bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of cognitive‐driven activity of daily living impairment in non‐demented Parkinson's patients
Authors: Becker Sara , Bäumer Alena , Maetzler Walter , Nussbaum Susanne , Timmers Maarten , Van Nueten Luc , Salvadore Giacomo , Zaunbrecher Detlev , Roeben Benjamin , Brockmann Kathrin , Streffer Johannes , Berg Daniela , Liepelt‐Scarfone Inga
Published: October 2018

The core criterion for Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) is the impairment in activities of daily living (ADL) function primarily caused by cognitive, not motor symptoms. There is evidence to assume that mild ADL impairments in mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI) characterize those patients at high risk for dementia. Data of 216 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients assessed with comprehensive motor and neuropsychological assessments were analysed. Based on linear regression models, subscores of the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) primarily reflecting patients’ global cognitive status (FAQC) or PD‐related motor severity (FAQM) were developed. A quotient (FAQQ) of both scores was calculated, with values >1 indicating more cognitive‐ compared to motor‐driven ADL impairment. Both FAQC and FAQM scores were higher in PD‐MCI than cognitively normal (PD‐CN) patients, indicating more severe cognitive‐ and motor‐driven ADL impairments in this group. One third (31.6%) of the PD‐MCI group had a FAQQ score >1, which was significantly different from patients with PD‐CN (p = .02). PD‐MCI patients with an FAQQ score >1 were more impaired on tests assessing attention (p = .019) and language (p = .033) compared to PD‐MCI patients with lower FAQQ values. The differentiation between cognitive‐ and motor‐driven ADL is important, as the loss of functional capacity is the defining factor for a diagnosis of PDD. We were able to differentiate the cognitive‐driven from the motor‐driven ADL impairments for the FAQ. PD‐MCI patients with more cognitive‐ compared to motor‐driven ADL impairments may pose a risk group for conversion to PDD and can be targeted for early treatments.
The Experience of Untapped Potential: Towards a Subjective Temporal Understanding of Work Meaningfulness
Authors: De Boeck Giverny , Dries Nicky , Tierens Hans
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we propose that untapped potential acts as a subjective temporal meaning‐making mechanism. Using a two‐wave survey design, we examine the relationship between job characteristics, untapped potential, and work meaningfulness in a heterogeneous sample of 542 employees. We found that employees’ perceived amount of untapped potential mediates the effects of skill variety, autonomy, and job feedback on work meaningfulness. This mediated relationship was moderated by the valence employees attributed to their untapped potential. Moreover, decreases in the perceived amount of untapped potential over time were related to increases in perceived work meaningfulness. Our research shows that work that allows employees to move beyond the here‐and‐now by providing opportunities to realize future work selves is experienced as particularly meaningful. We conclude that, if we wish to understand what makes work meaningful for employees in the present, we need to know how it aligns with their self‐perceptions in the future.
Constitutionalization as Statecraft: Vagrant Nation and the Modern American State
Authors: Tani Karen M.
Published: October 2018

This essay showcases the contribution of Risa Goluboff's Vagrant Nation (2016) to one field of scholarship that the book scarcely mentions: the historical literature on the American state. In Goluboff's account of the fall of the “vagrancy law regime” in the “long 1960s” I see vital questions about the nature of the modern American state and the endurance of older, seemingly antithetical modes of governance. Given the trends that state-focused scholars have illuminated—for example, toward centralization of power and the protection of individual rights—what allowed for vague, locally enforced vagrancy laws to survive so late into the twentieth century? What ultimately triggered their demise? In mining Vagrant Nation for answers, this essay also urges scholars to contemplate “constitutionalization” as a form of statecraft. In giving a constitutional law framing to the grievances of “vagrants,” federal courts reinforced key tenets of the modern American state, including the supremacy of national law over competing legal orders and the desirability of being a rights-bearing member of the nation-state. Simultaneously, these court decisions left open other, more “modern” possibilities for regulating the kinds of people (poor, nonwhite, unpopular) whom vagrancy laws once ensnared.
Body size trajectories and cardio‐metabolic resilience to obesity
Authors: Johnson W.
Published: October 2018

Individuals with obesity do not represent a single homogenous group in terms of cardio‐metabolic health prospects. The concept of metabolically healthy obesity is a crude way of capturing this heterogeneity and has resulted in a plethora of research linking to future outcomes to show that it is not a benign condition. By contrast, very few studies have looked back in time and modelled the life course processes and exposures that explain the heterogeneity in cardio‐metabolic health and morbidity and mortality risk among people with the same body mass index (BMI) (or waist circumference or percentage body fat). The aim of the Medical Research Council New Investigator Research Grant (MR/P023347/1) ‘Body size trajectories and cardio‐metabolic resilience to obesity in three United Kingdom birth cohorts’ is to reveal the body size trajectories, pubertal development patterns and other factors (e.g. early‐life adversity) that might attenuate the positive associations of adulthood obesity makers (e.g. BMI) with cardio‐metabolic disease risk factors and other outcomes, thereby providing some degree of protection against the adverse effects of obesity. This work builds on the Principle Investigator's previous research as part of the Cohort and Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources initiative and focuses on secondary data analysis in the nationally representative UK birth cohort studies (initiated in 1946, 1958 and 1970), which have life course body size and exposure data and a biomedical sweep in adulthood. The grant will provide novel evidence on the life course processes and exposures that lead to some people developing a cardio‐metabolic complication or disease or dying while other people with the same BMI do not. This paper details the grant's scientific rationale, research objectives and potential impact.
Optimising the identification of causal variants across varying genetic architectures in crops
Authors: Miao Chenyong , Yang Jinliang , Schnable James C.
Published: October 2018

Association studies use statistical links between genetic markers and the phenotype variation across many individuals to identify genes controlling variation in the target phenotype. However, this approach, particularly conducted on a genome‐wide scale (GWAS), has limited power to identify the genes responsible for variation in traits controlled by complex genetic architectures. In this study, we employ real‐world genotype datasets from four crop species with distinct minor allele frequency distributions, population structures and linkage disequilibrium patterns. We demonstrate that different GWAS statistical approaches provide favourable trade‐offs between power and accuracy for traits controlled by different types of genetic architectures. FarmCPU provides the most favourable outcomes for moderately complex traits while a Bayesian approach adopted from genomic prediction provides the most favourable outcomes for extremely complex traits. We assert that by estimating the complexity of genetic architectures for target traits and selecting an appropriate statistical approach for the degree of complexity detected, researchers can substantially improve the ability to dissect the genetic factors controlling complex traits such as flowering time, plant height and yield component.
A metabolome‐based core hybridisation strategy for the prediction of rice grain weight across environments
Authors: Dan Zhiwu , Chen Yunping , Xu Yanghong , Huang Junran , Huang Jishuai , Hu Jun , Yao Guoxin , Zhu Yingguo , Huang Wenchao
Published: October 2018

Marker‐based prediction holds great promise for improving current plant and animal breeding efficiencies. However, the predictabilities of complex traits are always severely affected by negative factors, including distant relatedness, environmental discrepancies, unknown population structures, and indeterminate numbers of predictive variables. In this study, we utilised two independent F1 hybrid populations in the years 2012 and 2015 to predict rice thousand grain weight (TGW) using parental untargeted metabolite profiles with a partial least squares regression method. A stable predictive model for TGW was built based on hybrids from the population in 2012 (r = 0.75) but failed to properly predict TGW for hybrids from the population in 2015 (r = 0.27). After integrating hybrids from both populations into the training set, the TGW of hybrids could be predicted but was largely dependent on population structures. Then, core hybrids from each population were determined by principal component analysis and the TGW of hybrids in both environments were successfully predicted (r > 0.60). Moreover, adjusting the population structures and numbers of predictive analytes increased TGW predictability for hybrids in 2015 (r = 0.72). Our study demonstrates that the TGW of F1 hybrids across environments can be accurately predicted based on parental untargeted metabolite profiles with a core hybridisation strategy in rice. Metabolic biomarkers identified from early developmental stage tissues, which are grown under experimental conditions, may represent a workable approach towards the robust prediction of major agronomic traits for climate‐adaptive varieties.
Evidence for the treatment of Talarodictyon tilesii as an older taxonomic synonym of Hydroclathrus stephanosorus (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyceae)
Authors: Santiañez Wilfred John E. , Wynne Michael J.
Published: October 2018

Morphological and anatomical evidence is presented to support the taxonomic judgment that Talarodictyon tilesii Endlicher is conspecific with Hydroclathrus stephanosorus Kraft in Kraft & Abbott. Because the former name has nomenclatural priority over the latter name, Hydroclathrus tilesii (Endlicher) comb. nov. is proposed.
Evolution of the field of ecological restoration over the last three decades: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Guan Yingjie , Kang Ruipeng , Liu Junguo
Published: October 2018

Ecological restoration studies have been widely conducted for many years to solve eco‐environmental problems. However, no publications offer a systematic and quantitative analysis of the evolution of the field of ecological restoration. To address this knowledge gap, for the first time, we applied a bibliometric analysis approach to analyze ecological restoration studies. We analyzed 3,929 articles published between 1988 and 2017 catalogued in the Science Citation Index Expanded database and the Social Sciences Citation Index database. The results show that annual article output stably increased after 2004, and the number of annual articles of each country has also increased notably since then. The United States occupies the leading position in ecological restoration studies, with China attaining a close second position in recent years. Four institutions and seven journals are outstanding in the field of ecological restoration. Academic collaborations of authors or institutions exhibit an increasing trend, but international collaboration needs to be strengthened because eco‐environmental problems are a global challenge. Forest, grassland, and wetland ecosystems have received the most attention. Biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate change are core issues of ecological restoration studies and are predicted to remain the research hotspots in the future. Novel ecosystems are likely to become one of the most important research areas in the near future. More importantly, it is crucial for researchers to places more emphasis on social issues of ecological restoration in the future.
The relation between blood donor recruitment and donor diversity and loyalty in the Netherlands
Authors: Piersma Tjeerd W. , Klinkenberg Elisabeth F.
Published: October 2018

Background and Objectives

Blood donor populations have been susceptible to change, often showing a trend towards feminization while remaining ethnically homogeneous, leading to an underrepresentation of young men and ethnic minorities. The aim of our study was to examine whether recruitment strategies are related to donor diversity and loyalty of specific demographic groups in the Netherlands.

Materials and Methods

Analyses were conducted using the Dutch blood donor database on whole‐blood donors registered between 2013 and 2017 (n = 155 054). Chi‐squared tests were used to study relationships between donor characteristics (i.e., sex, age, and Duffy‐negative antigen as proxy for donors from African descent) and recruitment strategies; linear and Cox regressions were used to study relationships between recruitment strategies, and number of donations and length of the donor career, respectively.

Results

Most donors were recruited via other donors (44·6%) or became donor on their own initiative (28·4%). Young men were often recruited by other donors and Duffy‐negative donors were often recruited via missing minorities campaigns. Donor‐recruits‐donor was associated with the highest number of donations; telephone recruitment was associated with the lowest number of donations. Although telephone recruitment was associated with the longest donor careers, it also showed the largest proportional stopping prevalence. Student recruitment and missing minorities campaigns were associated with the shortest donor careers.

Conclusion

Our results showed proportional differences in how people from different sex, age and ethnicity are recruited, and how recruitment relates to donor loyalty. We advocate for more personalized, evidence‐based recruitment and retention strategies.
Non‐electrocardiographic‐gated computed tomographic angiography can be used to diagnose coronary artery anomalies in Bulldogs with pulmonary valve stenosis
Authors: Gunther‐Harrington Catherine T. , Phillips Kathryn L. , Visser Lance C. , Fousse Samantha L. , Stern Joshua A.
Published: October 2018

Coronary artery anomalies have been reported in Bulldogs and present an increased risk when performing balloon valvuloplasty. Identification of coronary anomalies has been reported using multidetector‐row computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography with electrocardiographic gating. However, the utility of non‐electrocardiographic‐gated 16‐row computed tomographic for MDCT for the identification of coronary artery anatomy or anomalies to the authors’ knowledge has not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of non‐electrocardiographic‐gated computed tomographic (CT) angiography to identify coronary anomalies in Bulldogs with pulmonary valve stenosis. In this prospective, observational study, Bulldogs with echocardiographically diagnosed pulmonary valve stenosis, an echocardiographically derived transpulmonic pressure gradient >70 mm Hg, and a clinician recommendation for balloon valvuloplasty were included. Anesthetized dogs underwent a 16‐row MDCT non‐electrocardiographic‐gated CT angiography. A board‐certified veterinary radiologist and board‐certified veterinary cardiologist reviewed the CT angiography studies and identified the coronary artery anatomy. When normal coronary artery anatomy was detected on CT angiography, a right ventricular outflow tract fluoroscopic angiogram was performed and evaluated during levophase to confirm normal coronary anatomy prior to balloon valvuloplasty. Dogs with coronary anomalies noted on CT angiography were recovered from anesthesia and balloon valvuloplasty was not performed. All dogs (10/10; 100%) had interpretable images from the non‐electrocardiographic‐gated CT angiography. Coronary anomalies were identified in six dogs based on non‐electrocardiographic‐gated CT angiography, five with type R2A anomaly and one had a single left coronary ostium. Four dogs had normal coronary anatomy based on non‐electrocardiographic‐gated CT angiography. Balloon valvuloplasty was performed without incident in these four dogs. We conclude that non‐electrocardiographic‐gated CT angiography represents a noninvasive method for diagnosing coronary anomalies in Bulldogs with pulmonary valve stenosis.
Comparison of the Quality of Pediatric Randomized Controlled Trials Published in Both Nursing and Medical Journals: Adherence to the CONSORT Statement
Authors: Devos Flora , Ibrahim Nour , Foissac Frantz , Bouazza Naim , Ancel Pierre‐Yves , Chappuy Hélène , Elie Caroline , Tréluyer Jean‐Marc
Published: October 2018

Background

Nursing care should be based on scientific evidence. However, studies must be performed rigorously with accurate reporting for their findings to be applicable to practice. Since the body of scientific nursing literature is broad, the quality and validity of its findings should be regularly controlled and verified to ensure their application and their practical impact.

Purpose

To compare reporting quality of pediatric randomized controlled trial (RCT) articles in nursing and medical journals.

Methods

Randomly selected articles were reviewed and scored to assess the number of CONSORT items that were adequately reported, generating a CONSORT score. The CONSORT scores for 28 items were compared between the two journal types.

Results and Discussion

The CONSORT scores by journal type were not significantly different: (19.2 [16.2; 22] for medical journals and 19.5 [16.1; 21.5] for nursing journals, p = .77). The reporting of CONSORT items was poor for both journal types. However, there were two significant differences: item 19 (Declaration of all important harm or unintended effects, p = .0006) and item 23 (Registration number of the study, p = .0003), were reported more often in medical journals. The adherence of journals to the CONSORT statement and large sample size was associated with better quality of the reporting of studies.

Conclusions

Based on reporting quality, nursing studies have the same scientific credibility and rigor as medical studies in the pediatric field.

Linking Evidence to Action

The findings of this study could help researchers improve the reporting of their studies and highlight the importance of reporting quality for future knowledge transfer and practical use. The quality of research and its reporting is necessary to improve knowledge transfer into practice.
Influence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide on niobium nitride thin films
Authors: Toomey Emily , Colangelo Marco , Abedzadeh Navid , Berggren Karl K.
Published: October 2018

Functionality of superconducting thin-film devices such as superconducting nanowire single photon detectors stems from the geometric effects that take place at the nanoscale. The engineering of these technologies requires high-resolution patterning, often achieved with electron beam lithography. Common lithography processes using hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) as the electron beam resist rely on tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) as both a developer and a resist adhesion promoter. Despite the strong role played by TMAH in the fabrication of superconducting devices, its potential influence on the superconducting films themselves has not yet been reported. In this work, the authors demonstrate that a 25% TMAH developer damages niobium nitride (NbN) thin films by modifying the surface chemistry and creating an etch contaminant that slows reactive ion etching in CF4. They also show how the identity of the contaminant may be revealed through characterization including measurement of the superconducting film properties and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Although workarounds may be available, the results reveal that processes using 25% TMAH as an adhesion promoter are not preferred for NbN films and that changes to the typical HSQ fabrication procedure will need to be made in order to prevent damage of NbN nanoscale devices.
Echo integration using non-vertical sonar beams: The bias caused by non-uniform distribution of fish within the echo beam
Authors: Vatnehol Sindre , Handegard Nils Olav
Published: October 2018

The equivalent beam angle is a key parameter in echo integration, where it is assumed that targets are uniformly distributed within the sampling volume of the transducer beam. For a horizontally oriented sonar, this assumption is violated if the vertical distribution of fish is non-uniform throughout a sample, potentially causing a substantial bias in estimates of fish abundance or biomass. This paper investigates the magnitude of this bias using observations and simulated data, where in each case the vertical distribution of fish within a limited geographical area is estimated.
Perceptual grouping in the cocktail party: Contributions of voice-feature continuity
Authors: Kreitewolf Jens , Mathias Samuel R. , Trapeau Régis , Obleser Jonas , Schönwiesner Marc
Published: October 2018

Cocktail parties pose a difficult yet solvable problem for the auditory system. Previous work has shown that the cocktail-party problem is considerably easier when all sounds in the target stream are spoken by the same talker (the voice-continuity benefit). The present study investigated the contributions of two of the most salient voice features—glottal-pulse rate (GPR) and vocal-tract length (VTL)—to the voice-continuity benefit. Twenty young, normal-hearing listeners participated in two experiments. On each trial, listeners heard concurrent sequences of spoken digits from three different spatial locations and reported the digits coming from a target location. Critically, across conditions, GPR and VTL either remained constant or varied across target digits. Additionally, across experiments, the target location either remained constant (Experiment 1) or varied (Experiment 2) within a trial. In Experiment 1, listeners benefited from continuity in either voice feature, but VTL continuity was more helpful than GPR continuity. In Experiment 2, spatial discontinuity greatly hindered listeners' abilities to exploit continuity in GPR and VTL. The present results suggest that selective attention benefits from continuity in target voice features and that VTL and GPR play different roles for perceptual grouping and stream segregation in the cocktail party.
Multiple Introductions and Antigenic Mismatch with Vaccines May Contribute to Increased Predominance of G12P[8] Rotaviruses in the United States
Authors: Ogden Kristen M. , Tan Yi , Akopov Asmik , Stewart Laura S. , McHenry Rendie , Fonnesbeck Christopher J. , Piya Bhinnata , Carter Maximilian H. , Fedorova Nadia B. , Halpin Rebecca A. , Shilts Meghan H. , Edwards Kathryn M. , Payne Daniel C. , Esona Mathew D. , Mijatovic-Rustempasic Slavica , Chappell James D. , Patton John T. , Halasa Natasha B. , Das Suman R.
Published: October 2018

Rotavirus is an important cause of childhood diarrheal disease worldwide. Two immunodominant proteins of rotavirus, VP7 and VP4, determine G and P genotypes, respectively. Recently, G12P[8] rotaviruses have become increasingly predominant. By analyzing rotavirus genome sequences from stool specimens obtained in Nashville, TN, from 2011 to 2013 and globally circulating rotaviruses, we found evidence of multiple introductions of G12 genes into the area. Based on sequence polymorphisms, VP7 proteins of these viruses are predicted to present themselves to the immune system very differently than those of vaccine strains. Many of the sick children with G12P[8] rotavirus in their diarrheal stools also were fully vaccinated. Our findings emphasize the need for continued monitoring of circulating rotaviruses and the effectiveness of the vaccines against strains with emerging G and P genotypes.
Small-Molecule Acetylation Controls the Degradation of Benzoate and Photosynthesis in Rhodopseudomonas palustris
Authors: VanDrisse Chelsey M. , Escalante-Semerena Jorge C.
Published: October 2018

This work shows that the BadL protein of
Rhodopseudomonas palustris
has
N-
acetyltransferase activity and that this activity is required for the catabolism of benzoate under photosynthetic conditions in this bacterium.
R. palustris
occupies lignin-rich habitats, making its benzoate-degrading capability critical for the recycling of this important, energy-rich biopolymer. This work identifies the product of the BadL enzyme as acetamidobenzoates, which were needed to derepress genes encoding benzoate-degrading enzymes and proteins of the photosynthetic apparatus responsible for the generation of the proton motive force under anoxia in the presence of light. In short, acetamidobenzoates potentially coordinate the use of benzoate as a source of reducing power and carbon with the generation of a light-driven proton motive force that fuels ATP synthesis, motility, transport, and many other processes in the metabolically versatile bacterium
R. palustris
.
RNA Viruses in
Blechomonas
(Trypanosomatidae) and Evolution of
Leishmaniavirus
Authors: Grybchuk Danyil , Kostygov Alexei Y. , Macedo Diego H. , Votýpka Jan , Lukeš Julius , Yurchenko Vyacheslav
Published: October 2018

Flagellates belonging to the genus
Leishmania
are important human parasites. Some strains of different
Leishmania
species harbor viruses (leishmaniaviruses), which facilitate metastatic spread of the parasites, thus aggravating the disease. Up until now, these viruses were known to be hosted only by
Leishmania
. Here, we analyzed viral distribution in
Blechomonas
, a related group of flagellates parasitizing fleas, and revealed that they also bear leishmaniaviruses. Our findings shed light on the entangled evolution of these viruses. In addition, we documented that
Blechomonas
can be also infected by leishbunyaviruses and narnaviruses, viral groups known from other insects’ flagellates.
Protection against Staphylococcus aureus Colonization and Infection by B- and T-Cell-Mediated Mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Fan , Ledue Olivia , Jun Maria , Goulart Cibelly , Malley Richard , Lu Ying-Jie
Published: October 2018

S. aureusis a leading cause of healthcare- and community-associated bacterial infections.S. aureuscauses various illnesses, including bacteremia, meningitis, endocarditis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, sepsis, and skin and soft tissue infections.S. aureuscolonizes between 20 and 80% of humans; carriers are at increased risk for infection and transmission to others. The spread of multidrug-resistant strains limits antibiotic treatment options. Vaccine development againstS. aureushas been unsuccessful to date, likely due to an inadequate understanding about the mechanisms of immune defense against this pathogen. The significance of our work is in illustrating the necessity of generating multipronged B-cell, Th1-, and Th17-mediated responses toS. aureusantigens in conferring enhanced and broad protection againstS. aureusinvasive infection, skin and soft tissue infection, and mucosal colonization. Our work thus, provides important insights for future vaccine development against this pathogen.
Continuous infusion versus intermittent bolus doses of fentanyl for analgesia and sedation in neonates: an open-label randomised controlled trial
Authors: Abiramalatha Thangaraj , Mathew Sumith Koshy , Mathew Binu Susan , Shabeer Machilakath Panangandi , Arulappan Geethanjali , Kumar Manish , Jayaseelan Visalakshi , Kuruvilla Kurien Anil
Published: October 2018

Objective

Adequate data on fentanyl pharmacokinetics in neonates are lacking. The study was performed to compare serum concentrations and clinical outcome between continuous infusion (CI) and intermittent bolus (IB) doses of fentanyl for analgesia and sedation in neonates.

Methods

In this open-label randomised controlled trial, neonates requiring 24–48 hours of mechanical ventilation and fentanyl administration were recruited. In CI regimen, 1 mcg/kg loading dose was followed by 1 mcg/kg/hour infusion. In IB regimen, 1mcg/kg/dose was administered every 4 hours.

Maximum six blood samples were collected in 48 hours from each baby at prespecified time points for estimating serum fentanyl concentration. Secondary outcomes were pain scores (Neonatal Infant Pain Scale and Neonatal Pain, Agitation and Sedation Scale for acute and ongoing pain, respectively) and incidence of adverse effects of fentanyl.

Results

100 neonates were recruited, 53 in CI and 47 in IB group. In CI regimen, median (IQR) serum fentanyl concentration was 0.42 (0.35, 0.46) to 0.61 (0.47, 0.89) ng/mL throughout the infusion period. In IB regimen, median (IQR) peak concentration ranged from 2.21 (1.82, 3.55) to 3.61 (2.91, 4.51) ng/mL and trough concentration 0.41 (0.33, 0.48) to 0.97 (0.56, 1.25) ng/mL for various doses.

Median (IQR) peak concentration (Cmax, 3.06 (1.09, 4.50) vs 0.78 (0.49, 1.73) ng/mL; p<0.001) was significantly higher and area under concentration-time curve (AUC0–24, 19.6 (10.4, 33.5) vs 13.2 (10.8, 22.6) µg·hour/L; p=0.12) was higher (though not statistically significant) in IB than CI regimen. Pain scores and adverse effects were comparable between the two regimens.

Conclusion

CI regimen of fentanyl produces steady serum concentrations, whereas IB regimen produces wide fluctuations in serum concentration with high-peak concentrations. A serum fentanyl concentration of 0.4–0.6 ng/mL produces adequate analgesia and sedation in neonates.

Trial registration number

CTRI/2014/11/005190.
The illness experience of an undocumented immigrant in the USA
Authors: Blommel Jared G , Chacon Andres R , Bagatell Stuart J
Published: October 2018

Approximately 11 million people living and working in the USA do so without documentation. This group represents a disenfranchised minority with adverse experiences and unique comorbidities that faces significant obstacles to receiving healthcare, including fear of deportation, language barriers, financial barriers and difficulty navigating an inconsistent and fragmented system. Healthcare is therefore often sought once symptoms have become critical, which can lead to more severe disease processes and multiple new diagnoses at presentation even in previously healthy patients. Here we present the case of a previously healthy 32-year-old undocumented immigrant who presented to a South Florida hospital with abdominal pain, diarrhoea and leg pain. He was diagnosed with both diabetes mellitus and chronic myelogenous leukaemia after a prolonged 20-day hospital stay. Culturally sensitive providers and dedicated staff play a major role in connecting patients to outpatient care after an acute illness, which most often occurs at charity clinics.
Bivalirudin fails to prevent atrial thrombus development in heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia and thrombosis syndrome
Authors: Topliceanu Alexandru , Breen Thomas , Patel Hiren , Yager Neil , Maceira Erica , Torosoff Mikhail
Published: October 2018

An 81-year-old woman presented with acute decompensated heart failure due to new-onset atrial fibrillation and a flail myxomatous mitral valve which necessitated surgical mitral valve repair. No atrial thrombi were noted on transoesophageal echocardiograms performed prior to surgery and intraoperatively. Immediately postoperatively, while treated with unfractionated heparin, the patient developed thrombocytopaenia with positive platelet factor 4 antibodies and an abnormal serotonin functional platelet assay, consistent with heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia. The anticoagulation therapy was changed to the direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin with an improvement in the platelet count. Despite bivalirudin therapy, a left atrial layering thrombus was revealed on transoesophageal echocardiogram performed in preparation for cardioversion of the symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Anticoagulation was changed to warfarin, and the patient was discharged without thromboembolic complications neither during her hospital stay nor the 3-year outpatient follow-up.
Unmeasurable small size superficial and deep foveal avascular zone in nanophthalmos: the Collaborative Nanophthalmos OCTA Study
Authors: Mansour Ahmad M , Stewart Michael W , Yassine Salma W , Mehanna Carl-Joe Z , Casella Antonio Marcelo B , Hamam Rola N , Chhablani Jay , Lima Luiz H , Shinojima Ari , Kaneko Hiroyuki , Younis Muhammad H , Shahin Hasan K , Jalali Subhadra , Kucukerdonmez Cem , Saatci Ali O , Chakurkar Renuka , Shields Carol L
Published: October 2018

Aim

To study the macular structure and vasculature in consecutive nanophthalmic eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Methods

This is a prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional study of patients with nanophthalmos (one or both eyes). The superficial and deep foveal avascular zones (FAZ) were measured both manually and with the machine’s built-in automated measurement tool. Correlations between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveolar choroidal thickness (SFCT) were calculated.

Results

Sixty-five eyes of 35 subjects (16 men and 19 women) with a mean age of 37.4 years were analysed. The mean±SD of refractive error was 14.3±3.2 dioptres, axial length was 16.4±1.6 mm, CMT was 410.2±128.3 µm and SFCT was 450.1±108.3 µm. FAZ was unmeasurable small size in both the superficial and deep capillary plexus in all eyes, along with tortuosity of the superficial foveal capillaries and large vessels. Foveal folds were present in 29 eyes. Disc drusen was detected in 27 eyes and was absent in 31 eyes, while fundus autofluorescence was positive in 17 and negative in 24 eyes. BCVA varied from 20/20 to 20/800, with a mean of 20/76. Using Spearman’s correlation, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA correlated negatively with axial length (r=−0.30; p=0.015).

Conclusions

FAZ attenuation, capillary tortuosity, foveal folds and thickened subfoveal choroid characterise the nanophthalmic macula. These findings may result from a redundant retina and the absence of apoptotic foveolar retraction because of developmental arrest of the optic vesicle after closure of the embryonic fissure.
Normothermic versus hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in low-risk paediatric heart surgery: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Caputo Massimo , Pike Katie , Baos Sarah , Sheehan Karen , Selway Kathleen , Ellis Lucy , Stoica Serban , Parry Andrew , Clayton Gemma , Culliford Lucy , Angelini Gianni D , Pandey Ragini , Rogers Chris A
Published: October 2018

Objective

To compare normothermic (35°C–36°C) versus hypothermic (28°C) cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in paediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery to test the hypothesis that normothermic CPB perfusion maintains the functional integrity of major organ systems leading to faster recovery.

Methods

Two single-centre, randomised controlled trials (known as Thermic-1 and Thermic-2, respectively) were carried out to compare the effectiveness and acceptability of normothermic versus hypothermic CPB in children with congenital heart disease undergoing open heart surgery. In both studies, the co-primary clinical outcomes were duration of inotropic support, intubation time and postoperative hospital stay.

Results

In total, 200 participants were recruited; 59 to the Thermic-1 study and 141 to the Thermic-2 study. 98 patients received normothermic CPB and 102 patients received hypothermic CPB. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups for any of the co-primary outcomes: inotrope duration HR=1.01, 95% CI (0.72 to 1.41); intubation time HR=1.14, 95% CI (0.86 to 1.51); postoperative hospital stay HR=1.06, 95% CI (0.80 to 1.40). Differences favouring normothermia were found in urea nitrogen at 2 days geometric mean ratio (GMR)=0.86 95% CI (0.77 to 0.97); serum creatinine at 3 days GMR=0.89, 95% CI (0.81 to 0.98); urinary albumin at 48 hours GMR=0.32, 95% CI (0.14 to 0.74) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin at 4 hours GMR=0.47, 95% CI (0.22 to 1.02), but not at other postoperative time points.

Conclusions

Normothermic CPB is as safe and effective as hypothermic CPB and can be routinely adopted as a perfusion strategy in low-risk infants and children undergoing open heart surgery.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN93129502.
Cortical correlates of behavioural change in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Consonni Monica , Cappa Stefano F , Dalla Bella Eleonora , Contarino Valeria Elisa , Lauria Giuseppe
Published: October 2018

Background

Behavioural changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are heterogeneous. The study aim was to identify the behavioural profiles of non-demented patients with ALS and their neuroimaging correlates and to elucidate if they are comparable to those reported in studies of the behavioural-variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD).

Methods

Behavioural changes of 102 non-demented patients with ALS were assessed through the Frontal Behavioural Inventory (FBI), a 24-item scale assessing different behavioural modifications, mainly chosen from the core clinical features of FTD. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to detect distinct clusters of behavioural changes based on FBI subscores. The cortical thinning related to each behavioural profile was analysed in 29 patients with ALS. Cronbach’s α was used to test the reliability of bvFTD-related FBI clustering in our cohort.

Results

Sixty patients with ALS had FBI score≥1. PCA identified three phenotypic clusters loading on disinhibited/hostile, dysexecutive and apathetic FBI subscores. Imaging analyses revealed that the thinning of bilateral orbitofrontal cortex was related to apathy, the right frontotemporal and cingular cortex to the disinhibited/hostile profile and the left precuneus cortex to the dysexecutive behaviours. The bvFTD-associated aggressive profile reliably applied to our cohort.

Conclusions

In non-demented patients with ALS, different behavioural profiles could be identified. The right frontotemporal and cingular cortex thinning was the hallmark of the behavioural profile mostly overlapping that described in bvFTD. Our findings provide the unbiased identification of determinants relevant for a novel stratification of patients with ALS based on their behavioural impairment, which might be useful as proxy of cognitive decline.
Risk of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a large historical cohort of Danish firefighters
Authors: Pedersen Julie Elbæk , Ugelvig Petersen Kajsa , Ebbehøj Niels Erik , Bonde Jens Peter , Hansen Johnni
Published: October 2018

Objective

Firefighters are exposed to numerous respiratory hazards, but large studies on the risk of pulmonary disease are scarce. The objective of this study was to examine incidence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a nationwide cohort of Danish firefighters.

Methods

We used individual historical employment records on 11 968 Danish male firefighters primarily supplied by trade unions and fire agencies. Furthermore, we used the Supplementary Pension Fund Register to form an occupational reference group consisting of military employees. Information on respiratory incidence was retrieved from the nationwide Danish National Patient Registry. Age and calendar time standardised incidence ratio (SIR) and Poisson regression analyses (incidence rate ratio) were used for estimation of risks, including 95% CIs.

Results

Compared with military employees, the overall age and calendar-time adjusted risk for asthma was significantly increased among full-time firefighters (SIR=1.58, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.88), but not among part-time/volunteer firefighters. Full-time firefighters’ risk for asthma did not vary by duration of employment. No consistent evidence of an increased risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was detected.

Conclusion

Danish firefighters have an increased risk of asthma, but the causes, whether occupational or not, remain to be established.
Provincial-level cancer burden attributable to active and second-hand smoking in China
Authors: Xia Changfa , Zheng Rongshou , Zeng Hongmei , Zhou Maigeng , Wang Lijun , Zhang Siwei , Zou Xiaonong , Sun Kexin , Yang Zhixun , Li He , Parascandola Mark , Islami Farhad , Chen Wanqing
Published: October 2018

Background

Understanding disparities in the burden of cancer attributable to smoking is crucial to inform and improve tobacco control measures. In this report, we estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancers deaths attributable to smoking at the national and provincial levels in China.

Methods

Using cancer mortality data from 978 counties, smoking data from a nationwide survey and relative risks from a prospective study of 0.5 million adults in China, we calculated the absolute (non-standardised) and standardised numbers and proportions of cancer deaths among adults 30 years and older attributable to active and second-hand smoking in 2014 across all 31 provinces in Mainland China.

Results

The estimated number of cancer deaths attributable to smoking in China in 2014 was 342 854 among men and 40 313 among women, of which second-hand smoking accounted for 1.8% and 50.0%, respectively. Among men, the absolute PAF in China was 23.8%, ranging from 14.6% in Xinjiang to 26.8% in Tianjin; the overall standardised PAF was 22.2%, ranging from 15.7% in Xinjiang to 26.0% in Guizhou. Among women, the overall absolute and standardised PAFs were 4.8% and 4.0%, ranging from 1.8% and 1.6% in Jiangxi to 14.9% and 9.6% in Heilongjiang, respectively. Overall, provinces with the highest standardised PAFs among men were located in Southwest China and among women in the Northeast.

Conclusions

Comprehensive smoke-free policies in China should expand to all provinces, notably those with a higher burden of cancer attributable to smoking, instead of being mostly limited to Beijing and some other metropolitan areas.
Palliative limb‐sparing photodynamic therapy with chemotherapy in a dog with osteosarcoma of the proximal tibia
Authors: Osaki Tomohiro , Murahata Yusuke , Yamashita Masamichi , Isao Sakata , Okamoto Yoshiharu
Published: October 2018

Canine osteosarcoma conveys a poor prognosis. This long‐term follow‐up report describes using photodynamic therapy with intra‐arterial chemotherapy as palliation in canine osteosarcoma of the proximal tibia. A 10‐year‐old male Boston terrier dog presented with right hindlimb lameness; osteosarcoma of the right tibia was diagnosed. The owner chose palliative limb‐sparing photodynamic therapy with intra‐arterial chemotherapy. Right hindlimb lameness disappeared 24 days after the first treatment. In total, 210 days after the first treatment, post‐contrast T1‐weighted MRI showed a decreased gadolinium‐enhancing area within the tumour. And 254 days after the first treatment, the dog underwent the tenth treatment. Then 287 days after the first treatment, abdominal radiography showed an approximately 6‐ cm iliac lymph node. The dog died 321 days after the first treatment; lameness did not recur. Palliative photodynamic therapy with chemotherapy can be viable and feasible in osteosarcoma of the proximal tibia; more research is needed.
Application of critical intensity model during slide board skating
Authors: Piucco Tatiane , de Lucas Ricardo Dantas
Published: October 2018

Critical cadence (CC), critical power (CP), and the work above CP (W′) were determined from linear and hyperbolic modelling during skating on a slide board, in 13 well-trained speed skaters. Three to 4 trials to exhaustion were used for the fitting. CC from the linear model was higher than the hyperbolic model (56.0 ± 4.8 vs 55.0 ± 4.5 push-offs/min, p = 0.01). No differences were found for CP and W′ parameters from the models analyzed.
Recovery following Rugby Union matches: effects of cold water immersion on markers of fatigue and damage
Authors: Nunes Renan Felipe Hartmann , Duffield Rob , Nakamura Fábio Yuzo , Bezerra Ewertton de Souza , Sakugawa Raphael Luiz , Loturco Irineu , Bobinski Franciane , Martins Daniel Fernandes , Guglielmo Luiz Guilherme Antonacci
Published: October 2018

We investigated the effect of postmatch cold-water immersion (CWI) on markers of muscle damage, neuromuscular fatigue, and perceptual responses within 72 h after a rugby match. Twenty-two professional male rugby players were randomized into CWI (10 °C/10 min; n = 11) or control (CON: 30 min seated; n = 11) groups. Activity profile from Global Positioning Satellite systems and postmatch rating of perceived exertion were measured to determined match load. Biochemical (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6), neuromuscular performance (squat (SJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ), peak power output (PPO), rate of force development (RFD), stiffness, 10- and 30-m sprint time, and perceptual markers (soreness, perceived recovery) were obtained before and immediately after the match, and then at 30 min, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after the match. Magnitude-based inference and Cohen’s effect size (ES) were used to analyze change over time and between groups. Thus, the higher/beneficial, similar/trivial, or lower/harmful differences were evaluated as follows: <1%, almost certainly not; 1% to 5%, very unlikely; 5% to 25%, unlikely; 25% to 75%, possible; 75% to 95%, likely; 95% to 99%, very likely; >99%, almost certainly. Changes were unclear for the match loads, sprint times, and perceptual markers between groups. Higher %ΔSJ at 24 h (very likely (ES = 0.75)) and in %ΔPPO_SJ at 48 h (likely (ES = 0.51)) were observed in CWI than in CON. Values in %ΔRDF_CMJ were higher immediately after (likely (ES = 0.83)), 30 min after (very likely (ES = 0.97)), and 24 h after the match (likely (ES = 0.93)) in CWI than in CON. Furthermore, %Δlog TNF-α were lower in the CWI group than in the CON group immediately after (almost certainly (ES = −0.76)), 24 h after (very likely (ES = −1.09)), and 72 h after the match (likely (ES = −0.51)), and in Δstiffness_SJ at 30 min after (likely (ES = −0.67)) and 48 h after the match (very likely (ES = −0.97)). Also, different within-groups effects throughout postmatch were reported. Implementing postmatch CWI-based strategies improved the recovery of markers of inflammation and fatigue in rugby players, despite no change in markers of speed or perceptual recovery.
Dimensional analysis of pore-water pressure response in a vegetated infinite slope
Authors: Feng S. , Liu H.W. , Ng C.W.W.
Published: October 2018

Pore-water pressure (PWP) induced by root water uptake has usually been investigated by individual physical quantities. Limited dimensional analysis has been available for investigating PWP response in a vegetated slope. In this study, dimensional analysis was conducted to explore dimensionless numbers controlling PWP distributions in a vegetated slope. Three dimensionless numbers governing unsaturated seepage were proposed, including capillary effect number (CN, describing the relative importance of water flow driven by PWP gradient over that driven by gravity), root water uptake number (RN, representing the effects of root water uptake), and water transfer–storage ratio (WR, ratio of water transfer to water storage rate). Dimensionless relationships were further proposed to estimate PWP and root influence zone in a vegetated slope. Then analytical parametric studies were conducted to study effects of RN, CN, and WR on PWP distributions. Thereafter, the proposed relationships were validated by published field and centrifuge tests. During the drying period, the effects of root water uptake on PWP and the root influence zone become more significant as CN decreases or RN increases. During the wetting period, the larger the WR, the deeper the wetting front moves and more reduction of negative PWP occurs. The proposed dimensionless relationships can determine PWP and the root influence zone in a vegetated soil reasonably well.
A note on measures vanishing at infinity
Authors: Spindeler Timo , Strungaru Nicolae
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we review the basic properties of measures vanishing at infinity and prove a version of the Riemann–Lebesgue lemma for Fourier transformable measures.