bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Day-to-day experience in resolution of pain after surgery
Authors: Houle Timothy T. , Miller Scott , Lang Jason E. , Booth Jessica L. , Curry Regina S. , Harris Lynnette , Aschenbrenner Carol A. , Eisenach James C.
Published: July 2017

We know little about the individual pain experience of patients recovering from surgery in the first weeks after hospital discharge. Here, we examine individual differences in the day-to-day experience after 2 major surgeries: lower limb total major joint arthroplasty (TJA) and cesarean delivery (CD). Fifty-five TJA patients and 157 CD patients were recruited to complete questionnaires and record their daily pain experiences after surgery. After hospital discharge, patients recorded their pain intensity once daily for 60 days (CD) or twice daily for 2 weeks, once daily for 2 weeks, weekly for 8 weeks, and monthly for 3 months (TJA). Pain scores were modeled using growth curve and Bayesian change-point models. Individual differences in the model fits were examined for evidence of day-to-day differences in pain. A log time model was the simplest model that fit the data, but examination of the residuals revealed high autocorrelation representing misspecification. A change-point model fit the data better and revealed that the form of recovery fundamentally changed between days 10 and 21 after surgery. These data add meaningfully to our understanding of recovery from pain after surgery by extending the period of frequent observations a few days after surgery to a 2-month period. These high time resolution data suggest that there is a typical experience of pain resolution after surgery, but that meaningful subpopulations of experience may exist. They also indicate that a transition occurs within 1 month after surgery from 1 pattern of change in pain over time to another.
An Assembled Prototype Multimaterial Three-Dimensional–Printed Model of the Neck for Computed Tomography– and Ultrasound-Guided Interventional Procedures
Authors: Javan Ramin , Cho Alexander L.
Published: July 2017

A low-cost, semirealistic, multimaterial prototype phantom of the neck was developed for computed tomography– and ultrasound-guided interventions, using three-dimensional (3D) printing with a variety of materials as well as through molding techniques. This dual-modality phantom can be used by trainees for practicing procedures and can also serve as a prototype for developing more complex and realistic 3D-printed models, particularly with the continued development and advancement in multimaterial 3D printing technologies.
Asymptomatic Bartholin Cyst: Evaluation With Multidetector Row Computed Tomography
Authors: Silman Christopher , Matsumoto Shunro , Takaji Ryo , Matsumoto Akira , Otsuka Ayumi , Mori Hiromu , Nishida Yoshihiro , Narahara Hisashi , Ando Tadasuke , Miyake Hidetoshi
Published: July 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, morphology, and attenuation characteristics of Bartholin cysts on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in asymptomatic women.

Methods

A total of 3280 consecutive MDCT examinations were assessed for Bartholin cysts. The diagnosis was based on shape, contrast enhancement, and anatomical location. Age, laterality, size, and attenuation patterns were recorded. Scans from patients with paravaginal-related symptoms were excluded, and any available follow-up MDCT scans or magnetic resonance images were evaluated.

Results

Asymptomatic Bartholin cysts were seen in 17 patients (0.52%) (mean age, 56 years). The mean maximum cyst diameter was 21.8 mm. High-attenuation cysts comprised 47% of cases, all in older (≥50 years) patients. Follow-up MDCT scans showed minimal changes over time.

Conclusions

High-attenuation Bartholin cysts are more common than previously thought and are usually seen in older women. The size and attenuation of Bartholin cysts show only minimal changes over time.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Intracranial Hypotension: Diagnostic Value of Combined Qualitative Signs and Quantitative Metrics
Authors: Aslan Kerim , Gunbey Hediye Pinar , Tomak Leman , Ozmen Zafer , Incesu Lutfi
Published: July 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of combination quantitative metrics (mamillopontine distance [MPD], pontomesencephalic angle, and mesencephalon anterior-posterior/medial-lateral diameter ratios) with qualitative signs (dural enhancement, subdural collections/hematoma, venous engorgement, pituitary gland enlargements, and tonsillar herniations) provides a more accurate diagnosis of intracranial hypotension (IH).

Methods

The quantitative metrics and qualitative signs of 34 patients and 34 control subjects were assessed by 2 independent observers. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of quantitative metrics and qualitative signs, and for the diagnosis of IH, optimum cutoff values of quantitative metrics were found with ROC analysis. Combined ROC curve was measured for the quantitative metrics, and qualitative signs combinations in determining diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were found, and the best model combination was formed.

Results

Whereas MPD and pontomesencephalic angle were significantly lower in patients with IH when compared with the control group (P < 0.001), mesencephalon anterior-posterior/medial-lateral diameter ratio was significantly higher (P < 0.001). For qualitative signs, the highest individual distinctive power was dural enhancement with area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.838. For quantitative metrics, the highest individual distinctive power was MPD with AUC of 0.947. The best accuracy in the diagnosis of IH was obtained by combination of dural enhancement, venous engorgement, and MPD with an AUC of 1.00.

Conclusions

This study showed that the combined use of dural enhancement, venous engorgement, and MPD had diagnostic accuracy of 100 % for the diagnosis of IH. Therefore, a more accurate IH diagnosis can be provided with combination of quantitative metrics with qualitative signs.
Detecting changes in real-time data: a user’s guide to optimal detection
Authors: Johnson P. , Moriarty J. , Peskir G.
Published: July 2017

The real-time detection of changes in a noisily observed signal is an important problem in applied science and engineering. The study of parametric optimal detection theory began in the 1930s, motivated by applications in production and defence. Today this theory, which aims to minimize a given measure of detection delay under accuracy constraints, finds applications in domains including radar, sonar, seismic activity, global positioning, psychological testing, quality control, communications and power systems engineering. This paper reviews developments in optimal detection theory and sequential analysis, including sequential hypothesis testing and change-point detection, in both Bayesian and classical (non-Bayesian) settings. For clarity of exposition, we work in discrete time and provide a brief discussion of the continuous time setting, including recent developments using stochastic calculus. Different measures of detection delay are presented, together with the corresponding optimal solutions. We emphasize the important role of the signal-to-noise ratio and discuss both the underlying assumptions and some typical applications for each formulation.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Energy management: flexibility, risk and optimization’.
An input-to-state stability approach to verify almost global stability of a synchronous-machine-infinite-bus system
Authors: Schiffer Johannes , Efimov Denis , Ortega Romeo , Barabanov Nikita
Published: July 2017

Conditions for almost global stability of an operating point of a realistic model of a synchronous generator with constant field current connected to an infinite bus are derived. The analysis is conducted by employing the recently proposed concept of input-to-state stability (ISS)–Leonov functions, which is an extension of the powerful cell structure principle developed by Leonov and Noldus to the ISS framework. Compared with the original ideas of Leonov and Noldus, the ISS–Leonov approach has the advantage of providing additional robustness guarantees. The efficiency of the derived sufficient conditions is illustrated via numerical experiments.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Energy management: flexibility, risk and optimization’.
Rapid isolation of functionally intact nuclei from the yeastSaccharomyces
Authors: Niepel Mario , Farr Julia C. , Rout Michael P. , Strambio-De-Castillia Caterina
Published: July 2017

Most available methods for nuclear isolation entail lengthy procedures that are difficult to master and generally emphasize yield and enrichment over nuclear preservation, thus limiting their utility for further studies. Here we demonstrate a novel and robust method to rapidly isolate well-preserved yeast nuclei. The method can be easily adapted to multiple preparation scales depending on experimental need and it can readily be performed on multiple samples by a single researcher in one day. We show that the nuclei fraction is strongly enriched and that the resulting nuclei are free from contaminating endoplasmatic reticulum and other cell debris. EM studies show that preservation of nuclear morphology is exquisite, making it possible to study peripheral nuclear pore components such as the cytoplasmic filaments and the basket, whose structure is generally difficult to maintain ex vivo. In addition, incubation of isolated nuclei with bulk transport substrates of different sizes and with import cargo indicates that the nuclear envelope is intact and nuclear pores retain their capacity to bind transport substrates. Our results suggest that this preparation procedure will greatly facilitate studies of the yeast nucleus which have been difficult to establish and to multiplex to date.
Paper based microfluidic aptasensor for food safety
Authors: Weng Xuan , Neethirajan Suresh
Published: July 2017

Food analysis is requiring rapid, accurate, sensitive and cost-effective methods to monitor and guarantee the safety and quality to fulfill the strict food legislation and consumer demands. In our study, a nano-materials enhanced multipurpose paper based microfluidic aptasensor was demonstrated as a sensing tool for accurate detection of food allergens and food toxins. Graphene oxide (GO) and specific aptamer-functionalized quantum dots (QDs) were employed as probes, the fluorescence quenching and recovering of the QDs caused by the interaction among GO, aptamer-functionalized QDs and the target protein were investigated to quantitatively analyze the target concentration. The homogenous assay was performed on the paper based microfluidic chip, which significantly decreased the sample and reagent consumptions and reduced the assay time. Egg white lysozyme, ß-conglutin lupine and food toxins, okadaic acid and brevetoxin standard solutions and spiked food samples were successfully assayed by the presented aptasensor. Dual-target assay was completed within 5 min, and superior sensitivities were achieved when testing the samples with commercial ELISA kits side by side.
Laterality of the frontal aslant tract (FAT) explains externalizing behaviors through its association with executive function
Authors: Garic Dea , Broce Iris , Graziano Paulo , Mattfeld Aaron , Dick Anthony Steven
Published: July 2017

We investigated the development of a recently-identified white matter pathway, the frontal aslant tract (FAT) and its association to executive function and externalizing behaviors in a sample of 129 neurotypical children ranging in age from 7 months to 19-years. We found that the FAT could be tracked in 92% of those children, and that the pathway showed age-related differences into adulthood. The change in white matter microstructure was very rapid until about 6-years, and then plateaued, only to show age-related increases again after the age of 11-years. In a subset of those children (5-18-years;n= 70), left laterality of the microstructural properties of the FAT was associated with greater attention problems as measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). However, this relationship was fully mediated by higher executive dysfunction as measured by the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). This relationship was specific to the FAT—we found no relationship between laterality of the white matter of the brain in general and attention problems, or executive function. These findings suggest that the degree to which the developing brain favors a right lateralized structural dominance of the FAT is directly associated with executive function and attention. This novel finding provides a new potential structural biomarker to assess attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and associated executive dysfunction during development.

Significance Statement

To investigate the function of a recently-identified white matter fiber pathway, the frontal aslant tract (FAT), we tracked the pathway in 129 typically developing children using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). We then examined whether laterality of the tract is associated with attention problems and executive function. We found that reduced right laterality of the tract was associated with greater executive dysfunction, which predicted increased reports of attention problems. The findings suggest that the degree to which the developing brain favors a right lateralized structural dominance of the FAT is directly associated with executive function and attention. This novel finding provides a new potential structural biomarker to assess attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and associated executive dysfunction during development.
HBV vaccination and PMTCT as elimination tools in the presence of HIV: insights from a clinical cohort and dynamic model
Authors: McNaughton Anna L , Lourenço José , Hattingh Louise , Adland Emily , Daniels Samantha , Zyl Anriette Van , Akiror Connie S , Wareing Susan , Jeffery Katie , Ansari M Azim , Klenerman Paul , Goulder Philip J R , Gupta Sunetra , Jooste Pieter , Matthews Philippa C
Published: July 2017

Background:

Sustainable Development Goals set a challenge for the elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as a public health concern by the year 2030. Deployment of a robust prophylactic vaccine and enhanced interventions for prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) are cornerstones of elimination strategy. However, in light of the estimated global burden of 290 million cases, enhanced efforts are required to underpin optimisation of public health strategy. Robust analysis of population epidemiology is particularly crucial for populations in Africa made vulnerable by HIV co-infection, poverty, stigma and poor access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Methods:

We here set out to evaluate the current and future role of HBV vaccination and PMTCT as tools for elimination. We first investigated the current impact of paediatric vaccination in a cohort of children with and without HIV infection in Kimberley, South Africa. Second, we used these data to inform a new model to simulate the ongoing impact of preventive interventions. By applying these two approaches in parallel, we are able to determine both the current impact of interventions, and the future projected outcome of ongoing preventive strategies over time.

Results:

Existing efforts have been successful in reducing paediatric prevalence of HBV infection in this setting to <1%, demonstrating the success of the existing vaccine campaign. Our model predicts that, if consistently deployed, combination efforts of vaccination and PMTCT can significantly reduce population prevalence (HBsAg) by 2030, such that a major public health impact is possible even without achieving elimination. However, the prevalence of HBV e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive carriers will decline more slowly, representing a persistent population reservoir. We show that HIV co-infection significantly reduces titres of vaccine-mediated antibody, but has a relatively minor role in influencing the projected time to elimination. Our model can also be applied to other settings in order to predict time to elimination based on specific interventions.

Conclusions:

Through extensive deployment of preventive strategies for HBV, significant positive public health impact is possible, although time to HBV elimination as a public health concern is likely to be substantially longer than that proposed by current goals.
Collective excitability in a mesoscopic neuronal model of epileptic activity
Authors: Jedynak Maciej , Pons Antonio J. , Garcia-Ojalvo Jordi
Published: July 2017

The brain can be understood as a collection of interacting neuronal oscillators, but the extent to which its sustained activity is due to coupling among brain areas is still unclear. Here we study the joint dynamics of two cortical columns described by Jansen-Rit neural mass models, and show that coupling between the columns gives rise to stochastic initiations of sustained collective activity, which can be interpreted as epileptic events. For large enough coupling strengths, termination of these events results mainly from the emergence of synchronization between the columns, and thus is controlled by coupling instead of noise. Stochastic triggering and noise-independent durations are characteristic of excitable dynamics, and thus we interpret our results in terms of collective excitability.
Phylogenetic turnover during subtropical forest succession across environmental and phylogenetic scales
Authors: Purschke Oliver , Michalski Stefan G. , Bruelheide Helge , Durka Walter
Published: July 2017

Although spatial and temporal patterns of phylogenetic community structure during succession are inherently interlinked and assembly processes vary with environmental and phylogenetic scale, successional studies of community assembly have yet to integrate spatial and temporal components of community structure, while accounting for scaling issues. To gain insight into the processes that generate biodiversity after disturbance, we combine analyses of spatial and temporal phylogenetic turnover across phylogenetic scales, accounting for covariation with environmental differences.

We compared phylogenetic turnover, at the species-and individual-level, within and between five successional stages, representing woody plant communities in a subtropical forest chronosequence. We decomposed turnover at different phylogenetic depths and assessed its covariation with between-plot abiotic differences.

Phylogenetic turnover between stages was low relative to species turnover and was not explained by abiotic differences. However, within the late successional stages, there was high presence/absence-based turnover (clustering) that occurred deep in the phylogeny and covaried with environmental differentiation.

Our results support a deterministic model of community assembly where (i) phylogenetic composition is constrained through successional time, but (ii) towards late succession, species sorting into preferred habitats according to niche traits that are conserved deep in phylogeny, becomes increasingly important.
Some considerations on shear and torsion in R/C structural members in fire
Authors: Bamonte Patrick , Gambarova Pietro G. , Kalaba Nataša , Tattoni Sergio
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This study aims to provide a factual justification of the extension to fire conditions of the well-known design models for the calculations of R/C members at the ultimate limit state in shear and torsion. Both solid and thin-walled sections are considered. In the latter case, the little-known topic of shear-transfer mechanisms at high temperature is introduced and discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

Both the effective-section method and the zone method are treated, as well as the strut-and-tie models required by the analysis of the so-called D zones (discontinuity zones), where heat-enhanced cracking further bears out the phenomenological basis of the models.

Findings

The increasing role played by the stirrups in shear and by the rather cold concrete core in torsion stand out clearly in fire, while high temperatures rapidly reduce the contributions of such resisting mechanisms as concrete-teeth bending, aggregate interlock and dowel action.

Originality/value

On the whole, beside quantifying the side contributions of web mechanisms and section core in fire conditions, this study indicates a possible approach to extend to fire the available models on the coupling of shear and bending, and shear and torsion in R/C members.
Neighborly assistance: high expectations of multi-generation cohousing projects
Authors: Wechuli Yvonne
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Multi-generation cohousing projects are loaded with the expectations of inhabitants and planners, as well as political representatives. They are expected to foster a form of neighborly assistance, which is supposed to ultimately unburden social security. But evidence is scarce when it comes to central aspects like long-term development, the influence of context factors, the quality of community living, and the neighborly assistance actually provided. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Hence, this explorative study sought to specify the support activities that neighbors in one cohousing project carried out. A survey was conducted in three survey intervals, with questionnaires structured according to the ”Activities” chapter of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (WHO 2002).

Findings

Respondents reported receiving or providing assistance in all suggested areas of life, but some activities were more common than others. Respondents with long-term support requirements were not assisted by neighbors but by other caregivers. The results indicate that neighborliness depends on the individual activity radius since the scope of assistance varied along with socio-demographic characteristics. Respondents deemed reciprocity important to guarantee the voluntary nature of neighborly support and also to allow care recipients to specify how support should be given.

Research limitations/implications

The author therefore suggests considering multi-generation cohousing projects as a means to foster Quality of Life rather than to cut costs.

Originality/value

Findings from this study with a focus on multi-generation cohousing with the legal status of cooperatives and implications for spatial planning were previously published in: Kuhnke, Y. (2015), “Nachbarschaftliche Hilfen. Hohe Erwartungen an Mehrgenerationenwohnprojekte in der Rechtsform der Genossenschaften” (Neighborly Assistance. High Expectations of Multi-generation Cohousing Projects under the Legal Form of Registered Cooperatives), RaumPlanung, Vol. 179 No. 3, pp. 20-6.
Evaluation of Age & Dementia Friendly Gymnastics Programme
Authors: Karania Vinal Khushal
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of an bilaterally asymmetric gymnastics-based exercise programme on older people participating in a care home and day centre setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design comprised a small-scale pilot in two care homes and one day care centre in Cambridgeshire, England. The research was a qualitative evaluation that included observing sessions delivered; interviews with older people participating, their spouses, family members and friends; interviews with staff; and a review of the diary of each session written by the person delivering the exercise programme.

Findings

Older people participating in the programme showed a demonstrable improvement with aspects of their physical, emotional and cognitive ability. Older people with mild to advanced forms of dementia appeared to benefit most. The sessions were enjoyable and a real bond developed between the older people.

Research limitations/implications

Future research will benefit from understanding whether the observed improvements are reflected in objective measures. The inclusion of a comparison group will be important to further add to the belief that the observed changes are caused by the programme. The inclusion of a large sample size covering different geographic areas will be needed to test more widely the viability of this programme.

Originality/value

This research is the first to investigate the impact of an asymmetric gymnastics-based exercise programme on older people, with varying levels of dementia, in a care home and day centre setting.
Phenology differences between native and novel exotic‐dominated grasslands rival the effects of climate change
Authors: Wilsey Brian J. , Martin Leanne M. , Kaul Andrew D.
Published: July 2017

Novel ecosystems can differ from the native systems they replaced. We used phenology measures to compare ecosystem functioning between novel exotic‐dominated and native‐dominated grasslands in the central U.S.

Phenology, or timing of biological events, is affected by climate and land use changes. We assessed how phenology shifts are being altered by exotic species dominance by comparing remotely sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index within growing seasons at exotic‐ and native‐dominated sites along a latitudinal gradient. Exotic species were dominated by the C3 species functional group in the north and the C4 species functional group in the south.

Date of senescence was an average of 36 days later in exotic than native‐dominated grasslands, and this effect was consistent across latitudes.

Exotic‐dominated grasslands greened‐up an average of 10.7 days earlier than native‐dominated grasslands, but this effect was highly dependent on latitude and the plant functional group that dominated at that latitude. Green‐up differed between native and exotic sites the most in central and northern regions that had dominant C3 grasses.

We estimated the effects of an increase in global temperatures on green‐up and senescence with a space‐for‐time substitution, and by comparing growing degree day differences between historical average temperatures and +2.5°C. Green‐up was significantly earlier and senescence was significantly later with a 2.5°C increase in temperature. The native–exotic difference was significantly greater than the difference due to increased temperature for senescence, but not for green‐up.

Synthesis and applications. Native to exotic plant conversions in central U.S. grasslands have led to highly altered phenology, especially in terms of senescence, and this effect should be considered along with global warming in models moving forward. This conversion will have to be considered in developing estimates of how global change will affect phenology in locations where exotics are present, especially in cases where their abundance is increasing concurrent with climate change. Global change models and policy should consider exotic species invasion as an additional widespread factor behind changes in phenology.
Siderophore production in Azotobacter vinelandii in response to Fe‐, Mo‐ and V‐limitation
Authors: McRose Darcy L. , Baars Oliver , Morel François M. M. , Kraepiel Anne M. L.
Published: July 2017

Azotobacter vinelandii is a terrestrial diazotroph well studied for its siderophore production capacity and its role as a model nitrogen fixer. In addition to Fe, A. vinelandii siderophores are used for the acquisition of the nitrogenase co‐factors Mo and V. However, regulation of siderophore production by Mo‐ and V‐limitation has been difficult to confirm and knowledge of the full suite of siderophores synthesized by this organism has only recently become available. Using this new information, we conducted an extensive study of siderophore production in N2‐fixing A. vinelandii under a variety of trace metal conditions. Our results show that under Fe‐limitation the production of all siderophores increases, while under Mo‐limitation only catechol siderophore production is increased, with the strongest response seen in protochelin. We also find that the newly discovered A. vinelandii siderophore vibrioferrin is almost completely repressed under Mo‐ and V‐limitation. An examination of the potential nitrogen ‘cost’ of siderophore production reveals that investments in siderophore N can represent as much as 35% of fixed N, with substantial differences between cultures using the Mo‐ as opposed to the less efficient V‐nitrogenase.
Optimism, pessimism, cynical hostility, and biomarkers of metabolic function in the Women's Health Initiative
Authors: Tindle Hilary A. , Duncan Meredith S. , Liu Simin , Kuller Lewis H. , Fugate Woods Nancy , Rapp Steve R. , Kroenke Candyce H. , Coday Mace , Loucks Eric B. , Lamonte Michael J. , Progovac Ana M. , Salmoirago‐Blotcher Elena , Walitt Brian T. , Yuo Nai‐Chieh Y. , Freiberg Matthew S.
Published: July 2017

Background

Psychological attitudes reflecting expectations about the future (optimism, pessimism) and people (cynical hostility) independently predict incident cardiovascular disease and possibly diabetes, but underlying biologic pathways are incompletely understood. Herein we examined the cross‐sectional relationship between optimism, pessimism, and cynicism and biomarkers of metabolic function in the Women's Health Initiative.

Methods

Among 3443 postmenopausal women, biomarkers of metabolic function (fasting insulin [FINS] and glucose) were measured at baseline and used to calculate insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA‐IR]) and pancreatic β‐cell activity (homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function [HOMA‐B]). Psychological attitudes were assessed by the Life Orientation Test, Revised (full scale, and optimism and pessimism subscales) and the Cook–Medley cynicism subscale. Multivariable linear regression modeled the association of psychological attitudes with biomarker levels, adjusting for sociodemographics, health conditions, and health behaviors. Because obesity promotes insulin resistance and obese individuals tend to report higher levels of pessimism and cynical hostility, an interaction with body mass index (BMI) was explored.

Results

In fully adjusted models, only pessimism remained independently associated with higher FINS and insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR). Scoring 1 point higher on the pessimism subscale was associated with a 1.2% higher FINS, whereas scoring 1 SD higher was associated with a 2.7% higher FINS (P = 0.03); results were similar for HOMA‐IR. An interaction term with BMI was not significant.

Conclusions

In multivariable models, higher dispositional pessimism was associated with worse metabolic function; these findings were not modified by obesity status. Results extend prior work by linking pessimism to an objective biomarker of insulin resistance in elderly women.
Neuronal representation of individual heroin choices in the orbitofrontal cortex
Authors: Guillem Karine , Brenot Viridiana , Durand Audrey , Ahmed Serge H.
Published: July 2017

Drug addiction is a harmful preference for drug use over and at the expense of other non‐drug‐related activities. We previously identified in the rat orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) a mechanism that influences individual preferences between cocaine use and an alternative action rewarded by a non‐drug reward (i.e. sweet water). Here, we sought to test the generality of this mechanism to a different addictive drug, heroin. OFC neuronal activity was recorded while rats responded for heroin or the alternative non‐drug reward separately or while they chose between the two. First, we found that heroin‐rewarded and sweet water‐rewarded actions were encoded by two non‐overlapping OFC neuronal populations and that the relative size of the heroin population represented individual drug choices. Second, OFC neurons encoding the preferred action—which was the non‐drug action in the large majority of individuals—progressively fired more than non‐preferred action‐coding neurons 1 second after the onset of choice trials and around 1 second before the preferred action was actually chosen, suggesting a pre‐choice neuronal competition for action selection. Together with a previous study on cocaine choice, the present study on heroin choice reveals important commonalities in how OFC neurons encode individual drug choices and preferences across different classes of drugs. It also reveals some drug‐specific differences in OFC encoding activity. Notably, the proportion of neurons that non‐selectively encode both the drug and the non‐drug reward was higher when the drug was heroin (present study) than when it was cocaine (previous study). We will discuss the potential functional significance of these commonalities and differences in OFC neuronal activity across different drugs for understanding drug choice.
Pathological prognostic factors of recurrence in early stage lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yi Eunjue , Bae Mi‐Kyeong , Cho Sukki , Chung Jin‐Haeng , Jheon Sanghoon , Kim Kwhanmien
Published: July 2017

Background

Histological heterogeneity is thought to be important for prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma. We investigated to determine pathological features with prognostic value for recurrence of early stage lung cancer.

Methods

A total of 368 patients who underwent curative surgical resection for early stage lung adenocarcinoma between 2009 and 2012 were enrolled. Pathologic characteristics including the presence of visceral pleural invasion, micropapillary patterns, aerogenous spread, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion and necrosis were examined. The correlations between pathological factors and clinical outcomes were analysed to determine prognostic significance.

Results

Mean follow‐up was 43.0 months (±14.56, ranging from 0.0 to 73.9 months). Three‐year overall survival was 95.2% and disease‐free survival was 89.8%. The recurrence rate was 9.0% (33 patients) and the mortality rate was 6.0% (22 patients). The presence of a micropapillary pattern (P < 0.002), lymphatic invasion (P < 0.000), aerogenous spread (P < 0.000), vascular invasion (P = 0.036) and necrosis (P < 0.000) were negative prognostic factors of recurrence in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only aerogenous spread had prognostic value (P = 0.020). The recurrence hazard ratio for the presence of aerogenous spread was 3.2 (95% confidence interval 1.20–8.47).

Conclusion

The presence of aerogenous spread was an independent pathological risk factor of recurrence in stage I lung adenocarcinoma. Micropapillary pattern had prognostic importance for recurrence in univariate analysis, but not in multivariate analysis.
Adsorption of Protein‐Bound Uremic Toxins Through Direct Hemoperfusion With Hexadecyl‐Immobilized Cellulose Beads in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Yamamoto Suguru , Sato Mami , Sato Yoko , Wakamatsu Takuya , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Iguchi Akira , Omori Kentaro , Suzuki Yasushi , Ei Isei , Kaneko Yoshikatsu , Goto Shin , Kazama Junichiro J. , Gejyo Fumitake , Narita Ichiei
Published: July 2017

An accumulation of protein‐bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) is one of major reasons for development of uremia‐related complications. We examined the PBUT removal ability of a hexadecyl‐immobilized cellulose bead (HICB)‐containing column for patients undergoing hemodialysis. Adsorption of indoxyl sulfate (IS), a representative PBUT, to HICBs was examined in vitro. The HICB column was used in patients undergoing hemodialysis for direct hemoperfusion with a regular hemodialyzer. The serum IS, indole acetic acid (IAA), phenyl sulfate (PhS), and p‐cresyl sulfate (PCS) levels were measured before and after passing the column. HICBs adsorbed protein‐free (free) IS in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in vitro (55.4 ± 1.4% adsorption of 1 millimolar, 251 µg/mL, IS for 1 h). In clinical studies, passing the HICB‐containing column decreased the serum level of free IS, IAA, PhS, and PCS levels significantly (by 34.4 ± 30.0%, 34.8 ± 25.4%, 28.4 ± 18.0%, and 34.9 ± 22.1%, respectively), but not protein‐bound toxins in maintenance hemodialysis patients. HICBs absorbed some amount of free PBUTs, but the clinical trial to use HICB column did not show effect to reduce serum PBUTs level in hemodialysis patients. Adsorption treatment by means of direct hemoperfusion with regular hemodialysis may become an attractive blood purification treatment to increase PBUT removal when more effective materials to adsorb PBUTs selectively will be developed.
Successful laparoscopic treatment of advanced rectal cancer in an extremely elderly man (101 years and 9 months)
Authors: Nagai Yugo , Togo Naoki , Nakagi Masafumi , Takai Soichiro , Tanaka Masaya , Yasuoka Hidetaka , Tatsumi Takahiko
Published: July 2017

An extremely elderly man (age, 101 years and 9 months) visited our hospital because of recurrent and worsening anal bleeding. Type 2 rectal cancer was found in his rectum during colonoscopy. He did not have any severe coexisting diseases and had not suffered any episodes of dementia. Laparoscopy‐assisted anterior resection combined with D2 lymph node dissection was performed with minimal bleeding. The operation time was 128 min. The patient suffered mild reflux pneumonia on postoperative day 6 and was administered additional antibiotics. He recovered within 2 days. He was discharged on postoperative day 17, at which point he was able to walk.
Targeting hardcore smokers: The effects of an online tailored intervention, based on motivational interviewing techniques
Authors: Bommelé Jeroen , Schoenmakers Tim M. , Kleinjan Marloes , Peters Gjalt‐Jorn Ygram , Dijkstra Arie , van de Mheen Dike
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Hardcore smokers have smoked for many years and do not intend to quit. They also seem unreceptive to information about smoking cessation. We developed a 30‐min, tailored web‐based intervention that includes motivational interviewing principles. It aims to increase hardcore smokers’ intention to quit and their receptivity to information about smoking cessation.

Design

In a two‐arm experiment, we compared outcome scores of the experimental intervention (n = 346) with those of a control intervention (n = 411).

Methods

Our main outcomes were receptivity to information about quitting, intention to quit, quitting self‐efficacy, and interest in a subsequent online intervention. Our secondary outcomes were cigarettes smoked per day and quit attempts. All outcomes were measured directly post‐experiment (t1), after 2 weeks (t2), and after 2 months (t3).

Results

At t1, hardcore smokers in the intervention condition were more receptive to information about quitting than controls. At both t2 and t3, those in the experimental group had reduced the number of cigarettes more than those in the control group. At t2, but not t3, more participants in the experimental group had reduced their cigarette consumption by at least 50% than among controls. We found no significant differences in intention to quit, quitting self‐efficacy, interest in a subsequent online quitting intervention, and number of quit attempts.

Conclusions

The intervention increased hardcore smokers’ receptivity to information about smoking cessation and decreased their cigarette consumption by about 1 cigarette per day. Although the results are positive, the clinical relevance may be limited. We recommend further developing this intervention for practical use in health care settings.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Hardcore smokers have smoked for many years and do not intend to quit.

There are currently no online interventions for hardcore smokers.

What does this study add?

This study tested an online intervention for hardcore smokers.

The intervention increased hardcore smokers’ receptivity to information about quitting.

It also helped to reduce the number of cigarettes per day.
Pterostilbene reduces oxidative stress, prevents hypertrophy and preserves systolic function of right ventricle in cor pulmonale model
Authors: dos Santos Lacerda Denise , Türck Patrick , Gazzi de Lima‐Seolin Bruna , Colombo Rafael , Duarte Ortiz Vanessa , Poletto Bonetto Jéssica Hellen , Campos‐Carraro Cristina , Bianchi Sara Elis , Belló‐Klein Adriane , Linck Bassani Valquiria , Sander da Rosa Araujo Alex
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose

In cor pulmonale, the increased afterload imposed on the right ventricle (RV) generates a maladaptive response, impairing the contractile cardiac function. Oxidative mechanisms play an important role in the pathophysiology and progression of this disease. The administration of pterostilbene (PTS), a phytophenol with antioxidant potential, may represent a therapeutic option. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of PTS complexed with hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HPβCD) on hypertrophy, contractile function and oxidative parameters in the RV of rats with pulmonary hypertension, induced by the administration of monocrotaline (MCT).

Experimental Approach

The rats received daily doses of the PTS : HPβCD complex at 25, 50 or 100 mg·kg−1, p.o., for 14 days. The diastolic function, E/A ratio, and systolic function, shortening fraction, fractional area change (FAC) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) of the RV were determined by echocardiography.

Key Results

The PTS : HPβCD complex reduced the production of NADPH oxidase‐dependent superoxide anions and oxidative stress in the RV of MCT‐treated rats in a dose‐dependent manner. At higher doses it prevented the reduction in FAC and TAPSE in MCT‐treated animals.

Conclusions and Implications

The PTS : HPβCD complex prevented the maladaptative remodelling and protected systolic function in the RV of rats with pulmonary hypertension. These cardioprotective mechanisms may be related, in part, to the antioxidant potential of PTS, favoured by the increased p.o. bioavailability promoted by the presence of HPβCD in the complex.
Wnt signalling pathways in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and B‐cell lymphomas
Authors: Janovská Pavlína , Bryja Vítězslav
Published: July 2017

In this review, we discuss the intricate roles of the Wnt signalling network in the development and progression of mature B‐cell‐derived haematological malignancies, with a focus on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and related B‐cell lymphomas. We review the current literature and highlight the differences between the β‐catenin‐dependent and ‐independent branches of Wnt signalling. Special attention is paid to the role of the non‐canonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, mediated by the Wnt‐5–receptor tyrosine kinase‐like orphan receptor (ROR1)–Dishevelled signalling axis in CLL. This is mainly because the Wnt/PCP co‐receptor ROR1 was found to be overexpressed in CLL and the Wnt/PCP pathway contributes to numerous aspects of CLL pathogenesis. We also discuss the possibilities of therapeutically targeting the Wnt signalling pathways as an approach to disrupt the crucial interaction between malignant cells and their micro‐environment. We also advocate the need for research in this direction for other lymphomas, namely, diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma and follicular lymphoma where the Wnt signalling pathway probably plays a similar role.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on WNT Signalling: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.24/issuetoc
Three‐year clinical prospective follow‐up of extrasinus zygomatic implants for the rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla
Authors: Coppedê Abilio , de Mayo Thiago , de Sá Zamperlini Marcelo , Amorin Rodolfo , de Pádua Ana Paula A. T. , Shibli Jamil Awad
Published: July 2017

Background

Placement of extrasinus zygomatic implants to support implant‐supported rehabilitation is still controversial due to the scarcity of data.

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of 94 extrasinus zygomatic implants, installed laterally to the maxillary sinus, for rehabilitation of the edentulous atrophic maxillae.

Materials and methods

A total of 42 patients (mean age 58 years) with severely atrophic maxillae were treated between November 2010 and July 2011, and followed up until July 2014. A total of 273 implants (94 zygomatic implants and 179 conventional implants) were used. The patients were followed in a standardized clinical and radiographic method.

Results

During the 3‐year study period, 1 zygomatic implant and 4 conventional implants failed, resulting in a survival rate of 98.9% and 97.7% respectively. All restorations with titanium‐welded bars were installed either 3 days after surgery (immediate loading) or 6 months after surgery (delayed loading), and were successful until the last follow‐up appointment, except for minor technical problems. No patient presented any type of sinus adverse event. No other significant occurrences were reported.

Conclusion

This 3‐year clinical follow‐up study indicates that extrasinus zygomatic implants represent predictable treatment option atrophic maxillae. Further longitudinal prospective clinical studies are necessary to confirm these results.
What Is Left of the Active Externalism Debate?
Authors: Loughlin Victor , Zahidi Karim
Published: July 2017

Since the publication of Clark and Chalmers' Extended Mind paper, the central claims of that paper, viz. the thesis that cognitive processes and cognitive or mental states extend beyond the brain and body, have been vigorously debated within philosophy of mind and philosophy of cognitive science. Both defenders and detractors of these claims have since marshalled an impressive battery of arguments for and against “active externalism.” However, despite the amount of philosophical energy expended, this debate remains far from settled. We argue that this debate can be understood as answering two metaphysical questions. Yet prominent voices within the debate have assumed that there is a tight relationship between these two questions such that one question can be answered via the other. We defend an alternative ‘wide’ view, whereby mentality is understood as constituted by wide social and cultural factors. Our wide view entails that the two metaphysical questions are separate and should be kept distinct. This suggests that active externalism as understood by prominent voices within that debate requires dissolution, rather than solution. However, if the debate were instead understood as only focusing on the second of the two questions, then there could be a possible future for this debate.