bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proton pump inhibitor monotherapy and the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with gastro‐esophageal reflux disease: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Sun S. , Cui Z. , Zhou M. , Li R. , Li H. , Zhang S. , Ba Y. , Cheng G.
Published: August 2016

Background and Purpose

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used as potent gastric acid secretion antagonists for gastro‐esophageal disorders and their overall safety in patients with gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is considered to be good and they are well‐tolerated. However, recent studies have suggested that PPIs may be a potential independent risk factor for cardiovascular adverse events. The aim of our meta‐analysis was to examine the association between PPI monotherapy and cardiovascular events in patients with GERD.

Methods

A literature search involved examination of relevant databases up to July 2015 including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrial.gov, as well as selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting cardiovascular events with PPI exposure in GERD patients. In addition, the pooled risk ratio (RR) and heterogeneity were assessed based on a fixed effects model of the meta‐analysis and the I2 statistic, respectively.

Key Results

Seventeen RCTs covering 7540 patients were selected. The pooled data suggested that the use of PPIs was associated with a 70% increased cardiovascular risk (RR=1.70, 95% CI: [1.13–2.56], P=.01, I2=0%). Furthermore, higher risks of adverse cardiovascular events in the omeprazole subgroup (RR=3.17, 95% CI: [1.43–7.03], P=.004, I2=25%) and long‐term treatment subgroup (RR=2.33, 95% CI: [1.33–4.08], P=.003, I2=0%) were found.

Conclusion & Inferences

PPI monotherapy can be a risk factor for cardiovascular adverse events. Omeprazole could significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular events and, so, should be used carefully.
Two spatially and temporally distinct Ca2+ signals convey Arabidopsis thaliana responses to K+ deficiency
Authors: Behera Smrutisanjita , Long Yu , Schmitz‐Thom Ina , Wang Xue‐Ping , Zhang Chunxia , Li Hong , Steinhorst Leonie , Manishankar Prabha , Ren Xiao‐Ling , Offenborn Jan Niklas , Wu Wei‐Hua , Kudla Jörg , Wang Yi
Published: August 2016

In plants, potassium (K+) homeostasis is tightly regulated and established against a concentration gradient to the environment. Despite the identification of Ca2+‐regulated kinases as modulators of K+ channels, the immediate signaling and adaptation mechanisms of plants to low‐K+ conditions are only partially understood.

To assess the occurrence and role of Ca2+ signals in Arabidopsis thaliana roots, we employed ratiometric analyses of Ca2+ dynamics in plants expressing the Ca2+ reporter YC3.6 in combination with patch‐clamp analyses of root cells and two‐electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) analyses in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

K+ deficiency triggers two successive and distinct Ca2+ signals in roots exhibiting spatial and temporal specificity. A transient primary Ca2+ signature arose within 1 min in the postmeristematic stelar tissue of the elongation zone, while a secondary Ca2+ response occurred after several hours as sustained Ca2+ elevation in defined tissues of the elongation and root hair differentiation zones. Patch‐clamp and TEVC analyses revealed Ca2+ dependence of the activation of the K+ channel AKT1 by the CBL1–CIPK23 Ca2+ sensor‐kinase complex.

Together, these findings identify a critical role of cell group‐specific Ca2+ signaling in low K+ responses and indicate an essential and direct role of Ca2+ signals for AKT1 K+ channel activation in roots.
Diagnostic performance of MR imaging of three major salivary glands for Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Kojima I , Sakamoto M , Iikubo M , Kumamoto H , Muroi A , Sugawara Y , Satoh‐Kuriwada S , Sasano T
Published: August 2016

Objective

We analyzed the diagnostic performance of the MR imaging findings of the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands to discriminate between patients with and without Sjögren's syndrome.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the correlation between the MR imaging and histopathological findings obtained from 69 patients with clinically suspected Sjögren's syndrome. We evaluated the heterogeneous signal intensity distribution on T1‐ and T2‐weighted images, the multiple high‐signal‐intensity spots on MR sialograms, and the volume of the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual salivary glands.

Results

The multiple high‐signal‐intensity spots in the parotid gland showed the highest sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy (82% and 83%, respectively). In addition, the multiple high‐signal‐intensity spots and the heterogeneous signal intensity distribution in the submandibular gland showed high specificity (100% and 88%, respectively). The volume of the submandibular gland, but not that of the parotid or sublingual gland, was smaller in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Conclusions

The presence of multiple high‐signal‐intensity spots on an MR sialogram in the parotid gland should be considered the best diagnostic indicator for Sjögren's syndrome. The presence of spots, heterogeneity, and the change to smaller volumes in the submandibular gland were also helpful because of their high specificity, particularly in advanced cases.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND CITIZEN SATISFACTION WITH THE GOVERNMENT: EVIDENCE FROM CHINESE MUNICIPALITIES
Authors: MA LIANG
Published: August 2016

Despite the fact that performance management has been ubiquitously adopted in the public sector across the world today, there is limited and inconclusive evidence that it improves citizen satisfaction with the government. In this article, we use survey data and multilevel modelling to analyse the effects of multiple performance management components on citizens' perceptions of government performance across 19 major cities in China. The results reveal that performance management does have a positive impact on citizen satisfaction. In addition, citizen participation, performance feedback and accountability, and information openness are positively associated with citizen satisfaction along various performance dimensions in different magnitudes. While we should take account of and mitigate its unintended consequences, our results suggest that it is still promising for public organizations to implement performance management.
Patchy white matter hyperintensity in ring chromosome 18 syndrome
Authors: Anzai Mai , Arai‐Ichinoi Natsuko , Takezawa Yusuke , Endo Wakaba , Inui Takehiko , Sato Ryo , Kikuchi Atsuo , Uematsu Mitsugu , Kure Shigeo , Haginoya Kazuhiro
Published: August 2016

Ring chromosome 18 syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality in which partial deletions occur at both ends of chromosome 18, that is, distally on the short and long arms. Previously reported brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities include diffuse hyperintensity in the white matter, which has been regarded as hypomyelination because the gene for myelin basic protein production is located on the long arm of chromosome 18. We report the case of a 14‐year‐old boy with ring chromosome 18 syndrome, whose MRI showed patchy asymmetrical T2 and fluid‐attenuated inversion‐recovery hyperintensities in the deep white matter as well as diffuse hypomyelination. These patchy lesions may indicate demyelination or gliosis rather than hypomyelination. This result differs from previous reports.
The Emerging Age of Ecological Restoration Law
Authors: Richardson Benjamin J.
Published: August 2016

This article challenges the dominant future orientation of environmental law by drawing attention to the need to consider past environmental losses and the role of restoration law. The article highlights some precedents in international and domestic law. So far, most examples of restoration governance in our legal systems should be described as ‘environmental’ restoration, addressing discrete contexts such as a pollution spill site or a former mine. The larger agenda of ecological restoration is in its infancy, but there are a handful of interesting legal innovations. Successful ecological restoration governance is a complex task that requires addressing four criteria: biological feasibility, social acceptability, financial viability and institutional tractability.
Effect of Treatment Duration and Frequency on Uremic Solute Kinetics, Clearances and Concentrations
Authors: Leypoldt John K. , Meijers Björn K. I.
Published: August 2016

The kinetics of uremic solute clearances are discussed based on two categories of uremic solutes, namely those that are and those that are not derived directly from nutrient intake, particularly dietary protein intake. This review highlights dialysis treatments that are more frequent and longer (high‐dose hemodialysis) than conventional thrice weekly therapy. It is proposed that the dialysis dose measures based on urea as a marker uremic solute, such as Kt/V and stdKt/V, be referred to as measures of dialysis inadequacy, not dialysis adequacy. For uremic solutes derived directly from nutrient intake, it is suggested that inorganic phosphorus and protein‐bound uremic solutes be considered as markers in the development of alternative measures of dialysis dose for high‐dose hemodialysis prescriptions. As the current gap in understanding the detailed kinetics of protein‐bound uremic solutes, it is proposed that normalization of serum phosphorus concentration with a minimum (or preferably without a) need for oral‐phosphorus binders be targeted as a measure of dialysis adequacy in high‐dose hemodialysis. For large uremic solutes not derived directly from nutrient intake (middle molecules), use of extracorporeal clearances for β2‐microglobulin that are higher than currently available during thrice weekly therapy is unlikely to reduce predialysis serum β2‐microglobulin concentrations. High‐dose hemodialysis prescriptions will lead to reductions in predialysis serum β2‐microglobulin concentrations, but such reductions are also limited by significant residual kidney clearance. Kinetic data regarding middle molecules larger than β2‐microglobulin are scarce; additional studies on such uremic solutes are of high interest to better understand improved methods for prescribing high‐dose hemodialysis prescriptions to improve patient outcomes.
Non‐destructive Examination of Loads in Regular and Self‐locking Spiralock® Threads through Energy‐resolved Neutron Imaging
Authors: Tremsin A. S. , Yau T. Y. , Kockelmann W.
Published: August 2016

Energy‐resolved neutron transmission imaging is utilised forin situcomparisons of strain distributions in fastened assemblies with regular and self‐locking Spiralock® female threads. The strain maps measured within torqued steel bolts indicate that for a Spiralock® thread, the load is distributed over a larger section of the fastener, making this type of thread more suitable for fastening of assemblies subject to transverse vibrations.
Occupational hazards of traditional healers: repeated unprotected blood exposures risk infectious disease transmission
Authors: Audet Carolyn M. , Salato José , Blevins Meridith , Silva Wilson , González‐Calvo Lázaro , Vermund Sten H. , Gaspar Felisbela
Published: August 2016

Objective

Healers provide support for acute and chronic illnesses in rural Mozambique, such as socially acceptable traditional ‘vaccinations’ (subcutaneous cuts in the skin to rub herbs directly into the bloody lesion). We aimed to document the frequency of blood exposure by traditional practitioners in Mozambique.

Methods

We conducted surveys with a simple random sample of 236 traditional healers in Zambézia province. Chi‐square and Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests were used to compare ‘injection’ behaviours across districts.

Results

Healers treated a median of eight patients in the past month (IQR: 4–15). About 75% conducted ‘injections’. These healers ‘injected’ a median of four patients (IQR: 1–8), used a new razor a median of three times (IQR: 1–8), and almost never used gloves. Lifetime blood exposures among those who provided ‘injections’ during treatments were estimated to be 1758 over a healer's career.

Conclusion

The majority of healers are exposed repeatedly to patient blood. Given the high prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C virus, and other blood‐borne agents, specific healer practices are an occupational hazard and reuse of razors is risky for their clients.
El Niño‐based malaria epidemic warning for Oromia, Ethiopia, from August 2016 to July 2017
Authors: Bouma M. J. , Siraj A. S. , Rodo X. , Pascual M.
Published: August 2016

Objective

Tropical highland malaria intensifies and shifts to higher altitudes during exceptionally warm years. Above‐normal temperatures associated with El Niño during boreal winter months (December–March) may intensify malaria in East African highlands. We assessed the malaria risk for Oromia, the largest region of Ethiopia with around 30 million inhabitants.

Methods

Simple linear regression and spatial analyses were used to associate sea surface temperatures (SST) in the Pacific and surface temperatures in Ethiopia with annual malaria risk in Oromia, based on confirmed cases of malaria between 1982 and 2005.

Results

A strong association (R2 = 0.6, P < 0.001) was identified between malaria and sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, anticipating a 70% increase in malaria risk for the period from August 2016 to July 2017. This forecast was quantitatively supported by elevated land surface temperatures (+1.6 °C) in December 2015. When more station data become available and mean March 2016 temperatures from meteorological stations can be taken into account, a more robust prediction can be issued.

Conclusion

An epidemic warning is issued for Oromia, Ethiopia, between August 2016 and July 2017 and may include the pre‐July short malaria season. Similar relationships reported for Madagascar point to an epidemic risk for all East African highlands with around 150 million people. Preparedness for this high risk period would include pre‐emptive intradomestic spraying with insecticides, adequate stocking of antimalarials, and spatial extension of diagnostic capacity and more frequent reporting to enable a rapid public health response when and where required.
Breaking the Silence? The Mass Strike, Occupy Wall Street, and Demanding Jobs for All
Authors: Arena John
Published: August 2016

The ruling class solution to the 2008 global capitalist crisis has been to restore profitability and power to capital through massive state bailouts of banks and industry combined with savage attacks on working class living standards, with Greece simply being the most advanced in the process. At the same time, a post‐2008 global mass strike emerged that provided an opportunity for a working class response to not only the latest round of attacks, but to those imposed over the three decades of the neoliberal era. In this article, I use a Luxemburgian theoretical lens to analyze the U.S.'s Occupy Wall Street component of the mass strike process. I highlight the intramovement ideological and political obstacles to advancing the mass strike process through establishing a broad set of radical, working‐class centered demands to address the crisis.
Mobility and Kinematic Analysis of Foldable Plate Structures Based on Rigid Origami
Authors: Cai Jianguo , Qian Zelun , Jiang Chao , Feng Jian , Xu Yixiang
Published: August 2016

As one new type of deployable structures, foldable plate structures based on origami are more and more widely used in aviation and building structures in recent years. The mobility and kinematic paths of foldable origami structures are studied in this paper. Different constraints including the rigid plate, spherical joints, and the boundary conditions of linkages were first used to generate the system constraint equations. Then, the degree-of-freedom (DOF) of the foldable plate structures was calculated from the dimension of null space of the Jacobian matrix, which is the derivative of the constraint equations with respect to time. Furthermore, the redundant constraints were found by using this method, and multiple kinematic paths existing in origami structures were studied by obtaining all the solutions of constraint equations. Different solutions represent different kinematic configurations. The DOF and kinematic paths of a Miura-ori and a rigid deployable antenna were also investigated in detail.
Craniosynostosis: prenatal diagnosis by 2D/3D ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.
Authors: Helfer Talita Micheletti , Peixoto Alberto Borges , Tonni Gabriele , Araujo Júnior Edward
Published: August 2016

Craniosynostosis is defined as the process of premature fusion of one or more of the cranial sutures.  It is a common condition that occurs in about 1 to 2,000 live births. Craniosynostosis may be classified in primary or secondary. It is also classified as nonsyndromic or syndromic. According to suture commitment, craniosynostosis may affect a single suture or multiple sutures. There is a wide range of syndromes involving craniosynostosis and the most common are Apert, Pffeifer, Crouzon, Shaethre-Chotzen and Muenke syndromes. The underlying etiology of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is unknown. Mutations in the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling pathway play a crucial role in the etiology of craniosynostosis syndromes. Prenatal ultrasound`s detection rate of craniosynostosis is low. Nowadays, different methods can be applied for prenatal diagnosis of craniosynostosis, such as two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan and, finally, molecular diagnosis. The presence of craniosynostosis may affect the birthing process. Fetuses with craniosynostosis also have higher rates of perinatal complications. In order to avoid the risks of untreated craniosynostosis, children are usually treated surgically soon after postnatal diagnosis.
Neonatal head ultrasound: systematic approach to congenital Central Nervous System anomalies. A pictorial essay.
Authors: Yoon Hye-Kyung , Cho Seong Whi
Published: August 2016

Brain ultrasound is widely used for the screening of prematurely born babies. Although the best imaging modality for the central nervous system anomaly is brain MRI, the first imaging study in the post-natal period is brain ultrasonography in most cases. Anomalies could be found incidentally on screening ultrasound, or in those cases already suspected on prenatal ultrasound. In order not to miss congenital structural abnormalities of the brain on screening ultrasound, systematic approaches would be very helpful. The ventricles and sylvian fissures are very important structures to suspect central nervous system anomalies: they are symmetric structures so we should look for any asymmetry or maldevelopment. And then, on sagittal images, the midline structures including the corpus callosum and cerebellar vermis should be observed carefully. Finally, we should look for any abnormality in gyration or cortical development. Skull defect with herniation of intracranial contents, a spectrum of encephalomeningocele, could be alsoidentified on ultrasound. Congenital infections such as cytomegalovirus infectionmay showventriculomegaly and malformation of the cortical development on imaging studies.
Ileo-colic intussusception by ileo-cecal valve lipoma – an infrequent ultrasonographic occurrence. A case report.
Authors: Stancu Bogdan , Chira Alexandra , Chira Romeo Ioan , Grigorescu Ioana , Gherman Claudia Diana , Dumitraşcu Dan Lucian
Published: August 2016

We present a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in an adult, due to ileo-colic intussusception by a lipoma of the ileo-cecal valve and its ultrasonographic presentation. The case presented in emergency for spontaneously appearing and disappearing palpable elastic mass in the right iliac fossa. The ultrasonographic examination raised the suspicion of an ileo-colic intussusception due to a polypoid tumor. The contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed the finding and suggested that the polypoid tumor was more likely a lipoma. Right hemicolectomy and cholecystectomy were performed and the pathological examination confirmed the lipoma. The evolution of the patient was favourable and uneventful.
Management and outcome of sonographically diagnosed uterine enhanced myometrial vascularity / arteriovenous malformations following early pregnancy events: a single center experience
Authors: Ko Jennifer K.Y. , Cheung Vincent Y.T.
Published: August 2016

.
Lower urinary tract obstruction in male children–a report of three cases.
Authors: Lynser Donboklang , Marbaniang Evarisalin , Khongsni Pynskhemboklang
Published: August 2016

Urinary retention in young children and infancy is relatively rare. The commonest malignancy cause of bladder outlet obstruction in infancy is prostatic rhabdomyosarcoma; the commonest cause of congenital bladder outlet obstruction in a male infantis posterior urethral valve and the commonest cause of urethral obstruction in male children is urethral calculi. We present here a report on three cases of urethral obstruction in male children.
Comments and extensions to EFSUMB guidelines on renal interventional ultrasound (INVUS).
Authors: Mohaupt Markus G. , Arampatzis Spyridon , Atkinson Nathan , Yi Dong , Cui Xin Wu , Ignee Andre , Dietrich Christoph F.
Published: August 2016

The substantial evidence base for interventional ultrasound approaches to renal diagnostic sampling and therapeutic access exists. This review comments on the evidence-based recommendations on ultrasound-guided renal access which have been published recently within the framework of Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound (InVUS) of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) from a clinical practice point of view. Specific aspects of tissue handling and workup, procedural approach and patient interaction are discussed. Indications, contraindications, risk factors and methods to reduce these risks are considered.
Value of ultrasound elastography in the diagnosis of native kidney fibrosis.
Authors: Peride Ileana , Rădulescu Daniela , Niculae Andrei , Ene Vladimir , Bratu Ovidiu Gabriel , Checheriță Ionel Alexandru
Published: August 2016

In the last decade, ultrasound elastography, an already widely used technique in the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis, has raised the attention of nephrologists as a potential valuable noninvasive tool for the diagnosis of renal fibrosis. Due to renal deep location and anatomic complexity, the shear wave techniques are the most appropriate elastography methods for exploring native kidneys. Recent research offers promising results, but further larger studies are required for a better standardization of this method and also for establishing reference values of normal kidney elasticity. This article reviews the studies conducted for exploring the native kidney, highlighting the advantages and limitations of ultrasound elastography for assessing fibrosis development in chronic kidney diseases.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound: an effective tool to help medical students improve joint inflammation detection?
Authors: Ruiz-Curiel Aníbal , Díaz-Barreda María Dolores , González-Rodríguez Marta , Martín-Delgado Teresa , Medrano-Antoñazas Adriana , Muñoz-González Raquel , Perales-Torres Silvia , Sánchez-Montero Javier , Janta Iustina , Nieto Juan Carlos , Collado-Yurrita Luis , López-Longo Francisco Javier , Naredo Esperanza
Published: August 2016

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether musculoskeletal (MS) ultrasound (US) can be useful in helping medical students to detect joint inflammation through physical examination. Material and methods: The study was performed by two groups of four 6th year medical students. None had received any previous training in the clinical examination of joints or the use of ultrasound. Students were put through a 5-session training programme on the clinical detection of either knee [group 1] or metacarpophalangeal (MCP) [group 2] inflammation. After an initial training session on physical examination of normal and inflamed joints, the students examined 170 joints from 41 patients attending the hospital outpatient clinic in 4 separate sessions. The same joints were assessed for synovitis with US with the ensuing data compared to that of the students and analyzed for concordance with Cohen’s unweighted kappa. Results: In total 60 knees [group 1] and 110 MCP [group 2] were evaluated. The agreement between the presence of arthritis detected by the students in the four sessions and the presence of synovitis detected by US improved from the session I to sessions III with a marked improvement in the last session. Conclusions: MSUS may be an effective technique for helping students to acquire the ability to detect joint inflammation.
Can diagnostic ultrasound scanners be a potential vector of opportunistic bacterial infection?
Authors: Skowronek Paweł , Wojciechowski Artur , Leszczyński Piotr , Olszewski Paweł , Sibiński Marcin , Polguj Michał , Synder Marek
Published: August 2016

Ultrasound examinations are recognised as being safe. The greatest epidemiological threat during the performance of examination is the transfer of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms between patients and from personnel to patients. Colonization of the skin with opportunistic bacteria of immunocompromised and high risk patients may lead to infection following an ultrasound scan. Aim: To identify and evaluate the strains of bacteria occurring on ultrasound equipment subjected to unexpected control performed by a local infectious diseases control team. We assumed that transducers, gel holders and gel bottles can be contaminated with normal human skin microflora. The remaining tested parts of the ultrasound equipment could possibly be contaminated with normal human skin microflora and other pathogens. Material and methods: The swabs were taken from ultrasound scanners located in various hospital settings, from out-patient based radiology scanning rooms to operating theatre, and cultured. Results: Among all isolated 23% strains were classified as environmental microflora; 8% as strains related to patient’s skin contamination; and 13 % strains constituted pathogenic Gram-negative rods.. The remaining strains were classified as opportunistic flora 38%. High prevalence of opportunistic bacteria cultured in our study lead to the modification of the ultrasound cleaning procedures in both institutions and recommendation of the use of antibacterial wipes to clean all parts of ultrasound equipment in contact with patients’ skin and examiners. Conclusions: Contamination not only affects parts of diagnostic equipment placed in direct contact with the patient, but also, those surfaces that only medical personnel have had contact with.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: elastosonographic strain ratio andcross-sectional area evaluation for the diagnosis and disease severity.
Authors: Tatar Idil Gunes , Kurt Aydin , Yavasoglu NeseGungor , Hekimoglu Baki
Published: August 2016

Aim: To evaluate the role of gray scale ultrasonography (US) and real time elastosonography (RTE) incarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Materials and methods: Both wrists of 18 healthy volunteers (n=36) formed the control group (Group 1) and 19 symptomatic outpatients of the neurology clinic constituted the patient group. According to nerve conduction study results, cases with mild CTS (n=15) formed Group 2; cases with moderate to severe CTS (n=20) formed Group 3. Cross sectional area (CSA) and strain ratio (SR) were measured at carpal tunnel inlet (CTI) and 4 cm proximal to the distal end of the radius (P). CSA and SR change score (CSACTI-CSAP; SRCTI-SRP), CSA and SR ratio score (CSACTI / CSAP; SRCTI / SRP) were calculated. Results: The median nerve was significantly stiffer in Group 2 compared to Group 1; also in Group 3 compared to Group 1 (p=0.000). For CSACTI, the difference was significant between Group 1 and Group 3 (p=0.000), also between Group 2 and Group 3 (p=0.001). For CSA change scores the difference was only significant between Group 1 and Group 3 (p=0.015). In the diagnosis of CTS the best cut-off value for CSACTI was 10.8 (p=0.001), 2.3 for SRCTI(p=0.000), 4.9 for the CSA change score (p=0.005), 0.05 for the SR change score (p=0.000), 1.3 for the the CSA ratio score (p=0.015) and 1.1 for the SR ratio score (p=0.000). Conclusion: SR measurements do not  exclude patients even with mild CTS but cannot categorize disease severity. CSA measurements on the other hand can categorize disease severity.Therefore, the combined use of US and RTE is suggested.
Meta-analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the detection of gallbladder carcinoma
Authors: Wang Wei , Fei Yang , Wang Feng
Published: August 2016

Aim: To systematically evaluate the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for the detection of gallbladder carcinoma. Material and method:  Relevant studies were identified searching PubMed, Embase, Elsevier, the CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) database and the Cochrane Trial Register searches until August 2015. Patient clinical characteristics, sensitivity and specificity were extracted. The summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to examine the accuracy of CEUS. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical utility in the diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma. Sensitivity analysis was performed after omitting outliers identified in a bivariate boxplot and publication bias was assessed with Egger testing. Results: From 89 citations, 16 were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 1673 lesions. We detected heterogeneity between studies and evidence of publication bias. The methodological quality was moderate. The pooled weighted sensitivity with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.92 (95%CI: 0.90, 0.94), the specificity was 0.91 (95%CI: 0.89, 0.93), the positive likelihood ratio was 10.01 (95%CI: 7.02, 14.29), the negative likelihood ratio was 0.10 (95%CI: 0.07, 0.14), and the diagnostic odds ratio was 123.02 (95%CI: 78.40, 193.03). The area under the ROC curve was 0.9689 (95%CI: 0.9376, 0.9879). Conclusions: CEUS is a reliable, non-invasive, and no-radiation-exposure imaging modality with a high sensitivity and specificity for detection of gallbladder carcinoma. Nonetheless, it should be applied cautiously, and large scale, well-designed trials are necessary to assess its clinical value.
Detecting pharyngeal post-swallow residue by ultrasound examination: a case series.
Authors: Miura Yuka , Nakagami Gojiro , Yabunaka Koichi , Tohara Haruka , Hara Koji , Noguchi Hiroshi , Mori Taketoshi , Sanada Hiromi
Published: August 2016

Aims: Prevention of aspiration pneumonia is a great concern in the era of global aging. The assessment of pharyngeal post-swallow residue is important because remaining food and liquid in the pharyngeal area has a possibility of flowing into the lower airway which can cause aspiration pneumonia. Ultrasound examination has been recently used to assess swallowing disorders because of its noninvasiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance for detecting pharyngeal post-swallow residue using an ultrasound examination by comparing with those using a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of a swallowing study as a reference. Material and methods: A linear array transducer attached to the thyroid cartilage to visualize the vocal folds in the sagittal plane. The pharyngeal post-swallow residue in the ultrasound movie was interpreted as a misty hyperechoic area above the vocal folds that remained after swallowing. Nineteen ultrasound images simultaneously obtained with fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing study images from nine participants (eight men) with a median age of 70 years at a dysphagia outpatient clinic were analyzed by the montage of swallowing examinations. Results: Misty hyperechoic areas above the vocal folds that remained after swallowing were detected in 10 ultrasound images. Eight US images out of ten correctly detected pharyngeal post-swallow residue. The sensitivity for detecting pharyngeal post-swallow residue of 19 images from nine participants by US examination was 62%, and the specificity was 67%. Conclusions: The proposed detection method of pharyngeal post-swallow residue by ultrasound examination enabled the real-time assessment for swallowing of people with dysphagia. Ultrasound assessment-based daily swallowing care which detects pharyngeal residue will be useful for preventing aspiration pneumonia.
A Martian acoustic anemometer
Authors: Banfield Don , Schindel David W. , Tarr Steve , Dissly Richard W.
Published: August 2016

An acoustic anemometer for use on Mars has been developed. To understand the processes that control the interaction between surface and atmosphere on Mars, not only the mean winds, but also the turbulent boundary layer, the fluxes of momentum, heat and molecular constituents between surface and atmosphere must be measured. Terrestrially this is done with acoustic anemometers, but the low density atmosphere on Mars makes it challenging to adapt such an instrument for use on Mars. This has been achieved using capacitive transducers and pulse compression, and was successfully demonstrated on a stratospheric balloon (simulating the Martian environment) and in a dedicated Mars Wind Tunnel facility. This instrument achieves a measurement accuracy of ∼5 cm/s with an update rate of >20 Hz under Martian conditions.
Extraterrestrial sound for planetaria: A pedagogical study
Authors: Leighton T. G. , Banda N. , Berges B. , Joseph P. F. , White P. R.
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this project was to supply an acoustical simulation device to a local planetarium for use in live shows aimed at engaging and inspiring children in science and engineering. The device plays audio simulations of estimates of the sounds produced by natural phenomena to accompany audio-visual presentations and live shows about Venus, Mars, and Titan. Amongst the simulated noise are the sounds of thunder, wind, and cryo-volcanoes. The device can also modify the speech of the presenter (or audience member) in accordance with the underlying physics to reproduce those vocalizations as if they had been produced on the world under discussion. Given that no time series recordings exist of sounds from other worlds, these sounds had to be simulated. The goal was to ensure that the audio simulations were delivered in time for a planetarium's launch show to enable the requested outreach to children. The exercise has also allowed an explanation of the science and engineering behind the creation of the sounds. This has been achieved for young children, and also for older students and undergraduates, who could then debate the limitations of that method.
Sonar equations for planetary exploration
Authors: Ainslie Michael A. , Leighton Timothy G.
Published: August 2016

The set of formulations commonly known as “the sonar equations” have for many decades been used to quantify the performance of sonar systems in terms of their ability to detect and localize objects submerged in seawater. The efficacy of the sonar equations, with individual terms evaluated in decibels, is well established in Earth's oceans. The sonar equations have been used in the past for missions to other planets and moons in the solar system, for which they are shown to be less suitable. While it would be preferable to undertake high-fidelity acoustical calculations to support planning, execution, and interpretation of acoustic data from planetary probes, to avoid possible errors for planned missions to such extraterrestrial bodies in future, doing so requires awareness of the pitfalls pointed out in this paper. There is a need to reexamine the assumptions, practices, and calibrations that work well for Earth to ensure that the sonar equations can be accurately applied in combination with the decibel to extraterrestrial scenarios. Examples are given for icy oceans such as exist on Europa and Ganymede, Titan's hydrocarbon lakes, and for the gaseous atmospheres of (for example) Jupiter and Venus.
Directivity pattern of the sound radiated from axisymmetric stepped plates
Authors: He Xiping , Yan Xiuli , Li Na
Published: August 2016

For the purpose of optimal design and efficient utilization of the kind of stepped plate radiator in air, in this contribution, an approach for calculation of the directivity pattern of the sound radiated from a stepped plate in flexural vibration with a free edge is developed based on Kirchhoff–Love hypothesis and Rayleigh integral principle. Experimental tests of directivity pattern for a fabricated flat plate and two fabricated plates with one and two step radiators were carried out. It shows that the configuration of the measured directivity patterns by the proposed analytic approach is similar to those of the calculated approach. Comparison of the agreement between the calculated directivity pattern of a stepped plate and its corresponding theoretical piston show that the former radiator is equivalent to the latter, and the diffraction field generated by the unbaffled upper surface may be small. It also shows that the directivity pattern of a stepped radiator is independent of the metallic material but dependent on the thickness of base plate and resonant frequency. The thicker the thickness of base plate, the more directive the radiation is. The proposed analytic approach in this work may be adopted for any other plates with multi-steps.
Origin of the U87MG glioma cell line: Good news and bad news
Authors: Allen Marie , Bjerke Mia , Edlund Hanna , Nelander Sven , Westermark Bengt
Published: August 2016

The DNA profile of the publicly available and widely used glioma cell line U87MG is quite different from that of the original cell line.
Seeing is believing: Tissue clearing makes see-through rodents
Authors: Evans Conor L.
Published: August 2016

A new tissue clearing technique can shrink and make entire animals transparent for full-body microscale imaging.
Blow the germs away
Authors: Kashyap Purna
Published: August 2016

Lugdunin, a new antibiotic produced by commensal bacteria in the nose, prevents pathogen colonization in humans.
Food for thought
Authors: Stanley Sarah A.
Published: August 2016

Insulin signaling in astrocytes regulates glucose uptake into the CNS, altering astrocyte morphology and neural responses to circulating glucose.
Molecular Insights into the Fungus-Specific Serine/Threonine Protein Phosphatase Z1 in Candida albicans
Authors: Chen Emily , Choy Meng S. , Petrényi Katalin , Kónya Zoltán , Erdődi Ferenc , Dombrádi Viktor , Peti Wolfgang , Page Rebecca
Published: August 2016

The opportunistic pathogen
Candida
is one of the most common causes of nosocomial bloodstream infections. Because candidemia is associated with high mortality rates and because the incidences of multidrug-resistant
Candida
are increasing, efforts to identify novel targets for the development of potent antifungals are warranted. Here, we describe the structure and function of the first member of a family of protein phosphatases that is specific to fungi, protein phosphatase Z1 (PPZ1) from
Candida albicans
. We show that PPZ1 not only is active but also is as susceptible to inhibition by the cyclic peptide inhibitor microcystin-LR as its most similar human homolog, protein phosphatase 1α (PP1α [GLC7 in the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
]). Unexpectedly, we also discovered that, despite its 66% sequence identity to PP1α, the catalytic domain of PPZ1 contains novel structural elements that are not present in PP1α. We then used activity and pulldown assays to show that these structural differences block a large subset of PP1/GLC7 regulatory proteins from effectively binding PPZ1, demonstrating that PPZ1 does not compete with GLC7 for its regulatory proteins. Equally important, these unique structural elements provide new pockets suitable for the development of PPZ1-specific inhibitors. Together, these studies not only reveal why PPZ1 does not negatively impact GLC7 activity
in vivo
but also demonstrate that the family of fungus-specific phosphatases—especially PPZ1 from
C. albicans
—are highly suitable targets for the development of novel drugs that specifically target
C. albicans
without cross-reacting with human phosphatases.

IMPORTANCE
Candida albicans
is a medically important human pathogen that is the most common cause of fungal infections in humans. In particular, approximately 46,000 cases of health care-associated candidiasis occur each year in the United States. Because these infections are associated with high mortality rates and because multiple species of
Candida
are becoming increasingly resistant to antifungals, there are increasing efforts to identify novel targets that are essential for
C. albicans
virulence. Here we use structural and biochemical approaches to elucidate how a member of a fungus-specific family of enzymes, serine/threonine phosphatase PPZ1, functions in
C. albicans
. We discovered multiple unique features of PPZ1 that explain why it does not cross-react with, and in turn compete for, PP1-specific regulators, a long-standing question in the field. Most importantly, however, these unique features identified PPZ1 as a potential target for the development of novel antifungal therapeutics that will provide new, safe, and potent treatments for candidiasis in humans.
Genetic and Transcriptional Analysis of Human Host Response to Healthy Gut Microbiota
Authors: Richards Allison L. , Burns Michael B. , Alazizi Adnan , Barreiro Luis B. , Pique-Regi Roger , Blekhman Ran , Luca Francesca
Published: August 2016

The study of host-microbiota interactions in humans is largely limited to identifying associations between microbial communities and host phenotypes. While these studies have generated important insights on the links between the microbiota and human disease, the assessment of cause-and-effect relationships has been challenging. Although this relationship can be studied in germfree mice, this system is costly, and it is difficult to accurately account for the effects of host genotypic variation and environmental effects seen in humans. Here, we have developed a novel approach to directly investigate the transcriptional changes induced by live microbial communities on human colonic epithelial cells and how these changes are modulated by host genotype. This method is easily scalable to large numbers of host genetic backgrounds and diverse microbiota and can be utilized to elucidate the mechanisms of host-microbiota interactions. Future extensions may also include colonic organoid cultures.
Eosinophilia and multiple lymphadenopathy: Kimura disease, a rare, but benign condition
Authors: García Carretero Rafael , Romero Brugera Marta , Rebollo-Aparicio Noelia , Vazquez-Gomez Oscar
Published: August 2016

Kimura disease is a benign rare chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology. This disease is mainly endemic in Asia, although cases have also been reported in Europe and America. We describe a case in a 34-year-old Chinese man presenting with severe eosinophilia and multiple lymphadenopathy. Since our initial aim was to rule out the diagnosis of lymphoma, and given the limitations of our laboratory, we decided to perform an excision of one of the cervical lymph nodes. The histological diagnosis was consistent with Kimura disease. We review the epidemiology, the aetiology and clinical features of this entity.
Spontaneous regression of a conjunctival naevus
Authors: Haldar Shreya , Leyland Martin
Published: August 2016

Conjunctival naevi are one of the most common lesions affecting the conjunctiva. While benign in the vast majority of cases, the risk of malignant transformation necessitates regular follow-up. They are well known to increase in size; however, we present the first photo-documented case of spontaneous regression of conjunctival naevus. In most cases, surgical excision is performed due to the clinician's concerns over malignancy. However, a substantial proportion of patients request excision. Highlighting the potential for regression of the lesion is important to ensure patients make an informed decision when contemplating such surgery.
Necrotising sialometaplasia at multiple sites: a therapeutic challenge to oral physicians
Authors: Bijai Kumar Laliytha , Muthukrishnan Arvind , Gopalakrishnan Shanmughapriya
Published: August 2016

Necrotising sialometaplasia is a rare, benign and self-limiting inflammatory lesion that commonly involves minor salivary glands. Its clinical appearance, signs and symptoms very often mimic a carcinomatous lesion, thus creating a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician. Necrotising sialometaplasia being an important differential for an apparent carcinoma should be excluded histologically prior to radical therapy. It commonly occurs on the palatal mucosa following a palatal infiltration anaesthesia. The patient reports to the dentist with a sudden onset of painful ulcerations that rapidly increase in size. This case report describes the occurrence of necrotising sialometaplasia in a 46-year-old man with an unusual clinical presentation at multiple sites in the oral cavity. The importance of history taking, thorough clinical examination and careful histopathological examination in diagnosing necrotising sialometaplasia is highlighted in this paper.
Eleven-year descriptive analysis of closed court verdicts on medical errors in Spain and Massachusetts
Authors: Giraldo Priscila , Sato Luke , Martínez-Sánchez Jose M , Comas Mercè , Dwyer Kathy , Sala Maria , Castells Xavier
Published: August 2016

Objectives

To evaluate and compare the characteristics of court verdicts on medical errors allegedly harming patients in Spain and Massachusetts from 2002 to 2012.

Design, setting and participants

We reviewed 1041 closed court verdicts obtained from data on litigation in the Thomson Reuters Aranzadi Westlaw databases in Spain (Europe), and 370 closed court verdicts obtained from the Controlled Risk and Risk Management Foundation of Harvard Medical Institutions (CRICO/RMF) in Massachusetts (USA). We included closed court verdicts on medical errors. The definition of medical errors was based on that of the Institute of Medicine (USA). We excluded any agreements between parties before a judgement.

Results

Medical errors were involved in 25.9% of court verdicts in Spain and in 74% of those in Massachusetts. The most frequent cause of medical errors was a diagnosis-related problem (25.1%; 95% CI 20.7% to 31.1% in Spain; 35%; 95% CI 29.4% to 40.7% in Massachusetts). The proportion of medical errors classified as high severity was 34% higher in Spain than in Massachusetts (p=0.001). The most frequent factors contributing to medical errors in Spain were surgical and medical treatment (p=0.001). In Spain, 98.5% of medical errors resulted in compensation awards compared with only 6.9% in Massachusetts.

Conclusions

This study reveals wide differences in litigation rates and the award of indemnity payments in Spain and Massachusetts; however, common features of both locations are the high rates of diagnosis-related problems and the long time interval until resolution.