bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of quality parameters of fresh feline ejaculates collected by three different collection techniques
Authors: Jelinkova Klara , Vitasek Roman , Novotny Robert , Bartoskova Alena
Published: May 2018

The aim of our study was to compare the quality parameters of fresh feline ejaculates collected by three different techniques—urethral catheterization after medetomidine administration (CT), electroejaculation (EE) and epididymal slicing after orchiectomy (EP). A total of 34 adult male cats (Felis catus) were included in the study. In all male cats, the sperm collection was performed under general anaesthesia by three collection methods in the following order: urethral catheterization, electroejaculation and epididymal slicing. The sperm parameters evaluated were as follows: volume, motility, viability, sperm concentration, total sperm count and morphological examination. The highest quality semen parameters were achieved using EE. The comparison of results of the evaluated sperm quality parameters from EE and EP showed significant differences only in one case—the percentage of head abnormalities and lower percentage of head abnormalities were achieved using EE compared to EP: 8.5% (3.0%–21.0%) versus 10.0% (4.0%–22.0%). Semen collected by CT rendered the lowest quality samples when compared to sperm samples collected by EE and EP, especially with respect to the motility and total sperm count which were significantly lower (p < 0.001). Our study showed that sperm samples collected by EE and EP result in better quality of feline ejaculates compared to collection by CT from sperm samples collected from the same male cats. These results demonstrate the necessity of further research of urethral catheterization as a novel technique of semen collection in male cats.
Hypertrophic effect of inhaled beta2‐agonist with and without concurrent exercise training: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jessen S. , Onslev J. , Lemminger A. , Backer V. , Bangsbo J. , Hostrup M.
Published: May 2018

Due to a high prevalence of asthma and exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction in elite athletes, there is a high use of beta2‐adrenoceptor agonists (beta2‐agonists) in the athletic population. While anabolic in rodents, no study has been able to detect hypertrophy in humans after chronic beta2‐agonist inhalation. We investigated whether inhaled beta2‐agonist, terbutaline, alters body composition and metabolic rate with and without concurrent exercise training in healthy young men. Sixty‐seven participants completed a 4‐week intervention of daily terbutaline (8 × 0.5 mg) or placebo treatment without concurrent training (habitual; n = 23), with resistance (n = 23) or endurance (n = 21) training 3 times weekly. Before and after the interventions, participant's body composition was determined by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and resting metabolic rate and substrate oxidation by indirect calorimetry. Terbutaline increased lean body mass by 1.03 kg (95% CI 0.29‐1.76; P < .05) and 1.04 kg (95% CI 0.16‐1.93; P < .05) compared to placebo in the habitual and resistance training group, respectively, but had no effect compared to placebo in the endurance training group [−0.56 kg (95% CI −1.74‐0.62; P > .05)]. Fat mass, bone mineral content, and resting metabolic rate did not change differently between treatments with the intervention. Daily inhalation of terbutaline in near‐therapeutic doses induces skeletal muscle growth. This observation should be a concern for antidoping authorities.
Detrital zircon U–Pb provenance and palaeogeography of Triassic rift basins in the Marrakech High Atlas
Authors: Domènech Mireia , Stockli Daniel F. , Teixell Antonio
Published: May 2018

The Marrakech High Atlas contains some of the best exposures of the Triassic early‐rift strata related to Atlantic opening in NW Africa. We present the first detrital zircon U–Pb data of five Triassic redbed samples from the Tizi n'Test basin to quantify sediment provenance, transport and dispersal patterns during early rifting. These U–Pb ages document dominant sediment sourcing from the south, the Anti‐Atlas domain, with very limited to absent input from the Variscan Meseta domain to the north. This combined with stratigraphic and thermochronologic information points to a highly asymmetric palaeogeography during Triassic rifting. Furthermore, the occurrence of Archaean detrital zircon grains in Triassic sandstone, likely recycled from the Reguibat shield, suggests the presence of a fully developed regional drainage system with rivers and catchments reaching hundreds of kilometres into the hinterland of the rift flank.
Evaluation of the rostral projection of the sacral lamina as a component of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in German shepherd dogs
Authors: Saunders Harvey , Worth Andrew J. , Bridges Janis P. , Hartman Angela
Published: May 2018

Objective

To determine the association between a greater rostral projection of the sacral lamina and clinical signs of cauda equina syndrome (CES) in German shepherd dogs (GSD) with presumptive degenerative lumbosacral disease (DLSS).

Study design

Retrospective cohort study.

Sample population

One hundred forty‐three GSD (125 police dogs and 18 pet dogs) presenting for either CES or prebreeding evaluation. Fifty‐five were classified as affected by CES and diagnosed with DLSS, and 88 were classified as unaffected on the basis of clinical and imaging findings.

Methods

The position of the rostral edge of the sacral lamina was measured from radiographs and/or computed tomography (CT) scans. This position was compared between affected and unaffected dogs. In dogs that underwent both radiography and CT scanning, the agreement between sacral lamina localization using each imaging modality was determined. Owners/handlers were contacted to determine whether dogs subsequently developed clinical signs compatible with CES at a mean of 29 months (unaffected).

Results

The sacral lamina did not extend as far rostrally in affected dogs, compared to unaffected dogs (P =.04). Among the 88 dogs unaffected by CES at initial evaluation, 2 developed clinical signs consistent with CES at follow‐up.

Conclusion

Rostral projection of the sacral lamina, previously proposed as a potential risk factor in dogs with CES due to lumbosacral degeneration, was not associated with a diagnosis of DLSS in this study; the opposite was true.

Clinical significance

Rostral projection of the sacral lamina may not be a predisposing factor in the development of CES due to DLSS in GSD.
Tacrolimus‐induced asymptomatic thrombotic microangiopathy diagnosed by laboratory tests in pig‐to‐rhesus corneal xenotransplantation: A case report
Authors: Kim Jong‐Min , Kim Jaeyoung , Choi Se‐Hyun , Shin Jun‐Seop , Min Byoung‐Hoon , Jeong Won Young , Lee Ga‐Eul , Kim Min‐Sun , Kwon Seeun , Kim Mee Kum , Park Chung‐Gyu
Published: May 2018

Tacrolimus‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA‐TMA) is a rare complication. TA‐TMA is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and organ damage due to thrombus. We report asymptomatic TA‐TMA diagnosed by laboratory tests in pig‐to‐rhesus corneal xenotransplantation. Corneal transplantation had been conducted from a wild‐type SNU miniature pig to a rhesus macaque. The veterinary records were retrospectively reviewed in this case. The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of rituximab, basiliximab, and IVIg as inductive therapies, and steroids with tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg/day) as maintenance therapies. Although there were no clinical symptoms, increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine and decreased levels of hemoglobin and platelet were observed in laboratory tests on Day (D) 61. Systemic TA‐TMA was tentatively diagnosed. Tacrolimus was discontinued starting on D71. Dalteparin, clopidogrel bisulfate (D77‐D99), and IVIg (D72) were administered as a conservative treatment. Abnormal laboratory results were reversed on D99. When low‐dose tacrolimus (0.07 mg/kg/day) was re‐administered on D131 to prevent rejection of the graft, TMA was detected again by laboratory tests on D161, confirming the initial diagnosis. Discontinuation of tacrolimus on D162 and re‐administration of Dalteparin (D161‐D196) corrected the laboratory values on D161. This report shows that in pig‐to‐rhesus corneal xenotransplantation, clinically asymptomatic TMA can be induced by tacrolimus, and the discontinuation of tacrolimus and administration of anticoagulant seems sufficient to correct the laboratory TMA.
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOUND REMOVAL DURING MIXED LIQUOR FILTRATION IN MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR OPERATED UNDER LONG SLUDGE AGE
Authors: Prasertkulsak Sirilak , Chiemchaisri Chart , Chiemchaisri Wilai
Published: May 2018

Removals of 10 pharmaceutical compounds by different size particle fractions in the mixed liquor of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) operated under infinite solid retention time (SRT) were investigated. The distribution of pharmaceutical compounds of different particle size fraction in the mixed liquor of MBRs sludge was determined by fractionating the particles into different size fractions by using different separation techniques. Permeate obtained from each membrane filter was analyzed for residual concentration of pharmaceut8cal compounds using LC-MS/MS and HPLC-UV/Vis analyses. High removals (>80%) of DCF, TMP, NPX, IBP and TCS were observed but CBZ removals were low (<40%). Adsorption onto coarse particle (>0.45 µm) was the major phenomena responsible for the removal of hydrophobic compounds while adsorption onto fine particles and gel-like substances (1 kDa-0.45 µm) contributed significantly to the removals of hydrophilic and moderate hydrophobic compounds. The Majority of pharmaceutical compounds except CBZ and SMX could be adsorbed onto fine particles and gel-like substances and subsequently rejected during membrane filtration in the MBR. Operation of the MBR at high sludge concentration under long sludge age condition helped enhancing the removals of several pharmaceutical compounds via adsorption onto coarse and fine particles.
Illegal or Undocumented: An Analysis of Immigrant Terminology in Contemporary American Media
Authors: Nelson Robin Lee , Davis-Wiley Patricia
Published: May 2018

This purpose of this study was to analyze the terms illegal alien, illegal immigrant, and undocumented immigrant in order to determine if these legal synonyms exhibit pragmatic differences in actual practice found in American media. Studies have reported that differences in terminology, metaphor, and discourse framing largely serve to dehumanize or empower immigrants for partisan purposes in legal language (Johnson 1996), politics (Mehan 1997), and in the media (Santa Ana, 1999). Given the semantic presumption of criminality with the terms illegal alien and illegal immigrant, it can be argued that undocumented immigrant is used in more positive contexts in the media when compared with the terms illegal alien or illegal immigrant. In order to test this theory, the authors used the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA, 2016) to analyze the frequency, presumption of criminality in context, and different media outlets’ use of illegal alien, illegal immigrant, and undocumented immigrant. Results of this study found that the terms illegal immigrant and illegal alien have been used significantly more in American media than the term undocumented immigrant, although that trend appears to be shifting. While there was little difference in the presumption of criminality with illegal immigrant and undocumented immigrant, contexts using illegal alien assumed criminality twice as often as the other terms. Fox News and CNN used terms with illegal much more than any other group, although CNN has largely phased the terms out of use in recent years; NPR used the term undocumented immigrant significantly more than other media.
Association of Academic Stress, Anxiety and Depression with Social-Demographic among Medical Students
Authors: Adiele Dube , Judith A Chamisa , Morgan Gundani P. , Catherine Bako , Carolyne Lunga M.
Published: May 2018

Background: Medical education programmes aim at producing wholesome of competent and skilled graduates, research have shown that students experience stress which impacts on their health, academic performance and social functioning. This paper aims to determine the extent of academic stress, depression and anxiety among medical undergraduates and to explore the correlation between academic stressors, psychological stress and socio-demographic background among first year medical students at National University of Science and Technology.Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken by first-year medical students in 2016 at NUST Division of Social Medical Sciences. A validated and standardised survey Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 42) questionnaire was used. Data was analysed by SPSS version 21.0.Results: Nineteen first-year midwifery students participated in the study. Males were 63.1% while females were 38.8%. Seventy-three per cent of the participants experienced stress during the programme, of which forty-nine percent were females. Female students showed severe stress of 6±1.15 as compared to their male counterparts who scored extremely severe stress of 3.81±1.53. Academic, health-related and psychosocial problems were the chief sources of stress.Conclusion: Stress impacts negatively on undergraduate students. Midwifery students need guidance, mentorship and educational integration support to identify and monitor their own well-being.  These measures should promote a balance in selection of positive strategies to overcome stress, managing workload and time effectively during study period.
The Double Embeddedness of Bitcoin: Insights from Old and New Economic Sociology
Authors: Corradi Fiammetta
Published: May 2018

Revisiting analytically the notion of embeddedness and its connections with the concept of trust, this paper shows that contrary to Bitcoin’s premises and promises to be a trust-low or even trust-less currency, trust enters the system at many various levels and with different nuances. Applying a conceptual framework that conceives embeddedness as both the possible source and outcome of trust, it is pointed out that Bitcoin should better be regarded as doubly embedded: in technology and in its peculiar social structure. Due to the existence of computational and cognitive asymmetries within the system, in fact, trust is necessary for the very functioning of this new form of money, as well as for its future prospects.
The rise, collapse, and compaction of Mt. Mantap from the 3 September 2017 North Korean nuclear test
Authors: Wang Teng , Shi Qibin , Nikkhoo Mehdi , Wei Shengji , Barbot Sylvain , Dreger Douglas , Bürgmann Roland , Motagh Mahdi , Chen Qi-Fu
Published: May 2018

Nuclear testing under the radar

North Korea conducted its sixth underground nuclear weapons test in September 2017. The seismic waves generated from the test allow for triangulation and explosive yield estimates. However, Wang
et al.
show that synthetic aperture radar (SAR) should be added to the arsenal of techniques used to detect and characterize nuclear tests. SAR tracks deformation from space, which resulted in a better constraint of source parameters by using deformation from the nuclear test and the subsequent collapse of Mount Mantap. The test occurred at a depth of about half a kilometer, with an explosive yield around 10 times that of the Hiroshima explosion.

Science
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166
Heart rate changes during positive pressure ventilation after asphyxia-induced bradycardia in a porcine model of neonatal resuscitation
Authors: Espinoza Maria Liza , Cheung Po-Yin , Lee Tze-Fun , O’Reilly Megan , Schmölzer Georg M
Published: May 2018

Background

The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) states that if adequate positive pressure ventilation (PPV) was given for a low heart rate (HR), the infant’s HR should increase within the first 15 s of PPV.

Objective

To assess changes in HR in piglets with asphyxia-induced bradycardia.

Methods

Term newborn piglets (n=30) were anaesthetised, intubated, instrumented and exposed to 50 min normocapnic hypoxia followed by asphyxia. Asphyxia was achieved by clamping the tube until severe bradycardia (defined as HR at <25% of baseline). This was followed by 30 s adequate PPV and chest compression thereafter. Changes in HR during the 30 s of PPV were assessed and divided into four epochs (0–10 s, 5–15 s, 10–20 s and 20–30 s, respectively).

Results

Increase in HR >100/min was observed in 6/30 (20%) after 30 s of PPV. Within the epochs 0–10 s, 5–15 s or 10–20 s no piglet had an increase in HR >100/min. Additional 10/30 (33%) had a >10% increase in HR.

Conclusion

In contrast to NRP recommendation, adequate PPV does not increase HR within 15 s after ventilation in piglets with asphyxia-induced bradycardia.
Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic repair of acetabular labral tears
Authors: Vassalo Carlos César , Barros Antônio Augusto Guimarães , Costa Lincoln Paiva , Guedes Euler de Carvalho , de Andrade Marco Antônio Percope
Published: May 2018

Purpose

To evaluate the primary clinical outcomes of arthroscopic labral repair.

Methods

All patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of the acetabular labrum performed by a senior surgeon between October 2010 and December 2013 were invited to participate in this prospective study. Patients included were those who had a preoperative diagnosis of labral tears, a lateral centre edge greater than 25° and a labral tear believed to be suturable during the intraoperative evaluation. Patients with Tönnis grade 2 or grade 3 hip osteoarthritis and those who had undergone a previous hip surgery were excluded. All patients were evaluated using the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) during the final appointment before surgery, 4 months after surgery and at the final evaluation. Interviews were conducted by the senior surgeon.

Results

Eighty-four patients (90 hips) underwent arthroscopic repair. The mean age was 44.2 years and the mean follow-up period was 43.0 months (minimum of 25 months and maximum of 59 months). The mean mHHS was 80.4 preoperatively, 95.0 at 4 months postoperatively and 96.6 at final evaluation. A statistically significant difference existed among these scores (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Arthroscopic labral repair was associated with a clinically significant improvement in mHHS after short-term (4 months) and medium-term (43 months) follow-up.

Level of evidence

Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Risk profile for drowning deaths in children in the Indian state of Bihar: results from a population-based study
Authors: Dandona Rakhi , Kumar G Anil , George Sibin , Kumar Amit , Dandona Lalit
Published: May 2018

Background

We report on incidence of drowning deaths and related contextual factors in children from a population-based study in the Indian state of Bihar which estimated the causes of death using verbal autopsy (VA).

Methods

Interviews were conducted for deaths in 1–14 years population that occurred from January 2012 to March 2014 in 109 689 households (87.1% participation) in 1017 clusters representative of the state. The Population Health Metrics Research Consortium shortened VA questionnaire was used for interview and cause of death was assigned using the SmartVA automated algorithm. The annualised unintentional drowning death incidence, activity prior to drowning, the body of water where drowning death had occurred and contextual information are reported.

Findings

The survey covered 224 077 children aged 1–14 years. Drowning deaths accounted for 7.2%, 12.5% and 5.8% of all deaths in 1–4, 5–9 and 10–14 years age groups, respectively. The adjusted incidence of drowning deaths was 14.3 (95% CI 14.0 to 14.7) per 100 000 children, with it being higher in urban (16.1, 95% CI 14.8 to 17.3) areas. Nearly half of the children drowned in a river (5.9, 95% CI 5.6 to 6.1) followed by in a pond (2.8, 95% CI 2.6 to 2.9). Drowning death incidence was the highest while playing (5.1, 95% CI 4.9 to 5.4) and bathing (4.0, 95% CI 3.8 to 4.2) with the former accounting for more deaths in 1–4 years age group. Sixty per cent of children were already dead when found. None of these deaths were reported to the civil registration system to obtain death certificate.

Interpretation

The findings from this large representative sample of children document the magnitude of and variations in unintentional drowning deaths in Bihar. Urgent targeted drowning interventions are needed to address the risk in children. Gross under-reporting of drowning deaths in children in India needs attention.
School Area Road Safety Assessment and Improvements (SARSAI) programme reduces road traffic injuries among children in Tanzania
Authors: Poswayo Ayikai , Kalolo Simon , Rabonovitz Katheryn , Witte Jeffrey , Guerrero Alejandro
Published: May 2018

Purpose

To determine the impact of a paediatric road traffic injury (RTI) prevention programme in urban Sub-Saharan Africa.

Setting

Dares Salaam, Republic of Tanzania.

Methods

Household surveys were conducted in catchment areas around 18 primary schools in Dar es Salaam, Republic of Tanzania; the catchment areas were divided into control and intervention groups. Collected data included basic demographic information on all school-aged household members and whether or not they had been involved in an RTI in the previous 12 months, and, if so, what the characteristics of that RTI were. Based on these findings, a separate road safety engineering site analysis and consultation with the communities and other stakeholders, an injury-prevention programme was developed and implemented, consisting of infrastructure enhancements and a site-specific educational programme. The programme was initially implemented at the intervention schools. After 1 year, data were collected in the same manner. The control group received the same intervention after follow-up data were collected.

Results

Data were collected on 12 957 school-aged children in the baseline period and 13 555 school-aged children in the post-intervention period, in both the control and intervention communities. There was a statistically significant reduction in RTIs in the intervention group and a non-significant increase in RTI in the control group. The greatest reduction was in motorcycle–pedestrian RTI, private vehicle–pedestrian RTI and morning RTI.

Conclusion

The programme demonstrated a significant reduction in paediatric RTI after its implementation, in very specific ways. This study demonstrates that for a reasonable investment, scientifically driven injury-prevention programmes are feasible in resource-limited settings with high paediatric RTI rates.
Preliminary study into the skeletal injuries sustained to the spine from posterior non-perforating ballistic impacts into body armour
Authors: Jennings Rosalind M , Malbon C , Brock F , Harrisson S E , Carr D J
Published: May 2018

Introduction

The aim of this paper was to examine any injuries from posterior behind armour blunt trauma ballistic impacts directly over the spine onto typical hard body armours. Due to the spine being close to the surface of the skin and a lack of any previous specific research into this topic, this study was designed to gain preliminary insight into the mechanisms involved and injuries caused. Pigs were chosen as the closest representative of human spine, tissue and skin, although their spines are deeper under the surface than humans. Baseline spine and ribs shots were conducted to ensure that the study was effective.

Method

This study used a 65 kg cadaveric pig eviscerated torso and 7.62 NATO ammunition (7.62×51; L2A2; mean velocity=838 m/s, SD=4 m/s) impacting hard body armour plates over the spine. Injuries were inspected, and sections were removed for X-ray and micro-CT assessment.

Results

There was no visible soft tissue damage under the impact point on the armour over the spine, and no bony injuries were reported. Baseline rib shots resulted in multiple rib fractures; some showed minimal displacement of the bone. Baseline spine shot resulted in damage across the spine involving spinal cord and bone.

Conclusion

No injuries were noted from the spinal impacts, and the rib shots resulted in injuries consistent with those previously reported. The anatomical differences between pigs and humans does not preclude that bony injuries could occur in a human from these types of spinal ballistic impacts.
Adaptive frameworks of chronic pain: daily remakings of pain and care at a Somali refugee women’s health centre
Authors: Campeau Kari
Published: May 2018

Pain is an intensely subjective experience and one that is difficult for healthcare professionals to treat. Chronic pain, often diffuse, cyclical and involving many systems of the body, is often not well treated in a medical system that relies on discrete symptoms, identifiable causes, external pathogens and physician specialisation. Pain has its own problems specific to Somali diaspora populations, where chronic pain is prevalent but often undertreated, and where Somali patients face barriers of access to medicine. This study, conducted in partnership with a Somali women’s health centre, seeks to understand Somali women’s use of informal and formal networks of healthcare. Drawing from qualitative interviews with Somali, refugee women, this article identifies four emerging frameworks through which participants experience chronic pain: (1) pain as a symptom of exile; (2) pain and the strength to bear pain as issues of faith; (3) medicine as powerful, curative and fluid; (4) medical discrimination and exclusion.
Stent and flow diverter assisted treatment of acutely ruptured brain aneurysms
Authors: Cohen José E , Gomori J Moshe , Leker Ronen R , Spektor Sergey , Abu El Hassan Hosni , Itshayek Eyal
Published: May 2018

Objective

We present our experience with stent techniques in the management of acutely ruptured aneurysms, focusing on aneurysm occlusion rates, intraprocedural complications, and late outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients treated by stent techniques during the early acute phase of aneurysmal rupture, from June 2011 to June 2016. Patients who underwent stenting for the management of unruptured aneurysms, or in a delayed fashion for a ruptured lesion, were excluded.

Results

47 patients met inclusion criteria, including 46 with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There were 27 men and 20 women, mean age 38 years (range 23–73). They harbored 71 aneurysms, including 56 treated in the acute phase. Aneurysmal dome and neck width averaged 4.7 mm (range 1.7–12.1) and 3.2 mm (range 1.5–7.1), respectively. Single stent techniques were used in 39 patients and dual stent techniques in 17. External ventricular drains (EVDs) were placed before embolization in 35 patients (92%) and after in 3. Intraprocedure thromboembolic complications due to a hyporesponse to antiplatlets in 4 patients (8.5%) were successfully managed with intra-arterial antiplatelet agents. In 45 surviving patients (96%), there was complete aneurysm occlusion at the 9–12 month follow-up in 26/29 aneurysms treated by stent-assisted coiling (90%), in 2/3 aneurysms treated by flow diverter-assisted coiling (66%), and in 19/22 aneurysms treated by flow diverter alone (86%); 42/45 patients (93%) presented with a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2.

Conclusion

Stenting techniques in ruptured aneurysms can be performed with good technical success; however, procedural thromboembolic complications related to the antiplatelet strategy merit investigation. EVD placement before stenting must be considered.
Cancer incidence among merchant seafarers: an extended follow-up of a Danish cohort
Authors: Ugelvig Petersen Kajsa , Volk Julie , Kaerlev Linda , Lyngbeck Hansen Henrik , Hansen Johnni
Published: May 2018

Objectives

While maritime safety generally has improved dramatically over the last century, modern seafarers are still faced with numerous occupational hazards potentially affecting their risk of chronic diseases such as cancer. The aim of this study is to offer updated information on the incidence of specific cancers among both male and female seafarers.

Methods

Using records from the Danish Seafarer Registry, all seafarers employed on Danish ships during 1986–1999 were identified, resulting in a cohort of 33 084 men and 11 209 women. Information on vital status and cancer was linked to each member of the cohort from the Danish Civil Registration System and the Danish Cancer Registry using the unique Danish personal identification number. SIRs were estimated for specific cancers using national rates.

Results

The overall incidence of cancer was increased for both male and female seafarers (SIR 1.19, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.23, and SIR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.22) compared with the general population. This excess was primarily driven by increases in gastrointestinal, respiratory and genitourinary cancers. In addition, male seafarers working in areas with asbestos exposure showed significantly increased risk of mesothelioma. Finally, the male seafarers had an increased risk of lip cancer.

Conclusions

The majority of cancers among seafarers continue to be lifestyle-related. However, occupational exposure to asbestos and ultraviolet radiation seems to affect the cancer pattern among the male seafarers as well.
HBV and HCV test uptake and correlates among men who have sex with men in China: a nationwide cross-sectional online survey
Authors: Fitzpatrick Thomas , Pan Stephen W , Tang Weiming , Guo Wilson , Tucker Joseph D
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) cause substantial morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, including China. WHO guidelines recommend men who have sex with men (MSM) receive HBV and HCV screening. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of MSM in China who have HBV and HCV tested and identify correlates of test uptake.

Methods

We conducted an online cross-sectional survey of young MSM in China. Respondents were asked to report previous HBV and HCV testing, sociodemographic information, sexual risk factors for hepatitis infection, other STI testing and primary care physician (PCP) status. Associations were analysed by logistic regression.

Results

503 eligible MSM completed the survey. 41.0% (206/503) of MSM had HCV tested, and 38.2% (60/157) of MSM with no or uncertain HBV vaccination had HBV tested. In multivariate analysis, HCV testing was correlated with HBV testing (adjusted OR (aOR) 22.98, 95% CI 12.11 to 43.60), HIV testing (aOR 3.64, 95% CI 1.92 to 6.91), HIV-positive status (aOR 1.78, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.98) and having a PCP (aOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.44 to 3.98). Among MSM with no or uncertain HBV vaccination, HBV testing was correlated with HCV testing (aOR 80.85, 95% CI 20.80 to 314.33), HIV testing (aOR 5.26, 95% CI 1.81 to 15.28), HIV-positive status (aOR 3.00, 95% CI 1.22 to 7.37) and having a PCP (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.00 to 7.26).

Conclusions

Our data suggest many young MSM in China have not received hepatitis testing. HCV testing rates were lower than those recently reported among MSM in Australia and the USA. The strong correlation between HBV and HCV testing suggests bundled testing interventions may be useful for MSM in China. Men with a PCP were more likely to have received hepatitis testing, consistent with literature demonstrating the importance of primary care in expanding access to testing.
Developing a testing battery for measuring dogs’ stifle functionality: the Finnish Canine Stifle Index (FCSI)
Authors: Hyytiäinen Heli K , Mölsä Sari H , Junnila Jouni J T , Laitinen‐Vapaavuori Outi M , Hielm‐Björkman Anna K
Published: May 2018

This study aimed at developing a quantitative testing battery for dogs’ stifle functionality, as, unlike in human medicine, currently none is available in the veterinary field. Forty‐three dogs with surgically treated unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture and 21 dogs with no known musculoskeletal problems were included. Eight previously studied tests: compensation in sitting and lying positions, symmetry of thrust in hindlimbs when rising from lying and sitting, static weight bearing, stifle flexion and extension and muscle mass symmetry, were summed into the Finnish Canine Stifle Index (FCSI). Sensitivities and specificities of the dichotomised FCSI score were calculated against orthopaedic examination, radiological and force platform analysis and a conclusive assessment (combination of previous). One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA)was used to evaluate FCSI score differences between the groups. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was calculated. The range of the index score was 0–263, with a proposed cut‐off value of 60 between ‘adequate’ and ‘compromised’ functional performance. In comparison to the conclusive assessment, the sensitivity and specificity of the FCSI were 90 per cent and 90.5 per cent, respectively. Cronbach's alpha for internal reliability of the FCSI score was 0.727. An estimate of the surgically treated and control dogs’ FCSI scores were 105 (95 per cent CI 93 to 116) and 20 (95 per cent CI 4 to 37), respectively. The difference between the groups was significant (P<0.001).
A perceptual forward collision warning model using naturalistic driving data
Authors: Tawfeek Mostafa H. , El-Basyouny Karim
Published: May 2018

Rear-end collisions represent a quarter to one-third of the total number of collisions occurring on North American roads. While there are several methods to mitigate rear-end collision effects, one way is to warn drivers about impending events using forward collision warning (FCW) systems. At the core of any FCW algorithm is a trigger distance at which a message is relayed to the driver to avoid rear-end collisions. The main goal of this paper is to propose a warning distance model based on naturalistic driver following behavior. This was achieved by investigating car-following events within a critical time-to-collision range. A total of 5785 candidate car-following events were identified for the model development from 2 months of naturalistic driving study data of 63 drivers. Using regression analysis, the minimum warning distance was linked to several performance measures. It was found that the relative speed, the host vehicle speed, and the host vehicle acceleration can significantly affect the minimum warning distance. To assess the performance of the developed algorithm, it was compared to six of the existing FCW algorithms in terms of warning distances. The results of the developed algorithm were consistent with the other perceptual FCW algorithms. However, the warning distances of the proposed algorithm were less than the distances produced by the kinematic algorithms. The proposed algorithm could be used as a minimum threshold to trigger an alert for an FCW algorithm. Since the proposed algorithm is developed based on actual driving data, it is expected to be more acceptable by drivers. However, the algorithm needs further testing in real-life to validate this expectation.
Archibald Geikie as a glacial geologist
Authors: Worsley Peter
Published: May 2018

During the decade commencing in the mid-1850s there was a paradigm shift in Britain from the hypothesis of glacial submergence in association with sediment-laden icebergs to one of terrestrial glaciation as the explanation of lowland ‘Drift’ terrain. During this period, as a rising junior Geological Survey of Great Britain geologist, Archibald Geikie was in the vanguard of this crusade. His field mapping of the drift-covered central valley area of Scotland identified sediments and bedrock surfaces which he could not adequately explain by a submergence mechanism. His Survey line manager was ‘Local Director’ A. C. Ramsay (also spelt Ramsey), the leading British glacial geologist of his time. Ramsay supported the new hypothesis, but it was opposed by Sir Roderick Murchison the Survey Director. Eventually, in 1865, Geikie gained first-hand experience of current glacial processes in Arctic Norway during an expedition which he organized and led. His companions were Survey colleagues, his brother James Geikie and William Whitaker. They jointly concluded that land-ice glaciation held the key to interpreting the ‘Drift’. All three were to gain prominence in British geology but only James became an internationally recognized ice-age geologist.
IoT-Based Smart Building Environment Service for Occupants’ Thermal Comfort
Authors: Park Herie , Rhee Sang-Bong
Published: May 2018

This paper presents an Internet of Things (IoT) platform for a smart building which provides human care services for occupants. The individual health profiles of the occupants are acquired by the IoT-based smart building, which uses the accumulated knowledge of the occupants to provide better services. To ensure the thermal comfort of the occupants inside the building, we propose a dynamic thermal model of occupants. This model is based on the heat balance equation of human body and thermal characteristics of the occupants. We implement this model in two smart building models with heaters controlled by a temperature and thermal comfort index using MATLAB/Simulink®. The simulation results show that the thermal comfort-based control is more effective to maintaining occupants’ thermal satisfaction and is therefore recommended for use providing human care services using IoT platforms in smart buildings.
The Risk of Immunosuppression: A Case of Salmonella Meningitis
Authors: Dower Joshua , Lerner David P. , Geva Tamar , Wener Kenneth
Published: May 2018

Salmonella meningitis is a rare infection, particularly in adults. We report the case of a 75-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis on TNF-antagonist immunosuppressive therapy who initially presented to the hospital for management of back and leg pain and was ultimately diagnosed with bacterial meningitis secondary to Salmonella species infection. She was treated with ceftriaxone with slow improvement in neurological function. Though the source of infection was never clearly identified from multiple imaging studies, we suspect the severity of her presentation was due to her history of TNF-antagonist use.
Multiobjective Simulation-Based Optimization Based on Artificial Immune Systems for a Distribution Center
Authors: Leung Chris S. K. , Lau Henry Y. K.
Published: May 2018

Competitive market factors, such as more stringent government regulations, larger number of competitors, and shorter product life cycle, in recent years have created more significant pressure on the management in all supply chain parties. To this end, the ability of analyzing and evaluating systems and related operations involving the deployment of complex multiobjective material handling systems is vital for distribution practitioners. In this respect, simulation modeling techniques together with optimization have emerged as a very useful tool to facilitate the effective analysis of these complex operations and systems. In this paper, we apply a multiobjective simulation-based optimization framework consisting of a hybrid immune-inspired algorithm named Suppression-controlled Multiobjective Immune Algorithm (SCMIA) and a simulation model for solving a real-life multiobjective optimization problem. The results show that the framework is able to solve large scale problems with a large number of parameters, operators, and equipment involved.
Transformed Follicular Lymphoma (TFL) Predicts Outcome in Advanced Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Wakahashi Senn , Kawakami Fumi , Wakahashi Kanako , Minagawa Kentaro , Matsuo Keitaro , Katayama Yoshio , Yamada Hideto , Matsui Toshimitsu , Sudo Tamotsu
Published: May 2018

Background: Transformed follicular lymphoma (TFL, ZC3H12D) was identified as a candidate tumor suppressor gene that contributes to cell-cycle arrest through regulation of Rb phosphorylation, but the clinical impact of TFL is unknown. The goal of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of TFL expression in advanced endometrial cancer.

Methods: Tissue samples were obtained from 103 patients with Federation Internationale des Gynaecologistes et Obstetristes stage III–IV endometrial cancer. Associations between TFL expression and outcomes were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results: There were 24 TFL-low cases (23.3%) and the 10-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in these cases were lower than those for patients with normal TFL expression in univariate analysis (PFS, P = 0.003; OS, P = 0.106). In multivariate analysis, TFL status was a significant predictor for PFS [HR = 2.76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.45–5.28; P = 0.002] and OS (HR = 1.94; 95% CI, 0.91–4.11; P = 0.085), adjusted for covariates. The TFL gene maps to human chromosome 6q25.1, where estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) gene ESR1 is also located. Lack of ERα expression is a poor prognostic factor in early endometrial cancer. Among 41 ERα-low patients, 10-year PFS was significantly lower in 15 TFL-low cases (univariate analysis, P = 0.055; multivariate analysis, HR = 4.70; 95% CI, 1.68–13.20; P = 0.003).

Conclusions: We identified TFL as a strong independent prognostic factor, regardless of ERα status.

Impact: An investigation of the mechanism underlying tumor suppression by TFL may lead to new therapies for patients with advanced endometrial cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(8); 963–9. ©2018 AACR.
Association of Anthropometric Measures with Prostate Cancer among African American Men in the NCI-Maryland Prostate Cancer Case-Control Study
Authors: Pichardo Margaret S. , Smith Cheryl J. , Dorsey Tiffany H. , Loffredo Christopher A. , Ambs Stefan
Published: May 2018

Background: Obesity is a cancer risk factor. Although it does not increase the risk of localized prostate cancer, it raises the risk of the aggressive disease in men of European ancestry. Few studies investigated obesity as a prostate cancer risk factor in men of African ancestry. Findings from those studies were heterogeneous, but some reported an association of excess body fatness with aggressive disease.

Methods: We examined the relationship of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist–hip ratio with prostate cancer in African American (AA) and European American (EA) men in the NCI-Maryland Prostate Cancer Case-Control Study consisting of 798 men with incident prostate cancer (402 AA and 496 EA) and 1,008 population-based controls (474 AA and 534 EA). BMI was self-reported. Waist circumference and waist–hip ratio were calculated from measurements at enrollment.

Results: A high BMI either at enrollment or years prior to it was associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer in AA men. In contrast, an elevated BMI tended to increase the disease risk in EA men. Waist circumference was inversely associated with prostate cancer in both AA and EA men, whereas a high waist–hip ratio did not associate with prostate cancer in AA men but tended to be associated with advanced/aggressive disease in EA men.

Conclusions: Our findings reveal an obesity paradox among AA men in this study population, where a high BMI and waist circumference associated with a decreased disease risk.

Impact: Our observations expand the knowledge of how obesity may affect prostate cancer risks in AAs. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(8); 936–44. ©2018 AACR.
Clinically Relevant Cytotoxic Immune Cell Signatures and Clonal Expansion of T-Cell Receptors in High-Risk MYCN-Not-Amplified Human Neuroblastoma
Authors: Wei Jun S. , Kuznetsov Igor B. , Zhang Shile , Song Young K. , Asgharzadeh Shahab , Sindiri Sivasish , Wen Xinyu , Patidar Rajesh , Najaraj Sushma , Walton Ashley , Guidry Auvil Jaime M. , Gerhard Daniela S. , Yuksel Aysen , Catchpoole Daniel , Hewitt Stephen M. , Sondel Paul M. , Seeger Robert , Maris John M. , Khan Javed
Published: May 2018

Purpose: High-risk neuroblastoma is an aggressive disease. DNA sequencing studies have revealed a paucity of actionable genomic alterations and a low mutation burden, posing challenges to develop effective novel therapies. We used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate the biology of this disease, including a focus on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL).

Experimental Design: We performed deep RNA-seq on pretreatment diagnostic tumors from 129 high-risk and 21 low- or intermediate-risk patients with neuroblastomas. We used single-sample gene set enrichment analysis to detect gene expression signatures of TILs in tumors and examined their association with clinical and molecular parameters, including patient outcome. The expression profiles of 190 additional pretreatment diagnostic neuroblastomas, a neuroblastoma tissue microarray, and T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing were used to validate our findings.

Results: We found that MYCN-not-amplified (MYCN-NA) tumors had significantly higher cytotoxic TIL signatures compared with MYCN-amplified (MYCN-A) tumors. A reported MYCN activation signature was significantly associated with poor outcome for high-risk patients with MYCN-NA tumors; however, a subgroup of these patients who had elevated activated natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+ T cells, and cytolytic signatures showed improved outcome and expansion of infiltrating TCR clones. Furthermore, we observed upregulation of immune exhaustion marker genes, indicating an immune-suppressive microenvironment in these neuroblastomas.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence that RNA signatures of cytotoxic TIL are associated with the presence of activated NK/T cells and improved outcomes in high-risk neuroblastoma patients harboring MYCN-NA tumors. Our findings suggest that these high-risk patients with MYCN-NA neuroblastoma may benefit from additional immunotherapies incorporated into the current therapeutic strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 24(22); 5673–84. ©2018 AACR.
Autophagy, Cell Viability, and Chemoresistance Are Regulated By miR-489 in Breast Cancer
Authors: Soni Mithil , Patel Yogin , Markoutsa Eleni , Jie Chunfa , Liu Shou , Xu Peisheng , Chen Hexin
Published: May 2018

It is postulated that the complexity and heterogeneity in cancer may hinder most efforts that target a single pathway. Thus, discovery of novel therapeutic agents targeting multiple pathways, such as miRNAs, holds promise for future cancer therapy. One such miRNA, miR-489, is downregulated in a majority of breast cancer cells and several drug-resistant breast cancer cell lines, but its role and underlying mechanism for tumor suppression and drug resistance needs further investigation. The current study identifies autophagy as a novel pathway targeted by miR-489 and reports Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) and lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta (LAPTM4B) to be direct targets of miR-489. Furthermore, the data demonstrate autophagy inhibition and LAPTM4B downregulation as a major mechanism responsible for miR-489–mediated doxorubicin sensitization. Finally, miR-489 and LAPTM4B levels were inversely correlated in human tumor clinical specimens, and more importantly, miR-489 expression levels predict overall survival in patients with 8q22 amplification (the region in which LAPTM4B resides).

Implications: These findings expand the understanding of miR-489–mediated tumor suppression and chemosensitization in and suggest a strategy for using miR-489 as a therapeutic sensitizer in a defined subgroup of resistant breast cancer patients. Mol Cancer Res; 16(9); 1348–60. ©2018 AACR.