bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with patient-reported likelihood of using online self-care interventions: a Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) cohort study
Authors: Kwakkenbos Linda , Cumin Julie , Carrier Marie-Eve , Bartlett Susan J , Malcarne Vanessa L , Mouthon Luc , Nielson Warren R , Rannou François , Welling Joep , Thombs Brett D
Published: October 2019

Objectives

The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) Cohort uses the cohort multiple randomised controlled trial design to embed trials of online self-care interventions for people living with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). To offer interventions to patients interested in using them, participants complete signalling items that query about the likelihood that patients would agree to participate in nine different hypothetical online programmes addressing common SSc-related problems. It is not known what factors influence patient-reported interest in participating in a particular online intervention and if intervention-specific signalling questions provide unique information or replicate broader characteristics, such as overall willingness to participate or self-efficacy. This study assessed factors that explain responses to intervention-specific signalling items.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

SPIN Cohort participants enrolled at 42 centres from Canada, the USA, the UK, France, Spain and Mexico who completed study questionnaires from March 2014 to January 2018 were included.

Measures

Demographic and disease characteristics, self-efficacy and symptoms related to each specific intervention were completed in addition to signalling items. General likelihood of using interventions was calculating by taking the mean score of the remaining signalling questions.

Participants

1060 participants with complete baseline data were included in the analyses.

Results

For all individual signalling questions, controlling for other variables, the mean of the remaining signalling questions was the strongest predictor (standardised regression coefficient β from 0.61 (sleep) to 0.80 (self-management)). Smaller, but statistically significant, associations were found with the symptom associated with the respective signalling question and with general self-efficacy for 7 of 9 signalling questions.

Conclusions

The main factor associated with patients’ interest in participating in a disease-specific online self-care intervention is their general interest in participating in online interventions. Factors that may influence this general interest should be explored and taken into consideration when inviting patients to try online interventions.
Preventive strategies and factors associated with surgically treated necrotising enterocolitis in extremely preterm infants: an international unit survey linked with retrospective cohort data analysis
Authors: Adams Mark , Bassler Dirk , Darlow Brian A , Lui Kei , Reichman Brian , Hakansson Stellan , Norman Mikael , Lee Shoo K , Helenius Kjell K , Lehtonen Liisa , San Feliciano Laura , Vento Maximo , Moroni Marco , Beltempo Marc , Yang Junmin , Shah Prakesh S
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To compare necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) prevention practices and NEC associated factors between units from eight countries of the International Network for Evaluation of Outcomes of Neonates, and to assess their association with surgical NEC rates.

Design

Prospective unit-level survey combined with retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Neonatal intensive care units in Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Finland, Israel, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Tuscany (Italy).

Patients

Extremely preterm infants born between 240to 286weeks’ gestation, with birth weights<1500 g, and admitted between 2014–2015.

Exposures

NEC prevention practices (probiotics, feeding, donor milk) using responses of an on-line pre-piloted questionnaire containing 10 questions and factors associated with NEC in literature (antenatal steroids, c-section, indomethacin treated patent ductus arteriosus and sepsis) using cohort data.

Outcome measures

Surgical NEC rates and death following NEC using cohort data.

Results

The survey response rate was 91% (153 units). Both probiotic provision and donor milk availability varied between 0%–100% among networks whereas feeding initiation and advancement rates were similar in most networks. The 9792 infants included in the cohort study to link survey results and cohort outcomes, revealed similar baseline characteristics but considerable differences in factors associated with NEC between networks. 397 (4.1%) neonates underwent NEC surgery, ranging from 2.4%–8.4% between networks. Standardised ratios for surgical NEC were lower for Australia/New Zealand, higher for Spain, and comparable for the remaining six networks.

Conclusions

The variation in implementation of NEC prevention practices and in factors associated with NEC in literature could not be associated with the variation in surgical NEC incidence. This corroborates the current lack of consensus surrounding the use of preventive strategies for NEC and emphasises the need for research.
High-flow oxygen for children’sairway surgery: randomised controlledtrial protocol (HAMSTER)
Authors: Humphreys Susan , von Ungern-Sternberg Britta Sylvia , Skowno Justin , Williams Tara , Taylor Julia , Taverner Fiona , Gibbons Kristen , Burgoyne Laura , Sommerfield David , Stephens Philip , Hallett Ben , Vijayasekaran Shyan , Slee Nicola , Burns Hannah , Sowa Marcin , Davidson Andrew , Schibler Andreas
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Hypoxaemia during anaesthesia for tubeless upper airway surgery in children with abnormal airways is common due to the complexity of balancing adequate depth of anaesthesia with maintenance of spontaneous breathing and providing an uninterrupted field of view of the upper airway for the surgeon. High-flow nasal oxygenation (HIGH-FLOW) can prolong safe apnoea time and be used in children with abnormal airways but to date has not been compared with the alternative technique of low-flow nasal oxygenation (LOW-FLOW). The aim is to investigate if use of HIGH-FLOW can reduce the number of hypoxaemic events requiring rescue oxygenation compared with LOW-FLOW.

Methods and analysis

High-flow oxygen for children’sairway surgery: randomised controlledtrial (HAMSTER) is a multicentre, unmasked, randomised controlled, parallel group, superiority trial comparing two oxygenation techniques during anaesthesia. Children (n=530) aged >37 weeks to 16 years presenting for elective tubeless upper airway surgery who fulfil inclusion but not exclusion criteria will be randomised prior to surgery to HIGH-FLOW or LOW-FLOW post induction of anaesthesia. Maintenance of anaesthesia with HIGH-FLOW requires Total IntraVenous Anaesthesia (TIVA) and with LOW-FLOW, either inhalational or TIVA at discretion of anaesthetist. The primary outcome is the incidence of hypoxaemic events requiring interruption of procedure for rescue oxygenation by positive pressure ventilation and the secondary outcome includes total hypoxaemia time, adverse cardiorespiratory events and unexpected paediatric intensive care admission admission. Hypoxaemia is defined as Sp02<90%. Analysis will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained by Children’s Health Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/18/QRCH/130). The trial commenced recruitment in 2018. The primary manuscript will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

The HAMSTER is registered with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical TrialsRegistry: ACTRN12618000949280.
Palliative cancer care: costs in a Brazilian quaternary hospital
Authors: Rozman Luciana Martins , Campolina Alessandro Gonçalves , Lopez Rossana Mendoza , Chiba Toshio , De Soárez Patricia Coelho
Published: October 2019

Palliative care (PC) improves the quality of life of patients with diseases such as cancer, and several studies have shown a reduction in costs among patients who use PC services when compared with those receiving standard oncological treatments. Most studies on PC costs are carried out in high-income countries. There is a lack of these types of studies in middle-income and low-income countries and of better evidence about this intervention.

Objective

To describe resource utilisation and costs among patients with cancer in a Brazilian quaternary hospital by cancer localisation and per month of treatment before death.

Methods

This study is a description of retrospective costs to estimate the costs of formal healthcare sector associated with PCs, from the perspective of a public quaternary cancer hospital. Unit costs were estimated using microcosting and macrocosting approaches.

Setting/Participants

Patients older than 18 years old who died from 2010 to 2013 and who had at least two visits in PC and/or made use of hospice care.

Results

Among the 2985 patients included in the study, the average cost per patient was US$12 335, ranging from US$8269 for patients with pancreatic cancer to US$19 395 for patients with brain cancer. The main costing item was hospital admission (47.6% of the total cost), followed by hospice care (29.5%) and medical and other supplies (11.1%).

Conclusions

The study clarified the direct medical costs and the profile and use of resources of patients with cancer who need PC, and can help in the planning and allocation of resources in cancer care.
Clinical significance of ‘double-hit’ and ‘double-expression’ lymphomas
Authors: Ma Zhiping , Niu Jing , Cao Yanzhen , Pang Xuelian , Cui Wenli , Zhang Wei , Li Xinxia
Published: October 2019

Background

‘Double-hit’ lymphoma (DHL) and ‘double-expression’ lymphoma (DEL) involving gene rearrangement and protein expression of MYC and BCL2/BCL6 have recently become the most commonly used terms to describe the poor prognostic types of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the clinical and pathological spectra of these rare entities have not been well defined. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of DHL and DEL in DLBCL and their prognostic impacts in the era of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone plus rituximab therapy.

Methods

The data and tissues from 98 patients diagnosed with DLBCL were used in this study. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues were constructed for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and interphase fluorescene in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis for MYC, BCL6 and BCL2 rearrangements.

Results

There were 14 cases (14.29%, 14/98) and 34 cases (34.70%, 34/98) of lymphomas with the DHL and DEL of MYC and BCL2/BCL6, respectively. DLBCL patients withMYC/BCL2rearrangements more frequently had bone marrow involvement (p=0.002), and their tumours were commonly of the germinal centre B cell (GCB) subtype. Patients with MYC+/BCL2 +coexpression were more often assessed using the International Prognostic Index (IPI), (Performance Status) PS score and bone marrow involvement. Patients with MYC+/BCL6 +coexpression were associated with their IPI values, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores and occurrence of B symptoms. Their lymphomas were more often of the non-GCB subtype (p=0.010). Multivariate analysis showed that IPI, bone marrow involvement, rearrangements of BCL2, BCL6 and MYC, expression concurrent with rearrangements and coexpression were all significantly associated with overall survival and progression-free survival, with the exception of MYC+/BCL6 +coexpression.

Conclusions

MYC/BCL2DHL,MYC/BCL6DHL and MYC/BCL2 DEL are an aggressive B cell lymphoma and patients have a poor prognosis. IPI and bone marrow involvement were independent prognostic factors for DHL and DEL. BCL2, BCL6 and MYC rearrangements translocation, expression concurrent rearrangements and coexpression were were independent prognostic factors for survival.

Potential implications

The present study analysed the genomic alterations and protein expression levels of MYC, BCL2 and BCL6 using FISH and IHC in Chinese patients with DLBCL.We assessed the frequency, clinicopathological features and the prognostic impacts of DHL and DEL in a cohort of de novo DLBCL patients and evaluated the role of each genetic translocation separately and in combination in order to provide reliable conclusions and practical recommendations for diagnostic workups and prognostic predictions.
AAC Ling barley
Authors: Khanal Raja , Choo Thin Meiw , Ter Beek Sharon , MacDonald Doug , Scott Peter , Dion Yves , Rioux Sylvie , Pageau Denis
Published: October 2019

AAC Ling is a two-row spring feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar with high grain yield, high straw yield, and good lodging resistance. It was tested as CH2720-5 in the Atlantic Recommending Committee for Cereal Crops (2015–2017), Quebec Recommending Committee for Cereal (2015–2017), and Ontario Cereal Crops Committee (2016–2017) trials before being registered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in 2018. AAC Ling was developed by the Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON. AAC Ling is recommended for barley growing areas in eastern Canada.
A NEW RELATIVE PERMEABILITY MODEL OF UNSATURATED POROUS MEDIA BASED ON FRACTAL THEORY
Authors: CHEN KE , CHEN HE , XU PENG
Published: October 2019

The multiphase flow through unsaturated porous media and accurate estimation of relative permeability are significant for oil and gas reservoir, grounder water resource and chemical engineering, etc. A new fractal model is developed for the multiphase flow through unsaturated porous media, where multiscale pore structure is characterized by fractal scaling law and the trapped water in the pores is taken into account. And the analytical expression for relative permeability is derived accordingly. The relationships between the relative permeability and capillary head as well as saturation are determined. The proposed model is validated by comparison with 14 sets of experimental data, which indicates that the fractal model agrees well with experimental data. It has been found that the proposed fractal model shows evident advantages compared with BC-B model and VG-M model, especially for the porous media with fine content and texture. Further calculations show that water permeability decreases as the fractal dimension increases under fixed saturation because the cumulative volume fraction of small pores increases with the increment of the fractal dimension. The present fractal model for the relative permeability may be helpful to understand the multiphase flow through unsaturated porous media.
A NEW METHODOLOGY TO ANALYZE THE DYNAMIC OF DAILY POWER DEMAND WITH ATTRACTORS INTO THE MANDELBROT SET
Authors: TABARES-OSPINA HÉCTOR A. , ANGULO FABIOLA , OSORIO MAURICIO
Published: October 2019

The time series plot of electricity daily load demand is seasonal as shown by its regular repetitive pattern during the same period each year. Its behavior is determined by phase-space diagrams that are able to identify any of the following states of the series: fixed point, periodic, or chaotic. The first two deal with predictable systems. This paper focuses on presenting a new methodology to analyze the dynamics of the series in reference by using the curve formed by attractors that move in the complex plane over the Mandelbrot set according to the law dictated by the load curve. Because electrical power is a variable, it is also defined in the complex plane with the components of active power on the real axis and reactive power on the imaginary axis. Therefore, electrical power facilitates a new field of analysis in Mandelbrot fractal space. The obtained temporal curve confirms that the profile of the electric power demand is also mapped with the new fractal geometric space of the Mandelbrot set, thus providing a new contribution that extends knowledge about the dynamics of systems in fractal geometry.
STUDY ON COAL FRACTOGRAPHY UNDER DYNAMIC IMPACT LOADING BASED ON MULTIFRACTAL METHOD
Authors: FENG JUNJUN , WANG ENYUAN , HUANG QISONG , DING HOUCHENG , MA YANKUN
Published: October 2019

Coal fractography is a powerful tool for interpreting coal fracture behaviors, which is significant for dealing with failure issues encountered in deep coal mining. However, the accuracy of coal fractography highly depends on the method of quantitatively characterizing coal fracture surfaces. In this study, coal fractography under dynamic impact loading was investigated based on a multifractal method, the multifractal spectrum parameters were proposed to quantitatively describe the coal fracture surfaces. The width of the multifractal spectrum [Formula: see text] characterizes the uniformity of the surface asperity distribution, and the spectrum parameter [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] characterizes the proportion of dominant asperities on fracture surface. The coal fractography results indicate that larger loading rate leads to more asperities on the coal fracture surfaces, i.e. rougher fracture surfaces, and the fracture surfaces are dominated by small asperities induced by dynamic impact loading. In addition, significant anisotropy effect was found on the fracture surfaces under dynamic impact loading by the spatial distributions of multifractal spectrum parameter [Formula: see text]. The parameter [Formula: see text] was further utilized to determine the macrocrack direction and microfracture markings on the coal fracture surfaces, the results transpire that the multifractal method is feasible for coal fractographic analysis under dynamic loading conditions.
ON THE DECOMPOSITION OF CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS AND DIMENSIONS
Authors: LIU JIA , LIU DEZHI
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we consider decomposition of continuous functions in [Formula: see text] in terms of Hausdorff dimension and lower box dimension. Precisely, we show that, given real numbers [Formula: see text], any real-valued continuous function in [Formula: see text] can be decomposed into a sum of two real-valued continuous functions each having a graph of Hausdorff dimension [Formula: see text] and lower box dimension [Formula: see text]. This generalizes a theorem of Wingren, also Wu and the present author. We also consider the arbitrary decomposition of continuous functions in terms of Hausdorff dimension and lower box dimension.
SOME TOPOLOGICAL RESULTS ON LEVEL SETS AND MULTIFRACTAL SETS
Authors: LIU CHUNTAI
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we study topological properties of some level sets and some multifractal sets induced by Rademacher’s series and Takagi’s series, respectively. By using symbolic space, we obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for them to be residual.
Tight Bounds for Clairvoyant Dynamic Bin Packing
Authors: Azar Yossi , Vainstein Danny
Published: October 2019

In this article, we focus on the Clairvoyant Dynamic Bin Packing (DBP) problem, which extends the Classical Online Bin Packing problem in that items arrive and depart over time and the departure time of an item is known upon its arrival. The problem naturally arises when handling cloud-based networks. We focus specifically on the MinUsageTime objective function, which aims to minimize the overall usage time of all bins that are opened during the packing process. Earlier work has shown a
O
(log &mu / log log μ) upper bound on the algorithm’s competitiveness, where μ is defined as the ratio between the maximal and minimal durations of all items. We improve the upper bound by giving a
O
(√ log μ)-competitive algorithm. We then provide a matching lower bound of Ω (√ log μ) on the competitive ratio of any online algorithm, thus closing the gap with regard to this problem. We then focus on what we call the class of aligned inputs and give a
O
(log log μ)-competitive algorithm for this case, beating the lower bound of the general case by an exponential factor. Surprisingly enough, the analysis of our algorithm that we present is closely related to various properties of binary strings.
Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of guaiacol in diverse electrolytes using a slurry reactor
Authors: Wijaya Yanuar Philip
Published: October 2019

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation-hydrogenolysis (ECH) of guaiacol was performed in an H-cell type of slurry reactor configuration with Pt/C catalyst. Different pairs of electrolytes, in catholyte-anolyte combinations, were investigated by constant potential chronocoulometry, showing that the acidic anolyte is preferable for an effective ECH. The advantages of this slurry reactor are mainly attributed to the enhanced Faradaic efficiency and recoverability of the catalyst. High guaiacol conversion (>90%) can be achieved at mild conditions (307 K, 1 atm) in perchloric acid solution (0.5 M), resulting in 54% cyclohexanol selectivity at moderate Faradaic efficiency (53%) and low catalyst loading. This work opens up the possibility of renewable synthesis of valuable chemicals from biomass-derived substrates via electrocatalytic reduction process at mild conditions.
An Intriguing Case of Eosinophilia with FIP1L1/PDGFRA Rearrangement Who Presented as Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Authors: Alshehri Hassan , Alnomani Mohammad , Alghamdi Mubarak , Motabi Ibrahim , Tailor Imran , Alshehry Nawal , Alfayez Mansour , Zaidi Abdul Rehman Z. , Altaf Syed , AlSwayyed Azizah , AlSughayyer Ammar , Zaidi Syed Z. A.
Published: October 2019

Myeloid neoplasm with eosinophilia and FIP1-like-1-platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (FIP1L1-PDGFRA) rearrangement is a multi-organ disease with diverse clinical presentation. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by the concomitant occurrence of often severe thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and a variable degree of ischemic organ damage. To our knowledge, only one case of eosinophilia with FIP1L1-PDGFRA rearrangement presented as a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura reported in the literature. We herein report a case of a young male patient with hypereosinophilic syndrome and FIP1L1-PDGFRA rearrangement who presented with asthma, transient ischemic attacks (TIA), and confusion. He had an acquired TTP that was successfully treated with plasma exchanges (PLEX), corticosteroids, rituximab, and later with the addition of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec, Novartis). He remains in complete remission on imatinib 100 mg daily for more than 28 months of follow-up.
The Application of Spleen-Preserving Splenic Regional Laparoscopic Lymphadenectomy with Spleen Kept In Situ and Laparotomy with Spleen Lifted Out of the Abdomen for Locally Advanced Proximal Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Que Changrong , Lin Shuangming , Zhu Yibin , Xu Dongbo
Published: October 2019

Background and Purpose. Findings whether laparoscopic lymphadenectomy with spleen kept in situ or laparotomy with spleen lifted out of the abdomen is more effective remain inconclusive. This study is aimed at comparing outcomes of spleen-preserving splenic regional laparoscopic lymphadenectomy with spleen kept in situ versus laparotomy with spleen lifted out of the abdomen for locally advanced proximal gastric cancer. Methods. Data from patients with locally advanced proximal gastric cancer were collected from January 2011 to January 2014. A total of 246 patients were identified who received D2 radical total gastrectomy together with spleen-preserving splenic regional lymphadenectomy. Of those patients, 87 patients underwent laparoscopic splenic regional lymphadenectomy with spleen kept in situ (LSKS-SRLA) and 159 patients underwent laparotomy with spleen lifted out of the abdomen (LSLA-SRLA). Surgical outcomes and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results. The total number of lymph node dissection, intraoperative blood loss volume, intraoperative injury cases, and postoperative complications had no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The number of splenic regional lymph node dissections was 3.90±1.05 per case in the LSLA-SRLA group and 2.89±1.04 in the LSKS-SRLA group. The operation time, length of the incision, and hospital days were shorter in the LSKS-SRLA group. The total recurrence and metastatic rates and 3-year cumulative survival rate had no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions. Similar long-term outcomes were achieved in the LSKS-SRLA and LSLA-SRLA groups for locally advanced proximal gastric cancer. However, in the aspects of surgical time, length of incision, and postoperative recovery, the LSKS-SRLA group had obvious advantages.
Endotracheal Intubation by Paramedics Using Neodymium Magnet and Modified Stylet in Simulated Difficult Airway: A Prospective, Randomized, Crossover Manikin Study
Authors: Bilge Sedat , Tezel Onur , Acar Yahya Ayhan , Aydin Guclu , Aydin Attila , Ozkan Gokhan
Published: October 2019

Background. The present study evaluates the success and efficacy of endotracheal intubation (ETI) using a modified intubation stylet and a magnet system to direct the stylet into the trachea. The system was developed by the researchers in an attempt to increase the success and efficacy of ETI. Methods. ETI procedures were performed on an airway management manikin by emergency medical technicians with at least four years of experience in ETI. The technicians used a stylet modified with an iron ball affixed to the tip and a neodymium magnet, designed specifically for the study. The intention was to guide the endotracheal tube into the trachea at the level of the thyroid and cricoid cartilages on the manikin with the aid of the modified stylet and the magnetic force of the neodymium magnet. The success rate, completion time, and degree of difficulty of two procedures were compared: magnetic endotracheal intubation (METI) and classic ETI (CETI). Results. The success rate was 100% in both groups. The mean completion times for the METI and CETI procedures were 18.31 ± 2.46 s and 20.01 ± 1.95 s, respectively. There were significant differences in completion time and degree of difficulty between the METI and CETI procedures (both p=0.001). Conclusions. We found the use of a neodymium magnet and modified stylet to be an effective method to guide the endotracheal tube into the trachea. The present study may provide a basis for future studies.
Cannabinoids Identification in Lung Tissues of Young Cannabis Smokers Operated for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Correlation with Pathologic Findings
Authors: Bisconti Mario , Marulli Giuseppe , Pacifici Roberta , Sollitto Francesco , Nex Giulia , Trabucco Xenia , Ardò Nicoletta Pia , Rotolo Maria Concetta , De Iaco Giulia , Panza Teodora , Brascia Debora , Schiavone Marcella , Signore Francesca , Pistelli Francesco , De Palma Angela
Published: October 2019

Background: Several studies suggested the association between tobacco and cannabis smoking and the risk of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), but none demonstrated cannabinoids in human lung tissues. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify cannabinoids in lung specimens of young cannabis smokers, operated for PSP, and investigate on their pathologic findings, to determine the role of cannabis in PSP pathogenesis. Method: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted, enrolling patients admitted for PSP. Inclusion criteria were PSP requiring surgical treatment and history of cannabis smoking, associated or not to tobacco. Control cases were nonsmokers, and tobacco only smokers operated for PSP. Lung apex wedge resection by video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed. Two lung specimens, for pathological and toxicological examination, were taken from each patient. Results: Twenty-nine male patients were enrolled: 21 (72.4%) tobacco and cannabis smokers, 2 (7%) cannabis only smokers, 3 (10.3%) tobacco only smokers, 3 (10.3%) nonsmokers; all underwent lung apicectomy, 4 bilateral surgery, for a total of 33 procedures. Typical PSP pathologic findings were mainly detected in control cases, other alterations in cannabis users. Lung specimens resulted positive for cannabinoids on 22/33 cases (19/22 reported being, 3/22 not being cannabis smokers), negative on 11/33 (3/11 reported not being, 7/11 having been cannabis smokers, 1/11 cannabis smoker). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the presence of cannabinoids and particular pathologic alterations in lung tissues of young cannabis smokers with PSP, supporting the correlation between this disease and marijuana abuse and suggesting spontaneous pneumothorax “secondary to marijuana” as a new nosological entity.
177Lu-DOTATATE Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy: Dose Response in Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Jahn Ulrika , Ilan Ezgi , Sandström Mattias , Garske-Román Ulrike , Lubberink Mark , Sundin Anders
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has during the last few years been frequently used in patients with progressive, disseminating, well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Objective: To study whether the absorbed dose in small intestinal NET (SI-NET) metastases from PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE is related to tumor shrinkage. Materials and Methods: Dosimetry for 1 tumor was performed in each of 25 SI-NET patients based on sequential SPECT/CT 1, 4, and 7 days after 177Lu-DOTATATE infusion. The SPECT data were corrected for the partial volume effect based on previous phantom measurements, and the unit density sphere model from OLINDA was used for absorbed dose calculations. Morphological therapy response was assessed by CT/MRI regarding tumor diameter, tumor volume, total liver tumor volume, liver volume, and overall tumor response according to RECIST 1.1. Plasma chromogranin A and urinary 5-hydroxy-indole-acetic-acid were measured during PRRT and follow-up to assess biochemical response. Results: At the time of best response with respect to tumor diameter and volume shrinkage, the median absorbed dose was 128.6 Gy (range 28.4–326.9) and 140 Gy (range 50.9–487.4), respectively. All metrics regarding tumor shrinkage and biochemical response were unrelated to the absorbed dose. A correlation was, however, found between the administered radioactivity and the tumor volume shrinkage (p = 0.01) and between the administered radioactivity and RECIST 1.1 response (p = 0.01). Conclusions: It was not possible to demonstrate a tumor dose-response relationship in SI-NET metastases with the applied dosimetry method, contrary to what was previously shown for pancreatic NETs.
Contorno dos territórios e emancipação municipal: como as mudanças de limites (im)possibilitaram a emancipação de municípios fluminenses
Authors: Galinari Tiago Nogueira
Published: October 2019

Apesar de não despertar mais o interesse político, acadêmico e midiático, como ocorreu durante a década de 1990, as emancipações municipais ainda são uma possibilidade e, caso ocorra a promulgação de uma lei federal disciplinando este processo, uma nova onda emancipacionista ocorrerá no Brasil. Além de questões legais, outros fatores também podem prejudicar ou contribuir para o sucesso das emancipações municipais. Destacamos como os fatores locacionais e de configuração territorial influenciam no processo de emancipação. Através de revisão bibliográfica e do estudo de alguns movimentos emancipacionistas no estado do Rio de Janeiro, discutimos como fatores relacionados à localização, posição, contorno dos limites e outros aspectos territoriais costumam ser decisivos para o (in)sucesso das emancipações. De maneira geral, concluímos que a alteração dos limites de um distrito e a inclusão ou exclusão de distritos que comporiam o novo município interferem na emancipação municipal. Não por acaso, a manipulação político-territorial dos distritos se configura como um instrumento utilizado por diferentes atores para (in)viabilizar a emancipação municipal.
Planejamento corporativo do território brasileiro: contribuição geográfica à análise crítica da concessão aeroportuária
Authors: Silva Adriana Maria Bernardes , Teixeira Sérgio Henrique Oliveira
Published: October 2019

Esse artigo busca contribuir para a análise dos processos de privatizações e concessões das infraestruturas compostas pelos sistemas de engenharia territoriais, ocorridas no Brasil a partir da década de 1990. Neste artigo analisamos, em particular, as três primeiras rodadas de concessão dos aeroportos, administrados pela empresa estatal INFRAERO (que tiveram início em 2012). Defendemos que, para além da ideologia do planejamento estratégico, verifica-se o fortalecimento de um planejamento corporativo a partir do controle da materialidade (aeroportos) e dos fluxos (linhas/malhas) por corporações nacionais e internacionais, tais como empreiteiras, fundos de investimento e consultorias. Constatamos que o controle dos fluxos e dos fixos dotam as grandes corporações de um poder articulador do território, imprimindo neste uma lógica extravertida e globalizante que coloca cada vez mais o Estado como apêndice do planejamento feito pelas empresas
A dinâmica na rede urbana brasileira atual e a capilarização da informação pelo smartphone no território
Authors: Bertollo Mait
Published: October 2019

A capilarização da informação no território brasileiro por meio do smartphone e suas decorrências espaciais são resultado da convergência das técnicas de telefonia e internet, cuja rede expande seu alcance para atender à demanda crescente de conexão, sob a regulação de agentes públicos e privados que determinam a implementação e o uso dessas infraestruturas. O ordenamento das infraestruturas técnicas da rede capilarizada pelo smartphone no território tem como suporte principal as estações rádio base (ou antenas), os cabos de fibra ótica nacionais e transnacionais e o espectro eletromagnético. Há uma indissociabilidade entre o fenômeno da urbanização e o meio técnico-científico-informacionalnum território das dimensões do Brasil, onde a comunicação e conexão entre os pontos, fundamental e estratégica, sempre foi difícil por ter sido tradicionalmente centralizada. O advento do smartphone e a banalização de seu uso transformaram as interações quando um número crescente de pessoas passou a se comunicar.
Integration of Large-Scale Genomic Data Sources With Evolutionary History Reveals Novel Genetic Loci for Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Fotiou Elisavet , Williams Simon , Martin-Geary Alexandra , Robertson David L. , Tenin Gennadiy , Hentges Kathryn E. , Keavney Bernard
Published: October 2019

Background:

Most cases of congenital heart disease (CHD) are sporadic and nonsyndromic, with poorly understood etiology. Rare genetic variants have been found to affect the risk of sporadic, nonsyndromic CHD, but individual studies to date are of only moderate sizes, and none to date has incorporated the ohnolog status of candidate genes in the analysis. Ohnologs are genes retained from ancestral whole-genome duplications during evolution; multiple lines of evidence suggest ohnologs are overrepresented among dosage-sensitive genes. We integrated large-scale data on rare variants with evolutionary information on ohnolog status to identify novel genetic loci predisposing to CHD.

Methods:

We compared copy number variants present in 4634 nonsyndromic CHD cases derived from publicly available data resources and the literature, and >27 000 healthy individuals. We analyzed deletions and duplications independently and identified copy number variant regions exclusive to cases. These data were integrated with whole-exome sequencing data from 829 sporadic, nonsyndromic patients with Tetralogy of Fallot. We placed our findings in an evolutionary context by comparing the proportion of vertebrate ohnologs in CHD cases and controls.

Results:

Novel genetic loci in CHD cases were significantly enriched for ohnologs compared with the genome (χ
2
test,
P
<0.0001, OR =1.253 [95% CI, 1.199–1.309]). We identified 54 novel candidate protein-coding genes supported by both: (1) copy number variant and whole-exome sequencing data; and (2) ohnolog status.

Conclusions:

We have identified new CHD candidate loci, and show for the first time that ohnologs are overrepresented among CHD genes. Incorporation of evolutionary metrics may be useful in refining candidate genes emerging from large-scale genetic evaluations of CHD.
Heart Failure in the Era of Precision Medicine: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Cresci Sharon , Pereira Naveen L. , Ahmad Ferhaan , Byku Mirnela , de las Fuentes Lisa , Lanfear David E. , Reilly Carolyn M. , Owens Anjali T. , Wolf Matthew J. ,   On behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research
Published: October 2019

One of 5 people will develop heart failure over his or her lifetime. Early diagnosis and better understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease are critical to optimal treatment. The “omics”—genomics, pharmacogenomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics— of heart failure represent rapidly expanding fields of science that have, to date, not been integrated into a single body of work. The goals of this statement are to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of these omics as they relate to the development and progression of heart failure and to consider the current and potential future applications of these data for precision medicine with respect to prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.
On the Effect of the Activation Function on the Distribution of Hidden Nodes in a Deep Network
Authors: Long Philip M. , Sedghi Hanie
Published: October 2019

We analyze the joint probability distribution on the lengths of the vectors of hidden variables in different layers of a fully connected deep network, when the weights and biases are chosen randomly according to gaussian distributions. We show that if the activation function [Formula: see text] satisfies a minimal set of assumptions, satisfied by all activation functions that we know that are used in practice, then, as the width of the network gets large, the “length process” converges in probability to a length map that is determined as a simple function of the variances of the random weights and biases and the activation function [Formula: see text]. We also show that this convergence may fail for [Formula: see text] that violate our assumptions. We show how to use this analysis to choose the variance of weight initialization, depending on the activation function, so that hidden variables maintain a consistent scale throughout the network.
Replicating Neuroscience Observations on ML/MF and AM Face Patches by Deep Generative Model
Authors: Han Tian , Xing Xianglei , Wu Jiawen , Wu Ying Nian
Published: October 2019

A recent Cell paper (Chang & Tsao, 2017 ) reports an interesting discovery. For the face stimuli generated by a pretrained active appearance model (AAM), the responses of neurons in the areas of the primate brain that are responsible for face recognition exhibit a strong linear relationship with the shape variables and appearance variables of the AAM that generates the face stimuli. In this letter, we show that this behavior can be replicated by a deep generative model, the generator network, that assumes that the observed signals are generated by latent random variables via a top-down convolutional neural network. Specifically, we learn the generator network from the face images generated by a pretrained AAM model using a variational autoencoder, and we show that the inferred latent variables of the learned generator network have a strong linear relationship with the shape and appearance variables of the AAM model that generates the face images. Unlike the AAM model, which has an explicit shape model where the shape variables generate the control points or landmarks, the generator network has no such shape model and shape variables. Yet it can learn the shape knowledge in the sense that some of the latent variables of the learned generator network capture the shape variations in the face images generated by AAM.
Coelogynopora schockaerti n. sp. (Proseriata: Coelogynoporidae), a remnant of a platyhelminth coldwater fauna in the northwestern Mediterranean?
Authors: JOUK PHILIPPE E.H. , REVIS NATHALIE J.P. , ARTOIS TOM
Published: October 2019

Coelogynopora schockaerti n. sp. (Proseriata: Coelogynoporidae) is described from the northwestern Gulf of Lion, Mediterranean. Only a few representatives of this genus are reported from Mediterranean marine sandy shores and only from the northwestern to central Mediterranean, but all of these species also occur outside the Mediterranean. So far, C. schockaerti n. sp. is the only species exclusively known from the Mediterranean. The species is solely encountered in the Gulf of Lion, a coldwater pocket in the Mediterranean and can, therefore, be considered as a remnant of an ancient coldwater platyhelminth fauna. C. schockaerti n. sp. is characterized by the shape and size of the spines of the male copulatory organ and the presence, orientation, shape and size of the two accessory spines.  An identification key is given for the entire genus.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Wang Yifei , Zhou Shi , Lei Shuai , Hao Liying , Sun Deri , Hu Huiyuan
Published: October 2019

In recent years, there are increasing evidences of epidemiology and clinic which indicate that vitamin D deficiency has relationship with cardiovascular disease. It was found the levels of vitamin D were negatively correlated with cardiovascular events such as hypertension, heart failure,
atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease. This article reviews the connection between cardiovascular diseases and vitamin D, and explains the underlying mechanisms including regulating renin-angiotensin system or endothelial function, inhibition of natriuretic peptide expression or the
release of parathyroid hormone, effects on inflammation or obesity, bioenergetics, activation of extracellular Ca2+, inhibition of oxidative stress, and so on. These mechanisms provide novel strategy for the treatment of these cardiovascular diseases.
Effectiveness of Canal Occlusion for Intractable Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Systematic Review
Authors: Maas Britta D. P. J. , van der Zaag‐Loonen Hester J. , van Benthem Peter Paul G. , Bruintjes Tjasse D.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

A last resort for therapy for intractable benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is mechanical occlusion of the posterior semicircular canal. The aim of this review was to assess the effect of posterior canal occlusion for intractable posterior canal BPPV on vertigo and to determine the risk of loss of auditory or vestibular function.

Data Sources

A systematic literature search according to the PRISMA statement was performed on PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL. The last search was conducted in June 2018.

Review Methods

Cohort studies with original data and case reports describing >5 cases were included if they analyzed the effect of posterior semicircular canal obliteration in adults with intractable posterior BPPV on vertigo. Two authors screened titles and abstracts for eligibility. The first author screened full texts and analyzed the data.

Results

Eight retrospective studies met the eligibility criteria. The quality of all individual studies was rated fair. Canal occlusion was performed on 196 patients. All studies reported complete resolution of BPPV in all patients (100%). Among postoperatively tested patients, total loss of auditory function and vestibular function was reported in 2 of 190 (1%) and 9 of 68 (13%), respectively.

Conclusion

Posterior semicircular canal plugging resulted in 100% resolution of BPPV in patients with intractable BPPV in all studies. However, the strength of evidence was weak. Potential serious complications, such as deafness and loss of vestibular function, should be taken into account.
Unpacking Representation in State Immigration Policy: Latino Composition, White Racial Threat, and Legislator Partisanship
Authors: Avery James M. , Fine Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2019

Most research studying minority representation concludes that minorities enjoy better representation when they constitute a larger share of a constituency, but only through the partisanship and race/ethnicity of the representative. Other research finds that minorities receive worse representation when they constitute a larger share of a constituency. We argue that minority composition will have an independent effect on representation, but that this effect will differ depending on the representative's partisanship. We apply our theory to Latino composition and state legislative voting on immigration policy and find that Latino composition has no effect on voting among Democratic legislators, who are less likely to vote in a restrictive direction on immigration than Republicans regardless of the Latino composition in their district. However, Republicans are more likely to vote to restrict immigration as Latinos comprise a larger share of their district. Our findings suggest that scholars should consider the moderating effect of legislator partisanship when examining minority composition and representation.
Changes in inflammatory bowel disease patients’ perspectives on biosimilars: A follow‐up survey
Authors: Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Lönnfors Sanna , Avedano Luisa , Danese Silvio
Published: October 2019

Background and aims

The aim of this survey was to find out whether the perspectives of patients with inflammatory bowel disease concerning biosimilars have changed since the publication of our last survey carried out in 2014–2015.

Methods

An online survey consisting of 19 questions was made available by the European Federation of Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Associations between July 2018 and December 2018. Only respondents who had heard of biosimilars were asked to respond to all of the questions.

Results

In total, 1619 patients with inflammatory bowel disease responded the questionnaire. Most respondents were from Europe (79%), followed by Asia (8%), South America (7%) and Africa (5%). Some 44% of them had heard of biosimilars, and only these respondents continued to the biosimilar‐specific questions. Respondents worried significantly more about biosimilars being less effective than the originator (50% in current and 39% in previous survey, p = 0.0004). However, respondents were more likely to believe that biosimilars will have an impact on the management of inflammatory bowel disease (75% in current and 62% in previous survey).

Conclusions

Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease remain unfamiliar with biosimilars. Although patients still worry about different aspects regarding biosimilars, they also tend to be more confident that biosimilars will have an impact on the management of their disease. More patient education is still needed to raise awareness about biosimilars.