bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family Functioning and Relationship Quality for Adolescents in Family‐based Treatment with Severe Anorexia Nervosa Compared with Non‐clinical Adolescents
Authors: Wallis Andrew , Miskovic‐Wheatley Jane , Madden Sloane , Rhodes Paul , Crosby Ross D. , Cao Li , Touyz Stephen
Published: October 2017

This longitudinal study explored family functioning and relationship quality for adolescents with severe anorexia nervosa (AN). An important outcome given healthy family functioning supports effective adolescent development. Fifty‐four female adolescents and their parents, treated with family‐based treatment after inpatient admission, and 49 non‐clinical age‐matched adolescents and their parents were compared at assessment and 6 months after session 20. At baseline, AN group mothers and fathers reported poorer family function. AN adolescents were notably similar to controls, reporting poorer function in only one domain. There were no changes for adolescents, an improvement for mothers in the AN group, but an increase in perceived impairment for fathers in both groups, with AN fathers more affected. The similarity in adolescent reports and the increase for fathers over time may indicate that normal adolescent family processes occur even in the midst of serious illness. There is a need to provide intervention to ameliorate the impact of treatment on parents. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Flammability of wood plastic composites prepared from plastic waste
Authors: Turku Irina , Kärki Timo , Puurtinen Ari
Published: October 2017

The flammability of wood plastic composites manufactured from recycled plastics was investigated by using the cone calorimetry technique. The peak of the heat release rate was 12% to 25% lower compared to references produced from pure polyethylene‐ and polypropylene‐based composites. The total heat capacity and mass loss rate were also smaller for recycled material compared to the references. The stability of the composites was improved due to the presence of various thermally stable compounds, eg, traces of fire retardants, pigments, and other additives and impurities that can be present in recycled material. Incorporation of carbon black into the secondary materials did not reduce the peak of the heat release rate, but the total heat capacity and mass loss rate decreased further.
Estimation of a significance threshold for epigenome‐wide association studies
Authors: Saffari Ayden , Silver Matt J. , Zavattari Patrizia , Moi Loredana , Columbano Amedeo , Meaburn Emma L. , Dudbridge Frank
Published: October 2017

Epigenome‐wide association studies (EWAS) are designed to characterise population‐level epigenetic differences across the genome and link them to disease. Most commonly, they assess DNA‐methylation status at cytosine‐guanine dinucleotide (CpG) sites, using platforms such as the Illumina 450k array that profile a subset of CpGs genome wide. An important challenge in the context of EWAS is determining a significance threshold for declaring a CpG site as differentially methylated, taking multiple testing into account. We used a permutation method to estimate a significance threshold specifically for the 450k array and a simulation extrapolation approach to estimate a genome‐wide threshold. These methods were applied to five different EWAS datasets derived from a variety of populations and tissue types. We obtained an estimate of for the 450k array, and a genome‐wide estimate of . We further demonstrate the importance of these results by showing that previously recommended sample sizes for EWAS should be adjusted upwards, requiring samples between ∼10% and ∼20% larger in order to maintain type‐1 errors at the desired level.
Effect of the intermediate principal stress on the evolution of mudstone permeability under true triaxial compression
Authors: Shi Lu , Zeng Zhijiao , Bai Bing , Li Xiaochun
Published: October 2017

The changes in the permeability of mudstone specimens under compression with different intermediate principal stresses (σ2) were tested using a true triaxial testing system. The confining pressure and pore pressure were set based on the caprock conditions in a CO2geological storage project. The measured permeability initially increased and then decreased before the failure of the specimen and reached a peak in the form of a sudden increase during the formation of the fault. The permeability during compression decreased with increasingσ2. However, the higherσ2caused the ductility of the mudstone to decrease significantly and led to the formation of a fault parallel to theσ2direction. The increase in permeability during the formation of the fault was notably suppressed by the increase in the confining pressure and decreased with increasing flatness of the fault; the flatness of the fault increased with increasingσ2. Moreover, an empirical function that considers the compressive and dilatant strains was proposed to predict the permeability before the failure of the specimen, and the parameters of this function are only slightly affected byσ2. The results of this study reveal the effect ofσ2on the variation of the permeability of mudstone and help better assess the risk of caprock leakage in injection projects. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fission track and U–Pb double dating of detrital zircon applied to the intracratonic Mesozoic Bauru Basin, Brazil
Authors: Dias A.N.C. , Chemale F. , Hackspacher P.C. , Soares C.J. , O‐Aristizabal C.I. , Tello C.A.S.
Published: October 2017

Coupled fission‐track and U–Pb analyses of detrital zircons are presented. A Cretaceous intracratonic basin formed between 93 to 60 Ma, the Bauru Basin, is investigated to distinguish its provenance and information about the main orogenetic events of the South American Platform. The results of U–Pb zircon dating suggest that Rhyacian (Transamazonian Cycle, 2.3–2.05 Ga), Statherian (1.8–1 Ga), Sunsás (1.2–0.9 Ga), Tonian (Early Brasiliano, 1 to 0.85 Ga) and Brasiliano (0.65 to 0.50 Ga) terranes and units are the main source areas. The fission‐track data provide important evidence of cooling during the Early Brasiliano and Brasiliano periods and yields 2 main Paleozoic age populations, one between 500 and 360 Ma and the other between 345 and 230 Ma. These populations were interpreted as resulting from different tectonic events along the western margin of the South American Platform that affected the platform's internal composition by uplift and exhumation.
Ulk4 deficiency leads to hypomyelination in mice
Authors: Liu Min , Xu Ping , Guan Zhenlong , Qian Xiaohong , Dockery Peter , Fitzgerald Una , O'Brien Timothy , Shen Sanbing
Published: October 2017

Brain nerve fibers are insulated by myelin which is produced by oligodendrocytes. Defects in myelination are increasingly recognized as a common pathology underlying neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, which are associated with deletions of the Unc‐51‐like kinase 4 (ULK4) gene. Key transcription factors have been identified for oligodendrogenesis, but little is known about their associated regulators. Here we report that Ulk4 acts as a key regulator of myelination. Myelination is reduced by half in the Ulk4tm1a/tm1a hypomorph brain, whereas expression of axonal marker genes Tubb3, Nefh, Nefl and Nefm remains unaltered. Transcriptome analyses reveal that 8 (Gfap, Mbp, Mobp, Plp1, Slc1a2, Ttr, Cnp, Scd2) of the 10 most significantly altered genes in the Ulk4tm1a/tm1a brain are myelination‐related. Ulk4 is co‐expressed in Olig2+ (pan‐oligodendrocyte marker) and CC1+ (mature myelinated oligodendrocyte marker) cells during postnatal development. Major oligodendrogeneic transcription factors, including Olig2, Olig1, Myrf, Sox10, Sox8, Sox6, Sox17, Nkx2‐2, Nkx6‐2 and Carhsp1, are significantly downregulated in the mutants. mRNA transcripts enriched in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), the newly formed oligodendrocytes (NFOs) and myelinating oligodendrocytes (MOs), are significantly attenuated. Expression of stage‐specific oligodendrocyte factors including Cspg4, Sox17, Nfasc, Enpp6, Sirt2, Cnp, Plp1, Mbp, Ugt8, Mag and Mog are markedly decreased. Indirect effects of axon caliber and neuroinflammation may also contribute to the hypomyelination, as Ulk4 mutants display smaller axons and increased neuroinflammation. This is the first evidence demonstrating that ULK4 is a crucial regulator of myelination, and ULK4 may therefore become a novel therapeutic target for hypomyelination diseases.
Microglial‐induced Müller cell gliosis is attenuated by progesterone in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Roche Sarah L. , Ruiz‐Lopez Ana M. , Moloney Jennifer N. , Byrne Ashleigh M. , Cotter Thomas G.
Published: October 2017

Norgestrel, a progesterone analogue, has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Neuroprotection is achieved in part through Norgestrels anti‐inflammatory properties, alleviating detrimental microglial activity. Gliosis is a feature of many neurodegenerative diseases of the retina, including retinitis pigmentosa. Müller glia, a type of macroglia found in the retina, are major contributors of gliosis, characterized by the upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Microglia‐Müller glia crosstalk has been implicated in the initiation of gliosis. In the rd10 retina, increased microglial activity and gliotic events are observed prior to the onset of photoreceptor loss. We hypothesized that Norgestrels dampening effects on harmful microglial activity would consequently impact on gliosis. In the current study, we explore the role of microglia‐Müller glia crosstalk in degeneration and Norgestrel‐mediated neuroprotection in the rd10 retina. Norgestrels neuroprotective effects in the rd10 retina coincide with significant decreases in both microglial activity and Müller cell gliosis. Using a Müller glial cell line, rMC‐1, and isolated microglia, we show that rd10 microglia stimulate GFAP production in rMC‐1 cells. Norgestrel attenuates gliosis through direct actions on both microglia and Müller glia. Norgestrel reduces the release of harmful stimuli from microglia, such as interferon‐γ, which might otherwise signal to Müller glia and stimulate gliosis. We propose that Norgestrel also targets Müller cell gliosis directly, by limiting the availability of pSTAT3, a known transcription factor for GFAP. These findings highlight an important aspect to Norgestrels neuroprotective effects in the diseased retina, in combating Müller cell gliosis.
Engineered FGF19 eliminates bile acid toxicity and lipotoxicity leading to resolution of steatohepatitis and fibrosis in mice
Authors: Zhou Mei , Learned R. Marc , Rossi Stephen J. , DePaoli Alex M. , Tian Hui , Ling Lei
Published: October 2017

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly prevalent chronic liver disease for which no approved therapies are available. Despite intensive research, the cellular mechanisms that mediate NAFLD pathogenesis and progression are poorly understood. Although obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and related metabolic syndrome, all consequences of a Western diet lifestyle, are well‐recognized risk factors for NAFLD development, dysregulated bile acid metabolism is emerging as a novel mechanism contributing to NAFLD pathogenesis. Notably, NAFLD patients exhibit a deficiency in fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), an endocrine hormone in the gut–liver axis that controls de novo bile acid synthesis, lipogenesis, and energy homeostasis. Using a mouse model that reproduces the clinical progression of human NAFLD, including the development of simple steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and advanced “burnt‐out” NASH with hepatocellular carcinoma, we demonstrate that FGF19 as well as an engineered nontumorigenic FGF19 analogue, M70, ameliorate bile acid toxicity and lipotoxicity to restore liver health. Mass spectrometry‐based lipidomics analysis of livers from mice treated with FGF19 or M70 revealed significant reductions in the levels of toxic lipid species (i.e., diacylglycerols, ceramides and free cholesterol) and an increase in levels of unoxidized cardiolipins, an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Furthermore, treatment with FGF19 or M70 rapidly and profoundly reduced levels of liver enzymes, resolved the histologic features of NASH, and enhanced insulin sensitivity, energy homeostasis, and lipid metabolism. Whereas FGF19 induced hepatocellular carcinoma formation following prolonged exposure in these mice, animals expressing M70 showed no evidence of liver tumorigenesis in this model. Conclusion: We have engineered an FGF19 hormone that is capable of regulating multiple pathways to deliver antisteatotic, anti‐inflammatory, and antifibrotic activities and that represents a potentially promising therapeutic for patients with NASH. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:1024–1042)
Introducing Health Science Reports
Authors: Montenegro‐Montero Alejandro , Young Charles
Published: October 2017

Wiley is proud to announce the launch of Health Science Reports. I talked to the Editor in Chief, Dr. Charles Young, about the journal, its philosophy, and its contribution to scientific communication in the health sciences.
Reproductive autonomy of women and girls under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Authors: Ngwena Charles G.
Published: October 2017

Women and girls with disabilities have historically been denied the freedom to make their own choices in matters relating to their reproduction. In the healthcare sector they experience multiple discriminatory practices. Women and girls with intellectual disabilities are particularly vulnerable to coerced or forced medical interventions. The present article considers the contribution the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities makes towards affirming the rights of women and girls with disabilities to enjoy reproductive autonomy, including autonomy related to reproductive health, on an equal basis with individuals without disabilities. The Convention is paradigm‐setting in its maximal approach to affirming the rights of individuals with disabilities to make autonomous choices under conditions of equality and non‐discrimination. The Convention is the first human rights treaty to clearly affirm that impairment of decision‐making skills is not a justification for depriving a person with cognitive or intellectual disability of legal capacity.
Low intrapatient variability of histomorphological findings in periprosthetic tissues from revised metal/ceramic on polyethylene joint arthroplasties
Authors: Vaculova Jana , Gallo Jiri , Hurnik Pavel , Motyka Oldrich , Goodman Stuart B. , Dvorackova Jana
Published: October 2017

The type of tissue response to implant by‐products can be determined by examination of periprosthetic tissues. However, little is known about the most suitable location for tissue sampling. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the extent of variability in tissue response in relation to location of tissue sampling, implant fixation, age and sex in total joint arthroplasties with metal‐on‐polyethylene or ceramic‐on‐polyethylene bearing pairs. We processed 236 histology slides from 21 patients and focused on the association between the location of tissue samples and histological features. The presence of the synovial hyperplasia showed a significant association with the particular sampling site. A higher density of high endothelial cell venules was seen in the samples from around the joint, and polyethylene particles were more abundant in noncemented TJA but both findings did not show statistically significant association with the sampling site. The results showed a relatively small variance in the tissue response to prosthetic by‐products among tissues sampled from the same patient. Our findings indicate that tissue samples retrieved from similar distance from around the TJA during the revision operation show comparable results of histological analysis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2008–2018, 2018.
Relationships between road‐distance to primary care facilities and ischemic heart disease and stroke mortality in Hokkaido, Japan: A Bayesian hierarchical approach to ecological count data
Authors: Saijo Yasuaki , Yoshioka Eiji , Kawanishi Yasuyuki , Nakagi Yoshihiko , Hanley Sharon J.B. , Yoshida Takahiko
Published: October 2017

Objective

Poor access to a primary care physician may lead to poor control of risk factors for disease. This study investigated whether geographic access to a primary care physician was related to ischemic heart disease and stroke mortality.

Methods

Road‐distances from the centroids of the basic unit blocks of the 2010 Japanese Census to the nearest primary care facilities in Hokkaido, northern Japan, were measured using geographic information system (GIS) software. Next, block population‐weighted mean road‐distances to primary care facilities in all municipalities were calculated. The numbers of deaths from ischemic heart disease and stroke were obtained from the Vital Statistics Bureau. A Bayesian spatial conditional autoregressive (CAR) model was used to analyze relative risk (RR) by road‐distance with the numbers of physicians in the municipality included as a covariate.

Results

Relative risk (per 1 kilometer increased) of death from ischemic heart disease to road‐distance to the nearest primary care facility was not significantly higher in men (1.108: 95% credible interval [CI] 0.999‐1.037) and women (1.023: 95% CI 1.000‐1.046). However, RR of death from stroke was significantly higher in men (1.019: 95% CI 1.005‐1.032) and women (1.019: 95% CI 1.006‐1.033).

Conclusion

Longer road‐distance to a primary care facility may increase the risk of stroke mortality.
Tokyo Guidelines 2018: flowchart for the management of acute cholecystitis
Authors: Okamoto Kohji , Suzuki Kenji , Takada Tadahiro , Strasberg Steven M. , Asbun Horacio J. , Endo Itaru , Iwashita Yukio , Hibi Taizo , Pitt Henry A. , Umezawa Akiko , Asai Koji , Han Ho‐Seong , Hwang Tsann‐Long , Mori Yasuhisa , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Huang Wayne Shih‐Wei , Belli Giulio , Dervenis Christos , Yokoe Masamichi , Kiriyama Seiki , Itoi Takao , Jagannath Palepu , Garden O. James , Miura Fumihiko , Nakamura Masafumi , Horiguchi Akihiko , Wakabayashi Go , Cherqui Daniel , de Santibañes Eduardo , Shikata Satoru , Noguchi Yoshinori , Ukai Tomohiko , Higuchi Ryota , Wada Keita , Honda Goro , Supe Avinash Nivritti , Yoshida Masahiro , Mayumi Toshihiko , Gouma Dirk J. , Deziel Daniel J. , Liau Kui‐Hin , Chen Miin‐Fu , Shibao Kazunori , Liu Keng‐Hao , Su Cheng‐Hsi , Chan Angus C. W. , Yoon Dong‐Sup , Choi In‐Seok , Jonas Eduard , Chen Xiao‐Ping , Fan Sheung Tat , Ker Chen‐Guo , Giménez Mariano Eduardo , Kitano Seigo , Inomata Masafumi , Hirata Koichi , Inui Kazuo , Sumiyama Yoshinobu , Yamamoto Masakazu
Published: October 2017

We propose a new flowchart for the treatment of acute cholecystitis (AC) in the Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18). Grade III AC was not indicated for straightforward laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Lap‐C). Following analysis of subsequent clinical investigations and drawing on Big Data in particular, TG18 proposes that some Grade III AC can be treated by Lap‐C when performed at advanced centers with specialized surgeons experienced in this procedure and for patients that satisfy certain strict criteria. For Grade I, TG18 recommends early Lap‐C if the patients meet the criteria of Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) ≤5 and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA‐PS) ≤2. For Grade II AC, if patients meet the criteria of CCI ≤5 and ASA‐PS ≤2, TG18 recommends early Lap‐C performed by experienced surgeons; and if not, after medical treatment and/or gallbladder drainage, Lap‐C would be indicated. TG18 proposes that Lap‐C is indicated in Grade III patients with strict criteria. These are that the patients have favorable organ system failure, and negative predictive factors, who meet the criteria of CCI ≤3 and ASA‐PS ≤2 and who are being treated at an advanced center (where experienced surgeons practice). If the patient is not considered suitable for early surgery, TG18 recommends early/urgent biliary drainage followed by delayed Lap‐C once the patient's overall condition has improved. Free full articles and mobile app of TG18 are available at: http://www.jshbps.jp/modules/en/index.php?content_id=47. Related clinical questions and references are also included.
Paths to Development? Rural Roads and Multidimensional Poverty in the Hills and Plains of Nepal
Authors: Bucheli José R. , Bohara Alok K. , Villa Kira
Published: October 2017

We examine the impact of rural road construction on multidimensional poverty by using Nepal's Demographic and Health Survey and a difference‐in‐differences approach. We find reductions in deprivation, mainly driven by asset ownership and dwelling infrastructure, and small or non‐significant effects on health and education. Results are robust to different specifications and estimation methods, although we find heterogeneity across groups and dimensions. We argue that the heterogeneity might be driven by labour characteristics, infrastructure requirements, time considerations; and risk assessment and decision‐making practices. Our work highlights the importance of multidimensional measures to assess poverty and to evaluate infrastructure projects. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Support vector machine for breast cancer classification using diffusion‐weighted MRI histogram features: Preliminary study
Authors: Vidić Igor , Egnell Liv , Jerome Neil P. , Teruel Jose R. , Sjøbakk Torill E. , Østlie Agnes , Fjøsne Hans E. , Bathen Tone F. , Goa Pål Erik
Published: October 2017

Background

Diffusion‐weighted MRI (DWI) is currently one of the fastest developing MRI‐based techniques in oncology. Histogram properties from model fitting of DWI are useful features for differentiation of lesions, and classification can potentially be improved by machine learning.

Purpose

To evaluate classification of malignant and benign tumors and breast cancer subtypes using support vector machine (SVM).

Study Type

Prospective.

SUBJECTS

Fifty‐one patients with benign (n = 23) and malignant (n = 28) breast tumors (26 ER+, whereof six were HER2+).

Field Strength/Sequence

Patients were imaged with DW‐MRI (3T) using twice refocused spin‐echo echo‐planar imaging with echo time / repetition time (TR/TE) = 9000/86 msec, 90 × 90 matrix size, 2 × 2 mm in‐plane resolution, 2.5 mm slice thickness, and 13 b‐values.

Assessment

Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), relative enhanced diffusivity (RED), and the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters diffusivity (D), pseudo‐diffusivity (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) were calculated. The histogram properties (median, mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis) were used as features in SVM (10‐fold cross‐validation) for differentiation of lesions and subtyping.

Statistical Tests

Accuracies of the SVM classifications were calculated to find the combination of features with highest prediction accuracy. Mann–Whitney tests were performed for univariate comparisons.

Results

For benign versus malignant tumors, univariate analysis found 11 histogram properties to be significant differentiators. Using SVM, the highest accuracy (0.96) was achieved from a single feature (mean of RED), or from three feature combinations of IVIM or ADC. Combining features from all models gave perfect classification. No single feature predicted HER2 status of ER + tumors (univariate or SVM), although high accuracy (0.90) was achieved with SVM combining several features. Importantly, these features had to include higher‐order statistics (kurtosis and skewness), indicating the importance to account for heterogeneity.

Data Conclusion

Our findings suggest that SVM, using features from a combination of diffusion models, improves prediction accuracy for differentiation of benign versus malignant breast tumors, and may further assist in subtyping of breast cancer.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1205–1216.
Animal models of neuroinflammation secondary to acute insults originated outside the brain
Authors: Hamasaki Mike Yoshio , Machado Marcel Cerqueira César , Pinheiro da Silva Fabiano
Published: October 2017

The term “neuroinflammation” has been widely used to describe a series of acute or chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). Neurological damage can be a consequence of direct local injury or, secondary, of systemic or even distant inflammatory processes. In this respect, animal models have been developed to better understand the pathophysiology and, possibly, to evaluate more effective methods of treatment for these disorders. Animal models that promote alterations in blood–brain barrier permeability—the activation of microglia or astrocytes, modifications in neuropeptide expression, oxidative stress, increased apoptosis, release of inflammatory mediators, leukocyte infiltration, and brain edema—are likely to involve neuroinflammation and therefore can serve as useful models for human inflammatory CNS injury. This review describes the major animal models of neuroinflammation triggered by systemic or distant inflammatory processes. We will focus on animal models of acute neurologic damage; experimental models that lead to chronic neuroinflammation will not be addressed here.
Characterization of rainstorm modes along the upper mainstream of Yangtze River during 2003–2016
Authors: Wu Xushu , Guo Shenglian , Liu Dedi , Hong Xingjun , Liu Zhangjun , Liu Pan , Chen Hua
Published: October 2017

Accurate knowledge of extrveme rainfall mode (time distribution) is crucial for many fields, such as hydraulic structure design, flood control and reservoir operation. The rainstorm modes along the upper mainstream of Yangtze River (UMYR) during 2003–2016 were investigated by fuzzy mode identification method, linear regression and Mann–Kendall test. Results show that unimodal rainstorms are more frequently seen than bimodal ones, and those with late peaks are dominant along UMYR. Moreover, rainstorms tend to centre on downstream UMYR. Trend analysis reveals moderate decreases in regional mean rainstorm frequency and amount, but an increase in regional mean peak intensity. Unimodal rainstorms with early peaks and bimodal rainstorms with early and late peaks have increased significantly. However, unimodal rainstorms with late peaks and bimodal rainstorms with middle and late peaks show decreases. Spatially, decreases in rainstorm frequency, amount and peak intensity are found in downstream, while peak intensity shows an increasing trend in the upper UMYR. Along the river reach, mean rainstorm levels are generally below 100 mm. In comparison to bimodal rainstorms, unimodal rainstorms are more intense, and those with middle peaks are considered most intense with mean levels of peak intensity generally ranging from 25 to 50 mm h−1. For other rainstorm modes, the mean levels of peak intensity are generally below 25 mm h−1. Finally, we found there is a potential change in the dominant rainstorm mode in downstream UMYR, where unimodal rainstorms with early peaks have become the prevalent local rainstorm mode in recent years, replacing unimodal rainstorms with late peaks.
Influence of increasing temperature on the scorpion sting incidence by climatic regions
Authors: Hurtado‐Díaz Magali , Guzmán‐Ontiveros José , Arias‐Medellín Luis A. , Hernández‐Cadena Leticia , Moreno‐Banda Grea L. , Rodriguez‐Dozal Sandra L. , Texcalac‐Sangrador José L. , Zúñiga‐Bello Pamela E. , Riojas‐Rodríguez Horacio
Published: October 2017

Scorpion stings are a major public health concern representing a frequent cause of intoxication in many countries. The present study aims to examine the impact of climate variability in different climatic regions of the state of Morelos in Mexico on the incidence of scorpion stings. An ecological study was conducted using a retrospective time‐series analysis. Weekly reported scorpion sting cases from the Unique System of Information for Epidemiological Surveillance (SUIVE) and daily temperature and precipitation from the National Meteorological Service were obtained from 1999 to 2007. The geographical region of study was divided according three climatic conditions into Hot region (HR), Warm region (WR) and Cold region (CR). Generalized Linear Models were used to estimate the percent change [95% confidence intervals (CI)] of scorpion sting cases associated to an increase of 1 °C of temperature and 1 cm of precipitation in each climatic region. During the period of study there were 281 076 scorpion sting cases reported in the State of Morelos, Mexico. Positive correlations among temperature and scorpion sting cases were found (R = 0.59 and 0.70 in the HR and WR, respectively). Regions with the hottest temperatures had the greatest effect, showing a 9.8% (CI 95%: 8.30–11.30) increase in scorpion sting cases per 1 °C increased in temperature. Increase in minimum and maximum temperatures have a delayed effect on scorpion stings cases and these may vary by climatic region.
Spatio‐temporal pattern of meteorological droughts and its possible linkage with climate variability
Authors: Zhou Han , Liu Yuanbo
Published: October 2017

Spatial pattern of meteorological droughts is a critical element for investigating drought condition. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) and rotated EOF (REOF) methods are widely used to discriminate dominant patterns. Previous works focused on case applications but left the associated physical meanings unexplored. This study employs the EOF, wavelet analysis, and stepwise regression methods to distinguish spatio‐temporal patterns of meteorological droughts with pattern interpretation. For this purpose, monthly precipitation data were used from 73 meteorological stations in the Poyang Lake basin of China for the period of 1960–2007. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was applied to quantify meteorological droughts. Our results identified four leading EOF/REOF patterns at the basin scale. Seasonal SPI series showed more dominant periods than monthly SPI series, indicating periodic complexity of regional droughts. The dominant periods coincided with those of the EOF/REOF time coefficients. The four leading EOF/REOFs were significantly related to the dominant time scales of 2, 3, 6, 11, 16, and 17 years, except for the fifth EOF/REOF. Stepwise regression analysis further indicated that the four leading EOF/REOFs be likely the superposition of SPI variation from inter‐annual and inter‐decadal scales. The SPI series at different time scales (1–36 months) showed significant correlations with climate teleconnection modes, confirming the existence of identified spatio‐temporal pattern. The Niño3.4 and Southern Oscillation were the primary teleconnection modes that influenced the variability of meteorological droughts over the basin. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation also contributed to the regional dry/wet alternation. The findings provide important implications for understanding spatial and temporal variation of regional droughts.
Analysis of uncertainty for N2O fluxes measured with the closed‐chamber method under field conditions: Calculation method, detection limit, and spatial variability.
Authors: Lammirato Carlo , Lebender Ulrike , Tierling Jens , Lammel Joachim
Published: October 2017

The search for agricultural practices that mitigate N2O emissions, and the validation and development of models, would benefit if the uncertainty of emission estimates would be reduced relative to current levels. This uncertainty has different sources, such as the error of the flux measurements, the error caused by spatially scaling up measurements to the field or regional level, and the error caused by estimating emissions for the time intervals between measurements by interpolation. This paper focuses on the uncertainty of flux measurements and on flux spatial variability, which is a major cause of error when measured fluxes are scaled up spatially. The analysis focuses on 2415 flux measurements made with the closed chamber method over a monitoring campaign of approximately 3 years.

Statistically significant nonlinearities in the changes of N2O concentrations during chamber closure were infrequent (8.3%). Further analysis of significant non‐linear concentration changes indicates that, for positive fluxes, nonlinearity might not always be an artifact caused by chamber placement, but that it can reflect natural temporal variability of the flux during chamber placement in a significant number of cases. The analysis of the coefficients of determination (R2) and of the normalized root mean squared errors (NRMSE) of the linear regressions shows that, below emission rates of 5 g N2O‐N ha−1 d−1, the uncertainty of flux estimates strongly increases. The flux detection limit was 3.5 g N2O‐N ha−1 d−1, which is consistent with the outcome of the analysis of the R2s and NRMSEs. Flux measurements based on less than five N2O concentrations per flux led to estimates with considerably larger confidence intervals. When the number of N2O concentrations per flux was reduced from five to four, the detection limit increased to 7.5 g N2O‐N ha−1 d−1. The individual fluxes of spatially replicated plots show strong dispersion around the mean: the average coefficient of variation for fluxes above 5 g N2O‐N ha−1 d−1 was 54.3% and the data suggest that the spatial variability of fluxes correlates positively with flux magnitude.

Our results suggest that, for measurements performed with the closed static chamber method, (1) linear regression might generally lead to the best estimates of the average fluxes during closure time, and that the chamber sampling strategy might be designed accordingly, (2) there is considerable potential to reduce the uncertainty for fluxes lower than 5 g N2O‐N ha−1 d−1 by employing analytical instrumentation with higher precision, (3) flux uncertainty and detection limit are strongly affected by the number of concentrations measured for each flux, and (4) large numbers of replicated chambers could be particularly beneficial if high fluxes are expected.
Duodenal localization is a negative predictor of survival after small bowel adenocarcinoma resection: A population‐based, propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Wilhelm Alexander , Galata Christian , Beutner Ulrich , Schmied Bruno M. , Warschkow Rene , Steffen Thomas , Brunner Walter , Post Stefan , Marti Lukas
Published: October 2017

Background and Objectives

This study assessed the influence of tumor localization of small bowel adenocarcinoma on survival after surgical resection.

Methods

Patients with resected small bowel adenocarcinoma, ACJJ stage I‐III, were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 2004 to 2013. The impact of tumor localization on overall and cancer‐specific survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression models with and without risk‐adjustment and propensity score methods.

Results

Adenocarcinoma was localized to the duodenum in 549 of 1025 patients (53.6%). There was no time trend for duodenal localization (P = 0.514). The 5‐year cancer‐specific survival rate was 48.2% (95%CI: 43.3‐53.7%) for patients with duodenal carcinoma and 66.6% (95%CI: 61.6‐72.1%) for patients with cancer located in the jejunum or ileum. Duodenal localization was associated with worse overall and cancer‐specific survival in univariable (HR = 1.73; HR = 1.81, respectively; both P < 0.001), multivariable (HR = 1.52; HR = 1.65; both P < 0.001), and propensity score‐adjusted analyses (HR = 1.33, P = 0.012; HR = 1.50, P = 0.002). Furthermore, young age, retrieval of more than 12 regional lymph nodes, less advanced stage, and married matrimonial status were positive, independent prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Duodenal localization is an independent risk factor for poor survival after resection of adenocarcinoma.
Factors associated with local recurrence after surgery for bone metastasis to the extremities
Authors: Krishnan Chandra Kumar , Kim Han‐Soo , Yun Ji Yeon , Cho Hwan Seong , Park Jong Woong , Han Ilkyu
Published: October 2017

Background and Objectives

With increasing life expectancy of patients with bone metastasis, durable surgical stabilization of bone metastasis is necessary. Local recurrence (LR) can compromise surgical stabilization and necessitate retreatment. We analyzed LR rate and factors associated with LR in patients undergoing surgery for bone metastasis.

Methods

Patients (n = 301) who underwent surgery for bone metastasis to the extremities were reviewed. Possible factors that might be associated with LR were investigated.

Results

LR rate was 16% (49/301). Surgical margin was associated with LR, as patients with en‐bloc resection had significantly less LR than patients who underwent curettage (5/66 vs 44/235, P = 0.03). Prostate cancer had lowest rate (0%) of LR and colon cancer had highest rate (31%). Interval from surgery to LR differed among primary cancer types (4.5 ± 3.9 months [lung cancer], vs 12.3 ± 12.9 months [other cancers], P = 0.041). In multivariate analysis, en‐bloc surgical margins (HR = 0.372, P = 0.036) and primary cancers of breast or prostate (HR = 0.391, P = 0.049) were independent factors associated with longer LR‐free survival.

Conclusions

LR after surgery for bone metastasis to extremities is affected by surgical margin and primary cancer type. These factors, along with expected patient survival, need to be considered when planning surgery for bone metastasis to extremities.
Validation of Sendai and Fukuoka consensus guidelines in predicting malignancy in patients with preoperatively diagnosed mucinous pancreatic cystic neoplasms
Authors: Zhou Wentao , Xu Yadong , Rong Yefei , Wu Wenchuan , Kuang Tiantao , Xin Baobao , Zhu Hongxu , Lou Wenhui , Wang Dansong
Published: October 2017

Background and Objectives

The Sendai consensus guidelines (SCG) and Fukuoka consensus guidelines (FCG) have been examined for their roles in predicting advanced neoplasia (AN) in pancreatic cystic neoplasm (PCN) patients with mixed results. We aim to evaluate the utilities of both guidelines in a Chinese cohort with preoperatively diagnosed mucinous PCNs.

Methods

One hundred ninety‐seven patients who underwent resections from 2008 to 2015 in Zhong Shan Hospital, Fudan University for suspected PCNs were retrospectively reviewed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated and compared to measure diagnostic value.

Results

Fifty‐five patients were diagnosed with AN pathologically. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the SCG high‐risk (SCGHR) criteria were 87.3%, 28.2%, 32.0%, 85.1%, and 44.7%, respectively, and for the FCG high‐risk (FCGHR) criteria, they were 40.0%, 95.8%, 78.6%, 80.5%, and 80.2%, respectively. ROC curve comparison analyses showed that the FCGHR were superior to the SCGHR (P = 0.02). The performance of the FCGHR was enhanced with CA19‐9 incorporated (P = 0.004).

Conclusions

The FCG were superior to the SCG in this retrospective analysis, which could be further improved by the incorporation of CA19‐9. However, the practical safety remains uncertain because of missed invasive carcinoma cases.
Comparative study of cylindrical and parallel‐plate electrophoretic separations for the removal of ions and sub‐23 nm particles
Authors: Yu Tongzhu , Yang Yixin , Liu Jianguo , Gui Huaqiao , Zhang Jiaoshi , Cheng Yin , Wang Wenyu , Du Peng , Wang Jie , Wang Huanqin
Published: October 2017

Cylindrical and parallel‐plate electrophoretic separations for the removal of ions and sub‐23 nm particles were compared in this study. First, COMSOL Multiphysics® software was utilized to simulate the ion and particle trajectories inside both electrophoretic separations. The results show that ions and sub‐23 nm particles are removed simultaneously and that all particles can pass through both electrophoretic separations smoothly at a trap voltage of 25 V. The experimental results show that ion losses become smaller with increasing ion flow rates, and ion losses of the cylindrical and parallel‐plate electrophoretic separations range from 56.2 to 71.6% and from 43.8 to 59.6%, respectively, at ion flow rates ranging from 1–3 L/min. For the removal of ions and sub‐23 nm particles, the collection efficiency of both electrophoretic separations can reach 100%, but the parallel‐plate electrophoretic separation requires a lower trap voltage. The particle loss of the parallel‐plate electrophoretic separation is under approximately 10%, which is lower than that of the cylindrical electrophoretic separation. In particular, for large particles (800–2500 nm), the particle losses inside the cylindrical electrophoretic separation are approximately two times higher than those inside the parallel‐plate electrophoretic separation. The parallel‐plate electrophoretic separation is beneficial for the removal of ions and sub‐23 nm particles.
Qualitative and Semiquantitative Elastography for the Diagnosis of Intermediate Suspicious Thyroid Nodules Based on the 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines
Authors: Yang Bo Ra , Kim Eun‐Kyung , Moon Hee Jung , Yoon Jung Hyun , Park Vivian Y. , Kwak Jin Young
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To evaluate qualitative and semiquantitative elastography for the diagnosis of intermediate suspicious thyroid nodules based on the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines.

Methods

Through a retrospective search of our institutional database, 746 solid thyroid nodules found on grayscale ultrasonography, strain elastography, and ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration between June and November 2009 were collected. Among them, 80 nodules from 80 patients with an intermediate suspicion of malignancy based on the 2015 ATA guidelines that were 10 mm or larger were recruited as the final study nodules. Elastographic findings were categorized according to the criteria of Rago et al (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007; 92:2917–2922) and Asteria et al (Thyroid 2008; 18:523–531), and strain ratio values were calculated and recorded. The independent 2‐sample t test and χ2 test (or Fisher exact test) were used to evaluate differences in clinical parameters between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. All variables were compared by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results

Of the 80 nodules, 6 (7.5%) were malignant, and 74 (92.5%) were benign. No significant differences were observed in age, sex, nodule size, elasticity score, and strain ratio between benign and malignant nodules. No variables significantly predicted thyroid malignancy on the univariate analysis. On the multivariate logistic regression analysis, there were no independent variables associated with thyroid malignancy, including the elasticity score and strain ratio (all P > .05).

Conclusions

Elastographic analysis using the elasticity score and strain ratio has limited ability to characterize the benignity or malignancy of thyroid nodules with an intermediate suspicion of malignancy based on the 2015 ATA guidelines.
Evaluation of the Cervix After Cervical Conization by Transvaginal Elastography
Authors: Xie Meng , Zhang Xuyin , Yu Meng , Wang Wenping , Hua Keqin
Published: October 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stiffness of the cervix after the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) by transvaginal elastography and its potential ability to predict future pregnancy.

Methods

A retrospective study included patients of reproductive age who underwent LEEP for cervical high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions on the basis of colposcopic findings and who desired fertility. The characteristics on conventional transvaginal ultrasonography and elastography before and 6 months after LEEP were reviewed and analyzed. Each case had a 12‐month follow‐up, and the information on pregnancy and a cervical cytologic examination was recorded.

Results

Fifty‐three patients who completed the 12‐month follow‐up were included in the analysis. Thirty‐two cases (group 1) were pregnant during the follow‐up, and the other 21 (group 2) had pregnancy failure. The cervical lengths of group 1 and 2 as measured by traditional transvaginal ultrasonography were similar before and 6 months after LEEP. The resistive index of group 1 was significantly higher 6 months after LEEP than before LEEP (mean ± SD, 0.88 ± 0.36 versus 0.42 ± 0.22; P = .007). The mean elasticity score for the cervix was statistically significantly lower after LEEP (2.21 ± 0.53) than before (3.46 ± 0.78; P = .001) in group 1. However, in group 2, the mean elasticity scores were similar after LEEP (3.19 ± 0.58) and before (3.25 ± 0.66; P = .75).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that elastography was a useful technique for evaluating the stiffness of the cervix after LEEP. Elastography could provide a potential means to predict future pregnancy after LEEP.
Roost selection by bats in buildings, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Authors: Fagan Kirstin E. , Willcox Emma V. , Tran Liem T. , Bernard Riley F. , Stiver William H.
Published: October 2017

Bats roosting in buildings are a challenge for wildlife managers because of their conservation needs, capacity to transmit disease, and potential to damage structures. An understanding of roost selection by bats in buildings is important for effective management but was lacking in the southeastern United States. During 2015 and 2016, we surveyed 140 buildings in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, USA for bats, identifying 48 roost sites and detecting 5 species. We compared the microclimate conditions, building features, and habitat patch characteristics of buildings used and unused by bats using an information‐theoretic approach. Averaged parameter estimates from logistic regression models developed with survey data indicated bat presence was more likely in old buildings with dark conditions surrounded by low road density. Of all roost buildings surveyed, 65.9% were accessed regularly by tourists and 68.2% were managed as historical structures. We present alternative management strategies that may be implemented to ensure human health and safety and preserve historical sites while protecting bats during the reproductive period. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Long‐term oncologic and functional outcome in pleomorphic adenomas of the submandibular gland
Authors: Mantsopoulos Konstantinos , Goncalves Miguel , Schapher Mirco , Iro Heinrich
Published: October 2017

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate the oncologic and functional long‐term outcome after surgical therapy of pleomorphic adenomas of the submandibular gland.

Methods

The medical charts of all patients treated for pleomorphic adenomas of the submandibular gland by means of submandibulectomy between 2000 and 2016 were studied retrospectively. Patients who had had revision after external primary surgery, as well as patients with insufficient data were excluded from our study sample.

Results

A total of 75 patients formed our study sample (28 men, 47 women, male:female ratio 0.59:1). Their mean age was 48 years (14–78 years). Mean follow‐up was 82 months (12–170 months). No recurrences of a pleomorphic adenoma could be detected in our study cases. Normal facial nerve function (House‐Brackmann grade I) in the direct postoperative phase was shown in 54/75 cases (72%). In the remaining 21/75 cases (28%), mild paresis of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve (House‐Brackmann II) could be detected in the direct postoperative phase. All cases with facial palsy had recovered with normal facial nerve function (House‐Brackmann I) in 3–6 months.

Conclusion

Our study was able to show oncologic and consistently acceptable oncologic and functional outcomes after submandibulectomy for pleomorphic adenomas of the submandibular gland.

Level of Evidence

4.