bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexible Variable Selection for Recovering Sparsity in Nonadditive Nonparametric Models
Authors: Fang Zaili , Kim Inyoung , Schaumont Patrick
Published: April 2016

Variable selection for recovering sparsity in nonadditive and nonparametric models with high-dimensional variables has been challenging. This problem becomes even more difficult due to complications in modeling unknown interaction terms among high-dimensional variables. There is currently no variable selection method to overcome these limitations. Hence, in this article we propose a variable selection approach that is developed by connecting a kernel machine with the nonparametric regression model. The advantages of our approach are that it can: (i) recover the sparsity; (ii) automatically model unknown and complicated interactions; (iii) connect with several existing approaches including linear nonnegative garrote and multiple kernel learning; and (iv) provide flexibility for both additive and nonadditive nonparametric models. Our approach can be viewed as a nonlinear version of a nonnegative garrote method. We model the smoothing function by a Least Squares Kernel Machine (LSKM) and construct the nonnegative garrote objective function as the function of the sparse scale parameters of kernel machine to recover sparsity of input variables whose relevances to the response are measured by the scale parameters. We also provide the asymptotic properties of our approach. We show that sparsistency is satisfied with consistent initial kernel function coefficients under certain conditions. An efficient coordinate descent/backfitting algorithm is developed. A resampling procedure for our variable selection methodology is also proposed to improve the power.
UICC International Session: What are the implications of sharing the concept of Universal Health Coverage for cancer in Asia?
Authors: Akaza Hideyuki , Roh Jae Kyung , Hao Xishan , Wibulpolprasert Suwit , Nozaki Shinjiro , Park Eun‐Cheol , Fukuda Takashi , Sonoda Shigeto , Kawahara Norie
Published: April 2016

The Japan National Committee for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and UICC – Asia Regional Office organized an international session as part of the 74th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Cancer Association on the topic “What are the implications of sharing the concept of Universal Health Coverage for cancer in Asia?” Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is included in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and aims to ensure that all people can receive high‐quality medical services, are protected from public health risks, and are prevented from falling into poverty due to medical costs or loss of income arising from illness. The session discussed the growing cost of cancer and the challenges that this poses to the establishment and deployment of UHC in the Asian region, where countries face budgetary and other systemic constraints in tackling and controlling cancer. It was noted how sharing concepts on UHC will assist mutual learning among Asian countries and help in the formation of guidelines that can be adapted to national and regional realities. Presentations included a status report on UHC for cancer control in Thailand, and a report from the WHO Kobe Centre concerning prospects for collaborative research on UHC. Also discussed were the current status of cancer burden and control in China and Korea and Japan's progress in systemizing cost‐effectiveness evaluation. The final presentation highlighted the importance of gathering social and economic data across Asia in order to build a picture of commonalities and differences in the region.
Using Eye Tracking to Understand Infants' Attentional Bias for Faces
Authors: Leppänen Jukka M.
Published: April 2016

Infants have a natural tendency to look at adults' faces, possibly to help initiate vital interactions with caregivers during sensitive periods of development. Recent studies using eye‐tracking technologies have identified the mechanisms that underlie infants' capacity to orient and hold attention on faces. These studies have shown that the bias for faces is weak in young infants, but becomes more robust and resistant to distraction during the second half of the 1st year. This development is apparently related to more general changes in infants' attention and control of eye movement. As a tractable and reproducible aspect of infant behavior, the attention bias for faces can be used to examine the neural correlates of attention and may be a way to monitor early neurodevelopment in infants.
Children Prefer Diverse Samples for Inductive Reasoning in the Social Domain
Authors: Noyes Alexander , Christie Stella
Published: April 2016

Not all samples of evidence are equally conclusive: Diverse evidence is more representative than narrow evidence. Prior research showed that children did not use sample diversity in evidence selection tasks, indiscriminately choosing diverse or narrow sets (tiger–mouse; tiger–lion) to learn about animals. This failure is not due to a general deficit of inductive reasoning, but reflects children's belief about the category and property at test. Five‐ to 7 year‐olds' inductive reasoning (n = 65) was tested in two categories (animal, people) and properties (toy preference, biological property). As stated earlier, children ignored diverse evidence when learning about animals' biological properties. When learning about people's toy preferences, however, children selected the diverse samples, providing the most compelling evidence to date of spontaneous selection of diverse evidence.
Dynamics of plasma levels of specific IgE in chlorhexidine allergic patients with and without accidental re‐exposure
Authors: Opstrup M. S. , Poulsen L. K. , Malling H. J. , Jensen B. M. , Garvey L. H.
Published: April 2016

Background

Chlorhexidine is an effective disinfectant, which may cause severe allergic reactions. Plasma level of specific IgE to chlorhexidine (ImmunoCAP®) has high estimated sensitivity and specificity when measured within 6 months of allergic reaction, but knowledge of the dynamics over longer time periods is lacking and it is unknown whether levels fall below <0.35 kUA/L in patients with previously elevated levels. It is also unclear whether re‐exposure influences levels of specific IgE.

Objective

To investigate the dynamics of specific IgE in chlorhexidine allergic patients with and without re‐exposure.

Methods

All patients diagnosed with chlorhexidine allergy in the Danish Anaesthesia Allergy Centre January 1999 to March 2015 were invited to participate. The study included blood samples from the time of reaction and time of investigation and blood samples drawn prospectively over several years.

Results

Overall, 23 patients were included. Specific IgE within hours of reaction was available in eight patients and was >0.35 kUA/L in six of these. During allergy investigations, usually 2–4 months later, specific IgE was >0.35 kUA/L in 22 of 23 patients. In the following months/years specific IgE declined <0.35 kUA/L in 17 of 23 patients (most rapidly within 4 months). Nine re‐exposures in the healthcare setting were reported by seven patients (35%). Most re‐exposures caused symptoms and were followed by an increase in specific IgE. Two patients with specific IgE <0.35 kUA/L reacted upon re‐exposure.

Conclusions & Clinical Relevance

Time from reaction should be considered when interpreting specific IgE results. Specific IgE is >0.35 kUA/L in most patients at time of reaction but should be repeated after a few weeks/months if negative. The optimal sampling time seems to be >1 month and <4 months. A value <0.35 kUA/L neither excludes allergy nor implies loss of reactivity in previously sensitized patients. Re‐exposures are common, often iatrogenic, and can cause a rebound in specific IgE.
Human bronchial and parenchymal fibroblasts display differences in basal inflammatory phenotype and response to IL‐17A
Authors: Dessalle K. , Narayanan V. , Kyoh S. , Mogas A. , Halayko A. J. , Nair P. , Baglole C. J. , Eidelman D. H. , Ludwig M. S. , Hamid Q.
Published: April 2016

Background

Chronic inflammation, typified by increased expression of IL‐17A, together with airway and parenchymal remodelling are features of chronic lung diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that phenotypic heterogeneity of repair and inflammatory capacities of fibroblasts may contribute to the differential structural changes observed in different regions of the lung.

Objective

To investigate phenotypic differences in parenchymal and bronchial fibroblasts, either in terms of inflammation and remodelling or the ability of these fibroblasts to respond to IL‐17A.

Methods

Four groups of primary fibroblasts were used: normal human bronchial fibroblast (NHBF), normal human parenchymal fibroblast (NHPF), COPD human bronchial fibroblast (CHBF) and COPD human parenchymal fibroblast (CHPF). Cytokine and extracellular matrix (ECM) expression were measured at baseline and after stimulation with IL‐17A. Actinomycin D was used to measure cytokine mRNA stability.

Results

At baseline, we observed higher protein production of IL‐6 in NHPF than NHBF, but higher levels of IL‐8 and GRO‐α in NHBF. IL‐17A induced a higher expression of GRO‐α (CXCL1) and IL‐6 in NHPF than in NHBF, and a higher level of IL‐8 expression in NHBF. IL‐17A treatment decreased the mRNA stability of IL‐6 in NHBF when compared with NHPF. CHPF expressed higher protein levels of fibronectin, collagen‐I and collagen‐III than CHBF, NHBF and NHPF. IL‐17A increased fibronectin and collagen‐III protein only in NHPF and collagen‐III protein production in CHBF and CHPF.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

These findings provide insight into the inflammatory and remodelling processes that may be related to the phenotypic heterogeneity of fibroblasts from airway and parenchymal regions and in their response to IL‐17A.
The predictive value of microbiological findings on teeth, internal and external implant portions in clinical decision making
Authors: Canullo Luigi , Radovanović Sandro , Delibasic Boris , Blaya Juan Antonio , Penarrocha David , Rakic Mia
Published: April 2016

Aim

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate 23 pathogens associated with peri‐implantitis at inner part of implant connections, in peri‐implant and periodontal pockets between patients suffering peri‐implantitis and participants with healthy peri‐implant tissues; the secondary aim was to estimate the predictive value of microbiological profile in patients wearing dental implants using data mining methods.

Material and Methods

Fifty participants included in the present case─control study were scheduled for collection of plaque samples from the peri‐implant pockets, internal connection, and periodontal pocket. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify 23 pathogens. Three predictive models were developed using C4.5 decision trees to estimate the predictive value of microbiological profile between three experimental sites.

Results

The final sample included 47 patients (22 healthy controls and 25 diseased cases), 90 implants (43 with healthy peri‐implant tissues and 47 affected by peri‐implantitis). Total and mean pathogen counts at inner portions of the implant connection, in peri‐implant and periodontal pockets were generally increased in peri‐implantitis patients when compared to healthy controls. The inner portion of the implant connection, the periodontal pocket and peri‐implant pocket, respectively, presented a predictive value of microbiologic profile of 82.78%, 94.31%, and 97.5% of accuracy.

Conclusion

This study showed that microbiological profile at all three experimental sites is differently characterized between patients suffering peri‐implantitis and healthy controls. Data mining analysis identified Parvimonas micra as a highly accurate predictor of peri‐implantitis when present in peri‐implant pocket while this method generally seems to be promising for diagnosis of such complex infections.
Sinus mucosa elevation using Bio‐Oss® or Gingistat® collagen sponge: an experimental study in rabbits
Authors: Caneva Marco , Lang Niklaus P. , Garcia Rangel Idelmo Junior , Ferreira Sabrina , Caneva Martina , De Santis Enzo , Botticelli Daniele
Published: April 2016

Objective

To describe the sequential healing in augmented sinus cavities with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) granules or collagen sponges.

Material and methods

Twenty albino New Zealand rabbits were included in the study. An incision was performed along the midline of the nasal dorsum, and the nasal bone was exposed. Circular bony windows with a diameter of 5 mm were prepared bilaterally. After elevation of the mucosa, the two sites were randomly filled with either DBBM or a collagen sponge. Five animals each were randomly sacrificed after 7, 14, 21 and 40 days, respectively.

Results

At both sides, new bone was found forming from the resident pristine bone. During the first stage of healing, DBBM granules were surrounded by a denser connective tissue that was attached to the biomaterial surface and that was progressively mineralized. At the collagen sponge side, the biomaterial was almost completely resorbed and the space was reduced by to two‐thirds already after 21 days. At both sides, after 40 days, mineralized bone and marrow spaces were occupying large areas of the elevated space.

Conclusions

New bone was found forming from the pristine bony walls of the sinus and extending toward the most peripheral regions in both sites. While DBBM particles yielded osteoconductivity and were able to preserve over time the space within the elevated mucosa, the collagen sponge failed the goal of maintaining the space.
Dync1h1 Mutation Causes Proprioceptive Sensory Neuron Loss and Impaired Retrograde Axonal Transport of Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons
Authors: Zhao Jing , Wang Yi , Xu Huan , Fu Yuan , Qian Ting , Bo Deng , Lu Yan‐Xin , Xiong Yi , Wan Jun , Zhang Xiang , Dong Qiang , Chen Xiang‐Jun
Published: April 2016

Background and Purpose

Sprawling (Swl) is a radiation‐induced mutation which has been identified to have a nine base pair deletion in dynein heavy chain 1 (DYNC1H1: encoded by a single gene Dync1h1). This study is to investigate the phenotype and the underlying mechanism of the Dync1h1 mutant.

Methods and Results

To display the phenotype of Swl mutant mice, we examined the embryos of homozygous (Swl/Swl) and heterozygous (Swl/+) mice and their postnatal dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of surviving Swl/+ mice. The Swl/+ mice could survive for a normal life span, while Swl/Swl could only survive till embryonic (E) 8.5 days. Excessive apoptosis of Swl/+ DRG neurons was revealed during E11.5–E15.5 days, and the peak rate was at E13.5 days. In vitro study of mutated DRG neurons showed impaired retrograde transport of dynein‐driven nerve growth factor (NGF). Mitochondria, another dynein‐driven cargo, demonstrated much slower retrograde transport velocity in Swl/+ neurons than in wild‐type (WT) neurons. Nevertheless, the Swl, Loa, and Cra mutations did not affect homodimerization of DYNC1H1.

Conclusion

The Swl/Swl mutation of Dync1h1 gene led to embryonic mal‐development and lethality, whereas the Swl/+ DRG neurons demonstrated deficient retrograde transport in dynein‐driven cargos and excessive apoptosis during mid‐ to late‐developmental stages. The underlying mechanism of the mutation may not be due to impaired homodimerization of DYNC1H1.
Distribution of skates and sharks in the North Sea: 112 years of change
Authors: Sguotti Camilla , Lynam Christopher P. , García‐Carreras Bernardo , Ellis Jim R. , Engelhard Georg H.
Published: April 2016

How have North Sea skate and shark assemblages changed since the early 20th century when bottom trawling became widespread, whilst their environment became increasingly impacted by fishing, climate change, habitat degradation and other anthropogenic pressures? This article examines long‐term changes in the distribution and occurrence of the elasmobranch assemblage of the southern North Sea, based on extensive historical time series (1902–2013) of fishery‐independent survey data. In general, larger species (thornback ray, tope, spurdog) exhibited long‐term declines, and the largest (common skate complex) became locally extirpated (as did angelshark). Smaller species increased (spotted and starry ray, lesser‐spotted dogfish) as did smooth‐hound, likely benefiting from greater resilience to fishing and/or climate change. This indicates a fundamental shift from historical dominance of larger, commercially valuable species to current prevalence of smaller, more productive species often of low commercial value. In recent years, however, some trends have reversed, with the (cold‐water associated) starry ray now declining and thornback ray increasing. This shift may be attributed to (i) fishing, including mechanised beam trawling introduced in the 1960s–1970s, and historical target fisheries for elasmobranchs; (ii) climate change, currently favouring warm‐water above cold‐water species; and (iii) habitat loss, including potential degradation of coastal and outer estuarine nursery habitats. The same anthropogenic pressures, here documented to have impacted North Sea elasmobranchs over the past century, are likewise impacting shelf seas worldwide and may increase in the future; therefore, parallel changes in elasmobranch communities in other regions are to be expected.
Has the sensitivity of soybean cultivars to ozone pollution increased with time? An analysis of published dose–response data
Authors: Osborne Stephanie A. , Mills Gina , Hayes Felicity , Ainsworth Elizabeth A. , Büker Patrick , Emberson Lisa
Published: April 2016

The rising trend in concentrations of ground‐level ozone (O3) – a common air pollutant and phytotoxin – currently being experienced in some world regions represents a threat to agricultural yield. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an O3‐sensitive crop species and is experiencing increasing global demand as a dietary protein source and constituent of livestock feed. In this study, we collate O3 exposure‐yield data for 49 soybean cultivars, from 28 experimental studies published between 1982 and 2014, to produce an updated dose–response function for soybean. Different cultivars were seen to vary considerably in their sensitivity to O3, with estimated yield loss due to O3 ranging from 13.3% for the least sensitive cultivar to 37.9% for the most sensitive, at a 7‐h mean O3 concentration (M7) of 55 ppb – a level frequently observed in regions of the USA, India and China in recent years. The year of cultivar release, country of data collection and type of O3 exposure used were all important explanatory variables in a multivariate regression model describing soybean yield response to O3. The data show that the O3 sensitivity of soybean cultivars increased by an average of 32.5% between 1960 and 2000, suggesting that selective breeding strategies targeting high yield and high stomatal conductance may have inadvertently selected for greater O3 sensitivity over time. Higher sensitivity was observed in data from India and China compared to the USA, although it is difficult to determine whether this effect is the result of differential cultivar physiology, or related to local environmental factors such as co‐occurring pollutants. Gaining further understanding of the underlying mechanisms that govern the sensitivity of soybean cultivars to O3 will be important in shaping future strategies for breeding O3‐tolerant cultivars.
Influence of instrument size and varying electrical resistance of root canal instruments on accuracy of three electronic root canal length measurement devices
Authors: Aggarwal V. , Singla M. , Bhasin S. S.
Published: April 2016

Aim

To evaluate the influence of instrument size and the effect of the electrical resistance of endodontic instruments on the accuracy of three electronic root canal length measurement devices (ERCLMDs).

Methodology

Thirty single‐rooted extracted human teeth were divided into three groups (n = 10) on the basis of the ERCLMD used: Root ZX II (J. Morita, Kyoto, Japan); ProPex (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland); and iPex II (NSK, Tochigi, Japan). The electronic working length measurements (EWL) were made with K‐files in the sequence sizes 08, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30. The actual working length (AWL) was calculated by fixing a size 30 K‐file in the canal and exposing the apical 5 mm of the root. The minor foramen was identified under an optical microscope, and its distance from the file tip was calculated. The accuracy of the ERCLMDs was evaluated in terms of percentages of accurate measurements (0.0 mm tolerance) and measurements with tolerance limits of ±0.5 mm and ±1.0 mm. The findings were analysed with the McNemar test, Pearson's chi‐square tests and two‐way analysis of variance. The multiple comparison procedures were carried out using Holm–Sidak method. The maximum electrical resistance tolerated by ERCLMDs was evaluated by connecting commercially available resistors between the file clip and the root canal instrument. The resistance was gradually increased until it started to affect the ERCLMD readings.

Results

The ERCLMDs were able to actually locate the minor foramen in 7% of samples. File size did not affect the accuracy of ERCLMDs (P > 0.05). Overall, the ERCLMDs gave 65% readings within a tolerance limit of ±0.5 mm and 90% within a tolerance of ±1.0 mm. The electrical resistance of endodontic files was less than the maximum electrical resistance tolerated by ERCLMDs (0.6–1 Ω vs. 2500–4000 Ω).

Conclusions

The size of the root canal instrument did not affect the accuracy of ERCLMDs in this laboratory study.
Sensitivity of fracture strength in porous glass
Authors: Keleṣ Özgür , Edwin García R. , Bowman Keith J.
Published: April 2016

We investigated the effect of porosity and crack size distributions on the fracture behavior of porous glass through a combined finite element and fracture mechanics method. Simulations showed that the effect of crack size distributions on the change in fracture strength with porosity decreases as the pore size to crack size ratio increases. For a pore size to crack size ratio of >∼4, the average failure initiating crack size decreases with increasing porosity. Two regions were defined to describe the relationship between porosity and fracture strength: Region I for porosity less than 20 vol.% and Region II for porosity greater than 20 vol.%. Simulation results were directly compared to the porous glass experiments from the literature.
The Influence of Cu2+ and Mn2+ Ions on the Structure and Crystallization of Diopside–Calcium Pyrophosphate Bioglasses
Authors: Ben‐Arfa Basam A. E. , Miranda Salvado Isabel M. , Ferreira José M. F. , Pullar Robert C.
Published: April 2016

The influence of two divalent cations, Cu2+ and Mn2+, on the structure, sintering, and crystallization of glasses and glass‐ceramics in the diopside–calcium pyrophosphate system (90 wt.% diopside (CaMgSi2O6), 10 wt.% calcium pyrophosphate (Ca2P2O7)) was investigated. Glasses with 1, 3, and 5 wt% MnO or CuO additives were prepared by melt‐quenching and characterized by XRD, 29Si and 31P NMR, DTA, and FTIR This revealed that the silicate network is predominantly coordinated in Q2 (Si) units for all glasses, while phosphorus tends to inhabit an orthophosphate (Q0) environment. All glasses had a high rate of bioactivity after immersion in simulated body fluid. A slight depolymerization was observed in the doped glasses leading to lower Tg values in comparison with the parent glass. All glass‐ceramics exhibited the formation of diopside as the primary crystalline phase after sintering at 850°C/1 h. In comparison with the parent glass, the doped glasses featured significantly larger processing windows (∆T = Tc–Tg), ensuring good sinterability. Further, with increasing doping levels, the glasses exhibited a gradual decrease in Tp and ∆T, suggesting an increased tendency toward devitrification. All Cu‐ and Mn‐containing glasses exhibited the formation of hydroxyapatite, making them good candidates for biomedical applications and tissue engineering.
Berry pomace – a review of processing and chemical analysis of its polyphenols
Authors: Struck Susanne , Plaza Merichel , Turner Charlotta , Rohm Harald
Published: April 2016

This article gives an overview on the work available on methods for berry pomace processing, on methods for polyphenol extraction and on methods for polyphenol analysis. Additionally, previous reviews on fruit pomace have been identified and categorised with respect to pomace origin, and the scientific focus of the work. Data on berry pomace proximate composition are compiled, as are methods applied for processing and stabilising pomace. The article also discusses how processing methods influence juice and pomace yield, the transfer of value compounds from the fruit to either juice or pomace and the techno‐functional properties of the pomace. Methods for polyphenol extraction are summarised and interpreted, and the state‐of‐the‐art methods for polyphenol analysis are presented in line with respective sample preparation procedures. Knowledge gaps that were identified strongly indicate that systematic work has to be done to make berry pomace available as a valuable plant‐based ingredient for processed foods.
Genomic full‐length sequence of a novel HLA‐A*11:01:01:02 allele was identified in a Chinese bone marrow donor
Authors: He J. , He Y. , Wang W. , Han Z. , He J. , Chen N. , Dong L. , Tao S. , Zhang W. , Zhu F.
Published: April 2016

Here, we report genomic full‐length sequence of a novel HLA‐A*11:01:01:02 allele identified in a Chinese individual. HLA‐A*11:01:01:02 has three nucleotide differences from HLA‐A*11:01:01:01, including 99 C>G of intron 1, 655 C>T and G deletion in position 656 of intron 2.
Laparoscopic repair of bladder rupture in a neonate
Authors: Oki Satoshi , Inoue Mikihiro , Otake Kohei , Matsushita Kohei , Koike Yuhki , Uchida Keiichi , Kusunoki Masato
Published: April 2016

Bladder rupture in a fetus is a rare occurrence. We report the first neonatal case of laparoscopic repair for prenatally diagnosed bladder rupture. A male neonate, who had presented with megacystis, bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureters since 27 weeks‐of‐gestation, was delivered by emergency cesarean section because of sudden collapse of the bladder with massive ascites at 37 weeks‐of‐gestation. The diagnosis of bladder rupture was made by retrograde urethrocystography. Laparoscopic repair was carried out subsequent to urethral catheterization. Intraoperatively, laceration from the left side of the bladder dome to the posterior wall was observed. This tear was successfully repaired using a two‐layer interrupted suture without any postoperative complications. Laparoscopic repair could be the treatment of choice for bladder rupture, because it has the advantage of closure of the perforated site more certainly than bladder decompression alone, and with better cosmesis than open repair.
Porous Quaternary Al0.1In0.1Ga0.8N Film Formation via Photoelectrochemical Etching in HF:C2H5OH Electrolyte
Authors: Lim Way Foong , Quah Hock Jin , Hassan Zainuriah , Radzali Rosfariza , Zainal Norzaini , Yam Fong Kwong
Published: April 2016

Pore formation in AlInGaN films using photoelectrochemical etching in different volume ratios of hydrofluoric acid:ethanol solution (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4) has been investigated structurally, morphologically, and optically. A significant increase in root mean square roughness and photoluminescence intensity in AlInGaN film etched in 1:1 solution has yielded the highest pore density and the largest average pore size in the film. Moreover, the acquisition of the lowest total dislocation density as well as the largest in‐plane biaxial stress relaxation in the film suggested potential use of the porous film as a template to grow subsequent layers for development of light‐emitting diodes.
On the Effect of Lithium on the Energetics and Thermal Stability of Nano‐Sized Nonstoichiometric Magnesium Aluminate Spinel
Authors: Mordekovitz Yuval , Hayun Shmuel
Published: April 2016

The thermal stability of Li‐doped nonstoichiometric nano‐sized magnesium aluminate spinel, synthesized using a combustion synthesis method, was studied using XRD, FTIR, and high‐temperature differential scanning calorimetry. Li content within the magnesium aluminate spinel was determined to be a function of crystallite size and stoichiometry. For smaller crystallite sizes and higher Mg deficits, a greater amount of lithium could be incorporated into the structure as a solid solution between LiAl5O8 and MgO·nAl2O3 spinel, where n is the ratio between Al2O3 and MgO. By assessing the intensities of the IR γ1, γ2, and γ5 modes, the degree of structural disorder (i.e., the inversion parameter and lithium occupancy) was defined. The results indicated that the as‐synthesized materials were heavily disordered. The surface enthalpy of the MgO·1.06Al2O3, 1.51 ± 0.15 J/m2, is in good agreement with the reported value for the same composition, 1.8 ± 0.3 J/m2, measured using high‐temperature drop solution calorimetry. The surface enthalpies of MgO·1.21Al2O3 and 0.20 at.% Li–MgO·1.21Al2O3 were 1.17 ± 0.15 and 1.05 ± 0.12 J/m, respectively.
Relationship Between the Arrangement of Oxide Ion Vacancies and Oxide Ion Conduction in Ba2(Fe0.9In0.1)2O5 + δ
Authors: Fujishiro Fumito , Kadota Dai , Hashimoto Takuya
Published: April 2016

To evaluate the relationship between arrangement of oxide ion vacancies and oxide ion conduction in a mixed ionic–electronic conductor Ba2(Fe0.9In0.1)2O5+δ, we studied temperature dependences of electrical conductivity and the crystal structure including the oxide ion vacancies using high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis‐mass spectroscopy, and electrical conductivity measurements with four‐probe method. The sample's crystal structure was observed to be of a perovskite type with a partial ordering of oxide ion vacancies below 600°C. Increasing the temperature above 600°C led to associative O2 desorption and complete randomization of the arrangement of oxide ion vacancies to form a cubic phase. The electrical conductivity of the sample under N2 flow showed an Arrhenius‐type behavior with two trends against temperature. Activation energies were estimated as 0.61 eV below 600°C and 0.27 eV above 600°C. The lower value of 0.27 eV showed fairly good agreement with that of activation energy for oxygen permeation fluxes in this material. It was concluded that the fully random distribution of oxide ion vacancies led to improved oxide ion migration in Ba2(Fe0.9In0.1)2O5+δ.
Acute Kidney Injury in Elderly Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: Do Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Carry a Risk?
Authors: Chaumont Martin , Pourcelet Aline , van Nuffelen Marc , Racapé Judith , Leeman Marc , Hougardy Jean‐Michel
Published: April 2016

In contrast to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), mainly excreted by the liver, the dosage of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, cleared by the kidney, must be adapted to account for renal clearance in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to avoid acute kidney injury (AKI). Community‐acquired AKI and the use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs in the emergency department were retrospectively assessed in 324 patients with baseline stage 3 or higher CKD. After stepwise regression analysis, the use of ACE inhibitors (odds ratio [OR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–3.1; P=.02) and the presence of dehydration (OR, 30.8; 95% CI, 3.9–239.1) were associated with AKI. A total of 45% of patients using ACE inhibitors experienced overdosing, which causes most of the excess risk of AKI. These results suggest that dosage adjustment of ACE inhibitors to renal function or substitution of ACE inhibitors with ARBs could reduce the incidence of AKI. Moreover, ACE inhibitors and ARBs should be stopped in cases of dehydration.
Autophagy dysfunction and regulatory cystatin C in macrophage death of atherosclerosis
Authors: Li Wei , Sultana Nargis , Siraj Nabeel , Ward Liam J , Pawlik Monika , Levy Efrat , Jovinge Stefan , Bengtsson Eva , Yuan Xi‐Ming
Published: April 2016

Autophagy dysfunction in mouse atherosclerosis models has been associated with increased lipid accumulation, apoptosis and inflammation. Expression of cystatin C (CysC) is decreased in human atheroma, and CysC deficiency enhances atherosclerosis in mice. Here, we first investigated the association of autophagy and CysC expression levels with atheroma plaque severity in human atherosclerotic lesions. We found that autophagy proteins Atg5 and LC3β in advanced human carotid atherosclerotic lesions are decreased, while markers of dysfunctional autophagy p62/SQSTM1 and ubiquitin are increased together with elevated levels of lipid accumulation and apoptosis. The expressions of LC3β and Atg5 were positively associated with CysC expression. Second, we investigated whether CysC expression is involved in autophagy in atherosclerotic apoE‐deficient mice, demonstrating that CysC deficiency (CysC−/−) in these mice results in reduction of Atg5 and LC3β levels and induction of apoptosis. Third, macrophages isolated from CysC−/− mice displayed increased levels of p62/SQSTM1 and higher sensitivity to 7‐oxysterol‐mediated lysosomal membrane destabilization and apoptosis. Finally, CysC treatment minimized oxysterol‐mediated cellular lipid accumulation. We conclude that autophagy dysfunction is a characteristic of advanced human atherosclerotic lesions and is associated with reduced levels of CysC. The deficiency of CysC causes autophagy dysfunction and apoptosis in macrophages and apoE‐deficient mice. The results indicate that CysC plays an important regulatory role in combating cell death via the autophagic pathway in atherosclerosis.
Behavioral sensitivity to changing reinforcement contingencies in attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Alsop Brent , Furukawa Emi , Sowerby Paula , Jensen Stephanie , Moffat Cara , Tripp Gail
Published: April 2016

Background

Altered sensitivity to positive reinforcement has been hypothesized to contribute to the symptoms of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study, we evaluated the ability of children with and without ADHD to adapt their behavior to changing reinforcer availability.

Method

Of one hundred sixty‐seven children, 97 diagnosed with ADHD completed a signal‐detection task in which correct discriminations between two stimuli were associated with different frequencies of reinforcement. The response alternative associated with the higher rate of reinforcement switched twice during the task without warning. For a subset of participants, this was followed by trials for which no reinforcement was delivered, irrespective of performance.

Results

Children in both groups developed an initial bias toward the more frequently reinforced response alternative. When the response alternative associated with the higher rate of reinforcement switched, the children's response allocation (bias) followed suit, but this effect was significantly smaller for children with ADHD. When reinforcement was discontinued, only children in the control group modified their response pattern.

Conclusions

Children with ADHD adjust their behavioral responses to changing reinforcer availability less than typically developing children, when reinforcement is intermittent and the association between an action and its consequences is uncertain. This may explain the difficulty children with ADHD have adapting their behavior to new situations, with different reinforcement contingencies, in daily life.
Sexual dysfunction in males following low anterior resection
Authors: Shieh Show‐Ing , Lin Yu‐Hua , Huang Chiung‐Yu , Kao Chia‐Chan , Hung Shu‐Ling , Yang Hsing‐Yu , Tung Hong‐Yu
Published: April 2016

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in males one year after undergoing low anterior resection and to determine whether health care professionals discuss sexual issues with patients after surgery.

Background

Sexual dysfunction in males may be a complication after low anterior resection for rectal cancer, but few studies have explored this issue in Taiwan.

Design

A descriptive comparison study design.

Methods

A descriptive comparison design was used, and a group of 133 participants underwent a low anterior resection procedure for rectal cancer. The results were compared with those of a group of males who underwent colectomy (n = 58) for colon cancer. The following instruments were used: the five‐item version of the International Index of Erectile Function, personal demographics and medical variables.

Results

The results showed that the prevalence of erectile dysfunction among the low anterior resection patients was 97·0% (129/133), and the erectile dysfunction prevalence was 75·9% (44/58) for the males who underwent colectomy. The generalised linear model showed that after controlling for hypertension and stoma, the low anterior resection group had worse sexual function than those in the colectomy group, and stoma was also a factor that impacted patients’ sexual function. The results also revealed that only 32·8–35·3% of health care providers talked about sexual dysfunction with people who have rectal cancer prior to surgery.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that men who have undergone low anterior resection have a high risk of sexual dysfunction and that health care professionals infrequently discuss these issues with patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

When patients are diagnosed with rectal cancer and before they undergo surgery, an assessment and discussion of sexual function issues should be incorporated into standard care. Continued follow‐up after hospital discharge and evaluations of sexual function are vital factors for male postoperative rectal cancer patients.
Content validation study of nursing interventions intended to prevent cardiovascular events in diabetic patients
Authors: Gengo e Silva Rita de Cassia , da Costa Ferreira Natany
Published: April 2016

Aims and objectives

To validate nursing interventions from the Nursing Interventions Classification for preventing cardiovascular events in outpatients with diabetes.

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death among diabetic patients. Although nurses play an important role in preventing cardiovascular events in this population, their specific contribution is difficult to measure. Documenting nursing interventions using a standardised nursing system may provide nursing visibility. However, there are no studies that analysed which nursing interventions would be the most relevant, based on expert opinion, aimed at preventing cardiovascular events in diabetic patients.

Design

This is a content validation study, which was designed as a descriptive one.

Methods

For this content validation study, we used the Fehring model. Nursing interventions were selected from the Nursing Intervention Classification. Experts were asked to analyse the degree of relevance of 225 nursing interventions regarding the prevention of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients, considering its title and definition. We considered nursing interventions which obtained weighted arithmetic averages >0·80 to be valid.

Results

Among 50 invited experts, 14 (71·4% female; 36·5 + 9·7 years) responded and agreed to participate in this study. They analysed 225 preselected nursing interventions, and validated 29.

Conclusion

The validated nursing interventions included documentation as well as biological, social and spiritual issues.

Relevance to clinical practice

The validated nursing interventions encompass a wide range of nursing knowledge, and these results provide empirical evidence for further studies.
Temperature monitoring of nonanaesthetised patients in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory
Authors: Kennedy Wendy , Conway Aaron
Published: April 2016

Aim and objectives

To identify the prevalence that temperature reduced by more than 1 °C from pre‐ to post‐procedure in a sample of non‐anaesthetised patients undergoing procedures in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory.

Background

Advances in medical technology are minimising the invasiveness of diagnostic tests and treatments for disease, which is correspondingly increasing the number of medical procedures performed without sedation or anaesthesia. Procedural areas in which medical procedures are performed without anaesthesia are typically kept at a cool temperature for staff comfort. As such, there is a need to inform nursing practices with regard to the thermal management of non‐anaesthetised patients undergoing procedures in surgical or procedural environments.

Design

Single‐site observational study.

Methods

Patients were included if they had undergone an elective procedure without sedation or anaesthesia in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory. Ambient room temperature was maintained between 18 and 20 °C. Passive warming with heated cotton blankets was applied. Nurses measured body temperature and thermal comfort before and after 342 procedures.

Results

Mean change in temperature was −0.08 °C (Standard deviation 0.43). The reduction in temperature was more than 1 °C after 11 procedures (3.2%). One patient whose temperature had reduced more than 1 °C after their procedure reported thermal discomfort. A total of 12 patients were observed to be shivering post‐procedure (3.6%). No demographic or clinical characteristics were associated with reduction in temperature of more than 1 °C from pre to post‐procedure.

Conclusions

Significant reduction in body temperature was rare in our sample of non‐anaesthetised patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

Similar results would likely be found in other procedural contexts during procedures conducted in settings with comparable room temperatures where passive warming can also be applied with limited skin exposure.
Sciatic neuroendometriosis: Magnetic resonance imaging defined perineural spread of endometriosis
Authors: Cimsit Canan , Yoldemir Tevfik , Akpinar Ihsan Nuri
Published: April 2016

Catamenial sciatic radiculopathy resulting from endometriosis is a rare presentation of a common disease in which the pathogenesis of pain is still under debate. A 32‐year‐old woman presented complaining of infertility, catamenial sciatica, and pelvic and gluteal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging showed endometriotic infiltration of the left proximal lumbosacral plexus, sacral nerve track, sciatic nerve at the sciatic notch and pudendal nerve along the iliococcygeus muscle, together with left endometrioma and deep infiltrating endometriosis lesions. Laparoscopic endometriosis surgery was performed after all of the complications and possible outcomes of the surgery were discussed with the patient. Our case report highlights the importance of magnetic resonance imaging evidence of perineural spread, outlining the pathophysiology of the pelvic pain associated with neuroendometriosis.
Vanishing intravenous leiomyomatosis after hysterectomy: Assessment of the need to perform complete resection
Authors: Maneyama Haruka , Miyasaka Naoyuki , Wakana Kimio , Nakamura Megumi , Kitazume Yoshio , Kubota Toshiro
Published: April 2016

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare smooth muscle tumor that may extend into extrauterine veins. A high IVL recurrence rate has been reported after hysterectomy. A 44‐year‐old woman underwent total hysterectomy as a result of uterine leiomyoma, and IVL within the left uterine vein was incidentally found during the surgery. A residual tumor within the right ovarian vein was detected on contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) two days postoperatively. The tumor was diagnosed as IVL because it showed contrast enhancement on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging by retrospective re‐interpretation. However, the tumor completely disappeared on contrast‐enhanced CT without any medical treatment five months postoperatively. This is the first report of spontaneous regression of IVL. Postsurgical imaging was important to determine the residual extrauterine extension of IVL when it was incidentally found during gynecologic surgery. A hysterectomy alone may be adequate in selected cases, but long‐term follow‐up imaging is strongly recommended in all cases.
The Effect of Endogenous Adenosine on Neuronal Activity in Rats: An FDG PET Study
Authors: Parkinson Fiona E. , Paul Soumen , Zhang Dali , Mzengeza Shadreck , Ko Ji Hyun
Published: April 2016

2–18F‐fluorodeoxy‐D‐glucose (FDG) is a glucose analog that is taken up by cells and phosphorylated. The amount of FDG accumulated by cells is a measure of the rate of glycolysis, which reflects cellular activity. As the levels and actions of the neuromodulator adenosine are dynamically regulated by neuronal activity, this study was designed to test whether endogenous adenosine affects tissue accumulation of FDG as assessed by positron emission tomography (PET) or by postmortem analysis of tissue radioactivity. Rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropyl‐xanthine (DPCPX, 3 mg/kg), the adenosine kinase inhibitor ABT‐702 (3 mg/kg), or vehicle 10 minutes prior to an intravenous injection of FDG (15.4 ± 0.7 MBq per rat). Rats were then subjected to a 15 minute static PET scan. Reconstructed images were normalized to FDG PET template for rats and standard uptake values (SUVs) were calculated. To examine the regional effect of active treatment compared to vehicle, statistical parametric mapping analysis was performed. Whole‐brain FDG uptake was not affected by drug treatment. Significant regional hypometabolism was detected, particularly in cerebellum, of DPCPX‐ and ABT‐702 treated rats, relative to vehicle‐treated rats. Thus, endogenous adenosine can affect FDG accumulation although this effect is modest in quiescent rats.
Incorporation of sunflower oil or linseed oil in equine compound feedstuff: 1 Effects on haematology and on fatty acids profiles in the red blood cells membranes
Authors: Patoux S. , Istasse L.
Published: April 2016

Eight trained horses (6 mares – 2 geldings, 6 Selle Français, 2 Trotteur Français, 12 ± 5.8 years old, 538 ± 72.5 kg) were offered three diets to potentially affect haematology and the fatty acids (FA) profiles in red blood cells (RBC) membranes. The control diet was composed of 50% hay and 50% concentrate containing mainly rolled barley (48%) and whole spelt (48%). In the case of sunflower oil diet, sunflower oil (62.0% ofα‐linoleic acid,LA) was incorporated at a rate of 8% and substituted by an equal proportion of barley. In the linseed oil diet, first cold‐pressed linseed oil (56.0% ofα‐linolenic acid,ALA) was utilised at a similar incorporation rate of 8%. The experimental design consisted of three 3 × 3 latin squares with one being incomplete. Each period lasted 8 weeks. On average, the total feed intake (straw excluded) was 6.2 kg/day and the oil intake 0.278 kg/day. The oils significantly increased the concentrations ofRBC, haemoglobin and haematocrit. The oils had no significant impact on the haematology profiles except that platelets tended to decrease in both oil‐based diets. The most abundantFAin theRBCmembranes of the control diet samples were in the decreasing orderLA, C18:1n9‐7, C18:0, C16:0 and the arachidonic acid (ARA) respectively. The sunflower oil supplementation slightly increased the amount ofLA(36.23 vs. 34.72 mg/dl, p = 0.55) and C22:4n‐6 (0.21 vs. 0.09 mg/dl, p = 0.22), while the decrease was observed in case of otherFA(C16:1n‐7, 1.08 vs. 1.42 mg/dl, p = 0.03), C20:3n‐6 (0.22 vs. 0.31 mg/dl, p = 0.02), andARA(1.17 vs. 1.63 mg/dl, p = 0.08). Linseed oil induced similar effects in the n‐6 seriesFAprofiles. In the context of practical applications, our results show that linseed oil incorporation in the diet could improve the haematology and the n‐3FAprofiles potentially leading to an increased performance.