bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mulberry Posterior Inferior Nasal Turbinate Is Associated with a Lower Pharyngeal pH Environment
Authors: Javorská Zuzana , Zeleník Karol , Lukáčová Kristína , Taimrová Renata , Vrtková Adéla , Hránková Viktória , Lubojacký Jakub , Formánek Martin , Tedla Miroslav 
Published: May 2023

ObjectivesMulberry‐like changes of the posterior inferior nasal turbinate (MPINT) can lead to nasal obstruction. Extraesophageal reflux (EER) characterized by lower pH causes mucosal inflammation and therefore can contribute to sinonasal pathologies. No prior studies have objectively examined the possible association between acidic pH and MPINT formation. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate the 24‐h pharyngeal pH value in patients with MPINT.Study designProspective case–control multi‐center study.MethodsFifty‐five patients with chronic EER symptoms were included in the study. They filled in questionnaires aimed at reflux and sinonasal symptoms (RSI®, SNOT‐22) and underwent video endoscopy evaluating the laryngeal findings (RFS®) and the presence or absence of the MPINT. And, 24‐h oropharyngeal pH monitoring was used to detect the acidic pH environment in the pharynx.ResultsOut of the 55 analyzed patients, 38 had the MPINT (group 1), and in 17 patients, the MPINT was absent (group 2). Based on the pathological RYAN Score, in 29 (52.7%) patients, severe acidic pH drops were detected. In group 1, the acidic pH drops were diagnosed significantly more often (68.4%) compared with those in group 2 (p = 0.001). Moreover, in group 1, a significantly higher median total percentage of time spent below pH 5.5 (p = 0.005), as well as a higher median number of events lasting more than 5 min (p = 0.006), and higher median total number of events with pH drops (p = 0.017) were observed.ConclusionIn this study, the MPINT was significantly more often present in patients with acidic pH events detected by 24‐h oropharyngeal pH monitoring. Acidic pH in the pharynx might lead to MPINT formation.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 134:62–68, 2024
Targeting the p53 signaling pathway in cancers: Molecular mechanisms and clinical studies
Authors: Shen Jinze , Wang Qurui , Mao Yunan , Gao Wei , Duan Shiwei 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTumor suppressor p53 can transcriptionally activate downstream genes in response to stress, and then regulate the cell cycle, DNA repair, metabolism, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and other biological responses. p53 has seven functional domains and 12 splice isoforms, and different domains and subtypes play different roles. The activation and inactivation of p53 are finely regulated and are associated with phosphorylation/acetylation modification and ubiquitination modification, respectively. Abnormal activation of p53 is closely related to the occurrence and development of cancer. While targeted therapy of the p53 signaling pathway is still in its early stages and only a few drugs or treatments have entered clinical trials, the development of new drugs and ongoing clinical trials are expected to lead to the widespread use of p53 signaling‐targeted therapy in cancer treatment in the future. TRIAP1 is a novel p53 downstream inhibitor of apoptosis. TRIAP1 is the homolog of yeast mitochondrial intermembrane protein MDM35, which can play a tumor‐promoting role by blocking the mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis pathway. This work provides a systematic overview of recent basic research and clinical progress in the p53 signaling pathway and proposes that TRIAP1 is an important therapeutic target downstream of p53 signaling.
Multiscale Monte Carlo simulations of gold nanoparticle dose‐enhanced radiotherapy II. Cellular dose enhancement within macroscopic tumor models
Authors: Martinov Martin P. , Fletcher Elizabeth M. , Thomson Rowan M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundGold NanoParticle (GNP) dose‐enhanced radiation therapy (GNPT) requires consideration of physics across macro‐ to microscopic length scales, however, this presents computational challenges that have limited previous investigations.PurposeTo develop and apply multiscale Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to assess variations in nucleus and cytoplasm dose enhancement factors (n,cDEFs) over tumor‐scale volumes.MethodsThe intrinsic variation of n,cDEFs (due to fluctuations in local gold concentration and cell/nucleus size variation) are estimated via MC modeling of varied cellular GNP uptake and cell/nucleus sizes. Then, the Heterogeneous MultiScale (HetMS) model is implemented in MC simulations by combining detailed models of populations of cells containing GNPs within simplified macroscopic tissue models to evaluate n,cDEFs. Simulations of tumors with spatially uniform gold concentrations (5, 10, or 20 mgAu/gtissue) and spatially varying gold concentrations eluted from a point are performed to determine n,cDEFs as a function of distance from the source for 10 to 370 keV photons. All simulations are performed for three different intracellular GNP configurations: GNPs distributed on the surface of the nucleus (perinuclear) and GNPs packed into one or four endosome(s).ResultsIntrinsic variations in n,cDEFs can be substantial, for example, if GNP uptake and cell/nucleus radii are varied by 20%, variations of up to 52% in nDEF and 25% in cDEF are observed compared to the nominal values for uniform cell/nucleus size and GNP concentration. In HetMS models of macroscopic tumors, subunity n,cDEFs (i.e., dose decreases) can occur for low energies and high gold concentrations due to attenuation of primary photons through the gold‐filled volumes, for example, n,cDEF<1 is observed 3 mm from a 20 keV source for the four endosome configuration. In HetMS simulations of tumors with spatially uniform gold concentrations, n,cDEFs decrease with depth into the tumor as photons are attenuated, with relative differences between GNP models remaining approximately constant with depth in the tumor. Similar initial n,cDEF decreases with radius are seen in the tumors with spatially varying gold concentrations, but the n,cDEFs for all of the GNP configurations converge to a single value for each energy as gold concentration reaches zero.ConclusionsThe HetMS framework has been implemented for multiscale MC simulations of GNPT to compute n,cDEFs over tumor‐scale volumes, with results demonstrating that cellular doses are highly sensitive to cell/nucleus size, GNP intracellular distribution, gold concentration, and cell position in tumor. This work demonstrates the importance of proper choice of computational model when simulating GNPT scenarios and the need to account for intrinsic variations in n,cDEFs due to variations in cell/nucleus size and gold concentration.
A multiparametric alternative to short inversion‐time inversion recovery for imaging inflammation: T2water and fat fraction measurement using chemical shift–encoded turbo spin‐echo MRI
Authors: Gollifer Ruaridh M. , Bray Timothy J. P. , Kruezi Ariona , Markus Julia , Choida Varvara , Hall‐Craggs Margaret A. , Bainbridge Alan 
Published: May 2023

PurposeShort‐inversion‐time inversion‐recovery MRI is used widely for imaging bone and soft‐tissue inflammation in rheumatic inflammatory diseases, but there is no widely available quantitative equivalent of this sequence. This limits our ability to objectively assess inflammation and distinguish it from other processes. To address this, we investigate the use of the widely available Dixon turbo spin echo (TSE Dixon) sequence as a practical approach to simultaneous water‐specific T2 (T2water) and fat fraction (FF) measurement.MethodsWe use a series of TSE Dixon acquisitions with varying effective TEs (TEeff) to quantify T2water and FF. The validity of this approach is assessed in a series of phantom and in vivo experiments, with reference values provided by Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill acquisitions, MRS, and phantoms. The effect of inflammation on parameter values is evaluated in patients with spondyloarthritis.ResultsThe T2water estimates obtained from TSE Dixon were accurate compared with the reference values from Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill and spectroscopy in both fat‐free environments and in the presence of fat. FF measurements with T2water correction from TSE Dixon were accurate from 0% to 60% FF and were not confounded by T2water variations. In vivo imaging produced good quality images that were artifact free, produced plausible T2 values, separating and quantifying the effect of inflammation on T2water and FF.ConclusionThe T2water and FF measurements based on TSE Dixon with effective TE increments are accurate over a range of T2 and FF values and could provide a widely available quantitative alternative to the short‐inversion‐time inversion‐recovery sequence for imaging inflamed tissue.
Optimized interferometric encoding of presaturated TurboFLASH B1 mapping for parallel transmission MRI at 7 T: Preliminary application for quantitative T1 mapping in the spinal cord
Authors: Destruel Aurelien , Mauconduit Franck , Massire Aurélien , Abdeddaim Redha , Guye Maxime , Gras Vincent , Callot Virginie 
Published: May 2023

PurposeThe acquisition of accurate B1 maps is critical for parallel transmit techniques (pTx). The presaturated turboFLASH (satTFL) method has been widely used in combination with interferometric encoding to provide robust and fast B1 maps. However, typical encodings, mostly evaluated on brain, do not necessarily fit all coils and organs. In this work, we evaluated and improved the accuracy of the satTFL for cervical spine at 7 T, proposing a novel interferometric encoding optimization. The benefits of such improvements were investigated in an exploratory study of quantitative T1 mapping with pTx‐MP2RAGE.MethodsGlobal optimization of interferometric encoding was implemented by simulating the ability of the satTFL to reconstruct B1 maps, with varying encoding and inclusion of complex noise, inside a region of interest covering the cervical spine. The performance of satTFL before and after optimization was compared to actual flip angle imaging. Optimized and non‐optimized B1 maps were then used to calculate pTx pulses for MP2RAGE T1 mapping.ResultsInterferometric encoding optimization resulted in satTFL closer to actual flip angle imaging, with substantial gain of signal in regions where non‐optimized satTFL could fail. T1 maps measured with non‐adiabatic pTx pulses were closer to standard non‐pTx results (which used adiabatic pulses) when using optimized‐satTFL, with substantially lower specific absorption rate.ConclusionOptimization of the satTFL interferometric encoding improves B1 maps in the spinal cord, in particular in low SNR regions. A linear correction of the satTFL was additionally shown to be required. The method was successfully used for quantitative phantom and in vivo T1 mapping, showing improved results compared to non‐optimized satTFL thanks to improved pTx‐pulse generation.
Establishing a hemoglobin adjustment for 129Xe gas exchange MRI and MRS
Authors: Bechtel Aryil , Lu Junlan , Mummy David , Bier Elianna , Leewiwatwong Suphachart , Mugler John , Kabir Sakib , Church Alex , Driehuys Bastiaan 
Published: May 2023

Purpose129Xe MRI and MRS signals from airspaces, membrane tissues (M), and red blood cells (RBCs) provide measurements of pulmonary gas exchange. However, 129Xe MRI/MRS studies have yet to account for hemoglobin concentration (Hb), which is expected to affect the uptake of 129Xe in the membrane and RBC compartments. We propose a framework to adjust the membrane and RBC signals for Hb and use this to assess sex‐specific differences in RBC/M and establish a Hb‐adjusted healthy reference range for the RBC/M ratio.MethodsWe combined the 1D model of xenon gas exchange (MOXE) with the principle of TR‐flip angle equivalence to establish scaling factors that normalize the dissolved‐phase signals with respect to a standard (14 g/dL). 129Xe MRI/MRS data from a healthy, young cohort (n = 18, age = 25.0 3.4 years) were used to validate this model and assess the impact of Hb adjustment on M/gas and RBC/gas images and RBC/M.ResultsAdjusting for Hb caused RBC/M to change by up to 20% in healthy individuals with normal Hb and had marked impacts on M/gas and RBC/gas distributions in 3D gas‐exchange maps. RBC/M was higher in males than females both before and after Hb adjustment (p < 0.001). After Hb adjustment, the healthy reference value for RBC/M for a consortium‐recommended acquisition of TR = 15 ms and flip = 20° was 0.589 0.083 (mean SD).ConclusionMOXE provides a useful framework for evaluating the Hb dependence of the membrane and RBC signals. This work indicates that adjusting for Hb is essential for accurately assessing 129Xe gas‐exchange MRI/MRS metrics.
Robust cardiac T1ρ$$ {\mathrm{T}}_{1_{\boldsymbol{\rho}}} $$ mapping at 3T using adiabatic spin‐lock preparations
Authors: Coletti Chiara , Fotaki Anastasia , Tourais Joao , Zhao Yidong , van de Steeg‐Henzen Christal , Akçakaya Mehmet , Tao Qian , Prieto Claudia , Weingärtner Sebastian 
Published: May 2023

PurposeThe aim of this study is to develop and optimize an adiabatic () mapping method for robust quantification of spin‐lock (SL) relaxation in the myocardium at 3T.MethodsAdiabatic SL (aSL) preparations were optimized for resilience against and inhomogeneities using Bloch simulations. Optimized ‐aSL, Bal‐aSL and ‐aSL modules, each compensating for different inhomogeneities, were first validated in phantom and human calf. Myocardial mapping was performed using a single breath‐hold cardiac‐triggered bSSFP‐based sequence. Then, optimized preparations were compared to each other and to conventional SL‐prepared maps (RefSL) in phantoms to assess repeatability, and in 13 healthy subjects to investigate image quality, precision, reproducibility and intersubject variability. Finally, aSL and RefSL sequences were tested on six patients with known or suspected cardiovascular disease and compared with LGE, , and ECV mapping.ResultsThe highest preparation efficiency was obtained in simulations for modules comprising 2 HS pulses of 30 ms each. In vivo maps yielded significantly higher quality than RefSL maps. Average myocardial values were 183.28 25.53 ms, compared with 38.21 14.37 ms RefSL‐prepared . maps showed a significant improvement in precision (avg. 14.47 3.71% aSL, 37.61 19.42% RefSL, p < 0.01) and reproducibility (avg. 4.64 2.18% aSL, 47.39 12.06% RefSL, p < 0.0001), with decreased inter‐subject variability (avg. 8.76 3.65% aSL, 51.90 15.27% RefSL, p < 0.0001). Among aSL preparations, ‐aSL achieved the better inter‐subject variability. In patients, ‐aSL preparations showed the best artifact resilience among the adiabatic preparations. times show focal alteration colocalized with areas of hyper‐enhancement in the LGE images.ConclusionAdiabatic preparations enable robust in vivo quantification of myocardial SL relaxation times at 3T.
Direct synthesis of multi‐contrast brain MR images from MR multitasking spatial factors using deep learning
Authors: Qiu Shihan , Ma Sen , Wang Lixia , Chen Yuhua , Fan Zhaoyang , Moser Franklin G. , Maya Marcel , Sati Pascal , Sicotte Nancy L. , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Xie Yibin , Li Debiao 
Published: May 2023

PurposeTo develop a deep learning method to synthesize conventional contrast‐weighted images in the brain from MR multitasking spatial factors.MethodsEighteen subjects were imaged using a whole‐brain quantitative T1‐T2‐T1ρ MR multitasking sequence. Conventional contrast‐weighted images consisting of T1 MPRAGE, T1 gradient echo, and T2 fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery were acquired as target images. A 2D U‐Net–based neural network was trained to synthesize conventional weighted images from MR multitasking spatial factors. Quantitative assessment and image quality rating by two radiologists were performed to evaluate the quality of deep‐learning–based synthesis, in comparison with Bloch‐equation–based synthesis from MR multitasking quantitative maps.ResultsThe deep‐learning synthetic images showed comparable contrasts of brain tissues with the reference images from true acquisitions and were substantially better than the Bloch‐equation–based synthesis results. Averaging on the three contrasts, the deep learning synthesis achieved normalized root mean square error = 0.184 ± 0.075, peak SNR = 28.14 ± 2.51, and structural‐similarity index = 0.918 ± 0.034, which were significantly better than Bloch‐equation–based synthesis (p < 0.05). Radiologists' rating results show that compared with true acquisitions, deep learning synthesis had no notable quality degradation and was better than Bloch‐equation–based synthesis.ConclusionA deep learning technique was developed to synthesize conventional weighted images from MR multitasking spatial factors in the brain, enabling the simultaneous acquisition of multiparametric quantitative maps and clinical contrast‐weighted images in a single scan.
Narratives of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients regarding the influence of social issues on diabetes self‐management: Implications for patient care
Authors: Korsah Kwadwo Ameyaw , Agyeman‐Yeboah Joana 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAimTo explore the perspectives of individuals living with type 2 diabetes mellitus on the influence of social factors on diabetes self‐management in Ghanaian context.DesignHermeneutic phenomenological approach to qualitative research was used.MethodA semi‐structured interview guide was used to collect data from 27 participants who were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Analysis of data was carried out by using content analysis approach. One main theme with five subthemes emerged.ResultsParticipants experienced social stigma due to the changes in their physical appearance. Mandatory isolation was created by participants in order to manage the diabetes. The financial status of the participants was affected by the diabetes self‐management. Differing from the social issues, the overall participants' responses to experiences living with type 2 diabetes mellitus culminated with psychological or emotional hassles, and therefore, patients resorting to alcohol consumption to deal with diabetes related stress, fears, anxiety, apprehension and pain among others.
The comprehensive experimental investigation of tensile strength and sealing performance for wet‐assembly hybrid bonded‐bolted (WHBB) joint with different bolt‐hole clearance
Authors: Zhao D. , Luo Q. , Liang B. , Cheng H. , Luo B. , Shi Y. , Zhang K. F. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWet‐assembly hybrid bonded/bolted (WHBB) joint is a kind of sealing fastener that contains sealant both in bolt‐hole clearance and between CFRP laminates, which is increasingly applied in composite aircraft fuel tanks. As the guarantee of tensile strength and sealing performance, the thickness and interface characteristics of bolt‐hole sealant layer are investigated by a newly developed comprehensive evaluation method in this paper. The results indicate that the tensile strength of WHBB joint is positively correlated with the bolt‐hole clearance. As for the sealing property of WHBB joints, the leakage rates of WHBB joints with bolt‐hole adhesive layer (0.01, 0.03 and 0.05 mm) is three orders of magnitude less than that of joints with 0 mm adhesive layer. Moreover, the rising slope of leakage rates of the WHBB joints decreases with the increase of bolt‐hole clearance under tensile fatigue loads, which means the WHBB joint with higher bolt‐hole clearance shows better tensile fatigue resistance. The micro‐morphology of bolt‐hole interface indicates that the sealing property of WHBB joints is increased significantly due to the effectively enhanced interface behavior.
Tailoring the physical properties of poly(lactic acid) through the addition of thermoplastic polyurethane and functionalized short carbon fibers
Authors: Simonini L. , Mahmood H. , Dorigato A. , Pegoretti A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe elevated brittleness of commercial grades of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) may limit their use in several engineering applications. Therefore, the aim of this work is to develop a PLA‐based material possessing well‐balanced stiffness and toughness. Composites were prepared by blending PLA with increasing contents (from 10 to 30 wt%) of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and a fixed concentration (5 wt%) of carbon fibers (CFs), to tune the mechanical properties of the resulting materials. In order to increase the interfacial adhesion between CFs and polymeric phase, CFs were subjected to an acidic modification, by treating them in solution of H2SO4 and HNO3. The prepared composites were characterized from a chemical, rheological, morphological, and thermo‐mechanical point of view. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the fiber surface reactivity was significantly enhanced by the acid treatment, with the introduction of reactive functional groups on CFs. Rheological and dynamic‐mechanical tests confirmed that the introduction of acid‐treated CFs implied strong fiber–matrix interactions. Thanks to the presence of the acid treated CFs, an important increase in tensile modulus and maximum stress was obtained for all the compositions. In particular, samples containing 10 wt% of TPU showed +74% tensile modulus and +43% maximum stress with respect to the unfilled blends. Moreover, the elongation at break of PLA was significantly improved (+81%) with the addition of 30 wt% of TPU. It was therefore demonstrated that the adopted approach could be effective for the preparation of novel PLA‐based materials with tailorable and well‐balanced properties that could find application in various technological fields.
An independent validation reveals the potential to predict Hagberg–Perten falling number using spectrometers
Authors: Chen Chun‐Peng James , Hu Yang , Li Xianran , Morris Craig F. , Delwiche Stephen , Carter Arron H. , Steber Camille , Zhang Zhiwu 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe Hagberg–Perten falling number (HFN) method is the international standard used to evaluate the damage to wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain quality due to preharvest sprouting (PHS) and late maturity alpha‐amylase (LMA). However, the HFN test requires specialized laboratory facilities and is time consuming. Spectrometers were known as a potential tool for quick HFN assessment, but none of the studies have validated the assessment results across different datasets. In this study, an independent validation was conducted using independent samples and spectral instruments. The calibration set had 462 grain samples of 92 varieties grown at 24 locations in 2019 and examined using a near‐infrared spectrometer. In the validation set, 19 varieties collected from 10 locations in 2 years that experienced either PHS or LMA were scanned with a hyperspectral camera. The association between spectra and HFN was modeled by partial least square regression. As a result, the independent validation correlation accuracy was r = 0.72 and a mean absolute error of 56 s. Furthermore, this study showed a cost‐effective alternative using only 10 spectral bands to predict HFN, and it achieved better performance than the full spectrum of the hyperspectral system. In conclusion, this is the first study that showed the potential that wheat HFN could be predicted on an independent dataset measured by a different instrument. The result suggested that spectrometers can potentially serve as a faster alternative for plant breeders to develop varieties resistant to PHS and LMA, and for growers to screen damaged grains in transportation processes.