bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-color imaging of magnetic Co/Pt heterostructures
Authors: Willems Felix , von Korff Schmising Clemens , Weder David , Günther Christian M. , Schneider Michael , Pfau Bastian , Meise Sven , Guehrs Erik , Geilhufe Jan , Merhe Alaa El Din , Jal Emmanuelle , Vodungbo Boris , Lüning Jan , Mahieu Benoit , Capotondi Flavio , Pedersoli Emanuele , Gauthier David , Manfredda Michele , Eisebitt Stefan
Published: February 2017

We present an element specific and spatially resolved view of magnetic domains in Co/Pt heterostructures in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range. Resonant small-angle scattering and coherent imaging with Fourier-transform holography reveal nanoscale magnetic domain networks via magnetic dichroism of Co at the M2,3 edges as well as via strong dichroic signals at the O2,3 and N6,7 edges of Pt. We demonstrate for the first time simultaneous, two-color coherent imaging at a free-electron laser facility paving the way for a direct real space access to ultrafast magnetization dynamics in complex multicomponent material systems.
PMSG based wind system for real-time maximum power generation and low voltage ride through
Authors: Worku Muhammed Y. , Abido M. A. , Iravani R.
Published: February 2017

This work presents an efficient control strategy for low voltage ride through (LVRT) and maximum power tracking of a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) based variable speed grid connected wind turbine generator. Three-level Neutral Point Clamped converters are connected back to back to perform the power conversion. A controller is proposed and implemented for the machine side converter to maximize the power generation and loss minimization under varying wind speed. A controller is also proposed and implemented for the grid side converter to transfer the generated power to a local load and grid by keeping the DC link voltage constant. To test the LVRT capability, a three phase short circuit fault is applied on the grid side. The real time digital simulator results on a 2 MW/4 kV PMSG verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed control scheme under different loading and fault conditions.
Augmenting the anisotropic network model with torsional potentials improves PATH performance, enabling detailed comparison with experimental rate data
Authors: Chandrasekaran Srinivas Niranj , Carter Charles W.
Published: February 2017

PATH algorithms for identifying conformational transition states provide computational parameters—time to the transition state, conformational free energy differences, and transition state activation energies—for comparison to experimental data and can be carried out sufficiently rapidly to use in the “high throughput” mode. These advantages are especially useful for interpreting results from combinatorial mutagenesis experiments. This report updates the previously published algorithm with enhancements that improve correlations between PATH convergence parameters derived from virtual variant structures generated by RosettaBackrub and previously published kinetic data for a complete, four-way combinatorial mutagenesis of a conformational switch in Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase.
Post-deposition-annealing effect on current conduction in Al2O3 films formed by atomic layer deposition with H2O oxidant
Authors: Hiraiwa Atsushi , Matsumura Daisuke , Okubo Satoshi , Kawarada Hiroshi
Published: February 2017

Atomic-layer-deposition (ALD) Al2O3 films are promising as gate insulators of non-Si semiconductor devices. Although they allow relatively small leakage currents just after deposition, ALD Al2O3 films formed at low temperatures are subject to high temperature during fabrication or operation of devices. Therefore, the effect of post-deposition annealing (PDA) on the properties of Al2O3 films is investigated in this study. ALD Al2O3 films formed using H2O oxidant at low temperatures are compacted by PDA, but their mass density and dielectric constant remain approximately unchanged or slightly decrease owing to the desorption of methyl groups contained in the films as impurities. In accordance with these results, the wet etching rate of Al2O3 films is not much reduced by PDA. The conduction current in ALD Al2O3 films formed on Si is reduced by PDA and becomes smaller than that in films formed at the same ALD temperatures as those of PDA. The conduction current for PDA temperatures above 250 °C, however, increases and, accordingly, spoils the merit of low-temperature ALD. Therefore, given that the dielectric constant of annealed films remains low, high-temperature ALD is practically more significant than applying PDA to low-temperature ALD Al2O3 films from the viewpoint of leakage current under the same thermal budget. Space-charge-controlled field emission analysis revealed that, at the aforementioned threshold temperature, PDA abruptly increases the Al2O3/SiO2 interfacial dipoles and simultaneously reduces the amount of the positive charge near the interface. The so-called negative-charge buildup by PDA might be caused by this decrease in the positive charge.
Cell-quintupling: Structural phase transition in a molecular crystal, bis(trans-4–butylcyclohexyl)methanol
Authors: Saito Kazuya , Ikeda Takaaki , Yamamura Yasuhisa , Saitoh Hideki , Hishida Mafumi , Kobayashi Yutaro , Fujita Takeshi , Ichikawa Junji
Published: February 2017

A structural phase transition at 151.6 K of the title compound [bis(trans-4–butylcyclohexyl)methanol] is examined by X-ray diffraction crystallography, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and adiabatic calorimetry. A general consideration on possible superstructures indicates that a single modulation wave is sufficient to drive this cell-quintupling transition. The entropy of transition determined calorimetrically indicates that two conformations are dominant in the room-temperature phase in contrast to the fivefold disorder expected from the structure of the low-temperature phase.
First-principles calculations of Seebeck coefficients in a magnetic semiconductor CuFeS2
Authors: Takaki Hirokazu , Kobayashi Kazuaki , Shimono Masato , Kobayashi Nobuhiko , Hirose Kenji , Tsujii Naohito , Mori Takao
Published: February 2017

We analyze the Seebeck coefficients of a magnetic semiconductor CuFeS2 using first-principles calculation methods based on density functional theory. The calculated temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient in the antiferromagnetic phase reproduces a distinctive behavior in a bulk CuFeS2, such as a peak structure at a low temperature and weak temperature dependence around room temperature. In doped systems, almost linear temperature dependence appears. Despite not including any effect beyond the conventional spin density functional theory in our calculations, the calculated results agree qualitatively with the experimental results. These agreements indicate that the behavior of the Seebeck coefficients in CuFeS2 is mainly determined by its electronic structure.
High Curie temperature Mn5Ge3 thin films produced by non-diffusive reaction
Authors: Assaf E. , Portavoce A. , Hoummada K. , Bertoglio M. , Bertaina S.
Published: February 2017

Polycrystalline Mn5Ge3 thin films were produced on SiO2 using magnetron sputtering and reactive diffusion (RD) or non-diffusive reaction (NDR). In situ X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy were used to determine the layer structures, and magnetic force microscopy, superconducting quantum interference device, and ferromagnetic resonance were used to determine their magnetic properties. RD-mediated layers exhibit similar magnetic properties as molecular beam epitaxy-grown monocrystalline Mn5Ge3 thin films, while NDR-mediated layers show magnetic properties similar to monocrystalline C-doped Mn5Ge3Cx thin films with 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.2. NDR appears as a complementary metal oxide semi-conductor-compatible efficient method to produce good magnetic quality high-Curie temperature Mn5Ge3 thin films.
Structure, magnetism, and transport properties for Ca doping in Sr2IrO4
Authors: Zhou Guotai , Gu Xiaomin , Yang Xingming , Gao Xiaoyang , Wang Kang , Peng Jin , Zhang Fengming , Wu X. S.
Published: February 2017

An immediate quenching using liquid N2 is applied for synthesizing the 5d transition-metal oxides (Sr1-xCax)2IrO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) single phase. X-ray diffraction together with Rietveld refinement shows that the lattice parameters along a and c directions and the bond angle of Ir-O2-Ir decrease with the increase of Ca content. X-ray Absorption Fine Spectroscopy measurements prove that the valence of Ir and the average Ir-O bond-length substantially remain unchanged with Ca content increasing in the phase. The effective magnetic moment μeff and Néel temperature TN decrease simultaneously with increased Ca content. Electrical resistivity shows complex temperature dependence behavior, which follows the three-dimensional variable range hopping behavior at low temperature, Arrhenius-type behavior at middle-temperature, and a weak electronic localization in quasi-two-dimensional at high temperature.
Evolution from 4f-electron antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic order in the CeCu(Ge1−xSnx) alloy series (≤x≤1)
Authors: Altayeb A. , Sondezi B. M. , Tchoula Tchokonté M. B. , Strydom A. M. , Doyle T. B. , Kaczorowski D.
Published: February 2017

We report the evolution from ferromagnetic (FM) to antiferromagnetic (AFM) state in CeCu(Ge1−xSnx) investigated by means of magnetic and heat capacity measurements. X-ray diffraction studies for all compositions indicate the ZrBeSi - type hexagonal crystal structure with space group P63/mmc (No. 194). The magnetic susceptibility, χ(T) at high temperature follows the Curie - Weiss relation with an effective magnetic moment close to the value of 2.54 μB expected for free Ce3+ - ion. At low temperatures, χ(T) data indicate AFM transition for alloys in the concentration range 0.7≤x≤1 and FM for x≤0.6. The magnetization, M(μ0H) of samples exhibiting AFM behaviour shows metamagnetic transition at low magnetic fields with some irreversibility in the process of increasing and decreasing magnetic field. In turn, M(μ0H) of samples exhibiting FM behaviour shows saturation in high magnetic fields. Heat capacity, Cp(T) data confirm the AFM and FM transitions observed in magnetic measurements. An additional anomaly below TC and TN is observed in Cp(T)/T, which likely arises from spin reorientation or rearrangement in FM or AFM structure. Below in FM region, Cp(T) can be well described assuming spin-waves excitations with an energy gap ΔC.
Effect of sunflower oil supplementation on methane emissions of dairy cows grazing Urochloa brizantha cv. marandu
Authors: Mata e Silva B. C. , Lopes F. C. F. , Pereira L. G. R. , Tomich T. R. , Morenz M. J. F. , Martins C. E. , Gomide C. A. M. , Paciullo D. S. C. , Maurício R. M. , Chaves A. V.
Published: February 2017

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sunflower oil supplementation on methane (CH4) emission of crossbred Holstein × Gyr (Bos indicus) dairy cows grazing tropical pasture. Lactating dairy cows were fed Urochloa brizantha (syn Brachiaria brizantha) pasture managed under rotational grazing. Sunflower oil was supplemented to cows using concentrates with inclusion at 0% or 14.9% (DM basis). Crude fat concentrations in these concentrates were 2.4% and 13.8% respectively (DM basis). Dietary fat concentrations for control and supplemented sunflower oil treatments were 3.2% and 5.2% (DM basis) respectively. Sixteen lactating cows Holstein × Gyr (Bos indicus; 240 ± 10 days in milk, 524 ± 57 kg of bodyweight, 11.2 ± 2.30 kg/day of milk) were used in the study. Methane emissions were estimated by the sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique. The experiment was a randomised-block design with two repetitions of pasture area, with two treatments (0 g or 383 g of sunflower oil supplementation, DM basis) and four replications (cows) per treatment per block. Methane emission and yield expressed as g CH4/day and g CH4/kg of DM intake decreased 21.5% (P = 0.048) and 20.2% (P = 0.032) respectively, in cows supplemented with sunflower oil compared with unsupplemented cows. There was no effect (P = 0.29) of sunflower oil supplementation on CH4 expressed as g CH4/kg of milk. Lactating dairy cows grazing tropical-grass pasture supplemented with sunflower oil (5.3% dietary fat; 383 g oil/day) demonstrated potential for mitigating CH4 emissions without negatively affecting cow milk yield or composition.
Systemic delivery of factor IX messenger RNA for protein replacement therapy
Authors: Ramaswamy Suvasini , Tonnu Nina , Tachikawa Kiyoshi , Limphong Pattraranee , Vega Jerel B. , Karmali Priya P. , Chivukula Pad , Verma Inder M.
Published: February 2017

Significance

Abnormal gene expression is the underlying cause for many pathological states, and restoring normalcy through overexpression or knockdown is a conceptually simple solution. Despite the advantages over DNA and viral vectors, RNA-based therapeutics have been plagued by problems of poor translatability, stability, and adverse immune reactions. Efficient in vivo delivery has also been challenging because currently available lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) can induce liver damage and elicit a strong immune response. In this study, we demonstrate the successful use of LUNAR—a safe, reproducible, and effective LNP mRNA delivery platform that can be used to treat diseases requiring protein replacement. We achieve therapeutic delivery of mRNAs in a preclinical model of hemophilia and demonstrate alleviation of disease symptoms.
Corrosion behaviours and mechanical properties of Fe/Mg–8Al–1Zn matrix composite
Authors: Chen Lin , Huang Guang-sheng , Zhang Cheng , Xia Da-biao , Zhao Yan-chun , Pan Fu-sheng
Published: February 2017

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are usually used as corrosion-resistant materials, but their corrosion properties are seldom utilised. To be used as a degradable material, Fe/Mg–8Al–1Zn matrix composite was fabricated by powder compaction and then hot extrusion. The microstructure of the composite and the distribution of second phase β-Mg17Al12 were observed. It finds that Fe is evenly distributed in Mg matrix. The corrosion rates are evaluated by hydrogen evolution and polarisation tests. The results indicate that the addition of Fe and β-phases can enhance the compressive strength and produce more micro-galvanic batteries, which results to accelerate the corrosion rate considerably. The hydrogen evolution rate is dramatically reduced and stable comprehensive mechanical properties can be obtained with annealing temperature increased.
Soluble TREM2 induces inflammatory responses and enhances microglial survival
Authors: Zhong Li , Chen Xiao-Fen , Wang Tingting , Wang Zhe , Liao Chunyan , Wang Zongqi , Huang Ruizhi , Wang Daxin , Li Xinxiu , Wu Linbei , Jia Lin , Zheng Honghua , Painter Meghan , Atagi Yuka , Liu Chia-Chen , Zhang Yun-Wu , Fryer John D. , Xu Huaxi , Bu Guojun
Published: February 2017

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is an innate immune receptor expressed in microglia in the brain. A soluble form of TREM2 (sTREM2) derived from proteolytic cleavage of the cell surface receptor is increased in the preclinical stages of AD and positively correlates with the amounts of total and phosphorylated tau in the cerebrospinal fluid. However, the physiological and pathological functions of sTREM2 remain unknown. Here, we show that sTREM2 promotes microglial survival in a PI3K/Akt-dependent manner and stimulates the production of inflammatory cytokines depending on NF-κB. Variants of sTREM2 carrying AD risk-associated mutations were less potent in both suppressing apoptosis and triggering inflammatory responses. Importantly, sTREM2 delivered to the hippocampi of both wild-type and Trem2-knockout mice elevated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and induced morphological changes of microglia. Collectively, these data indicate that sTREM2 triggers microglial activation inducing inflammatory responses and promoting survival. This study has implications for the pathogenesis of AD and provides insights into targeting sTREM2 pathway for AD therapy.
Therapeutic targeting of the pathological triad of extrasynaptic NMDA receptor signaling in neurodegenerations
Authors: Bading Hilmar
Published: February 2017

Activation of extrasynaptic N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors causes neurodegeneration and cell death. The disease mechanism involves a pathological triad consisting of mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of integrity of neuronal structures and connectivity, and disruption of excitation–transcription coupling caused by CREB (cyclic adenosine monophosphate–responsive element-binding protein) shut-off and nuclear accumulation of class IIa histone deacetylases. Interdependency within the triad fuels an accelerating disease progression that culminates in failure of mitochondrial energy production and cell loss. Both acute and slowly progressive neurodegenerative conditions, including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease, share increased death signaling by extrasynaptic NMDA receptors caused by elevated extracellular glutamate concentrations or relocalization of NMDA receptors to extrasynaptic sites. Six areas of therapeutic objectives are defined, based on which a broadly applicable combination therapy is proposed to combat the pathological triad of extrasynaptic NMDA receptor signaling that is common to many neurodegenerative diseases.
Doublet stimulation increases Ca2+ binding to troponin C to ensure rapid force development in skeletal muscle
Authors: Bakker Anthony J. , Cully Tanya R. , Wingate Catherine D. , Barclay Christopher J. , Launikonis Bradley S.
Published: February 2017

Fast-twitch skeletal muscle fibers are often exposed to motor neuron double discharges (≥200 Hz), which markedly increase both the rate of contraction and the magnitude of the resulting force responses. However, the mechanism responsible for these effects is poorly understood, likely because of technical limitations in previous studies. In this study, we measured cytosolic Ca2+ during doublet activation using the low-affinity indicator Mag-Fluo-4 at high temporal resolution and modeled the effects of doublet stimulation on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release, binding of Ca2+ to cytosolic buffers, and force enhancement in fast-twitch fibers. Single isolated fibers respond to doublet pulses with two clear Ca2+ spikes, at doublet frequencies up to 1 KHz. A 200-Hz doublet at the start of a tetanic stimulation train (70 Hz) decreases the drop in free Ca2+ between the first three Ca2+ spikes of the transient, maintaining a higher overall free Ca2+ level during first 20–30 ms of the response. Doublet stimulation also increased the rate of force development in isolated fast-twitch muscles. We also modeled SR Ca2+ release rates during doublet stimulation and showed that Ca2+-dependent inactivation of ryanodine receptor activity is rapid, occurring ≤1ms after initial release. Furthermore, we modeled Ca2+ binding to the main intracellular Ca2+ buffers of troponin C (TnC), parvalbumin, and the SR Ca2+ pump during Ca2+ release and found that the main effect of the second response in the doublet is to more rapidly increase the occupation of the second Ca2+-binding site on TnC (TnC2), resulting in earlier activation of force. We conclude that doublet stimulation maintains high cytosolic Ca2+ levels for longer in the early phase of the Ca2+ response, resulting in faster saturation of TnC2 with Ca2+, faster initiation of cross-bridge cycling, and more rapid force development.
A generalized association test based on U statistics
Authors: Wei Changshuai , Lu Qing
Published: February 2017

Motivation

Second generation sequencing technologies are being increasingly used for genetic association studies, where the main research interest is to identify sets of genetic variants that contribute to various phenotypes. The phenotype can be univariate disease status, multivariate responses and even high-dimensional outcomes. Considering the genotype and phenotype as two complex objects, this also poses a general statistical problem of testing association between complex objects.

Results

We here proposed a similarity-based test, generalized similarity U (GSU), that can test the association between complex objects. We first studied the theoretical properties of the test in a general setting and then focused on the application of the test to sequencing association studies. Based on theoretical analysis, we proposed to use Laplacian Kernel-based similarity for GSU to boost power and enhance robustness. Through simulation, we found that GSU did have advantages over existing methods in terms of power and robustness. We further performed a whole genome sequencing (WGS) scan for Alzherimer’s disease neuroimaging initiative data, identifying three genes, APOE, APOC1 and TOMM40, associated with imaging phenotype.

Availability and Implementation

We developed a C ++ package for analysis of WGS data using GSU. The source codes can be downloaded at https://github.com/changshuaiwei/gsu.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Statins and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism: pooled analysis of published observational cohort studies
Authors: Kunutsor Setor K. , Seidu Samuel , Khunti Kamlesh
Published: February 2017

Aims

There have been suggestions that statins may have a potential role in secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) [which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)], but the evidence is inconsistent. We aimed to evaluate the association between statin use and risk of recurrent VTE.

Methods and results

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational cohort studies. All relevant studies which reported associations between statin use and recurrent VTE outcomes were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and manual search of bibliographies from inception to January 2017. Study specific relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals were aggregated using random effects models. Eight eligible studies comprising of 103 576 participants and 13 168 recurrent VTE outcomes were included in the pooled analysis. In pooled analysis of 7 studies, the RR for recurrent VTE was 0.73 (0.68–0.79) when comparing statin use with no use. There was no evidence of heterogeneity between contributing studies (I2=0%, 0–71%; P = 0.93). The RRs for recurrent PE (three studies) and DVT (two studies) comparing statin use with no statin use were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.58–0.96) and 0.66 (95% CI: 0.60–0.71) respectively.

Conclusion

Available evidence from observational cohort studies suggests a beneficial effect of statin use on VTE recurrence. Well-designed intervention studies are needed to corroborate these findings.
Recovering the potential term in a fractional diffusion equation
Authors: Zhang Zhidong , Zhou Zhi
Published: February 2017

In this article, we consider an inverse problem of recovering the potential term in a 1D time-fractional diffusion equation from the overdetermined final time data. We introduce a reconstruction operator and show its contractivity and monotonicity, which give the unique determination and an efficient algorithm. Further, for noisy data, we propose a regularized iterative algorithm based on mollification and derive error estimates for the approximation. Extensive numerical experiments for both smooth and nonsmooth potential data are provided to illustrate the efficiency and stability of the algorithm, and to verify the convergence theory.
The Risk of Seizure Following Surgery for Brain Arteriovenous Malformation: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: O’Donnell Joan Margaret , Morgan Michael Kerin , Heller Gillian Z
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

The evidence for the risk of seizures following surgery for brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the risk of seizures after discharge from surgery for supratentorial bAVM.

METHODS

A prospectively collected cohort database of 559 supratentorial bAVM patients (excluding patients where surgery was not performed with the primary intention of treating the bAVM) was analyzed. Cox proportional hazards regression models (Cox regression) were generated assessing risk factors, a Receiver Operator Characteristic curve was generated to identify a cut-point for size and Kaplan–Meier life table curves created to identify the cumulative freedom from postoperative seizure.

RESULTS

Preoperative histories of more than 2 seizures and increasing maximum diameter (size, cm) of bAVM were found to be significantly (P < .01) associated with the development of postoperative seizures and remained significant in the Cox regression (size as continuous variable: P = .01; hazard ratio: 1.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.0-1.3; more than 2 seizures: P = .02; hazard ratio: 2.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-3.8). The cumulative risk of first seizure after discharge from hospital following resection surgery for all patients with bAVM was 5.8% and 18% at 12 mo and 7 yr, respectively. The 7-yr risk of developing postoperative seizures ranged from 11% for patients with bAVM ≤4 cm and with 0 to 2 preoperative seizures, to 59% for patients with bAVM >4 cm and with >2 preoperative.

CONCLUSION

The risk of seizures after discharge from hospital following surgery for bAVM increases with the maximum diameter of the bAVM and a patient history of more than 2 preoperative seizures.
Hospital Variation in Maternal Complications Following Caesarean Delivery in the United States: 2006 to 2012
Authors: Moroz L.A. , Wright J.D. , Ananth C.V. , Friedman A.M.
Published: February 2017

(BJOG. 2016;123:1115–1120)

Caesarean delivery (CD) is associated with postsurgery complications such as wound infections, hemorrhage, and organ injury, and is one factor associated with increased maternal morbidity. Earlier studies have demonstrated the role of hospital factors and obstetric factors in patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate patient, obstetric, and hospital-related factors associated with post-CD complications, and hypothesized that hospital variability may be a useful parameter to assess quality of care and ultimately serve as a target for implementing interventions with the goal of improving patient outcomes.
Acculturation and Self-Management Perceptions Among Mexican American Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Plasencia Julie , Hoerr Sharon , Carolan Marsha , Weatherspoon Lorraine
Published: February 2017

Because type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is disproportionately high among Mexican Americans in the United States, this study examined how acculturation influences T2DM self-management, a critical component for disease outcome. Qualitative interviews of 24 low-income Mexican American patients with T2DM were matched to their biomedical and dietary data and degree of acculturation. Greater acculturation to the United States was associated with less favorable diabetes control, fiber density, leisure-time physical activity, and more physical disability. Health care professionals can improve their cultural competence by learning culturally appropriate foods and fostering a warm, caring manner with Mexican Americans to enhance their sense of well-being and compliance with T2DM recommendations.
RETINAL LAYER SEGMENTATION AFTER SILICONE OIL OR GAS TAMPONADE FOR MACULA-ON RETINAL DETACHMENT USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Lee Sung Hoon , Han Jong Wook , Byeon Suk Ho , Kim Sung Soo , Koh Hyoung Jun , Lee Sung Chul , Kim Min
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate and compare the effect of silicone oil and gas on the thickness of all retinal layers in eyes with macula-on retinal detachment (RD).

Methods:

Three hundred and sixty-seven eyes of 367 patients who received silicone oil tamponade and 310 eyes of 310 patients who received gas tamponade for the treatment of rhegmatogenous RD were initially reviewed. Automated retinal segmentation method using Spectralis optical coherence tomography was used for analysis. The primary outcome measure was the change in thickness of each retinal layer in the central 1 mm zone (silicone oil vs. gas tamponade). The secondary outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity at postoperative 6 months and 9 months after primary RD surgery.

Results:

Eyes in the silicone oil group (n = 33) had a statistically significant decrease in total retinal thickness of 23.61 + 17.01 μm and in the thickness of all retinal layers, except for photoreceptor layer at 6 months after primary RD surgery (P < 0.001). In the gas group (n = 31), the postoperative change in total retinal thickness was only 0.14 ± 7.26 μm (P = 0.93), with no significant decrease in any of the individual retinal layers. Postoperatively, the best-corrected visual acuity in the silicone oil groups was significantly worse than that in the gas group at 6 months and 9 months after RD surgery (P = 0.003 and P = 0.004, respectively). The postoperative decrease of the ganglion cell layer, outer plexiform layer, and outer nuclear layer thicknesses showed significant correlation with best-corrected visual acuity in the silicone oil group (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Silicone oil tamponade had a significant impact on the reduction of retinal thickness and that the reduction of ganglion cell layer, outer plexiform layer, and outer nuclear layer thicknesses showed the strongest correlation with worse visual acuity outcome.
Spontaneous Canalicular Plug Erosion After Punctal Plug Placement
Authors: Zhang Xinxin , Bitar Maya , Davis Richard M.
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

To describe a case of keratoconjunctivitis sicca treated with punctal plug placement with the first reported complication of subsequent plug erosion through the canaliculus and extrusion through the lid.

Methods:

Punctal plugs were placed in a patient with Sjogren syndrome for treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. More than 12 years later, the plug was noted to have eroded through the canaliculus and extruded through the conjunctiva and lid.

Results:

The extruded plug was removed, and punctal cautery was performed on 2 other puncta with improved symptom control.

Conclusions:

Plug extrusion through the conjunctiva and lid is a possible consequence of punctal plug placement.
Precision of Epithelial Defect Measurements
Authors: Parikh Purak C. , Valikodath Nita G. , Estopinal Christopher B. , Shtein Roni M. , Sugar Alan , Niziol Leslie M. , Woodward Maria A.
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

To ensure optimal care of patients, cornea specialists measure corneal features, including epithelial defects (ED), with slit-lamp calipers. However, caliper measurements are subject to interphysician variability. We examined the extent of variability in ED measurements between cornea specialists and discuss the potential clinical impact.

Methods:

A total of 48 variably sized EDs were created in pig eyes. Three cornea specialists measured the maximum vertical and horizontal ED lengths to the nearest 10th of a millimeter using slit-lamp microscopy. An absolute difference in ED measurement between cornea specialists of 0.5 mm was chosen to be the a priori threshold for clinical significance and was evaluated by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Interrater reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results:

The average absolute difference in the vertical ED length between pairs of examiners ranged from 0.54 to 0.63 mm, and that of the horizontal ED length ranged from 0.44 to 0.46 mm. These differences in ED measurement were not significantly different from 0.5 mm (all P > 0.06). However, pairs of examiners differed in vertical ED length measurements by >0.5 mm in 44% to 52% of EDs and by >1.0 mm in 13% to 17% of EDs. Pairs of examiners differed in horizontal ED length measurements by >0.5 mm in 31% to 40% of EDs and by >1.0 mm in 10% to 15% of EDs. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.77–0.91) for vertical and 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.74–0.90) for horizontal ED measurements.

Conclusions:

Cornea specialists showed good reliability in the measured EDs; however, depending on the threshold for clinical significance, a nontrivial percentage of cases have high interexaminer clinical variability.
Patient Experience With Office-Based Corneal Transplantation
Authors: Parker Jack , Krijgsman Marina , van Dijk Korine , Melles Gerrit R. J.
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate patient experience with office-based corneal transplantation.

Methods:

Five hundred sixty-seven consecutive patients had a corneal transplant in a stand-alone operation unit, ie, a unidirectional flow hood inside a dedicated treatment room in an office setting. Six months postoperatively, all patients received a questionnaire inquiring how they experienced corneal surgery and the operation unit; 354 patients responded to the questionnaire and their answers were scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction.

Results:

The average score to the question “How would you rate your experience of your corneal operation in general?” was 4.4 ± 0.62 (n = 354), and the average score to the question “How would you rate your experience within the operation unit, taking into consideration feelings of claustrophobia and how comfortable you felt?” was 4.1 ± 0.82 (n = 348). Patients who had undergone previous ocular surgery in a conventional operating theater scored their office-based corneal transplant no less favorably than those patients for whom it was their first operation (P = 0.9 and P = 0.77, respectively). Most subjective comments pertained to the surgical stretcher, rather than to the experience of office-based surgery in general or to the unidirectional flow hood in particular.

Conclusions:

Regardless of the ophthalmic surgical history, patient experience with office-based corneal transplantation was generally positive.
Creating a Victim Notification Protocol for Untested Sexual Assault Kits: An Empirically Supported Planning Framework
Authors: Campbell Rebecca , Fehler-Cabral Giannina , Horsford Sheena
Published: February 2017

In cities throughout the United States, hundreds of thousands of sexual assault kits (SAKs) have not been submitted by the police for forensic DNA testing. Given recent media attention and public outcry about this problem, many jurisdictions with large numbers of untested SAKs are deciding to test all previously unsubmitted SAKs, which raises complex issues regarding when and how victims ought to be notified about what has happened to the kits that were collected during their medical forensic examinations. In this project, we collaborated with one community that has had large numbers of untested SAKs—Detroit, Michigan—to develop an empirically supported planning framework for how to create a victim notification protocol. This planning tool presents 12 discussion questions that can guide communities through the process of creating a victim notification protocol tailored to the needs of their local jurisdiction. In this article, we review the evidence (both practice and research based) that can inform discussions about each of these 12 key questions.
Caregiver-Fabricated Illness in a Child: A Case Report of Three Siblings
Authors: Braham Mohamed Yassine , Jedidi Maher , Chkirbene Youssef , Hmila Imene , ElKhal Mohamed Cherif , Souguir Mohamed Kamel , Ben Dhiab Mohamed
Published: February 2017

Caregiver-fabricated illness in a child is a form of child maltreatment caused by a caregiver inducing a child’s illness, leading to unnecessary and potentially harmful medical procedures and treatments. This condition can result in significant morbidity and mortality. We present the case of three siblings in Tunisia who were poisoned with chloralose by their own mother. The symptoms that the children presented with led to misdiagnoses, which resulted in the death of two of the children. Characteristics of the clinical presentation are articulated, followed by a discussion of the legal measures that apply to the offender and the role of physicians, nurses, and medicolegal experts involved in such a complex medical situation.
Long-term Results of the Risk-adapted Treatment for Childhood B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Report From the Japan Association of Childhood Leukemia Study ALL-97 Trial
Authors: Horibe Keizo , Yumura-Yagi Keiko , Kudoh Tooru , Nishimura Shinichiro , Oda Megumi , Yoshida Makoto , Komada Yoshihiro , Hara Junichi , Tawa Akio , Usami Ikuya , Tanizawa Akihiko , Kato Koji , Kobayashi Ryoji , Matsuo Keitaro , Hori Hiroki
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

This study was conducted as the first clinical trial by Japan Association of Childhood Leukemia Study to improve the outcome of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and explore a less toxic reinduction block.

Patients and Methods:

From 1997 to 2002, 563 patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia aged 1 to 15 years were enrolled. The patients were assigned into 4 risk groups (standard, intermediate, high, or extremely high risk) and treated with regimens intensified according to the risk. Two randomized trials were conducted to compare 2 regimens with and without a 3-week reinduction therapy in the standard-risk group, and to compare the efficacy of pirarubicin with daunorubicin in the intermediate-risk and high-risk groups. Prophylactic cranial irradiation was restricted in patients with high or extremely high risk.

Results:

The event-free survival (EFS) rate at 10 years for all patients was 77.0%. Those in the standard-risk to extremely high-risk groups were 79.3%, 72.5%, 71.7%, and 66.3%, respectively. The 15-week induction/consolidation not followed by reinduction produced 76.4% of the EFS at 10 years comparable with the regimen with reinduction therapy. Pirarubicin at 25 mg/m2 administered 11 times throughout the treatment produced the EFS comparable with daunorubicin at 30 mg/m2.

Conclusion:

The trial produced high survival rates in NCI-HR patients, although the outcomes in NCI-SR patients were not satisfactory possibly due to less intensive central nervous system–directed therapy.
Global Health of Babies and Children
Authors: Gennaro Susan , O'Connor Caitlin , Marx Megan
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

We provide an overview of the health of neonates, infants, and children around the world. Issues in maximizing neonatal health are examined using the Sustainable Development Goals developed by the United Nations as a framework.

Recommendations:

Interventions that can help optimize neonatal, infant, and child health in the future are reviewed, including increasing preventative healthcare (immunizations, malaria prevention, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life), enhancing point-of-care interventions (including umbilical cord care, antenatal corticosteroids if preterm birth is anticipated, and antibiotic therapy), enhancing nutritional interventions (to decrease diarrheal diseases and decrease wasting, stunting, and underweight), and building systems capacity.

Clinical Implications:

In an increasingly global world where wars, climate change, civil unrest, and economic uncertainty all influence health, it is important that nurses understand global health problems common for neonates, infants, and children and current recommendations to enhance their health.
Use of Traditional Birth Practices by Chinese Women in the United States
Authors: Saito Maki , Lyndon Audrey
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

The purpose of our study was to explore how foreign-born Chinese women living in California engage in various traditional and American birth practices.

Study Design and Methods:

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using a grounded theory approach. Chinese women from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan who had childbirth experiences in the United States were purposively sampled. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 women, with follow-up interviews with 5 women. Interview data were analyzed using grounded theory according to the method of Strauss and Corbin.

Results:

There are many traditional practices for pregnancy and childbirth. Women investigated the traditions through various means, and built their own perspective on each tradition by integrating an evaluation of the Chinese perspective and an evaluation of the American perspective. Women considered several factors in the process of evaluating the Chinese and American perspectives to reach their own integrated perspective on each tradition. These factors included whether or not the tradition made sense to them, how the traditional practice affected their comfort, nature of available options, attitudes of female elders, previous experiences of their peers and themselves, and outcomes of temporary trials of traditional or nontraditional practices.

Clinical Implications:

Healthcare providers should respect women's diverse perspectives on traditional practices and encourage flexible arrangements. Including the elder generation in health education may be useful in helping women manage conflicts and to support their decisions.
Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving Program and Emotion Dysregulation
Authors: Boccalon Silvia , Alesiani Roberta , Giarolli Laura , Fossati Andrea
Published: February 2017

The aim of this study was to assess the observed changes on emotion dysregulation obtained through the Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) program. The sample is composed of 24 subjects with a personality disorder with borderline features. All participants filled out the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). There was a significant decrease in the DERS total score at the end of the treatment and at 6-month follow-up. Friedman test showed a significant decrease in suicide attempts and hospitalizations over time. The analysis of the DERS subscales showed that “goals” and “impulse” were the two dimensions on which the treatment acted and the changes were stable over time. STEPPS is associated with an improvement in emotion regulation and a reduction in the number of hospitalizations and suicide attempts. The treatment seems to act on the behavioral dimensions of emotion dysregulation like the ability to control impulsive behaviors and to achieve goals.
The Effect of Age, Race, and Sex on Social Cognitive Performance in Individuals With Schizophrenia
Authors: Pinkham Amy E. , Kelsven Skylar , Kouros Chrystyna , Harvey Philip D. , Penn David L.
Published: February 2017

Age, race, and sex are linked to social cognitive performance among healthy individuals, but whether similar effects are evident in schizophrenia is unknown. Data from 170 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 98 healthy controls were used to examine relations between these demographic factors and performance across multiple domains and measures of social cognition. Sex was not related to performance on any domain, but older age was related to poorer emotion recognition from dynamic stimuli in both patients and controls. In patients, older age was also associated with better abilities to decipher hints. Both Caucasian patients and controls performed better than African American individuals on emotion recognition and mental state attribution tasks that use only Caucasian individuals as visual stimuli. Findings suggest rather limited influences of demographic factors but do demonstrate normative age and race effects among patients. Findings also highlight important methodological considerations for measurement of social cognition.
Are there any reasons to change our behavior in necrotizing fasciitis with the advent of new antibiotics?
Authors: Menichetti Francesco , Giuliano Simone , Fortunato Simona
Published: February 2017

Purpose of review

The treatment of necrotizing fasciitis requires a multifaceted approach, consisting of surgical source control with immediate surgical debridement along with life support, clinical monitoring, and antimicrobial therapy. Many drugs are now available for the treatment of this life-threatening infectious disease, and the purpose of this review is to provide the reader with an updated overview of the newest therapeutic options.

Recent findings

Because most necrotizing soft tissue infections are polymicrobial, broad-spectrum coverage is advisable. Acceptable monotherapy regimens include piperacillin-tazobactam or a carbapenem. However, drugs such as ceftolozane–tazobactam, ceftazidime–avibactam in association with an antianaerobic agent (metronidazole or clindamycin) are currently available as valuable alternatives. The new cephalosporins active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), ceftaroline, and ceftobiprole share similar antibacterial activity against Gram-positive cocci, and they might be considered as an alternative to nonbetalactam anti-MRSA agents for necrotizing fasciitis management. Two new long-acting lypoglycopeptides – oritavancin and dalbavancin – share the indications for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and had similar activity against Gram-positive cocci including MRSA and streptococci.

Carbapenem-sparing agents are particularly suitable for antimicrobial stewardship strategy. The new long-acting lypoglycopeptides are very effective in treating necrotizing fasciitis and are uttermost attractive for patients requiring short hospital stays and early discharge.
Pathogenic mechanisms of intracellular bacteria
Authors: Niller Hans Helmut , Masa Roland , Venkei Annamária , Mészáros Sándor , Minarovits Janos
Published: February 2017

Purpose of review

We wished to overview recent data on a subset of epigenetic changes elicited by intracellular bacteria in human cells. Reprogramming the gene expression pattern of various host cells may facilitate bacterial growth, survival, and spread.

Recent findings

DNA-(cytosine C5)-methyltransferases of Mycoplasma hyorhinis targeting cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) dinucleotides and a Mycobacterium tuberculosis methyltransferase targeting non-CpG sites methylated the host cell DNA and altered the pattern of gene expression. Gene silencing by CpG methylation and histone deacetylation, mediated by cellular enzymes, also occurred in M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages. M. tuberculosis elicited cell type-specific epigenetic changes: it caused increased DNA methylation in macrophages, but induced demethylation, deposition of euchromatic histone marks and activation of immune-related genes in dendritic cells. A secreted transposase of Acinetobacter baumannii silenced a cellular gene, whereas Mycobacterium leprae altered the epigenotype, phenotype, and fate of infected Schwann cells. The ‘keystone pathogen’ oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis induced local DNA methylation and increased the level of histone acetylation in host cells. These epigenetic changes at the biofilm–gingiva interface may contribute to the development of periodontitis.

Epigenetic regulators produced by intracellular bacteria alter the epigenotype and gene expression pattern of host cells and play an important role in pathogenesis.