bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human limbal niche cells are a powerful regenerative source for the prevention of limbal stem cell deficiency in a rabbit model
Authors: Li Guigang , Zhang Yuan , Cai Subo , Sun Ming , Wang Juan , Li Shen , Li Xinyu , Tighe Sean , Chen Shuangling , Xie Huatao , Zhu Yingting
Published: April 2018

In this article, human limbal niche cells (LNC) or bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) were used to prevent limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) in an alkali burn rabbit model and their results were compared. The epithelial cell defect area, corneal neovascularization, and the print cell cytometry were quantified to grade the severity of LSCD. Three months after the alkali burn, a partial LSCD was observed in the control group (no treatment) indicated by chronic corneal epithelial defects, positive corneal fluorescein staining, neovascularization and goblet cell migration. In contrast, the severity of LSCD in both the LNC and BMMSC transplantation groups was dramatically reduced as shown by smaller epithelial cell defects, decreased fluorescein sodium staining, decreased neovascularization and decreased goblet cell density. Interestingly, the LNC group was shown to more effectively prevent LSCD than the BMMSC group. Further analysis indicated subconjunctivally transplanted LNCs were more powerful than BMMSCs to prevent LSCD, at least partially, due to increased activation of SCF-c-Kit signal. We conclude that LNCs are a more powerful resource than BMMSCs to prevent LSCD in an alkali burn rabbit model, at least partially due to increased activation of SCF signaling.
Atomic optical stimulated amplifier with optical filtering of ultra-narrow bandwidth
Authors: Pan Duo , Shi Tiantian , Luo Bin , Chen Jingbiao , Guo Hong
Published: April 2018

Taking advantages of ultra-narrow bandwidth and high noise rejection performance of the Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter (FADOF), simultaneously with the coherent amplification of atomic stimulated emission, we propose a stimulated amplified Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter (SAFADOF) at cesium 1470 nm. The SAFADOF is able to significantly amplify very weak laser signals and reject noise in order to obtain clean signals in strong background. We show that for a weak signal of 50 pW, the gain factor can be larger than 25000 (44 dB) within a bandwidth as narrow as 13 MHz. Having the ability to amplify weak signals with low background contribution, the SAFADOF finds outstanding potential applications in weak signal detections.
Affimer proteins for F-actin: novel affinity reagents that label F-actin in live and fixed cells
Authors: Lopata Anna , Hughes Ruth , Tiede Christian , Heissler Sarah M. , Sellers James R. , Knight Peter J. , Tomlinson Darren , Peckham Michelle
Published: April 2018

Imaging the actin cytoskeleton in cells uses a wide range of approaches. Typically, a fluorescent derivative of the small cyclic peptide phalloidin is used to image F-actin in fixed cells. Lifeact and F-tractin are popular for imaging the cytoskeleton in live cells. Here we characterised novel affinity reagents called Affimers that specifically bind to F-actin in vitro to determine if they are suitable alternatives as eGFP-fusion proteins, to label actin in live cells, or for labeling F-actin in fixed cells. In vitro experiments showed that 3 out of the 4 Affimers (Affimers 6, 14 and 24) tested bind tightly to purified F-actin, and appear to have overlapping binding sites. As eGFP-fusion proteins, the same 3 Affimers label F-actin in live cells. FRAP experiments suggest that eGFP-Affimer 6 behaves most similarly to F-tractin and Lifeact. However, it does not colocalise with mCherry-actin in dynamic ruffles, and may preferentially bind stable actin filaments. All 4 Affimers label F-actin in methanol fixed cells, while only Affimer 14 labels F-actin after paraformaldehyde fixation. eGFP-Affimer 6 has potential for use in selectively imaging the stable actin cytoskeleton in live cells, while all 4 Affimers are strong alternatives to phalloidin for labelling F-actin in fixed cells.
Optimized microwave extraction, characterization and antioxidant capacity of biological polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaf
Authors: Xu Jikun , Hou Huijie , Hu Jingping , Liu Bingchuan
Published: April 2018

Microwave-induced technique was combined with response surface methodology for optimizing the isolation of polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaf. The maximum polysaccharides yield of 12.31% was achieved by microwave extraction at 74 °C for 15 min with a solid to liquid ratio of 1:29 g/mL, which agreed with the predicted value and was 2.9-fold higher than that of the conventional heat-reflux extraction method. The dominant bioactive constituent in extracts was chlorogenic acid (1.3–1.9%), followed by geniposidic acid (1.0–1.7%). The polysaccharides from the optimized extraction had a high molecular weight and polydispersity (Mw 38,830 g/mol, Mw/Mn 2.19), as compared to the fraction prepared in the absence of microwave (Mw 12,055 g/mol, Mw/Mn 1.26). Glucose was the dominant sugar component (38.2–39.1%) of heterogeneous polysaccharides which belonged to a structure of β-type acidic heteropolysaccharides with a glucan group and highly branched degree. The polysaccharides showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging index (0.87–1.22) than BHT (0.41) but lower than BHA (3.56), which can act as a favorable antioxidant in functional food.
Multivalent exposure of trastuzumab on iron oxide nanoparticles improves antitumor potential and reduces resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer cells
Authors: Truffi Marta , Colombo Miriam , Sorrentino Luca , Pandolfi Laura , Mazzucchelli Serena , Pappalardo Francesco , Pacini Chiara , Allevi Raffaele , Bonizzi Arianna , Corsi Fabio , Prosperi Davide
Published: April 2018

Targeted therapies have profoundly changed the clinical prospect in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. In particular, the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab represents the gold standard for the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer patients. Its contribution in dampening cancer progression is mainly attributed to the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) rather than HER2 blockade. Here, multiple half chains of trastuzumab were conjugated onto magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNP-HC) to develop target-specific and biologically active nanosystems to enhance anti-HER2 therapeutic potential. HER2 targeting was assessed in different human breast cancer cell lines, where nanoparticles triggered site-specific phosphorylation in the catalytic domain of the receptor and cellular uptake by endocytosis. MNP-HC induced remarkable antiproliferative effect in HER2+ breast cancer cells, exhibiting enhanced activity compared to free drug. Accordingly, nanoparticles induced p27kip1 expression and cell cycle arrest in G1 phase, without loosing capability to prime ADCC. Finally, MNP-HC affected viability of trastuzumab-resistant cells, suggesting interference with the resistance machinery. Our findings indicate that multiple arrangement of trastuzumab half chain on the nanoparticle surface enhances anticancer efficacy in HER2+ breast cancer cells. Powerful inhibition of HER2 signaling could promote responsiveness of resistant cells, thus suggesting ways for drug sensitization.
Boosting Terahertz Photoconductive Antenna Performance with Optimised Plasmonic Nanostructures
Authors: Lepeshov Sergey , Gorodetsky Andrei , Krasnok Alexander , Toropov Nikita , Vartanyan Tigran A. , Belov Pavel , Alú Andrea , Rafailov Edik U.
Published: April 2018

Advanced nanophotonics penetrates into other areas of science and technology, ranging from applied physics to biology, which results in many fascinating cross-disciplinary applications. It has been recently demonstrated that suitably engineered light-matter interactions at the nanoscale can overcome the limitations of today’s terahertz (THz) photoconductive antennas, making them one step closer to many practical implications. Here, we push forward this concept by comprehensive numerical optimization and experimental investigation of a log-periodic THz photoconductive antenna coupled to a silver nanoantenna array. We shed light on the operation principles of the resulting hybrid THz antenna, providing an approach to boost its performance. By tailoring the size of silver nanoantennas and their arrangement, we obtain an enhancement of optical-to-THz conversion efficiency 2-fold larger compared with previously reported results for similar structures, and the strongest enhancement is around 1 THz, a frequency range barely achievable by other compact THz sources. We also propose a cost-effective fabrication procedure to realize such hybrid THz antennas with optimized plasmonic nanostructures via thermal dewetting process, which does not require any post processing and makes the proposed solution very attractive for applications.
Comparative analyses and structural insights of the novel cytochrome P450 fusion protein family CYP5619 in Oomycetes
Authors: Bamal Hans Denis , Chen Wanping , Mashele Samson Sitheni , Nelson David R. , Kappo Abidemi Paul , Mosa Rebamang Anthony , Yu Jae-Hyuk , Tuszynski Jack A. , Syed Khajamohiddin
Published: April 2018

Phylogenetic and structural analysis of P450 proteins fused to peroxidase/dioxygenase has not been reported yet. We present phylogenetic and in silico structural analysis of the novel P450 fusion family CYP5619 from the deadliest fish pathogenic oomycete, Saprolegnia diclina. Data-mining and annotation of CYP5619 members revealed their unique presence in oomycetes. CYP5619 members have the highest number of conserved amino acids among eukaryotic P450s. The highest number of conserved amino acids (78%) occurred in the peroxidase/dioxygenase domain compared to the P450 domain (22%). In silico structural analysis using a high-quality CYP5619A1 model revealed that CYP5619A1 has characteristic P450 structural motifs including EXXR and CXG. However, the heme-binding domain (CXG) in CYP5619 members was found to be highly degenerated. The in silico substrate binding pattern revealed that CYP5619A1 have a high affinity to medium chain fatty acids. Interestingly, the controlling agent of S. diclina malachite green was predicted to have the highest binding affinity, along with linoleic acid. However, unlike fatty acids, none of the active site amino acids formed hydrogen bonds with malachite green. The study’s results will pave the way for assessing CYP5619A1’s role in S. diclina physiology, including the nature of malachite green binding.
Preservation of rat limbs by hyperbaric carbon monoxide and oxygen
Authors: Hatayama Naoyuki , Hirai Shuichi , Naito Munekazu , Terayama Hayato , Araki Jun , Yokota Hiroki , Matsushita Masayuki , Li Xiao-Kang , Itoh Masahiro
Published: April 2018

Cold ischemia times ranging from <6 h to as long as 24 h are generally quoted as the limits for attempting the replantation of amputated extremities. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of hyperbaric carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen (O2) on rat limb preservation. Donor rat limbs were preserved in a chamber filled with hyperbaric CO and O2 for 3 days (CO + O2 3 days) or 7 days (CO + O2 7 days). Positive and negative control groups were created by using non-preserved limbs (NP) and limbs wrapped in saline-moistened gauze for 3 days (SMG 3 days), respectively. The survival rate of transplanted limbs at postoperative day 90 was 88% in the NP and 86% in the CO + O2 3 days. The corresponding survival rate was 50% in the CO + O2 7 days at postoperative day 90 but was 0% in the SMG 3 days at postoperative day 3. Muscle mass decreased in the CO + O2 3 days and CO + O2 7 days compared with the NP, but sciatic–tibial nerve conduction velocities did not differ. These results indicate that amputated extremities preservation with hyperbaric CO and O2 could extend the time limits of preservation, maintaining their viability for replantation.
Action-effect related motor adaptation in interactions with everyday devices
Authors: Horváth János , Bíró Botond , Neszmélyi Bence
Published: April 2018

Human action planning relies on integrated representations of motor acts and the associated consequences, which implies that changing the set of effects associated to a motor act might directly influence action planning and control. The present study investigated the hypothesis that action-effect manipulations also affected the motor components of the actions even when only a single action option was available. Participants performed simple everyday actions (pinched a plastic sheet, pressed a button, tapped on a table) in two conditions. In the motor-auditory condition actions resulted in the presentation of a tone, whereas no tones were presented in the motor condition. The applied force was softer in the motor-auditory than in the motor condition for all three types of actions. The temporal characteristics of force application showed that action-effect related motor adaptation occurred during action planning, but possibly also during action execution. This demonstrates that even in simple, well-defined interactions with everyday devices we take all (even seemingly task-irrelevant) action-effects into account during action planning, which affects the motor component of the action. The results also imply that in experiments manipulating contingent action effects, one cannot rely on the assumption that the motor part of the action is invariant between conditions.
Solar PV output prediction from video streams using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Sun Yuchi , Szűcs Gergely , Brandt Adam R.
Published: April 2018

To forecast solar power's short-term fluctuation stemming from changes in cloud coverage, a convolutional neural networks (CNN) is used to correlate PV output to contemporaneous sky images.
Light-driven low-temperature syngas production from CH3OH and H2O over a Pt@SrTiO3 photothermal catalyst
Authors: Han Xiaoguang , Song Lizhu , Xu Hua , Ouyang Shuxin
Published: April 2018

Efficient steam reforming of CH3OH and H2O was achieved over a Pt loaded SrTiO3 photothermal catalyst at a low temperature of 150 °C via light-to-thermal conversion.
Tunable dielectric transitions in layered organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite-type compounds: [NH3(CH2)2Cl]2[CdCl4−4xBr4x] (x= 0, 1/4, 1)
Authors: Chen Hai-Peng , Shi Ping-Ping , Wang Zhong-Xia , Gao Ji-Xing , Zhang Wan-Ying , Chen Cheng , Tang Yuan-Yuan , Fu Da-Wei
Published: April 2018

Molecular bistable dielectric switches represent a class of highly desirable intelligent materials due to their sensitive switchable responses, simple and environmentally friendly processing, light weights, and mechanical flexibility.
Thermoswitchable on-chip microsupercapacitors: one potential self-protection solution for electronic devices
Authors: Zhang Panpan , Wang Jinhui , Sheng Wenbo , Wang Faxing , Zhang Jian , Zhu Feng , Zhuang Xiaodong , Jordan Rainer , Schmidt Oliver G. , Feng Xinliang
Published: April 2018

A microsupercapacitor with smart thermoresponsive behavior is demonstrated as one potential self-protection solution for on-chip electronic devices.
Tribocatalytic behaviour of a TiO2 atmospheric plasma spray (APS) coating in the presence of the friction modifier MoDTC: a parametric study
Authors: Deshpande P. , Minfray C. , Dassenoy F. , Le Mogne T. , Jose D. , Cobian M. , Thiebaut B.
Published: April 2018

Tribocatalytic behaviour of TiO2 APS coatings in presence of MoDTC additive under boundary lubrication conditions – decomposition mechanism
Yunnanterpene G, a spiro-triterpene from the roots of Cimicifuga foetida, downregulates the expression of CD147 and MMPs in PMA differentiated THP-1 cells
Authors: Lu Ni-Hong , Zhang Zi-Wei , Guo Rui-Wei , Yang Li-Xia , Song Ya-Xian , Ye Jin-Shan , Shi Yan-Kun
Published: April 2018

Yunnanterpene G (1), a new cycloartane triterpene with an oxaspiro[5.4]decane moiety, was purified from the roots of Cimicifuga foetida. Significantly, it downregulates the expression of CD147 and MMPs in PMA differentiated THP-1 cells.
Co-administration of biocompatible self-assembled polylactic acid–hyaluronic acid block copolymer nanoparticles with tumor-penetrating peptide-iRGD for metastatic breast cancer therapy
Authors: Deng Caifeng , Xu Xiaohong , Tashi Drunp , Wu Yongmei , Su Bingyin , Zhang Quan
Published: April 2018

The safe and efficient targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs has remained a challenge in metastatic breast cancer therapy.
Lack of associations between AURKA gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma susceptibility in Chinese children
Authors: Tang Jue , Qian Yuanmin , Zhu Jinhong , Zhang Jiao , Wang Feng-Hua , Zeng Jia-Hang , Liang Jiang-Hua , Wang Hui , Xia Huimin , He Jing , Liu Wei
Published: April 2018

Previous studies have demonstrated that polymorphisms in the AURKA gene are associated with various types of cancer. In neuroblastoma, AURKA protein product regulates N-myc protein levels and plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. To investigate the association between three AURKA polymorphisms (rs1047972 C>T, rs2273535 T>A, and rs8173 G>C) and neuroblastoma susceptibility in Chinese populations, we performed this two-center case–control study including 393 neuroblastoma cases and 812 controls. Two study populations were recruited from two different regions in China. No significant associations were identified amongst any of the three AURKA polymorphisms and the risk of neuroblastoma. Similar observations were found in the stratified analysis. In conclusion, our results indicate that none of the AURKA polymorphisms are associated with neuroblastoma susceptibility in two distinct Chinese populations. Further studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnicities are warranted to validate our results.
Metabolic adjustment to high-altitude hypoxia: from genetic signals to physiological implications
Authors: Murray Andrew J. , Montgomery Hugh E. , Feelisch Martin , Grocott Michael P.W. , Martin Daniel S.
Published: April 2018

Ascent to high altitude is associated with physiological responses that counter the stress of hypobaric hypoxia by increasing oxygen delivery and by altering tissue oxygen utilisation via metabolic modulation. At the cellular level, the transcriptional response to hypoxia is mediated by the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway and results in promotion of glycolytic capacity and suppression of oxidative metabolism. In Tibetan highlanders, gene variants encoding components of the HIF pathway have undergone selection and are associated with adaptive phenotypic changes, including suppression of erythropoiesis and increased blood lactate levels. In some highland populations, there has also been a selection of variants in PPARA, encoding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), a transcriptional regulator of fatty acid metabolism. In one such population, the Sherpas, lower muscle PPARA expression is associated with a decreased capacity for fatty acid oxidation, potentially improving the efficiency of oxygen utilisation. In lowlanders ascending to altitude, a similar suppression of fatty acid oxidation occurs, although the underlying molecular mechanism appears to differ along with the consequences. Unlike lowlanders, Sherpas appear to be protected against oxidative stress and the accumulation of intramuscular lipid intermediates at altitude. Moreover, Sherpas are able to defend muscle ATP and phosphocreatine levels in the face of decreased oxygen delivery, possibly due to suppression of ATP demand pathways. The molecular mechanisms allowing Sherpas to successfully live, work and reproduce at altitude may hold the key to novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of diseases to which hypoxia is a fundamental contributor.
Protein dynamics revealed by NMR relaxation methods
Authors: Chao Fa-An , Byrd R. Andrew
Published: April 2018

Structural biology often focuses primarily on three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules, deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). This resource is a remarkable entity for the worldwide scientific and medical communities, as well as the general public, as it is a growing translation into three-dimensional space of the vast information in genomic databases, e.g. GENBANK. There is, however, significantly more to understanding biological function than the three-dimensional co-ordinate space for ground-state structures of biomolecules. The vast array of biomolecules experiences natural dynamics, interconversion between multiple conformational states, and molecular recognition and allosteric events that play out on timescales ranging from picoseconds to seconds. This wide range of timescales demands ingenious and sophisticated experimental tools to sample and interpret these motions, thus enabling clearer insights into functional annotation of the PDB. NMR spectroscopy is unique in its ability to sample this range of timescales at atomic resolution and in physiologically relevant conditions using spin relaxation methods. The field is constantly expanding to provide new creative experiments, to yield more detailed coverage of timescales, and to broaden the power of interpretation and analysis methods. This review highlights the current state of the methodology and examines the extension of analysis tools for more complex experiments and dynamic models. The future for understanding protein dynamics is bright, and these extended tools bring greater compatibility with developments in computational molecular dynamics, all of which will further our understanding of biological molecular functions. These facets place NMR as a key component in integrated structural biology.
The Arches cluster revisited
Authors: Clark J. S. , Lohr M. E. , Najarro F. , Dong H. , Martins F.
Published: April 2018

Context. Located within the central region of the Galaxy, the Arches cluster appears to be one of the youngest, densest, and most massive stellar aggregates within the Milky Way. As such, it has the potential to be uniquely instructive laboratory for the study of star formation in extreme environments and the physics of very massive stars.

Aims. To realise this possibility, the fundamental physical properties of both cluster and constituent stars need to be robustly determined; tasks we attempt here.

Methods. In order to accomplish these goals we provide and analyse new multi-epoch near-IR spectroscopic data obtained with the VLT/SINFONI and photometry from the HST/WFC3. We are able to stack multiple epochs of spectroscopy for individual stars in order to obtain the deepest view of the cluster members ever obtained.

Results. We present spectral classifications for 88 cluster members, all of which are WNLh or O stars: a factor of three increase over previous studies. We find no further examples of Wolf–Rayet stars within the cluster; importantly no H-free examples were identified. The smooth and continuous progression in spectral morphologies from O super/hypergiants through to the WNLh cohort implies a direct evolutionary connection. We identify candidate giant and main sequence O stars spectroscopically for the first time. No products of binary evolution may be unambiguously identified despite the presence of massive binaries within the Arches.

Conclusions. Notwithstanding difficulties imposed by the highly uncertain (differential) reddening to the Arches, we infer a main sequence/luminosity class V turn-off mass of ~30−38 M⊙ via the distribution of spectral types. Analysis of the eclipsing binary F2 suggests current masses of ~80 M⊙ and ~60 M⊙ for the WNLh and O hypergiant cohorts, respectively; we conclude that all classified stars have masses >20 M⊙. An age of ~2.0−3.3 Myr is suggested by the turn-off between ~O4-5 V; constraints imposed by the supergiant population and the lack of H-free WRs are consistent with this estimate. While the absence of highly evolved WC stars strongly argues against the prior occurrence of SNe within the Arches, the derived age does accommodate such events for exceptionally massive stars. Further progress will require quantitative analysis of multiple individual cluster members in addition to further spectroscopic observations to better constrain the binary and main sequence populations; nevertheless it is abundantly clear that the Arches offers an unprecedented insight into the formation, evolution and death of the most massive stars nature allows to form.
Flugmedizinische Bedeutung des obstruktiven Schlafapnoesyndroms
Authors: Knöffler Andreas
Published: April 2018

In zunehmendem Maße, gerade was die Nutzung unbemannter Luftfahrzeuge (UAV; Drohnen etc.) angeht, muss die Bedeutung schlafbezogener Atemstörungen mit in die flugmedizinische Bewertung des Personals einbezogen werden. Das Gleiche gilt natürlich auch für Piloten, Fluglotsen und Kabinenpersonal. Ein obstruktives Schlafapnoe-syndrom (OSAS) muss richtig diagnostiziert und festgestellt werden. Im Folgenden soll die häufigste Form der schlafbezogenen Atemstörungen für militärische Piloten, militärische Fluglotsen und zivile Klasse 1 und 2 Piloten sowie Kabinenpersonal vorgestellt, die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen sowohl der Diagnostik als auch der Therapie dargestellt und die Bedeutung für die Flugmedizin erklärt werden.
Metallic Stent for Malignant Colorectal Obstruction
Authors: Inaba Yoshitaka , Sato Yozo
Published: April 2018

Acute colorectal obstruction has been often reported as a secondary outcome of left-colonic malignancy. It is considered as a common emergency condition. Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement is widely used as a palliative treatment for the management of malignant colorectal obstruction (MCRO). SEMS placement is also deliberated as a bridge to surgery. With advances in technology, several recent studies of SEMS placement for MCRO indicated high technical (94–98%) and clinical (91–93%) success rates. The complication rate associated with SEMS is quite acceptable. However, long-term outcomes are still unclear. The symptoms should be carefully monitored before application of SEMS, particularly in patients who are eligible for systemic chemotherapy and in patients with a long life expectancy because of late complications such as reobstruction, stent migration, and perforation. Appropriate patient selection and placement technique are keys for the successful implementation of SEMS.
Implementing Obstetric Early Warning Systems
Authors: Friedman Alexander , Campbell Mary , Kline Carolyn , Wiesner Suzanne , D'Alton Mary , Shields Laurence
Published: April 2018

Severe maternal morbidity and mortality are often preventable and obstetric early warning systems that alert care providers of potential impending critical illness may improve maternal safety. While literature on outcomes and test characteristics of maternal early warning systems is evolving, there is limited guidance on implementation. Given current interest in early warning systems and their potential role in care, the 2017 Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) Annual Meeting dedicated a session to exploring early warning implementation across a wide range of hospital settings. This manuscript reports on key points from this session. While implementation experiences varied based on factors specific to individual sites, common themes relevant to all hospitals presenting were identified. Successful implementation of early warnings systems requires administrative and leadership support, dedication of resources, improved coordination between nurses, providers, and ancillary staff, optimization of information technology, effective education, evaluation of and change in hospital culture and practices, and support in provider decision-making. Evolving data on outcomes on early warning systems suggest that maternal risk may be reduced. To effectively reduce maternal, risk early warning systems that capture deterioration from a broad range of conditions may be required in addition to bundles tailored to specific conditions such as hemorrhage, thromboembolism, and hypertension.
Instrumente richten
Authors: Wagenhäuser Kirsten , Wagenhäuser Karl-Heinz
Published: April 2018

Wie Sie die Instrumente koordiniert aus dem Sieb auf dem Instrumentiertisch richten und dabei möglichst wenig Handgriffe ausführen, zeigen wir Ihnen im zweiten
Teil unserer Serie. Auf unseren Fotos stellen wir das Richten der Instrumente beispielhaft anhand einer Leistenhernie in der Viszeralchirurgie dar.
Ratio of CO2 and O2 as index for categorising soil biological activity in sugarcane areas under contrasting straw management regimes
Authors: Ferraz de Almeida Risely , de Bortoli Teixeira Daniel , Montanari Rafael , Bolonhezi Antonio César , Teixeira Edson Belisário , Moitinho Mara Regina , Panosso Alan Rodrigo , Spokas Kurt A. , La Scala Júnior Newton
Published: April 2018

This study was developed in a sugarcane area under contrasting management regimes defined by mechanical green harvesting (GH) and burning harvesting (BH) to test the hypotheses that the ratio of carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2), known as the apparent respiratory quotient (ARQ), can be used to categorise soil biological activity. The study aimed to (i) examine the profile and relationship between the CO2 flux (FCO2) and the O2 flux (FO2) in a sugarcane area under mechanical harvesting with straw burning (BH) and mechanical harvesting with maintenance of straw (GH), considering soil moisture; (ii) and suggest the use of ARQ as an index for categorising the biological activity of soils. Our results showed consistently lower FCO2 for soil moisture in the range of 6.0–8.6% for both management regimes. The soil moisture increments triggered a decrease in FO2 and an increase in FCO2 and ARQ. The FCO2 and FO2 were positively correlated under BH. The BH yielded a cumulative CO2 emission of 53.68% higher than for GH. Overall, our findings revealed that soil moisture affected the O2 uptake and CO2 emission profile of soil, limiting O2 uptake and increasing CO2 releases for water-filled porosity below 70%. The GH management system, which incorporates sugarcane residues into the superficial layer of the soil, can help protect against soil erosion. The ARQ can be used as an index to categorise biological activity in soil, where ARQ values close to 1 can be considered a reflection of aerobic activity with balance between CO2 production and O2 consumption.
Liquid metal embrittlement during resistance spot welding of Zn-coated high-strength steels
Authors: Bhattacharya Diptak
Published: April 2018

Liquid Zn-assisted embrittlement during resistance spot welding of Zn-coated high strength steels induces risks of surface cracking. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review on the surface crack evolution due to liquid metal embrittlement during spot welding. Several aspects of cracking have been discussed such as macroscopic and microscopic features of liquid Zn-assisted cracks, prevalent crack locations in spot welds, sensitivity to welding conditions, and susceptibility of different types of steels and Zn-based coatings. Subsequently, the influence of governing factors like temperature, stress, microstructure, and nature of coating are presented by correlating thermo-mechanical studies with actual spot welding investigations on Zn-coated steels. Finally, the possible mechanisms of embrittlement are discussed and suitable methods to suppress surface crack formation during spot welding are suggested.

This is the winning review of the 2018 Materials Literature Review Prize of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, run by the Editorial Board of MST. Sponsorship of the prize by TWI Ltd is gratefully acknowledged.
Afterword to the article “Arithmetic on curves”
Authors: Mazur B.
Published: April 2018

In this afterword the author discusses his previously published article “Arithmetic on curves”, which appeared in the Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society (N.S.) 14 (1986), no. 2, 207–259.
Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reforms, Spatial Market Integration, and Welfare: Evidence from a Natural Experiment in Ethiopia
Authors: Fuje Habtamu
Published: April 2018

In light of climate change and tight fiscal conditions after the 2008 crises, fuel subsidy reform has become a popular policy. The G20 leaders, in their Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania meeting in 2009, committed to phase out inefficient fuel subsidies. However, little is known about the implications of removing subsidies on food prices and welfare. I study the welfare effects of such reforms through their impacts on the spatial dispersion of food prices using a “natural experiment” from Ethiopia. I employ time‐regression discontinuity design using a highly disaggregated monthly grain price data (1996–2013) from 300 locations. I find the following: (a) the reform substantially increased grain price dispersion; (b) there are notable spatial heterogeneities in the treatment effect; (c) even if the reform has had no impact on overall price levels, it increased cross‐sectional spatial price differences; and (d) net‐sellers of grain in remote districts and some urban households experienced welfare losses.
Estimation of the spawning biomass of myctophids based on larval production and reproductive parameters: the case study of Benthosema pterotum in the East China Sea
Authors: Sassa Chiyuki
Published: April 2018

This study estimated the spawning biomass of a myctophid by applying the daily egg production method (DEPM) based on data of larval fish surveys and reproductive parameters. Benthosema pterotum in the central part of the East China Sea shelf was used as the model species, as ecological and reproductive data are available in the literature. This study used data of the larvae and adults sampled in late summer when the primary spawning occurs. Daily egg production was estimated by back-projection of the daily production of larvae at hatching by 10 h, assuming that the mortality rate during the egg stage is the same to that of the larval stage. This study determined the sex ratio, batch fecundity, and spawning fraction. As a result, spawning biomass of B. pterotum in the East China Sea shelf was estimated to be 9036 tons. The study also assesses and discusses several sources of potential uncertainty. The relative sensitivity of estimates of spawning biomass to variations in each parameter showed a four fold difference between the lowest and highest estimates (4066–16 265 tons). Since this was comparable to the biomass estimated by a swept-area trawl survey, the approximate estimation of biomass would be possible by applying this method. Considering that larval fish surveys have been conducted in the world’s oceans and myctophids have always dominated in the samples, application of the DEPM is a potential option for estimating the order of magnitude of the biomass of myctophids.
Consequences of Strong Stability of Minimal Submanifolds
Authors: Lotay Jason D , Schulze Felix
Published: April 2018

In this note we show that the recent dynamical stability result for small $C^1$-perturbations of strongly stable minimal submanifolds of C.-J. Tsai and M.-T. Wang [12] directly extends to the enhanced Brakke flows of Ilmanen [5]. We illustrate applications of this result, including a local uniqueness statement for strongly stable minimal submanifolds amongst stationary varifolds, and a mechanism to flow through some singularities of Lagrangian mean curvature flow, which are proved to occur by Neves [7].
Using Large-Scale Social Media Experiments in Public Administration: Assessing Charitable Consequences of Government Funding of Nonprofits
Authors: Jilke Sebastian , Lu Jiahuan , Xu Chengxin , Shinohara Shugo
Published: April 2018

In this article, we introduce and showcase how social media can be used to implement experiments in public administration research. To do so, we pre-registered a placebo-controlled field experiment and implemented it on the social media platform Facebook. The purpose of the experiment was to examine whether government funding to nonprofit organizations has an effect on charitable donations. Theories on the interaction between government funding and charitable donations stipulate that government funding of nonprofit organizations either decreases (crowding-out), or increases (crowding-in) private donations. To test these competing theoretical predictions, we used Facebook’s advertisement facilities and implemented an online field experiment among 296,121 Facebook users nested in 600 clusters. Through the process of cluster-randomization, groups of Facebook users were randomly assigned to different nonprofit donation solicitation ads, experimentally manipulating information cues of nonprofit funding. Contrary to theoretical predictions, we find that government funding does not seem to matter; providing information about government support to nonprofit organizations neither increases nor decreases people’s propensity to donate. We discuss the implications of our empirical application, as well as the merits of using social media to conduct experiments in public administration more generally. Finally, we outline a research agenda of how social media can be used to implement public administration experiments.
The Effects of Interprofessional Pediatric End-of-Life Simulation on Communication and Role Understanding in Health Professions Students
Authors: Stout-Aguilar Jacqueline , Pittman Alison , Bentley Regina , Livingston Jerry , Watzak Bree
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of interprofessional pediatric end-of life simulations for health professions students. A quasiexperimental design was used with three TeamSTEPPS® tools. Forty-one students were enrolled (nursing = 20, medicine = 10, pharmacy = 10, public health = 1). TeamSTEPPS 2.0 Teamwork Attitudes Questionnaire and Teamwork Perceptions Questionnaire analysis indicated a significant difference in mean pretest and posttest scores (p = .015 and p = .028, respectively). The Team Performance Observation Tool indicated statistical significance between simulations (p < .001, df = 18, r = .8). Simulations were significantly related to an increase in faculty observation scores, TeamSTEPPS 2.0 Teamwork Attitudes Questionnaire pre-post scores, and TeamSTEPPS 2.0 Teamwork Perceptions Questionnaire pre-post scores.
Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Cerebral Vasospasm and Associated Biomarkers in a Rat Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Model
Authors: Song Young , Lim Beom Jin , Kim Do-Hyeong , Ju Jin Woo , Han Dong Woo
Published: April 2018

Background:

The α2 adrenergic agonist dexmedetomidine (DEX) has huge potential for protecting against cerebral vasospasm, a leading cause of death and disability after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Biomarker assays for SAH have recently emerged as tools for predicting vasospasm and outcomes. We investigated the effects of DEX on vasospasm and assessed relevant biomarkers in a rat SAH model.

Methods:

Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to sham (n=10), vehicle (n=10), SAH (n=10), or SAH+ DEX (n=10) groups. The SAH and SAH+DEX groups received 0.3 mL injections of autologous blood into the cisterna magna, followed by intraperitoneal injections of normal saline or 10 μg/kg DEX. Forty-eight hours later, neurological deficits as well as the basilar artery (BA) wall thickness and cross-sectional area were measured. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples were obtained to assess concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), endothelin-1, and S100-β using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Results:

The SAH and SAH+DEX groups exhibited deteriorated neurological function as well as structural and morphological BA vasospasm. The SAH+DEX group showed an improved neurological function score (ie, a 52% decrease), a 10% reduction in wall thickness, and a BA cross-sectional area enlarged by 157%. Compared with the sham group, CSF levels of IL-6 and CRP in the SAH and SAH+DEX groups, as well as serum IL-6 and CRP levels in the SAH group, were significantly elevated. The SAH+DEX group showed significantly lower CSF IL-6 levels than the SAH group. Serum and CSF levels of endothelin-1 and S100-β were similar across all groups.

Conclusions:

DEX administration reduced the severity of cerebral vasospasm and improved neurological function in SAH rats; this may be closely linked to reduced CSF IL-6 levels.
Oral Tranexamic Acid for the Treatment of Melasma: A Review
Authors: Bala Harini R. , Lee Senhong , Wong Celestine , Pandya Amit.G. , Rodrigues Michelle
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Melasma is a common acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation that commonly affects those with skin of color. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a novel treatment for melasma that has a multimodal mechanism of action.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the evidence on the mode of action, safety profile, and efficacy of TXA in the treatment of melasma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The literature was searched for publications on TXA in the treatment of melasma using MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

Oral TXA has clearly demonstrated the efficacy for melasma in Asian skin, even in low doses (e.g., 500 mg daily) over short periods (8–12 weeks). It is also a safe therapeutic option, which is easy to administer with few and mild side effects. Studies have shown that TXA does not increase the thromboembolic risk, although patients should be screened carefully for contraindications and risk factors prior to commencement of the therapy.

CONCLUSION

Oral TXA is a safe and efficacious treatment for refractory melasma. It should be considered in cases that are unresponsive to topical hydroquinone and combination topical therapy over a period of approximately 12 weeks and without contraindications to oral TXA.
Time-Dependent Decline in Serum Phenytoin Concentration With Heightened Convulsive Seizure Risk by Prolonged Administration of Fosphenytoin in Japanese: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ohno Yuta , Niwa Takashi , Hirai Keita , Suzuki Keiko , Yamada Yuto , Hayashi Yuichi , Hayashi Hideki , Suzuki Akio , Itoh Yoshinori
Published: April 2018

Background:

Because clinical data to confirm the safety and effectiveness of fosphenytoin, a prodrug of phenytoin, are insufficient, the length of administration of fosphenytoin is restricted. Nevertheless, some cases require fosphenytoin administration for more than a few days. The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the serum concentration of phenytoin in adult Japanese patients who received intravenous fosphenytoin therapy for more than 3 days.

Methods:

Patients injected with intravenous fosphenytoin for more than 3 days at Gifu University Hospital between January 2012 and September 2014 were enrolled. Individual pharmacokinetic parameters were predicted by Bayesian estimation using NONMEM software, and the maintenance dose of fosphenytoin required to maintain the therapeutic trough concentration (10–20 mcg/mL) was calculated from the parameters.

Results:

Among a total of 8 patients, the serum trough concentration of phenytoin decreased with each day after repeated injection of fosphenytoin. The incidence rate of significant convulsive seizures was increased time dependently (0% on day 1, 12.5% on day 2, 25% on day 3, and 66.7% on day 4 and after). Phenytoin clearance showed a time-dependent increase. The maintenance dose of fosphenytoin required to maintain the therapeutic trough concentration was simulated to be 779.8 ± 316.8 mg/d, a dose that was markedly higher than the actual maintenance dose (414.1 ± 55.7 mg/d).

Conclusions:

Prolonged use of fosphenytoin, for such patients as those with autoimmune-mediated encephalopathy accompanied with reflux disease and/or ileus, time dependently decreased the serum concentration of phenytoin and increased the risk of convulsion. Therefore, the maintenance dose should be increased to maintain the therapeutic serum concentration.
Goldilocks Mastectomy with Bilateral In Situ Nipple Preservation Via Dermal Pedicle
Authors: Richardson Heather , Aronowitz Joel A.
Published: April 2018

Patients who don’t want or can’t have formal breast reconstruction after mastectomy surgery can be considered for a Goldilocks mastectomy, where the breast fullness is recreated from what is left behind after the gland tissue is removed from underneath the skin in a breast reduction pattern. A Goldilocks mastectomy does not require the use of implants or tissue transfer from other parts of the body and may be completed in a single surgery. This is best suited for larger breasted women who are willing to have much smaller breasts as a result. Previously, it was a challenge to be able to preserve the nipples when this operation was performed; however, this article describes a patient who had a bilateral Goldilocks mastectomy for right breast cancer who was able to save her nipples by keeping the blood flow in place from the surrounding skin. Conventional breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a challenge for larger breasted women. The Goldilocks mastectomy technique was designed to make best use of the redundant lower pole skin and subcutaneous fat to recreate a breast mound without a prosthetic implant or autologous tissue transfer. In its original description, the Goldilocks mastectomy did not include a means for nipple preservation. In this report, we describe the further refinement of the Goldilocks procedure that preserves the nipple areolar complex using a dermal pedicle. A patient with large pendulous breasts and right breast carcinoma underwent a bilateral Goldilocks nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction without an implant or flap.
New Surgical Modality for Management of Corneal Perforation Using Bowman Membrane
Authors: Choudhary Dharamveer Singh , Agrawal Nikhil
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

To describe a new surgical modality, “Bowman membrane tuck-in,” for management of small to medium sized corneal perforation of a noninfectious etiology.

Methods:

Two patients with corneal perforation of a noninfectious etiology and less than 4 mm in size underwent Bowman membrane tuck-in, a new surgical procedure. In this technique, Bowman membrane harvested from the donor cornea was tucked inside the stromal pocket of host tissue, which was prepared by 360-degree anterior stromal lamellar dissection. Patients were followed up for 6 months and were examined for best-corrected visual acuity, epithelialization time, anterior chamber stability, and graft-related complications.

Results:

During 6-month follow-up, best-corrected visual acuity improved from PL+ (positive) to 20/120 and 20/200 in patient 1 and patient 2, respectively, and epithelialization was completed within a 2-week period in both patients. Surgery was uneventful in both cases; however, anterior chamber re-formation and graft repositioning were performed in patient 1. None of the patients showed signs of rejection or graft failure at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

Bowman membrane tuck-in is an effective sutureless and glueless technique for management of corneal perforation of a noninfectious etiology, which may be used in emergency settings for the management of noninfectious corneal perforation of size less than 4 mm.