bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication and electrochemical properties of 1D mesoporous TiO2 nanorods doped‐LiNi0.7Mn0.2Co0.1O2 as the anode material for lithium ion battery
Authors: Lu Junjian , Zhang Min , Hu Chuanyue
Published: September 2016

One dimensional (1D) mesoporous TiO2 nanorods have been prepared via the foaming‐assisted electrospinning and high temperature calcinations method. Meanwhile, the ternary precursor of LiNi0.7Mn0.2Co0.1O2 has been obtained by the hydroxide co‐precipitation method. The anode materials (sample 2) have been prepared by calcinations of LiNi0.7Mn0.2Co0.1O2 precursor with 1D mesoporous TiO2 nanorods (0.5 wt %) at 820°C for 40 h. The structure and properties of sample 2 have been investigated and characterised by Scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and battery charge–discharge cycle methods, respectively. The first reversible capacity of the electrode for lithium ion batteries based on sample 2 was 159.4 mAhg−1, and 149.4 mAhg−1 was remained after 20 cycles. The electrochemical properties of sample 2 have been improved due to the introduction of mesoporous TiO2 nanorods in the pristine of LiNi0.7Mn0.2Co0.1O2.
Equivalent circuit of piezoelectric resonant disk gyroscope through admittance circle method
Authors: Ou Bin , Zhang Weiping , Tang Jian , Sun Dianjun , Xing Yaliang , Fang Dong , Cui Feng
Published: September 2016

This work aimed to construct a new equivalent circuit which is useful for the further studying of the resonator in the piezoelectric gyroscope. Measurements of the actual admittance circle are used to improve the parameters of the Van Dyke's model. Meanwhile, a parallel resistance to form the new equivalent circuit through analysis is added. The relative error of phase and impedance are 0.335 and 3.68%, respectively. Different values of parallel resistances are added to verify the rationality of the circuit. Contrast to the traditional Van Dyke's model, the new equivalent circuit is more complete in explaining the energy dissipation.
Interdisciplinary Management of Minimally Displaced Orbital Roof Fractures: Delayed Pulsatile Exophthalmos and Orbital Encephalocele
Authors: Ha Austin Y. , Mangham William , Frommer Sarah A. , Choi David , Klinge Petra , Taylor Helena O. , Oyelese Adetokunbo A. , Sullivan Stephen R.
Published: September 2016

Traumatic orbital roof fractures are rare and are managed nonoperatively in most cases. They are typically associated with severe mechanisms of injury and may be associated with significant neurologic or ophthalmologic compromise including traumatic brain injury and vision loss. Rarely, traumatic encephalocele or pulsatile exophthalmos may be present at the time of injury or develop in delayed fashion, necessitating close observation of these patients. In this article, we describe two patients with minimally displaced blow-in type orbital roof fractures that were later complicated by orbital encephalocele and pulsatile exophthalmos, prompting urgent surgical intervention. We also suggest a management algorithm for adult patients with orbital roof fractures, emphasizing careful observation and interdisciplinary management involving plastic surgery, neurosurgery, and ophthalmology.
Immediate Reconstruction of Large Full-Thickness Segmental Anterior Maxillary Defect with Bone Transport
Authors: Pereira AlbertoRocha , Montezuma Nuno , Oliveira Luis , Magalhães Miguel , Rosa José
Published: September 2016

Maxillary segmental defects are a reconstructive challenge particularly when the anterior arch is involved. Missing bone, mucosa, and teeth should be replaced; fistulae closure should be guaranteed by bone and mucosa continuity; stable functional occlusion should be achieved; and facial aesthetics restored. These defects resulting from tumor excisions, if left untreated, will cause additional problems related to interposed scar and collapse of lip and nose. Immediate reconstruction should avoid these problems and should be considered when safe tumor-free margins are obtained. This study describes the treatment of such a defect resulting from a myxoma excision, with trifocal distraction requiring only one additional surgery. Internal distractors were fixed bilaterally for transport of two segmental discs created by inverted L osteotomies at the same surgical time of tumor excision. A second surgery was performed after central contact between transport discs was achieved, for device removal and creation of a dynamic system to regenerate molding and compression-focus development. This was accomplished by internal fixation of one side and central fixation of a full-open distractor to act as compression device when reversely activated. Central perfect adaptation between transported segments and good-quality attached mucosa lining the alveolar crest were determinant to obtain a stable functional and aesthetic result.
Bronchial Stump Recurrence after Complete Resection of Lung Cancer: Effect of the Distance between the Tumor and Bronchial Resection Margin
Authors: Kocaturk Celalettin , Demir Adalet , Urer Halide , Dincer Seyyit , Bedirhan Mehmet , Gunluoglu Mehmet
Published: September 2016

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the following parameters after complete resection in established lung cancer patients: the frequency of bronchial stump recurrence (BSR), the effect of the distance between the tumor and bronchial resection margin (DBTM) on BSR, the survival of patients with BSR, and the effect of the DBTM on survival.

Patients and Methods We retrospectively evaluated 553 consecutive lung cancer patients who underwent complete lung resection. The patients were classified as DBTM: ≤ 10 mm (group 1), 11 to 20 mm (group 2), and > 20 mm (group 3).

Results We found BSR in eight (1.5%) patients. Six patients were in group 1, and two were in group 2. The difference was found to be statistically significant (p = 0004; groups 1 vs. 3). In multivariable analysis, we observed a trend toward significance for the effect of a DBTM on BSR development (p = 0.1). The DBTM did not significantly affect survival (p = 0.61). The survival of patients who developed BSR was significantly poor compared with those who did not develop BSR (p = 0.001).

Conclusion BSR can develop even after complete resection of lung cancer. The DBTM is associated with BSR risk, and the survival of patients who develop BSR is poor.
Transport through a quantum dot spin-orbit coupled to an impurity site
Authors: Giavaras G.
Published: September 2016

The presence of impurity sites in the neighboring area of quantum dot systems has been inferred in various experiments. The impurity sites can be strongly coupled to the dots inducing additional transport channels and lifting the current blockade. Here, we study the current through a quantum dot coupled to an impurity site via spin-orbit interaction. We show how the current in a magnetic field can reveal the dot-impurity interaction and find regimes where the spin-orbit interaction increases the current by a few orders of magnitude.
On generation of intense magnetic field in screw-wire array Z-pinch
Authors: Orlov A. P. , Repin B. G.
Published: September 2016

A dynamic Z-pinch based on a multi-wire cylindrical array having azimuthally twisted wires, called a “screw-wire array,” is numerically simulated in the framework of the 3-D magneto-hydrodynamic approximation. As the current flows through the screw-wire array, an axial component of the magnetic field is generated inside, which intensifies during the radial Z-pinch implosion. The pulse parameters of the compressed magnetic field that can be recorded by a cylindrical probe arranged on the system axis are computed according to the starting twist angle of the screw-wire array. A screw-wire array is compared with a typical “flux compression” scheme in terms of their efficiencies for generating ultrahigh magnetic fields pulses.
Short minority carrier lifetimes in highly nitrogen-doped 4H-SiC epilayers for suppression of the stacking fault formation in PiN diodes
Authors: Tawara T. , Miyazawa T. , Ryo M. , Miyazato M. , Fujimoto T. , Takenaka K. , Matsunaga S. , Miyajima M. , Otsuki A. , Yonezawa Y. , Kato T. , Okumura H. , Kimoto T. , Tsuchida H.
Published: September 2016

We investigated the dependency of minority carrier lifetimes on the nitrogen concentration, temperature, and the injected carrier concentration for highly nitrogen-doped 4H-SiC epilayers. The minority carrier lifetimes greatly shortened when the nitrogen concentration exceeded 1018 cm−3 through enhancing direct band-to-band and Auger recombination and showed a slight variation in the temperature range from room temperature (RT) to 250 °C. The epilayer with a nitrogen concentration of 9.3 × 1018 cm−3 exhibited a very short minority carrier lifetime of 38 ns at RT and 43 ns at 250 °C. The short minority carrier lifetimes of the highly nitrogen-doped epilayer were confirmed to maintain the values even after the subsequent annealing of 1700 °C. 4H-SiC PiN diodes were fabricated by depositing a highly nitrogen-doped epilayer as a “recombination enhancing layer” between an n− drift layer free from basal plane dislocations and the substrate. The PiN diodes showed no formation of stacking faults and no increase in forward voltage during current conduction of 600 A/cm2 (DC), demonstrating that a highly nitrogen-doped buffer layer with a short minority carrier lifetime successfully suppresses the “bipolar degradation” phenomenon.
Identification of major factors in Australian primary care pharmacists’ practice environment that have a bearing on the implementation of professional models of practice
Authors: Jackson John K. , Hussainy Safeera Y. , Kirkpatrick Carl M. J.
Published: September 2016

Objective
The aim of the present study was to describe an environmental framework for pharmacists in primary care in Australia and determine the major factors within that environment that have the greatest bearing on their capacity to implement patient-focused models of professional practice.

Methods
A draft framework for pharmacists’ practice was developed by allocating structures, systems and related factors known to the researchers or identified from the literature as existing within pharmacists’ internal, operational and external environments to one of five domains: Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental or Political [STEEP]. Focus groups of pharmacists used an adapted nominal group technique to assess the draft and add factors where necessary. Where applicable, factors were consolidated into groups to establish a revised framework. The three major factors or groups in each domain were identified. The results were compared with the enabling factors described in the profession’s vision statement.

Results
Seventy-eight individual factors were ultimately identified, with 86% able to be grouped. The three dominant groups in each of the five domains that had a bearing on the implementation of professional models of practice were as follows: (1) Social: the education of pharmacists, their beliefs and the capacity of the pharmacist workforce; (2) Technological: current and future practice models, technology and workplace structures; (3) Economic: funding of services, the viability of practice and operation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; (4) Environmental: attitudes and expectations of stakeholders, including consumers, health system reform and external competition; and (5) Political: regulation of practice, representation of the profession and policies affecting practice.

Conclusions
The three dominant groups of factors in each of the five STEEP environmental domains, which have a bearing on pharmacists’ capacity to implement patient-focused models of practice, correlate well with the enabling factors identified in the profession’s vision statement, with the addition of three factors in the Environmental domain of stakeholder attitudes, health system reform and external competition.

What is known about the topic?
The extensive range of patient-focused professional programs developed for application by pharmacists in primary care in Australia has yet to be widely implemented.

What does this paper add?
Factors both within and beyond the pharmacists’ immediate practice environment that have a bearing on the uptake of professional programs have been identified and prioritised using a structured thematic approach.

What are the implications for practitioners?
The results demonstrate the need for a multifactorial approach to the implementation of professional models of practice in this setting.
Ant defence of a dioecious shrub, Adriana quadripartita (Euphorbiaceae), with extrafloral nectaries
Authors: Beaumont Kieren P. , Mackay Duncan A. , Whalen Molly A.
Published: September 2016

Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) can function to indirectly reduce herbivory by attracting ants that interfere with or predate on herbivorous insects. So as to examine the efficacy of ants as defenders of plants with extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) against herbivores, an ant-exclusion experiment was conducted on plants of the dioecious species Adriana quadripartita (Euphorbiaceae). The experiment was conducted on Torrens Island, South Australia, and adds to previous work that examined the associations among adrianas, ants and invertebrate herbivores at several locations across Australia. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ants that tend EFNs reduce herbivore numbers and levels of herbivory, and whether this ant–plant–herbivore interaction differs between male and female A. quadripartita plants. The abundances of ants and invertebrate herbivores were overall greater on male than on female plants. The exclusion of ants from branches resulted in an increase in herbivore abundance on male and female plants; however, ant exclusion resulted in an increase of foliar damage on male plants only. Whereas previous research on A. tomentosa shows that ants can decrease herbivore abundance, the results here provide the first evidence that EFNs on adrianas can function to decrease foliar herbivory.
Distinct biological events generated by ECM proteolysis by two homologous collagenases
Authors: Solomonov Inna , Zehorai Eldar , Talmi-Frank Dalit , Wolf Sharon G. , Shainskaya Alla , Zhuravlev Alina , Kartvelishvily Elena , Visse Robert , Levin Yishai , Kampf Nir , Jaitin Diego Adhemar , David Eyal , Amit Ido , Nagase Hideaki , Sagi Irit
Published: September 2016

Significance

Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteolysis is an abundant biochemical process. Here we describe the multilayered biological complexity generated by structurally homologous collagenases (matrix metalloproteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-13) in collagen-rich, native ECM, that may prove central to tissue homeostasis and pathology. The events induced by these two collagenases generate microenvironments characterized by distinct chemical, biomechanical, and morphological ECM properties that lead to different cellular behaviors. Our findings improve the fundamental understanding of selective ECM degradation by homologous collagenases and its impact on cell behavior.
On the Erdős-Szekeres convex polygon problem
Authors: Suk Andrew
Published: September 2016

Let

E
S
(
n
)

ES(n)

be the smallest integer such that any set of

E
S
(
n
)

ES(n)

points in the plane in general position contains

n
n

points in convex position. In their seminal 1935 paper, Erdős and Szekeres showed that

E
S
(
n
)
≤

(

2
n
−
4

n
−
2

)

+
1
=

4

n
−
o
(
n
)

ES(n) \leq {2n - 4\choose n-2} + 1 = 4^{n -o(n)}

. In 1960, they showed that

E
S
(
n
)
≥

2

n
−
2

+
1

ES(n) \geq 2^{n-2} + 1

and conjectured this to be optimal. In this paper, we nearly settle the Erdős-Szekeres conjecture by showing that

E
S
(
n
)
=

2

n
+
o
(
n
)

ES(n) =2^{n +o(n)}

.
Braided ℤ_{𝕢}-extensions of pointed fusion categories
Authors: Dong Jingcheng
Published: September 2016

We classify braided

Z

q

\mathbb {Z}_q

-extensions of pointed fusion categories, where

q
q

is a prime number. As an application, we classify modular categories of Frobenius-Perron dimension

q
3

q^3

.
Adjoint groups over ℚ_{𝕡}(𝕏) and R-equivalence - revisited
Authors: Preeti R. , Soman A.
Published: September 2016

We obtain a class of examples of non-rational adjoint classical groups of type

2

A
n

^2A_n

and a group of type

2

D
3

^2D_3

over the function field

F
F

of a smooth geometrically integral curve over a

p
p

-adic field with

p
≠
2

p \neq 2

. We also show that for any group of type

C
n

C_n

over

F
F

, the group of rational equivalence classes of

G
G

over

F
F

is trivial, i.e.,

G
(
F
)

/

R
=
(
1
)

G(F)/R=(1)

.
Gene Expression Patterns in Human Liver Cancers
Authors: Chen Xin , Cheung Siu Tim , So Samuel , Fan Sheung Tat , Barry Christopher , Higgins John , Lai Kin-Man , Ji Jiafu , Dudoit Sandrine , Ng Irene O.L. , van de Rijn Matt , Botstein David , Brown Patrick O.
Published: September 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Using cDNA microarrays to characterize patterns of gene expression in HCC, we found consistent differences between the expression patterns in HCC compared with those seen in nontumor liver tissues. The expression patterns in HCC were also readily distinguished from those associated with tumors metastatic to liver. The global gene expression patterns intrinsic to each tumor were sufficiently distinctive that multiple tumor nodules from the same patient could usually be recognized and distinguished from all the others in the large sample set on the basis of their gene expression patterns alone. The distinctive gene expression patterns are characteristic of the tumors and not the patient; the expression programs seen in clonally independent tumor nodules in the same patient were no more similar than those in tumors from different patients. Moreover, clonally related tumor masses that showed distinct expression profiles were also distinguished by genotypic differences. Some features of the gene expression patterns were associated with specific phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the tumors, including growth rate, vascular invasion, and p53 overexpression.
The exocytic Rabs Ypt3 and Ypt2 regulate the early step of biogenesis of the spore plasma membrane in fission yeast
Authors: Imada Kazuki , Nakamura Taro
Published: September 2016

During fission yeast sporulation, a membrane compartment called the forespore membrane (FSM) is newly formed on the spindle pole body (SPB). The FSM expands by membrane vesicle fusion, encapsulates the daughter nucleus resulting from meiosis, and eventually matures into the plasma membrane of the spore. Although many of the genes involved in FSM formation have been identified, its molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here a genetic screen for sporulation-deficient mutations identified Ypt3, a Rab-family small GTPase known to function in the exocytic pathway. The ypt3-ki8 mutant showed defects in both the initiation of FSM biogenesis and FSM expansion. We also show that a mutation in Ypt2, another Rab protein that may function in the same pathway as Ypt3, compromises the initiation of FSM formation. As meiosis proceeds, both GFP-Ypt3 and GFP-Ypt2 are observed at the SPB and then relocalize to the FSM. Their localizations at the SPB precede FSM formation and depend on the meiotic SPB component Spo13, a putative GDP/GTP exchange factor for Ypt2. Given that Spo13 is essential for initiating FSM formation, these results suggest that two exocytic Rabs, Ypt3 and Ypt2, regulate the initiation of FSM formation on the SPB in concert with Spo13.
Low Body Mass Index in Endometriosis Is Promoted by Hepatic Metabolic Gene Dysregulation in Mice1
Authors: Goetz Teddy G. , Mamillapalli Ramanaiah , Taylor Hugh S.
Published: September 2016

The gynecological disease endometriosis is characterized by the deposition and proliferation of endometrial cells outside the uterus and clinically is linked to low body mass index (BMI). Gene expression in the liver of these women has not been reported. We hypothesized that endometriosis may impact hepatic gene expression, promoting a low BMI. To determine the effect of endometriosis on liver gene expression, we induced endometriosis in female mice by suturing donor mouse endometrium into the peritoneal cavity and measuring the weight of these mice. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning of these mice showed lower body weight and lower total body fat than controls. Microarray analysis identified 26 genes differentially regulated in the livers of mice with endometriosis. Six of 26 genes were involved in metabolism. Four of six genes were upregulated and were related to weight loss, whereas two genes were downregulated and linked to obesity. Expression levels of Cyp2r1, Fabp4, Mrc1, and Rock2 were increased, whereas Igfbp1 and Mmd2 expression levels were decreased. Lep and Pparg, key metabolic genes in the pathways of the six genes identified from the microarray, were also upregulated. This dysregulation was specific to metabolic pathways. Here we demonstrate that endometriosis causes reduced body weight and body fat and disrupts expression of liver genes. We suggest that altered metabolism mediated by the liver contributes to the clinically observed low BMI that is characteristic of women with endometriosis. These findings reveal the systemic and multiorgan nature of endometriosis.
Antagonism of the Neurokinin-1 Receptor Improves Survival in a Mouse Model of Sepsis by Decreasing Inflammation and Increasing Early Cardiovascular Function
Authors: Mella Juan R. , Chiswick Evan , Stepien David , Moitra Rituparna , Duffy Elizabeth R. , Stucchi Arthur , Remick Daniel
Published: September 2016

Objectives:

Sepsis remains a serious clinical problem despite intensive research efforts and numerous attempts to improve outcome by modifying the inflammatory response. Substance P, the principal ligand for the neurokinin-1 receptor, is a potent proinflammatory mediator that exacerbates inflammatory responses and cardiovascular variables in sepsis.

Design:

The current study examined whether inhibition of the neurokinin-1 receptor with a specific antagonist (CJ-12,255) would improve survival in the cecal ligation and puncture model of sepsis in adult female outbred mice.

Setting:

University basic science research laboratory.

Measurements and Main Results:

Neurokinin-1 receptor treatment at the initiation of sepsis improved survival in cecal ligation and puncture sepsis (neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist survival = 79% vs vehicle = 54%). Delaying therapy for as little as 8 hours postcecal ligation and puncture failed to provide a survival benefit. Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist treatment did not prevent the sepsis-induced decrease in circulating WBCs, augment the early (6 hr postcecal ligation and puncture) recruitment of inflammatory cells to the peritoneum, or improve phagocytic cell killing of pathogens. However, the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist significantly reduced both circulating and peritoneal cytokine concentrations. In addition, the cardiovascular variable, pulse distension (a surrogate for stroke volume) was improved in the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist group during the first 6 hours of sepsis, and there was a significant reduction in loss of fluid into the intestine.

Conclusion:

These data show that early activation of the neurokinin-1 receptor by substance P decreases sepsis survival through multiple mechanisms including depressing stroke volume, increasing fluid loss into the intestine, and increasing inflammatory cytokine production.
Early Detection of Increased Intracranial Pressure Episodes in Traumatic Brain Injury: External Validation in an Adult and in a Pediatric Cohort
Authors: Güiza Fabian , Depreitere Bart , Piper Ian , Citerio Giuseppe , Jorens Philippe G. , Maas Andrew , Schuhmann Martin U. , Lo Tsz-Yan Milly , Donald Rob , Jones Patricia , Maier Gottlieb , Van den Berghe Greet , Meyfroidt Geert
Published: September 2016

Objective:

A model for early detection of episodes of increased intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury patients has been previously developed and validated based on retrospective adult patient data from the multicenter Brain-IT database. The purpose of the present study is to validate this early detection model in different cohorts of recently treated adult and pediatric traumatic brain injury patients.

Design:

Prognostic modeling. Noninterventional, observational, retrospective study.

Setting and Patients:

The adult validation cohort comprised recent traumatic brain injury patients from San Gerardo Hospital in Monza (n = 50), Leuven University Hospital (n = 26), Antwerp University Hospital (n = 19), Tübingen University Hospital (n = 18), and Southern General Hospital in Glasgow (n = 8). The pediatric validation cohort comprised patients from neurosurgical and intensive care centers in Edinburgh and Newcastle (n = 79).

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

The model’s performance was evaluated with respect to discrimination, calibration, overall performance, and clinical usefulness. In the recent adult validation cohort, the model retained excellent performance as in the original study. In the pediatric validation cohort, the model retained good discrimination and a positive net benefit, albeit with a performance drop in the remaining criteria.

Conclusions:

The obtained external validation results confirm the robustness of the model to predict future increased intracranial pressure events 30 minutes in advance, in adult and pediatric traumatic brain injury patients. These results are a large step toward an early warning system for increased intracranial pressure that can be generally applied. Furthermore, the sparseness of this model that uses only two routinely monitored signals as inputs (intracranial pressure and mean arterial blood pressure) is an additional asset.
Psychometric Testing of the Self-care of Hypertension Inventory
Authors: Dickson Victoria Vaughan , Lee Christopher , Yehle Karen S. , Abel Willie M. , Riegel Barbara
Published: September 2016

Background:

Hypertension (HTN) is a global public health issue. Self-care is an essential component of HTN treatment, but no instruments are available with which to measure self-care of HTN.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study is to test the psychometric properties of the Self-care of Hypertension Inventory (SC-HI).

Methods:

Using the Self-care of Chronic Illness theory, we developed a 24-item measure of maintenance, monitoring, and management appropriate for persons with chronic HTN, tested it for content validity, and then tested it in a convenience sample of 193 adults. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify measure structure. Cronbach's α and factor determinacy scores and were used to assess reliability. Validity was tested with the Medical Outcomes Study General Adherence Scale and the Decision Making Competency Inventory.

Results:

Seventy percent of the sample was female; mean age was 56.4 ± 13 years; mean duration of HTN was 11 ± 9 years. Removal of 1 item on alcohol consumption resulted in a unidimensional self-care maintenance factor with acceptable structure and internal consistency (α = .83). A multidimensional self-care management factor included “consultative” and “autonomous” factors (factor determinacy score = 0.75). A unidimensional confidence factor captured confidence in and persistence with each aspect of self-care (α = .83). All the self-care dimensions in the final 23-item instrument were associated with treatment adherence and several with decision making.

Conclusion:

These findings support the conceptual basis of self-care in patients with HTN as a process of maintenance, monitoring, and management. The SC-HI confidence scale is promising as a measure of self-efficacy in self-care.
Employment Status and Sick Leave After First-Time Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation
Authors: Christensen Anne Vinggaard , Øhlers, BSc Anne Alexandrine , Zwisler Ann-Dorthe , Svendsen Jesper Hastrup , Berg Selina Kikkenborg
Published: September 2016

Background:

In the Copenhagen Outpatient Programme–Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (COPE-ICD) Trial, a positive effect from a cost-saving, comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program was found on physical and mental health in patients with ICDs.

Objective:

In the context of the COPE-ICD Trial, the aims of this study is to investigate (a) employment status after ICD implantation, (b) the number of sick days related to ICD implantation, (c) differences in employment status and sick days between rehabilitation and usual care groups, and (d) predictors of employment status and sick leave.

Method:

Patients with first-time ICD implantation were randomized to comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation or usual care. One year after ICD implantation, patients answered questions about employment status and sick leave. Differences were tested using the Student t test and the χ
2 test. Predictors of employment status and sick leave were tested using logistic regression and linear regression models.

Result:

A total of 196 patients were randomized. The questionnaire was completed by 138 patients (70%). In total, 47% had worked before ICD implantation. After 1 year, 81% were still working and their mean (SD) number of sick days was 33.8 (58.3). Age 60 years or younger and secondary ICD indication were predictors of working after 1 year. Patients with secondary ICD indication had more sick days and patients who were not married had fewer sick days.

Conclusion:

Most patients who worked before ICD implantation returned to work after the ICD was placed. Those who were married and had an ICD for secondary prevention took more sick days after the ICD than did those without these characteristics. Those who were younger and have a secondary indication ICD were more likely to be working 1 year after ICD implantation.
Intestinal Organoids
Authors: Wallach Thomas E. , Bayrer James R.
Published: September 2016

The development of sustainable intestinal organoid cell culture has emerged as a new modality for the study of intestinal function and cellular processes. Organoid culture is providing a new testbed for therapeutic research and development. Intestinal organoids, self‐renewing 3‐dimensional structures comprised intestinal stem cells and their differentiated epithelial progeny allow for more facile and robust exploration of cellular activity, cell organization and structure, genetic manipulation, and vastly more physiologic modeling of intestinal response to stimuli as compared to traditional 2‐dimensional cell line cultures. Intestinal organoids are affecting a wide variety of research into gastrointestinal pathology. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current state‐of‐the‐art and future effect of research using enteroids and colonoids (organoids grown from the small and large intestines, respectively).
Symptom Management and Psychosocial Needs of Adults With Acute Myeloid Leukemia During Induction Treatment
Authors: Albrecht Tara A. , Boyiadzis Michael , Elswick R.K. , Starkweather Angela , Rosenzweig Margaret
Published: September 2016

Background:

Patients with a new diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are at risk of experiencing a high symptom burden due to the disease and its treatment, which includes a long period of hospitalization.

Objective:

The aim of this pilot work was to describe the multidimensional symptoms and health-related quality of life experienced by patients with a new diagnosis of AML across induction chemotherapy.

Methods:

A prospective, longitudinal descriptive study design was implemented to evaluate symptoms and health-related quality of life at the time of enrollment through 6 weeks postdiagnosis and identify who might be most at risk of experiencing high symptom burden.

Results:

A total of 19 participants were included in this analysis. Moderate to severe levels of distress were present in 25% to 50% of participants, depending on timing in treatment. Females and those with a previous history of a psychological disorder reported higher symptom burden during treatment.

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate that adults with AML experience multiple distressing symptoms during the induction treatment.

Implications for Practice:

Timely routine multidimensional assessment of symptoms in individuals undergoing induction chemotherapy treatment for AML is critical as they may be experiencing multiple concurrent symptoms. Additional research to advance symptom assessment and amelioration of distressing symptoms to improve health-related quality of life is needed in this unique population.
Novel High-grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma
Authors: Hoang Lien N. , Aneja Amandeep , Conlon Niamh , Delair Deborah F. , Middha Sumit , Benayed Ryma , Hensley Martee L. , Park Kay J. , Hollmann Travis J. , Hameed Meera R. , Antonescu Cristina R. , Soslow Robert A. , Chiang Sarah
Published: September 2016

Endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS) are often underpinned by recurrent chromosomal translocations resulting in the fusion of genes involved in epigenetic regulation. To date, onlyYWHAE-NUTM2rearrangements are associated with distinctive high-grade morphology and aggressive clinical behavior. We identified 3 ESS morphologically mimicking myxoid leiomyosarcoma of the uterus and sought to describe their unique histopathologic features and identify genetic alterations using next-generation sequencing. All cases displayed predominantly spindled cells associated with abundant myxoid stroma and brisk mitotic activity. Tumors involved the endometrium and demonstrated tongue-like myometrial infiltration. All 3 were associated with an aggressive clinical course, including multisite bony metastases in 1 patient, progressive peritoneal disease after chemotherapy in another, and metastases to the lung and skin in the last patient. All 3 ESS were found to harborZC3H7B-BCORgene fusions by targeted sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization. On the basis of the review of these cases, we find that ESS withZC3H7B-BCORfusion constitutes a novel type of high-grade ESS and shares significant morphologic overlap with myxoid leiomyosarcoma.
Clinicopathological, Cytogenetic, and Prognostic Analysis of 131 Myeloid Sarcoma Patients
Authors: Kawamoto Keisuke , Miyoshi Hiroaki , Yoshida Noriaki , Takizawa Jun , Sone Hirohito , Ohshima Koichi
Published: September 2016

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is an extramedullary tumor of immature myeloid cells. We analyzed 131 patients with MS, including: (1) de novo MS; (2) MS with concomitant acute myeloid leukemia (AML); (3) MS following myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative neoplasm, or chronic myelogenous leukemia; and (4) MS as a recurrence of AML. The most common development site was the lymph node. Testicular lesions were statistically more frequent in MS as a recurrence of AML than in other types of MS (P=0.0183). MS tended to lack myeloid markers (myeloperoxidase was present in 63.2%, CD68 in 51.3%, CD13 in 48.7%, and CD33 in 48.7% of patients) and express T-cell markers such as CD3 (20.7%) and CD5 (34.2%). All T-cell marker–positive MS cases were negative for the αβ and γδ T-cell receptors on immunohistochemistry. Underlying myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative neoplasm was a poor prognostic factor (vs. de novo MS: P=0.0383; vs. MS with concomitant AML: P=0.0143). However, there was no statistical difference in prognosis between de novo MS and MS with concomitant AML (P=0.288). There were no significant differences in prognosis between the prognoses of T-cell marker–positive and T-cell marker–negative MS cases. In addition, CXCR4 expression was a poor prognostic factor in MS (P=0.0229). This study involves the largest MS cohort to date and expands the clinical and pathologic knowledge of the disease.
Mechanical Implantation of Urothelium Into Periureteral Soft Tissue
Authors: Wobker Sara E. , Aron Manju , Epstein Jonathan I.
Published: September 2016

In the upper genitourinary tract of the ureter and renal pelvis, any invasion of urothelial carcinoma (UC) beyond the thin muscularis is considered pT3 disease, which may prompt adjuvant chemotherapy. Ureteroscopy is commonly used in the workup of these lesions to obtain tissue biopsies and cytology specimens, or to place stents for the relief of obstructive symptoms. The current study describes 4 cases in which the presence of small nests of urothelium in periureteral and peripelvic soft tissue was noted after ureteroscopic instrumentation, mimicking high-stage UC. All 4 cases had a history of ureteral instrumentation with biopsy of the suspected UC. The diagnostic biopsies showed low-grade noninvasive papillary UC (n=2), papillary urothelial neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (n=1), and benign inverted urothelial papilloma (n=1). In the definitive resection specimens, small nests of bland urothelium were present in the periureteral or peripelvic soft tissue, raising the possibility of pT3 UC. We interpreted these displaced small nests to be the result of mechanical implantation occurring during the ureteroscopic procedure on the basis of the finding of associated linear fibrosis, inflammation, hemorrhage, and foreign body giant cells. In the setting of low-grade or benign urothelial neoplasms in the upper urinary tract, caution is warranted when cytologically bland nests of the urothelium are identified beyond the muscularis that could represent mechanically induced implants as opposed to invasive UC extending into peripelvic or periureteral soft tissue.
EBV-negative Aggressive NK-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
Authors: Nicolae Alina , Ganapathi Karthik A. , Pham Trinh Hoc-Tran , Xi Liqiang , Torres-Cabala Carlos A. , Nanaji Nahid M. , Zha Hongbin D. , Fan Zhen , Irwin Sybil , Pittaluga Stefania , Raffeld Mark , Jaffe Elaine S.
Published: September 2016

Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL) is a systemic NK-cell neoplasm, almost always associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Rare cases of EBV-negative ANKL have been described, and some reports suggested more indolent behavior. We report the clinicopathologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular characteristics of 7 EBV-negative ANKL. All patients were adults, with a median age of 63 years (range 22 to 83 y) and an M:F ratio of 2.5:1. Five patients were White, 1 Black, and 1 Asian. All patients presented acutely, with fever (6/7), cytopenias (6/7), and splenomegaly (4/7). Four patients had lymphadenopathy, 4 had extranodal disease. Bone marrow involvement was present in 5, with hemophagocytosis in 3. Peripheral blood was involved in 5 with the neoplastic cells containing prominent azurophilic granules. By immunohistochemistry and/or flow cytometry, the tumor cells lacked surface CD3 and were positive for CD56 (7/7), CD2 (5/5), CD8 (3/7), CD30 (4/5), and granzyme-B (6/6). They were negative for CD4, CD5, βF1, TCRγ, LMP1, and EBV-encoded RNA. Polymerase chain reaction for TCRG clonality was polyclonal. Mutational analysis revealed missense mutations in the STAT3 gene in both cases studied. Median survival was 8 weeks from the onset of disease. One patient received allogeneic bone marrow transplant and is alive with no disease (follow-up 15 mo). EBV-negative ANKL exists but is rare. It tends to occur in older patients and is indistinguishable clinically and pathologically from EBV-positive ANKL, with a similar fulminant clinical course. The high prevalence of Asian patients seen with EBV-positive disease seems less evident with EBV-negative cases.
DNA methylation landscape of ocular tissue relative to matched to peripheral blood
Authors: Hewitt Alex W , Januar Vania , Sexton-Oates Alexandra , Joo Jihoon E , Franchina Maria , Wang Jie Jin , Liang Helena , Craig Jamie E , Saffery Richard
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Epigenetic variation is implicated in a range of non-communicable diseases, including those of the eye. However, investigating the role of epigenetic variation in ocular disease remains problematic as the degree of correlation in epigenetic profile between central (such as the brain or eye) and peripheral tissues (blood or saliva) within an individual remains largely unclear.

METHODS

Matched whole blood from the subclavian vein, and whole eyes (N=8) were obtained post-mortem. DNA was isolated from blood, neurosensory retina, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid and optic nerve tissue. DNA methylation profiling was performed using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 platform. Following standard quality control measures a total of 433,768 methylation values common to all samples were available for use in subsequent analysis.

RESULTS

Unsupervised hierarchical clustering and principal components analysis revealed tissue of origin as the main driver of variation within the dataset. Despite this, there was a strong correlation of methylation profiles between tissues within each individual. Over 255,000 CpG sites were found to have similar methylation levels (beta <0.2 or beta >0.8) across different tissues in the same individuals, with a further ~16,000 sites having similar methylation profiles across ocular tissues only. Only a small proportion of probes showing interindividual variation in blood, co-varied across blood and eye tissues within individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

An improved understanding of the epigenetic landscape of the eye will have important ramifications for regenerative medicine and ongoing dissection of gene-environment interactions in eye disease. Despite a generally high correlation in methylation values irrespective of sample origin, tissue type is the major driver of methylation variation, with only limited covariation between blood and any specific ocular tissue. Caution is warranted when aiming to infer ocular tissue methylation status from blood samples.
Numericware i: Identical in state matrix calculator
Authors: Kim Bongsong , Beavis William
Published: September 2016

Herein we introduce software, Numericware i to compute a matrix consisting of all pairwise identical in state (IIS) coefficients from genotypic data. Since the emergence of high throughput technology for genotyping, calculating an IIS matrix between many pairs of entities has required large computer memory and lengthy processing times. Numericware i addresses these limitations with two algorithmic methods: multithreading and forward chopping. The multithreading feature allows computational routines to concurrently run on multiple CPU processors. The forward chopping addresses memory limitations by dividing the genotypic data into appropriately sized subsets. Numericware i allows researchers who need to estimate an IIS matrix for big genotypes to use typical laptop/desktop computers. For comparison with different software, we calculated genetic relationship matrices using Numericware i, SPAGeDi and TASSEL with the same small-sized data set. Numericware i measured kinship coefficients between zero and two, while the matrices from SPAGeDi and TASSEL produced different ranges of values, including negative values. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the matrices from Numericware i and TASSEL was high at 0.993, while SPAGeDi rarely showed correlation with Numericware i (0.088) and TASSEL (0.087). To compare the capacity with high dimensional data, we applied the three software to a simulated data set consisted of 500 entities by 1,000,000 SNPs. Numericware i spent 71 minutes using seven CPU cores on a laptop (DELL LATITUDE E6540), while SPAGeDi and TASSEL failed to start. Numericware i is freely available for Windows and Linux under CC-BY license athttps://figshare.com/s/f100f33a8857131eb2db.
Crystal structures of the disulfide reductase DsbM from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Jo Inseong , Park Nohra , Chung In-Young , Cho You-Hee , Ha Nam-Chul
Published: September 2016

In bacteria, many Dsb-family proteins play diverse roles in the conversion between the oxidized and reduced states of cysteine residues of substrate proteins. Most Dsb enzymes catalyze disulfide formation in periplasmic or secreted substrate proteins. Recently, a DsbM protein has been found in a Gram-negative bacterium, and was characterized as a cytosolic Dsb member with the conserved CXXC motif on the basis of sequence homology to the Dsb-family proteins. The protein was implicated in the reduction of the cytoplasmic redox-sensor protein OxyR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, crystal structures of DsbM from P. aeruginosa are presented, revealing that it consists of a modified thioredoxin domain containing the CXXC motif and a lid domain surrounding the CXXC motif. In a glutathione-linked structure, a glutathione molecule is linked to the CXXC motif of DsbM and is bound in an elongated cavity region in the thioredoxin domain, which is also suited for substrate peptide binding. A striking structural similarity to a human glutathione S-transferase was found in the glutathione-binding pocket. Further, biochemical evidence is presented suggesting that DsbM is directly involved in the reduction of the disulfide of Cys199 and Cys208 in OxyR, resulting in the acceleration of OxyR reduction in the absence of reactive oxygen species stress. These findings may help to expand the understanding of the diverse roles of redox-related proteins that contain the CXXC motif.
Managing risk and building resilient organisations in a riskier world
Authors: Cheese Peter
Published: September 2016

Purpose

There has been increasing attention given to the need to bring risk thinking into the field of HRM. The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of risk in a rapidly changing context, examines the responses being made and indicates the characteristics of resilient and adaptive organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a categorisation of risk. It uses the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous metaphor to lay out the likely shape of imminent business risks, and the concept of adaptation to present a case that there is scope for effective responses.

Findings

The paper argues we are at inflexion point that will force businesses to re-examine how they do business in ways that will impact customer expectations, product enhancement, collaborative innovation and ultimately organisational forms. In order to manage and mitigate risk organisations need to understand corporate cultures, operating models and organisational constructs, leadership and governance, as well as the more traditional talent management practices and processes.

Practical implications

Key to achieving resilience will be a focus on behaviour and culture. These issues have to be brought to the heart of strategy and the business model of every organisation. Organisation cultures need to be developed based on trust and respect and the need to avoid risk blindness. We need to challenge the mindset that people can only be trusted within narrow confines of rules, or limits of authority.

Social implications

As we continue to develop more heterogeneous employment models – flexi-working, contractors, self-employed consultants, secondees, agency staff, interns and volunteers, outsourcing, partnering and even crowdsourcing – attention needs to be given to the implications for skills, learning and development and the challenges of aligning behaviours.

Originality/value

The paper brings together a range of imminent business risks to build the case that these risks of course have potentially profound impacts on people management, but that their solution also brings HRM thinking to the heart of strategies, cultures and business models.
Bleeding iliac artery pseudoaneurysm after colorectal anastomotic leak
Authors: Sammour Tarik , An Vinna , Thomas Michelle L.
Published: September 2016

Penetrating and blunt trauma, infection and dissection are all reported causes of abdominal pseudoaneurysms, which are usually managed by endovascular embolization. We report the first case in the literature of a pelvic pseudoaneurysm secondary to a colorectal anastomotic leak.