bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management of the facial nerve following temporal bone ballistic injury
Authors: Maxwell Anne K. , Lemoine John C. , Kahane Jacob B. , Gary Celeste C. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo understand the patterns of temporal bone fracture and facial nerve injury from ballistic trauma.Study DesignRetrospective case series.MethodsRetrospective review of 42 patients evaluated following temporal bone ballistic injury at a single institution, university‐based level‐one trauma center between 2012 and 2021. Demographics, facial nerve status, CT images, interventions, complications, and outcomes were reviewed.ResultsMean age 30.3 years (range 5–58 years); 79% male. Racial demographics reflected the surrounding community. Seven mortalities occurred. Nineteen patients (54%) demonstrated facial nerve injury. Of those, 13/19 displayed immediate paralysis, 1 delayed, 5 unknown (due to altered mental status). On consultation, House‐Brackmann grade 6 paralysis was common (13/19). Fracture was otic capsule‐sparing in 17/19 (90%), universally comminuted, with significant disruption along the mastoid tip (16/19), external auditory canal (EAC) (15/19), and periauricular soft tissues (13/19). Nine patients underwent surgical intervention: Transmastoid facial nerve decompression to remove compressive bony spicules (n = 5); eye protection surgery (n = 3); and peripheral facial nerve exploration (n = 1), noting transection at the pes. One required middle cranial fossa and transmastoid repair of cerebrospinal fistulae in setting of severe meningitis. House‐Brackmann scores improved in 80% following transmastoid nerve decompression despite CT evidence of likely additional injury in its extratemporal course.ConclusionsCommon patterns of temporal bone fracture seen in blunt trauma (longitudinal/transverse, otic capsule‐sparing/disrupting) were not found in patients with ballistic facial nerve injury. Rather, injury was commonly apparent in the EAC, mastoid tip, and periauricular soft tissues. Clinicians should have high suspicion for extratemporal facial nerve injury following ballistic trauma.
Nitrous oxide production in the Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Tang Weiyi , Tracey John C. , Carroll Julia , Wallace Elizabeth , Lee Jenna A. , Nathan Levy , Sun Xin , Jayakumar Amal , Ward Bess B. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractEstuaries at the global scale are significant but highly uncertain sources of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O), which is an intense greenhouse gas and ozone depletion agent. As the largest estuary in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay is suggested to be a spatially and temporally variable source and sink of N2O. However, limited observations of N2O cycling preclude us from estimating and predicting its net N2O flux. To improve our mechanistic understanding of the processes that control the N2O flux at the point of production, we applied multiple 15N tracers (, 15N‐urea, and ) to separately track N2O production from nitrification and denitrification under in situ and manipulated O2 concentrations in the Chesapeake Bay. Nitrification was the major N2O production pathway in oxic waters (up to 7.5 nmol N2O L−1 d−1). In contrast, denitrification dominated N2O production from hypoxic/anoxic waters (up to 20 nmol N2O L−1 d−1). N2O production from urea was observed for the first time in estuarine waters. The contribution from urea was small, but interestingly, showed a depth pattern distinct from other N2O precursors. Experimentally lowering the O2 concentration substantially enhanced N2O production. Therefore, the expansion of hypoxic and anoxic zones in the Chesapeake Bay under climate change as suggested by some climate models may favor the production of N2O, potentially providing positive feedback on warming. Overall, our study provides mechanistic constraints on N2O dynamics that could benefit modeling studies to better estimate the N2O flux in the Chesapeake Bay and other coastal environments.
Conformational Transition‐Driven Self‐Folding Hydrogel Based on Silk Fibroin and Gelatin for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Wang Lu , Yan Ling , Liu Shuang , Zhang Hao , Xiao Jing , Wang Ziyin , Xiao Wenqian , Li Bo , Liao Xiaoling 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSelf‐folding is a rapidly evolving method for converting flat objects into three‐dimensional (3D) structures. However, because there are few materials with suitable properties, the application of self‐folding in tissue engineering has been hindered greatly. Herein, a novel self‐folding hydrogel using conformational transition mechanism is developed by employing photocrosslinkable silk fibroin and gelatin composite hydrogel. It is hypothesized that differences in the amount of beta‐sheet (β‐sheet) formation between the upper and lower layers will supply additional folding stress and drive the self‐folding behavior of a bilayer patch, which can improve the mechanical properties and long‐term stability of the self‐folded structure. In this study, the impact of various proportions of β‐sheets in composite hydrogels on their swelling, mechanics, and internal microstructures are investigated. Subsequently, the folding process parameters are optimized, and diffusion through the folded tubular structure is studied with a perfusion test. Finally, it is proven that the self‐folding hydrogel system is cytocompatible and can be utilized to build a 3D coculture system of “endothelial cells–smooth muscle cells”. These findings suggest that the self‐folding hydrogel can be a promising candidate for applications in blood vessel tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
α‐Synuclein V15A Variant in Familial Parkinson's Disease Exhibits a Weaker Lipid‐Binding Property
Authors: Daida Kensuke , Shimonaka Shotaro , Shiba‐Fukushima Kahori , Ogata Jun , Yoshino Hiroyo , Okuzumi Ayami , Hatano Taku , Motoi Yumiko , Hirunagi Tomoki , Katsuno Masahisa , Shindou Hideo , Funayama Manabu , Nishioka Kenya , Hattori Nobutaka , Imai Yuzuru 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe α‐Synuclein (α‐Syn) V15A variant has been found in two Caucasian families with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the significance of this missense variant remained unclear.ObjectiveWe sought to elucidate whether V15A could increase aggregation or change phospholipid affinity.MethodsA sequencing analysis for the SNCA encoding α‐Syn from 875 patients with PD and 324 control subjects was performed. Comparing with known pathogenic missense variants of α‐Syn, A30P, and A53T, we analyzed the effects of V15A on binding to phospholipid membrane, self‐aggregation, and seed‐dependent aggregation in cultured cells.ResultsGenetic screening identified SNCA c.44 T>C (p.V15A) from two Japanese PD families. The missense variant V15A was extremely rare in several public databases and predicted as pathogenic using in silico tools. The amplification activity of α‐Syn V15A fibrils was stronger than that of wild‐type α‐Syn fibrils.ConclusionsThe discovery of the V15A variant from Japanese families reinforces the possibility that the V15A variant may be a causative variant for developing PD. V15A had a reduced affinity for phospholipids and increased propagation activity compared with wild‐type. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Whole‐Body MRI in Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type R1/2A: Correlation With Clinical Scores
Authors: Aivazoglou Laís U. , Guimarães Julio B. , Costa Maria Alice F. , Aihara André Yui , Cardoso Fabiano N. , Pinto Wladimir B. V. De R. , de Souza Paulo Victor S. , da Silva André M. S. , Zanoteli Edmar , Oliveira Acary S. B. , Carvalho Alzira A. S. , Fernandes Artur Da R. C. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIntroduction/AimThe most common limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) worldwide is LGMD type R1 (LGMDR1). The aim of this study was to correlate the MRI findings with functional scores and to describe the whole‐body MRI (WBMRI) pattern in a LGMDR1 Brazilian cohort.MethodsLGMDR1 patients under follow‐up in three centers were referred for the study. Clinical data were collected and a functional evaluation was performed, consisting of Gardner‐Medwin and Walton (GMW) and Brooke scales. All patients underwent a WBMRI study (1.5T) with axial T1 and STIR images. Fifty‐one muscles were semiquantitatively assessed regarding fatty infiltration and muscle edema.ResultsThe study group consisted of 18 patients. The highest fatty infiltration scores involved the serratus anterior, biceps femoris long head, adductor magnus, and lumbar erector spinae. There was a latero‐medial and caudo‐cranial descending gradient of involvement of the paravertebral muscles, with erector spinae being significantly more affected than the transversospinalis muscles (p < 0.05). A striped appearance that has been dubbed the “pseudocollagen sign” was present in 72% of the patients. There was a positive correlation between the MRI score and GMW (Rho:0.83) and Brooke (Rho:0.53) scores.DiscussionWBMRI in LGMDR1 allows a global patient evaluation including involvement of the paraspinal muscles, usually an underestimated feature in the clinical and imaging study of myopathies. Knowledge of the WBMRI pattern of LGMDR1 involvement can be useful in the diagnostic approach and in future studies to identify the best target muscles to serve as outcome measures in clinical trials.
What does FEXI measure?
Authors: Khateri Mohammad , Reisert Marco , Sierra Alejandra , Tohka Jussi , Kiselev Valerij G. 
Published: July 2022

SummaryFilter‐exchange imaging (FEXI) has already been utilized in several biomedical studies for evaluating the permeability of cell membranes. The method relies on suppressing the extracellular signal using strong diffusion weighting (the mobility filter causing a reduction in the overall diffusivity) and monitoring the subsequent diffusivity recovery. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate that FEXI is sensitive not uniquely to the transcytolemmal exchange but also to the geometry of involved compartments: complex geometry offers locations where spins remain unaffected by the mobility filter; moving to other locations afterwards, such spins contribute to the diffusivity recovery without actually permeating any membrane. This exchange mechanism is a warning for those who aim to use FEXI in complex media such as brain gray matter and opens wide scope for investigation towards crystallizing the genuine membrane permeation and characterizing the compartment geometry.
Quantitative 7T sodium magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain using a 32‐channel phased‐array head coil: Application to patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Wilferth Tobias , Mennecke Angelika , Gast Lena V. , Lachner Sebastian , Müller Max , Rothhammer Veit , Huhn Konstantin , Uder Michael , Doerfler Arnd , Nagel Armin M. , Schmidt Manuel 
Published: July 2022

Apparent tissue sodium concentrations (aTSCs) determined by 23Na brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have the potential to serve as a biomarker in pathologies such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the quantification is hindered by the intrinsically low signal‐to‐noise ratio of 23Na MRI. The purpose of this study was to improve the accuracy and reliability of quantitative 23Na brain MRI by implementing a dedicated postprocessing pipeline and to evaluate the applicability of the developed approach for the examination of MS patients. 23Na brain MRI measurements of 13 healthy volunteers and 17 patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) were performed at 7 T using a dual‐tuned 23Na/1H birdcage coil with a receive‐only 32‐channel phased array. The aTSC values were determined for normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and normal appearing gray matter (NAGM) in healthy subjects and SPMS patients. Signal intensities were normalized using the mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sodium concentration determined in 37 separate patients receiving a spinal tap for routine diagnostic purposes. Five volunteers underwent MRI examinations three times in a row to assess repeatability. Coefficients of variation (CoVs) were used to quantify the repeatability of the proposed method. aTSC values were compared regarding brain regions and subject cohort using the paired‐samples Wilcoxon rank‐sum test. Laboratory CSF sodium concentration did not differ significantly between patients without and with MS (p = 0.42). The proposed quantification workflow for 23Na MRI was highly repeatable with CoVs averaged over all five volunteers of 1.9% ± 0.9% for NAWM and 2.2% ± 1.6% for NAGM. Average NAWM aTSC was significantly higher in patients with SPMS compared with the control group (p = 0.009). Average NAGM aTSC did not differ significantly between healthy volunteers and MS patients (p = 0.98). The proposed postprocessing pipeline shows high repeatability and the results can serve as a baseline for further studies establishing 23Na brain MRI as a biomarker in diseases such as MS.
Three‐dimensional optical body shape and features improve prediction of metabolic disease risk in a diverse sample of adults
Authors: Bennett Jonathan P. , Liu Yong En , Quon Brandon K. , Kelly Nisa N. , Leong Lambert T. , Wong Michael C. , Kennedy Samantha F. , Chow Dominic C. , Garber Andrea K. , Weiss Ethan J. , Heymsfield Steven B. , Shepherd John A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined whether body shape and composition obtained by three‐dimensional optical (3DO) scanning improved the prediction of metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence compared with BMI and demographics.MethodsA diverse ambulatory adult population underwent whole‐body 3DO scanning, blood tests, manual anthropometrics, and blood pressure assessment in the Shape Up! Adults study. MetS prevalence was evaluated based on 2005 National Cholesterol Education Program criteria, and prediction of MetS involved logistic regression to assess (1) BMI, (2) demographics‐adjusted BMI, (3) 85 3DO anthropometry and body composition measures, and (4) BMI + 3DO + demographics models. Receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) values were generated for each predictive model.ResultsA total of 501 participants (280 female) were recruited, with 87 meeting the criteria for MetS. Compared with the BMI model (AUC = 0.819), inclusion of age, sex, and race increased the AUC to 0.861, and inclusion of 3DO measures further increased the AUC to 0.917. The overall integrated discrimination improvement between the 3DO + demographics and the BMI model was 0.290 (p < 0.0001) with a net reclassification improvement of 0.214 (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsBody shape measures from an accessible 3DO scan, adjusted for demographics, predicted MetS better than demographics and/or BMI alone. Risk classification in this population increased by 29% when using 3DO scanning.
Weight loss and β‐cell responses following gastric banding or pharmacotherapy in adults with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial
Authors: Utzschneider Kristina M. , Ehrmann David A. , Arslanian Silva A. , Barengolts Elena , Buchanan Thomas A. , Caprio Sonia , Edelstein Sharon L. , Hannon Tamara S. , Kahn Steven E. , Kozedub Alexandra , Mather Kieren J. , Nadeau Kristen J. , Sam Susan , Tripputi Mark , Xiang Anny H. , El ghormli Laure ,   The RISE Consortium
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe extent to which weight loss contributes to increases in insulin sensitivity (IS) and β‐cell function after surgical or medical intervention has not been directly compared in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.MethodsThe Restoring Insulin Secretion (RISE) Study included adults in the Beta‐Cell Restoration Through Fat Mitigation Study (n = 88 randomized to laparoscopic gastric banding or metformin [MET]) and the Adult Medication Study (n = 267 randomized to placebo, MET, insulin glargine/MET, or liraglutide + MET [L + M]). IS and β‐cell responses were measured at baseline and after 12 months by modeling of oral glucose tolerance tests and during arginine‐stimulated hyperglycemic clamps. Linear regression models assessed differences between and within treatments over time.ResultsBMI decreased in all treatment groups, except placebo, at 12 months. IS increased in all arms except placebo and was inversely correlated with changes in BMI. L + M was the only treatment arm that enhanced multiple measures of β‐cell function independent of weight loss. Insulin secretion decreased in the laparoscopic gastric banding arm proportional to increases in IS, with no net benefit on β‐cell function.ConclusionsReducing demand on the β‐cell by improving IS through weight loss does not reverse β‐cell dysfunction. L + M was the only treatment that enhanced β‐cell function.
Pre‐ and postnatal exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and body composition at 12 years: periods of susceptibility
Authors: Mourino Nerea , Pérez‐Ríos Mónica , Yolton Kimberly , Lanphear Bruce P. , Chen Aimin , Buckley Jessie P. , Kalkwarf Heidi J. , Cecil Kim M. , Braun Joseph M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe study aimed to identify periods of heightened susceptibility to the effects of pre‐ and postnatal secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure on body composition at age 12 years.MethodsThe study used data from 217 children from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective cohort in Cincinnati, Ohio. Using multiple informant models, the study estimated associations of maternal serum cotinine (16 and 26 weeks of pregnancy) and child serum cotinine concentrations (at age 12, 24, 36, and 48 months) with measures of body composition obtained with anthropometry and dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry at 12 years. We examined whether there were differences between these associations for pre‐ and postnatal exposure periods and potential effect measure modification by sex.ResultsPostnatal cotinine concentrations were associated with higher weight, BMI, body fat and lean mass, waist circumference, and visceral, android, and gynoid fat. Each 10‐fold increase in postnatal cotinine was associated with 76% increased risk of overweight or obesity (95% CI: 1.13‐2.75). Associations between prenatal concentrations and measures of body composition at 12 years were generally null.ConclusionsPostnatal exposure to SHS may increase adolescent adiposity and lean mass. Future studies should determine whether early‐life exposures to SHS are associated with other cardiometabolic risk markers.
Aldose reductase promotes diet‐induced obesity via induction of senescence in subcutaneous adipose tissue
Authors: Thiagarajan Devi , Quadri Nosirudeen , Jawahar Shabnam , Zirpoli Hylde , del Pozo Carmen Hurtado , López‐Díez Raquel , Hasan Syed Nurul , Yepuri Gautham , Gugger Paul F. , Finlin Brian S. , Kern Philip A. , Gabbay Kenneth , Schmidt Ann Marie , Ramasamy Ravichandran 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveAldose reductase (AKR1B1 in humans; Akr1b3 in mice), a key enzyme of the polyol pathway, mediates lipid accumulation in the murine heart and liver. The study objective was to explore potential roles for AKR1B1/Akr1b3 in the pathogenesis of obesity and its complications.MethodsThe study employed mice treated with an inhibitor of aldose reductase or mice devoid of Akr1b3 were used to determine their response to a high‐fat diet. The study used subcutaneous adipose tissue‐derived adipocytes to investigate mechanisms by which AKR1B1/Akr1b3 promotes diet‐induced obesity.ResultsIncreased expression of aldose reductase and senescence in the adipose tissue of humans and mice with obesity were demonstrated. Genetic deletion of Akr1b3 or pharmacological blockade of AKRIB3 with zopolrestat reduced high‐fat‐diet‐induced obesity, attenuated markers of adipose tissue senescence, and increased lipolysis.ConclusionsAKR1B1/Akr1b3 modulation of senescence in subcutaneous adipose tissue contributes to aberrant metabolic responses to high‐fat feeding. These data unveil new opportunities to target these pathways to combat obesity.
Pragmatic implementation of a fully automated online obesity treatment in primary care
Authors: Thomas J. Graham , Panza Emily , Espel‐Huynh Hallie M. , Goldstein Carly M. , O'Leary Kevin , Benedict Noah , Puerini Albert J. , Wing Rena R. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveBehavioral obesity treatment implemented in primary care is efficacious but typically involves face‐to‐face or phone contact. This study evaluated enrollment, engagement, and 12‐week weight loss in a fully automated online behavioral weight‐loss intervention implemented pragmatically in a primary care network.MethodsAs part of routine primary care, providers and nurse care managers offered a no‐cost online obesity treatment program to 1,721 patients. Of these, 721 consented and were eligible (aged 18‐75 years with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and internet access), and 464 started the program. The program included 12 weekly online lessons, a self‐monitoring platform, and automated feedback.ResultsMore than one‐quarter of patients who were offered the program (26%) initiated treatment. In intent‐to‐treat analyses using all data available, mean 12‐week weight change was −5.10% (SE = 0.21). Patients who submitted their weights on all 12 weeks (37% of 464) lost an estimated 7.2% body weight versus 3.4% in those submitting less frequently.ConclusionsThis fully automated online program, implemented into the routine workflow of a primary care setting without any human counseling or researcher involvement, produced clinically meaningful short‐term weight loss. Greater program engagement was associated with greater weight loss; efforts are needed to understand barriers to engagement.
A study of the mechanical performance of nanocomposites of polyethylene containing exfoliated boron nitride nanoplatelets
Authors: Wei Si‐Ning , Liu Xin , Yan Jun , Zhong Meiling , Joseph Paul , Zhang Jiali , Zhang Ri‐Chao 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBoron nitride nanoplatelets (BNNPs) are emerging as a potential candidate for developing polymer‐based thermally conducting nanocomposites that have electrically insulating properties. Generally, the mechanical performance of such polymer‐based nanocomposites, for example, toughness, is often found to be inferior, primarily, owing to the poor dispersion of BNNP, resulting from weaker interfacial interactions between BNNPs and polymer matrices. Here, we report on a successful method to fabricate high density polyethylene (HDPE)/BNNP nanocomposites, with superior mechanical properties, through the in situ exfoliation of the nanofiller via a melt‐extrusion technique. The results obtained showed that the toughness of a nanocomposite with 15 wt% BNNP loading is 18.8 × 103 KJ m−3, that is, about 1.5 times enhancement as compared to the control HDPE sample. The enhancement in mechanical properties can be attributed to a greater degree of homogeneous dispersion of the exfoliated BNNPs achieved using the melt‐ extrusion route. The results that were analyzed through scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared measurements showed that an interesting microstructural feature, named “sunflower‐like” core‐shell structure, formed owing to the relatively stronger interactions between BNNPs and polyethylene chains, which in turn facilitated the uniform dispersion of exfoliated BNNPs in HDPE matrix. This work, therefore, opens up a pathway toward an easy and up‐scalable version for fabricating polymer nanocomposites that have superior mechanical performance and with wider applicability.