The chemical structure of the lactone monomers and polylactones were confirmed by NMR spectrometry and molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The thermal behavior of the polymers was assessed by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The polynonanolactones are crystalline with melting enthalpies (ΔHm) ranging from 90 to 135 J/g. The crystalline nature of the polylactides was further evaluated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and peaks corresponding to planes (110), (200), and (210) were detected. The hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation properties of the polynonanolactones were studied and the degradation rate is comparable to that of widely used polycaprolactone. The enzyme proteinase K was used for the degradation of polynonanolactones. The extent of degradation was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Drug incorporation and release traits due to hydrolytic degradation of the polymer film was carried out with 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) as a model drug. This new class of polynonanolactones obtained from vegetable oil was demonstrated to be a potentially competent candidate to replace petroleum‐based polycaprolactone especially for drug delivery applications where slow release of drugs is a requisite. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6373–6387, 2009
Facile synthesis of star‐shaped copolymers via combination of RAFT and ring opening polymerization
Authors: Kakwere Hamilton , Perrier Sébastien 
Published: October 2009

AbstractReversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and bifunctional sparteine/thiourea organocatalyst‐mediated ring opening polymerization (ROP) were combined to produce poly(L‐lactide) star polymers and poly(L‐lactide‐co‐styrene) miktoarm star copolymers architecture following a facile experimental procedure, and without the need for specialist equipment. RAFT was used to copolymerize ethyl acrylate (EA) and hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) into poly(EA‐co‐HEA) co‐oligomers of degree of polymerization 10 with 2, 3, and 4 units of HEA, which were in turn used as multifunctional initiators for the ROP of L‐lactide, using a bifunctional thiourea organocatalytic system. Furthermore, taking advantage of the living nature of RAFT polymerization, the multifunctional initiators were chain extended with styrene (poly((EA‐co‐HEA)‐b‐styrene) copolymers), and used as initiators for the ROP of L‐lactide, to yield miktoarm star copolymers. The ROP reactions were allowed to proceed to high conversions (>95%) with good control over molecular weights (ca. 28,000‐230,000 g/mol) and polymer structures being observed, although the molecular weight distributions are generally broader (1.3–1.9) than those normally observed for ROP reactions. The orthogonality of both polymerization techniques, coupled with the ubiquity of HEA, which is used as a monomer for RAFT polymerization and as an initiator for ROP, offer a versatile approach to star‐shaped copolymers. Furthermore, this approach offers a practical approach to the synthesis of polylactide star polymers without a glove box or stringent reaction conditions. The phase separation properties of the miktoarm star copolymers were demonstrated via thermal analyses. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6396–6408, 2009
Transparent conductive films based on polymer composites containing the mixed‐valence tetrathiafulvalene nanofibers
Authors: Tanaka Kazuo , Ishiguro Fumiyasu , Kunita Tomoyuki , Chujo Yoshiki 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe report the facile preparation of the conductive polymer composites containing the mixed‐valence tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) nanofibers and their applications as all‐organic transparent conductive materials. TTF can be used as a nanofiller for transforming conventional polymers to conductive materials. Self‐assemble nanofibers of the neutral and radical cation of TTF can be formed in the polymer solutions during the film deposition, and the resulting composite films with several micron thickness can serve as the conductive material with high transparency. Several kinds of conventional polymers, such as polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and poly(vinylpyrrolidone), can be used as a polymer matrix of the composites. The conductivities of the PMMA film containing 35 mol % of the mixed‐valence TTF and the PEDOT–PSS film showed similar values (2.8 × 10–2 and 5.4 × 10–1 S/cm, respectively). In contrast, the normalized transmittance of the PMMA film by 1‐μm thickness greatly increased (96%/μm) when compared with that of the PEDOT–PSS film (10%/μm). In addition, the degradation of the conductivity of the nanofibers by heating and aging was effectively suppressed in the composite samples. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6441–6450, 2009