bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exome Sequencing Identified a Splice Site Mutation in
FHL1
that Causes Uruguay Syndrome, an X-Linked Disorder With Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy and Premature Cardiac Death
Authors: Xue Yuan , Schoser Benedikt , Rao Aliz R. , Quadrelli Roberto , Vaglio Alicia , Rupp Verena , Beichler Christine , Nelson Stanley F. , Schapacher-Tilp Gudrun , Windpassinger Christian , Wilcox William R.
Published: March 2016

Background—

Previously, we reported a rare X-linked disorder, Uruguay syndrome in a single family. The main features are pugilistic facies, skeletal deformities, and muscular hypertrophy despite a lack of exercise and cardiac ventricular hypertrophy leading to premature death.

Methods and Results—

An ≈19 Mb critical region on X chromosome was identified through identity-by-descent analysis of 3 affected males. Exome sequencing was conducted on one affected male to identify the disease-causing gene and variant. A splice site variant (c.502-2A>G) in the
FHL1
gene was highly suspicious among other candidate genes and variants. FHL1A is the predominant isoform of FHL1 in cardiac and skeletal muscle. Sequencing cDNA showed the splice site variant led to skipping of exons 6 of the FHL1A isoform, equivalent to the FHL1C isoform. Targeted analysis showed that this splice site variant cosegregated with disease in the family. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis of muscle from the proband showed a significant decrease in protein expression of FHL1A. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of different isoforms of FHL1 demonstrated that the FHL1C is markedly increased.

Conclusions—

Mutations in the
FHL1
gene have been reported in disorders with skeletal and cardiac myopathy but none has the skeletal or facial phenotype seen in patients with Uruguay syndrome. Our data suggest that a novel
FHL1
splice site variant results in the absence of FHL1A and the abundance of FHL1C, which may contribute to the complex and severe phenotype. Mutation screening of the
FHL1
gene should be considered for patients with uncharacterized myopathies and cardiomyopathies.
Selective Stimulation of Cardiac Lymphangiogenesis Reduces Myocardial Edema and Fibrosis Leading to Improved Cardiac Function Following Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Henri Orianne , Pouehe Chris , Houssari Mahmoud , Galas Ludovic , Nicol Lionel , Edwards-Lévy Florence , Henry Jean-Paul , Dumesnil Anais , Boukhalfa Inès , Banquet Sébastien , Schapman Damien , Thuillez Christian , Richard Vincent , Mulder Paul , Brakenhielm Ebba
Published: March 2016

Background—

The lymphatic system regulates interstitial tissue fluid balance, and lymphatic malfunction causes edema. The heart has an extensive lymphatic network displaying a dynamic range of lymph flow in physiology. Myocardial edema occurs in many cardiovascular diseases, eg, myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic heart failure, suggesting that cardiac lymphatic transport may be insufficient in pathology. Here, we investigate in rats the impact of MI and subsequent chronic heart failure on the cardiac lymphatic network. Further, we evaluate for the first time the functional effects of selective therapeutic stimulation of cardiac lymphangiogenesis post-MI.

Methods and Results—

We investigated cardiac lymphatic structure and function in rats with MI induced by either temporary occlusion (n=160) or permanent ligation (n=100) of the left coronary artery. Although MI induced robust, intramyocardial capillary lymphangiogenesis, adverse remodeling of epicardial precollector and collector lymphatics occurred, leading to reduced cardiac lymphatic transport capacity. Consequently, myocardial edema persisted for several months post-MI, extending from the infarct to noninfarcted myocardium. Intramyocardial-targeted delivery of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3–selective designer protein VEGF-C
C152S
, using albumin-alginate microparticles, accelerated cardiac lymphangiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner and limited precollector remodeling post-MI. As a result, myocardial fluid balance was improved, and cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, and dysfunction were attenuated.

Conclusions—

We show that, despite the endogenous cardiac lymphangiogenic response post-MI, the remodeling and dysfunction of collecting ducts contribute to the development of chronic myocardial edema and inflammation-aggravating cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction. Moreover, our data reveal that therapeutic lymphangiogenesis may be a promising new approach for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Computational Design of a Circular RNA with Prionlike Behavior
Authors: Badelt Stefan , Flamm Christoph , Hofacker Ivo L.
Published: March 2016

RNA molecules engineered to fold into predefined conformations have enabled the design of a multitude of functional RNA devices in the field of synthetic biology and nanotechnology. More complex designs require efficient computational methods, which need to consider not only equilibrium thermodynamics but also the kinetics of structure formation. Here we present a novel type of RNA design that mimics the behavior of prions, that is, sequences capable of interaction-triggered autocatalytic replication of conformations. Our design was computed with the ViennaRNA package and is based on circular RNA that embeds domains amenable to intermolecular kissing interactions.
An Informational Study of the Evolution of Codes and of Emerging Concepts in Populations of Agents
Authors: Burgos Andrés C. , Polani Daniel
Published: March 2016

We consider the problem of the evolution of a code within a structured population of agents. The agents try to maximize their information about their environment by acquiring information from the outputs of other agents in the population. A naive use of information-theoretic methods would assume that every agent knows how to interpret the information offered by other agents. However, this assumes that it knows which other agents it observes, and thus which code they use. In our model, however, we wish to preclude that: It is not clear which other agents an agent is observing, and the resulting usable information is therefore influenced by the universality of the code used and by which agents an agent is listening to. We further investigate whether an agent that does not directly perceive the environment can distinguish states by observing other agents' outputs. For this purpose, we consider a population of different types of agents talking about different concepts, and try to extract new ones by considering their outputs only.
Population and Evolutionary Dynamics based on Predator–Prey Relationships in a 3D Physical Simulation
Authors: Ito Takashi , Pilat Marcin L. , Suzuki Reiji , Arita Takaya
Published: March 2016

Recent studies have reported that population dynamics and evolutionary dynamics, occurring at different time scales, can be affected by each other. Our purpose is to explore the interaction between population and evolutionary dynamics using an artificial life approach based on a 3D physically simulated environment in the context of predator–prey and morphology–behavior coevolution. The morphologies and behaviors of virtual prey creatures are evolved using a genetic algorithm based on the predation interactions between predators and prey. Both population sizes are also changed, depending on the fitness. We observe two types of cyclic behaviors, corresponding to short-term and long-term dynamics. The former can be interpreted as a simple population dynamics of Lotka–Volterra type. It is shown that the latter cycle is based on the interaction between the changes in the prey strategy against predators and the long-term change in both population sizes, resulting partly from a tradeoff between their defensive success and the cost of defense.
On Power and Norms: Libya, Syria and the Responsibility to Protect
Authors: Tocci Nathalie
Published: March 2016

In 2011 the United Nations Security Council legitimized a no-fly zone over Libya under the normative rubric of the ‘responsibility to protect’. As the Libya intervention gained steam, another uprising broke out in Syria. In contrast to Libya, discord between Western actors and emerging powers underpinned standstill at the Council. What explains such radically different outcomes? The international responses to the crises in Libya and Syria may look like evidence of a tipping point in the international system which is undergoing a profound power shift. And yet the two crises unfolded almost in parallel. This article argues that while a systemic understanding of power cannot capture the dynamics underpinning the Libyan and Syrian crises, power is crucial in explaining their very different outcomes. While not revealing a tipping point in the international system from the ‘West’ to the ‘Rest’, a situated and multifaceted analysis of power reveals that both Western and brics countries played key roles in determining the overall international responses to both crises and in so doing are shaping the ongoing normative debate over the ‘Responsibility to Protect’.
Cestodes of the blue shark, Prionace glauca (Linnaeus 1758), (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae), off the west coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico
Authors: MÉNDEZ OSCAR , GALVÁN-MAGAÑA FELIPE
Published: March 2016

The cestode species recovered from the spiral intestines of 27 blue sharks (Prionace glauca) (Linnaeus, 1758) are reported from the western coast of Baja California Sur (BCS). The sampling was undertaken on a monthly basis from January 2003 to January 2004. The helminthological examination indicated the presence of four species of cestodes: Platybothrium auriculatum Yamaguti, 1952; Prosobothrium japonicum Yamaguti, 1934; Anthobothrium caseyi (Yamaguti, 1934) Ruhnke & Caira, 2009; and Paraorygmatobothrium prionacis (Yamaguti, 1934) Ruhnke, 1994. Of all the 27 sharks examined, 88.8% were infected with at least one cestode species. The most frequent species was P. auriculatum infecting 85% of the spiral intestines examined. In contrast the species with the highest mean intensity was P. prionacis (80.4 200). The species richness of cestodes in P. glauca is very similar in other regions of the world despite its wide distribution; however, this richness is low compared with other species of sharks within the same family. The feeding and host-specific are important factors that influence the parameters of infection of cestodes in this shark. On the west coast of BCS, Prionace glauca feeds mainly on red crab Pleuroncodes planipes Stimpson, 1860; squids Gonatus californiensis Young, 1972, Ancistrocheirus lesueurii (D’Orbigny, 1842), Haliphron atlanticus Steenstrup, 1861, and low proportion of fish teleosts as Merluccius productus (Ayres, 1855), Sardinops sp. Hubbs, 1929 and Scomber japonicus Houttuyn, 1872. We speculate that these prey could be involved as the second intermediate hosts of these cestodes, as in other members of these genera, although the life cycles of none are known.
Competition, Decentralization, and Candidate Selection in Mexico
Authors: Bruhn Kathleen , Wuhs Steven
Published: March 2016

This article examines how political context affects the strategic choice of nomination rules, using data from federal and state-level legislative elections. Our analysis indicates that competition affects the selection rules parties adopt. Overall, parties are most likely to use open selection rules when they think they will win, largely due to the effects of activist competition over coveted nominations. However, state-level party leaders have not been consistently empowered by decentralization. Although state-level party leaders do have nonnegligible influence when it comes to the selection of local legislative nominees, they have more influence in those states that are the most dependent on the federal government for resources. Competitive context continues to be a stronger predictor of selection rule choice than decentralization.
Immigrant Criminalization in Law and the Media
Authors: Menjívar Cecilia
Published: March 2016

This article examines the effects of two forces in the context of reception: the legal regime and enforcement practices and media portrayals of immigrants as they combine to shape the lives of immigrants, particularly Latinos, directly and indirectly. It focuses on the case of Latino immigrants living in Phoenix, Arizona. Although the context of reception is conceptualized as including laws and policies, the media contributes significantly, as media portrayals reinforce or fuel the effects of laws and policies. When laws are exclusionary and enforcement is expanded, negative media portrayals contribute to create a particularly hostile context at the level of formal institutions and at the level of public discourse. Immigrants respond in multiple ways, including shaping their identities to highlight their image as hard workers and to distance themselves from images of immigrants as criminals. These two forces shape immigrants’ views about themselves and of their position in U.S. society.
Three New Methods for Analysis of Answer Changes
Authors: Sinharay Sandip , Johnson Matthew S.
Published: March 2016

In a pioneering research article, Wollack and colleagues suggested the “erasure detection index” (EDI) to detect test tampering. The EDI can be used with or without a continuity correction and is assumed to follow the standard normal distribution under the null hypothesis of no test tampering. When used without a continuity correction, the EDI often has inflated Type I error rates. When used with a continuity correction, the EDI has satisfactory Type I error rates, but smaller power compared with the EDI without a continuity correction. This article suggests three methods for detecting test tampering that do not rely on the assumption of a standard normal distribution under the null hypothesis. It is demonstrated in a detailed simulation study that the performance of each suggested method is slightly better than that of the EDI. The EDI and the suggested methods were applied to a real data set. The suggested methods, although more computation intensive than the EDI, seem to be promising in detecting test tampering.
An update of the UK’s design summer years: Probabilistic design summer years for enhanced overheating risk analysis in building design
Authors: Eames ME
Published: March 2016

Overheating is increasingly becoming a key issue for building design across the world. In the UK, better building fabric performance and warmer weather can increase the risk of overheating events in badly designed buildings. The impacts of these overheating events could be reduced by adapting building designs at an early design stage using building thermal models using appropriate weather data such as a design summer year. In this work, a method to determine probabilistic design summer years will be presented. These years take into account the return periods of actual events, are presented within a probabilistic framework and therefore include a description of the severity of the year at each location.

Practical application: Design summer years are designed to be used to optimise building performance in terms of thermal comfort at design stage. This paper demonstrates a method to create probabilistic design summer years which contain a range of overheating events which can be used to inform designers of the overheating risk to occupants. The proposed method is then used to generate new near extreme weather files for the UK.
Reoperation following Adult Tonsillectomy
Authors: Brant Jason A. , Bur Andrés M. , Chai Raymond , Hatten Kyle , Nicolli Elizabeth A. , Fischer John P. , Cannady Steven B.
Published: March 2016

Objective

Tonsillectomy remains a common procedure in adults; however, there are few population‐level data evaluating risk factors for reoperation.

Study Design

Retrospective review of national database.

Setting

American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS‐NSQIP), 2005‐2013.

Subjects and Methods

The ACS‐NSQIP was queried for patients undergoing tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy as their primary procedure (CPT 42821 or 42826). Demographic information and indications were reviewed along with complications and reoperation rates.

Results

In total, 12,542 cases met inclusion criteria. Patients were predominantly female (66.4%) and white (70.8%), with mean age of 30 ± 12 years (range: 16‐90+). Thirty‐day mortality was 0.03%, and 4.8% of patients experienced at least 1 complication, including reoperation (3.6%). Risk of complications was associated with male sex (P <. 0001; odds ratio [OR], 1.7), diabetes (P =. 0002; OR, 2.1), and presence of a bleeding disorder (P =. 002; OR, 3.2). Risk factors for reoperation were similar, in addition to older age (P =. 002; OR, 0.986). Complications other than reoperation were correlated with older age (P =. 001; OR, 1.02) and diabetes (P =. 001; OR, 2.59). Procedures were done mostly for infectious/inflammatory (70.4%) versus hypertrophic (16.4%) indications. Indication had no significant effect on the rate of reoperation. Most reoperations occurred after postoperative day 1 (86%; mean, 6.4 ± 4.2 days).

Conclusion

This review of a large validated surgical database provides an overview of the rates of, and risk factors for, complications and reoperations following tonsillectomy in the adult population.
Orbital Decompression in the Endoscopic Age
Authors: Yao William C. , Sedaghat Ahmad R. , Yadav Prashant , Fay Aaron , Metson Ralph
Published: March 2016

Objective

Postoperative diplopia occurs in up to 45% of patients following orbital decompression for exophthalmos associated with Graves’ orbitopathy. We sought to describe outcomes of our balanced orbital decompression strategy that includes the preservation of a modified inferomedial orbital strut (mIOS).

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 115 consecutive orbital decompressions were performed on 73 patients (42 bilateral) with Graves’ orbitopathy. All patients underwent (1) a balanced decompression technique incorporating an endoscopic medial and external lateral decompression and (2) a mIOS technique with preservation of the anterior half of the inferomedial orbital strut. A periorbital periosteal (orbital) sling was utilized in patients (n = 54) without threatened vision loss, proptosis >28 mm, or periorbital disruption to prevent prolapse of the medial rectus muscle.

Results

Utilization of the mIOS technique with or without a sling did not adversely affect the reduction in proptosis (5.1 mm with sling vs 5.0 mm without sling; P =. 85).The incidence of new‐onset postoperative diplopia was 17% (n = 6). The sling was not associated with postoperative diplopia (odds ratio = 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.08‐3.40, P =. 51), while it was associated with resolution of preexisting diplopia (odds ratio = 6.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.06‐42.06, P =. 04). No intraoperative complications occurred, and no patients suffered a decrement in visual acuity.

Conclusion

Balanced orbital decompression utilizing a mIOS in patients with Graves’ orbitopathy provides a safe and effective reduction in proptosis with a low rate of new‐onset diplopia as compared with historical values. Utilization of an orbital sling may be beneficial in reducing postoperative diplopia in select patients.
Transoral Robotic Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Justin Grant A. , Chang Edward T. , Camacho Macario , Brietzke Scott E.
Published: March 2016

Objective

To perform a systematic review of the international biomedical literature evaluating the effectiveness, complications, and safety of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Data Sources

PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and EMB Reviews databases were searched up to November 27, 2015.

Review Methods

Two authors systematically and independently searched for articles on TORS for the treatment of OSA in adults that reported either outcomes for the apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation percentage (LSAT) or changes in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and/or rates and types of complications associated with the operation.

Results

In total, 181 records were identified and 16 articles met inclusion criteria. Transoral robotic surgery was almost always combined with other sleep surgery procedures. The summary estimate of the decrease in AHI using TORS as part of a multilevel surgical approach was 24.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.1‐25.8; P <. 001, I2 = 99%). The summary estimate of a decrease in ESS score was 7.2 (95% CI, 6.6‐7.7; P <. 001, I2 = 99%) and of the overall surgical “success” (defined as AHI <20 and 50% reduction) was 48.2% (95% CI, 38.8%‐57.7%; P <. 001, I2 = 99%). Three large studies reported on their total complication rates with an average of 22.3% (range, 20.5%‐24.7%).

Conclusions

The initial results for the use of TORS as part of a multilevel surgical approach for OSA are promising for select patients. However, the cost and morbidity may be greater than with other techniques offsetting its advantages in visualization and precision. More prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal role of this tool.
Monothermal Caloric Screening Test Accuracy
Authors: Adams Meredith E. , Telian Steven A. , Kane Robert L. , Butler Mary
Published: March 2016

Objective

To minimize discomfort, time, and costs, vestibular laboratories may perform monothermal caloric irrigations and discontinue testing if responses are symmetric. This systematic review aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the monothermal caloric screening test (MCST) for unilateral vestibular dysfunction compared with bithermal caloric testing (BCT).

Data Sources

Ovid‐MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and manual bibliographic searches.

Review Methods

Inclusion criteria specified concurrent MCST and BCT performance and reporting of test measures (monothermal caloric asymmetry, unilateral weakness). The primary outcomes were between‐measure correlation, sensitivity, and specificity. Meta‐analysis was performed with hierarchical bivariate and univariate random‐effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistic.

Results

Fifteen studies (n = 5572 participants) met inclusion criteria. Thresholds varied between studies. Asymmetries calculated by MCST and BCT were strongly correlated, but a subgroup analysis showed no correlation for those with mild unilateral weakness. The sensitivity and specificity of the MCST ranged from 0.54 to 1.00 and 0.25 to 0.96, respectively. Predictably, higher sensitivity resulted from lower cutoff points for the MCST, higher thresholds for the BCT, and additional test positivity criteria. Warm irrigations yielded higher sensitivity than cool. Studies excluding participants with severe unilateral weakness yielded lower sensitivity estimates. After pooling by threshold, temperature, and risk of bias, most performance estimates remained substantially heterogeneous (I2 > 60%).

Conclusion

Accuracy of the MCST is lacking precisely where it is needed most—at the border of normal and abnormal vestibular function. To guide clinical practice, research should include analysis of subgroups with varying levels of function and employ standardized testing parameters.
Pediatric Endoscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery
Authors: Hunter Jacob B. , Zuniga M. Geraldine , Sweeney Alex D. , Bertrand Natalie M. , Wanna George B. , Haynes David S. , Wootten Christopher T. , Rivas Alejandro
Published: March 2016

Objectives

(1) To describe and review a single center’s pediatric endoscopic cholesteatoma experience, including surgical and audiologic outcomes. (2) To assess the most common locations of residual cholesteatoma following endoscopic removal.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary otologic referral center.

Subjects

Patients <19 years of age who underwent cholesteatoma removal with either endoscopic or microscopic visualization.

Methods

In a comparison of patients who underwent total endoscopic ear surgery (TEES), combined endoscopic‐microscopic surgery, or microscopic surgery, analyzed outcomes included locations and incidence of recurrent and residual cholesteatoma, complications, and audiometric testing.

Results

Sixty‐six patients (mean age, 10.9 years; range, 4‐18 years; 43.4% female) with 76 ears met inclusion criteria. The average overall follow‐up was 18.8 months (range, 6.7‐48.3). Forty‐seven (61.8%) ears underwent microscopic removal of cholesteatoma; 29 (38.1%) ears underwent combined endoscopic‐microscopic removal; and 8 (10.5%) ears underwent TEES removal. Significantly more mastoidectomies were completed in microscopic cases as compared with endoscopic cases (P =. 049). Though second‐look procedures occurred in 15 (51.7%) endoscopic cases and 10 (21.3%) microscopic cases (P =. 006), the rate of residual disease was 20.0% and 40.0% in endoscopic and microscopic cases, respectively (P =. 38). When controlling for preoperative hearing, only the air‐bone gap for TEES demonstrated significant improvement (P =. 009). No complications were noted.

Conclusion

The present report describes our experience with pediatric endoscopic cholesteatoma surgery, demonstrating similar hearing outcomes, rates of recurrence and residual disease, and complication rates as compared with traditional microscopic techniques.
Inhibition of Inflammation‐Associated Olfactory Loss by Etanercept in an Inducible Olfactory Inflammation Mouse Model
Authors: Jung Yong Gi , Lane Andrew P.
Published: March 2016

Objective

To determine the effect of a soluble human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) receptor blocker (etanercept) on an inducible olfactory inflammation (IOI) mouse model.

Study Design

An in vivo study using a transgenic mouse model.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Subjects and Methods

To study the impact of chronic inflammation on the olfactory system, a transgenic mouse model of chronic rhinosinusitis–associated olfactory loss was utilized (IOI mouse), expressing TNF‐α in a temporally controlled fashion within the olfactory epithelium. In one group of mice (n = 4), etanercept was injected intraperitoneally (100 μg/dose, 3 times/week) concurrent with a 2‐week period of TNF‐α expression. A second group of mice (n = 2) underwent induction of TNF‐α expression for 8 weeks, with etanercept treatment administered during the final 2 weeks of inflammation. Olfactory function was assayed by elecro‐olfactogram (EOG), and olfactory tissue was processed for histology and immunohistochemical staining. Each group was compared with an equal‐number control group.

Results

Compared with nontreated IOI mice, etanercept‐treated IOI mice showed significantly improved EOG responses after 2 weeks (P <. 001). After 8 weeks of induced inflammation, there was massive loss of olfactory epithelium and no EOG response in nontreated IOI mice. However, in etanercept‐treated mice, regeneration of olfactory epithelium was observed.

Conclusion

Concomitant administration of etanercept in IOI mice results in interruption of TNF‐α‐induced olfactory loss and induction of neuroepithelial regeneration. This demonstrates that etanercept has potential utility as a tool for elucidating the role of TNF‐α in other olfactory inflammation models.
Ciprofloxacin Decreases Collagen in Mouse Tympanic Membrane Fibroblasts
Authors: Orobello Nicklas C. , Dirain Carolyn O. , Schultz Gregory , Milne‐Davies Bailey A. , Ng Maria R. A. , Antonelli Patrick J.
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To determine how collagen production by tympanic membrane fibroblasts is affected by ciprofloxacin at levels found in eardrops.

Study Design

Prospective, controlled, and blinded cell culture study.

Setting

Academic tertiary medical center.

Subjects

Cell culture of mouse fibroblasts.

Methods

A primary fibroblast culture was established from mouse tympanic membranes. Fibroblasts were cultured until they were 75% confluent, then treated with dilute hydrochloric acid (control) or ciprofloxacin (0.01% or 0.3%) for 24 or 72 hours for Western blotting and for 24 or 48 hours for cytotoxicity assay. Cells were observed with phase‐contrast microscope. Western blotting was performed for collagen type 1 α1 (collagen 1A1) and α‐tubulin.

Results

Fibroblasts treated with 0.01% and 0.3% ciprofloxacin for 24 hours had lower levels of collagen 1A1 (P =. 0005 and P <. 0001, respectively) and α‐tubulin (both P <. 0001) than control fibroblasts. Collagen 1A1 and α‐tubulin levels were lower in fibroblasts treated with 0.3% than with 0.01% ciprofloxacin (P =. 02 and P =. 014). After 72 hours, 0.3% ciprofloxacin completely eliminated collagen 1A1 and α‐tubulin (P <. 001). Cells treated with 0.01% ciprofloxacin for 72 hours also had lower collagen 1A1 (P <. 0001) and α‐tubulin (P =. 005) as compared with the control. Seventy‐two‐hour incubation in 0.01% or 0.3% ciprofloxacin resulted in lower levels of collagen 1A1 (P =. 009 and P <. 0001, respectively) and α‐tubulin (P =. 007 and P <. 0001, respectively) than 24‐hour incubation. Cytotoxicity assay and phase‐contrast microscopy mirrored these findings.

Conclusions

Treatment of tympanic membrane fibroblasts with 0.3% ciprofloxacin, as found in eardrops, reduces fibroblast viability and collagen and α‐tubulin protein levels. These findings could explain tympanic membrane healing problems associated with quinolone eardrops.
Effects of a Fibrin Sealant on Skin Graft Tissue Adhesion in a Rodent Model
Authors: Balceniuk Mark D. , Wingate Nicholas A. , Krein Howard , Curry Joseph , Cognetti David , Heffelfiner Ryan , Luginbuhl Adam
Published: March 2016

Objective

To establish a rodent model for skin grafting with fibrin glue and examine the effects of fibrin glue on the adhesive strength of skin grafts without bolsters.

Study Design

Animal cohort.

Setting

Academic hospital laboratory.

Subjects and Methods

Three skin grafts were created using a pneumatic microtome on the dorsum of 12 rats. Rats were evenly divided into experimental (n = 6) and control (n = 6) groups. The experimental group received a thin layer of fibrin glue between the graft and wound bed, and the control group was secured with standard bolsters. Adherence strength of the skin graft was tested by measurement of force required to sheer the graft from the recipient wound. Adhesion strength measurements were taken on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, and 3.

Results

The experimental group required an average force of 719 g on POD1, 895 g on POD2, and 676 g on POD3, while the average force in the control group was 161 g on POD1, 257 g on POD2, and 267 g on POD3. On each of the 3 PODs, there was a significant difference in adherence strength between the experimental and control groups (P =. 036, P =. 029, P =. 024).

Conclusion

There is a significant difference in the adhesion strength of skin grafts to the wound bed in the early postoperative period of the 2 groups. In areas of high mobility, using the fibrin sealant can keep the graft immobile during the critical phases of early healing.
Sinus Computed Tomography Imaging in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Gergin Ozgul , Kawai Kosuke , MacDougall Robert D. , Robson Caroline D. , Moritz Ethan , Cunningham Michael , Adil Eelam
Published: March 2016

Study Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of computed tomography (CT) sinus imaging in a pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) population, determine changes in Lund Mackay (LM) scores over time, and estimate radiation exposure.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care children’s hospital.

Subjects and Methods

In total, 202 pediatric patients with CF who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) were included. The total number of CT scans was calculated for each patient, with specific focus on the indications for and subsequent outcomes of the sinus CT scan subgroup.

Results

Patients underwent a total of 1718 CT scans, 832 of which were sinus CT scans (mean of 4.2 sinus scans per patient). Disease evaluation (54%) and preoperative planning (35%) were the most common indications. Otolaryngologists were more likely to order imaging for preoperative evaluation, and those scans were more likely to result in surgery compared with those requested by other physicians (P <. 001). Ninety CT scans (10.8%) led to no change in management. There was no significant difference in LM scores between patients admitted to the hospital or prescribed antibiotics and those who were not. There was also no significant change in LM score following ESS after adjusting for age and sex (P =. 23).

Conclusion

Based on LM scores, all sinus CT scans in patients with CF reveal moderate to severe sinus disease. Effort should be made to minimize radiation exposure in patients with CF by limiting sinus CT scans to the preoperative context or for evaluation of potential sinusitis complications.
Ideologically Motivated Perceptions of Complexity
Authors: Conway Lucian Gideon , Houck Shannon C. , Gornick Laura Janelle , Repke Meredith A.
Published: March 2016

While prior research has found linguistic complexity to be predictive across multiple domains, little research has examined how people perceive—or misperceive—linguistic complexity when they encounter it. Drawing from a model of the motivated ideological lens through which people view linguistic complexity, two studies examined the hypotheses that (a) participants are more likely to overestimate the complexity of political candidates when they believe they align with their own political views and (b) this complexity overestimation effect will be particularly strong for political liberals. Both studies presented participants with paragraphs from political candidates that varied in their actual integrative complexity levels and asked them to estimate the complexity of the paragraph. Consistent with expectations, Study 1 found that participants were significantly more likely to overestimate complexity levels for political candidates with whom they shared ideological beliefs and that this effect was particularly in evidence for political liberals. Study 2 replicated this basic pattern and further demonstrated that this effect was dependent on participants’ knowledge of their ideological agreement with the paragraph author. Because people misperceive linguistic complexity, researchers should move beyond thinking solely about how complex political rhetoric is; we have to also consider the degree that the intended audience may over- or underestimate complexity when they see it.
Approaches to Investigating Complex Genetic Traits in a Large-Scale Inbred Mouse Aging Study
Authors: Sundberg J. P. , Berndt A. , Sundberg B. A. , Silva K. A. , Kennedy V. , Smith R. S. , Cooper T. K. , Schofield P. N.
Published: March 2016

Inbred mice are a unique model system for studying aging because of the genetic homogeneity within inbred strains, the short life span of mice relative to humans, and the rich array of analytic tools that are available. A large-scale aging study was conducted on 28 inbred strains representing great genetic diversity to determine, via histopathology, the type and diversity of spontaneous diseases that aging mice develop. A total of 20 885 different diagnoses were made, with an average of 12 diagnoses per mouse in the study. Eighteen inbred strains have had their genomes sequenced, and many others have been partially sequenced to provide large repositories of data on genetic variation among the strains. This vast amount of genomic information can be utilized in genome-wide association studies to find candidate genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of spontaneous diseases. As an illustration, this article presents a genome-wide association study of the genetic associations of age-related intestinal amyloidosis, which implicated 3 candidate genes: translocating chain-associated membrane protein 1 ( Tram1); splicing factor 3b, subunit 5 ( Sf3b5); and syntaxin 11 ( Stx11). Representative photomicrographs are available on the Mouse Tumor Biology Database and Pathbase to serve as a reference when evaluating inbred mice used in other genetic or experimental studies to rule out strain background lesions. Many of the age-related mouse diseases are similar, if not identical, to human diseases; therefore, the genetic discoveries have direct translational benefit.
Francisella Tularensis Clades B.FTN002-00 and B.13 Are Associated With Distinct Pathology in the European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus)
Authors: Origgi F. C. , Pilo P.
Published: March 2016

Tularemia is a severe disease caused by Francisella tularensis. This bacterium has a major pathogenic potential in countless animal species as well as in humans. Despite the relatively significant body of literature available on this microorganism, many questions are still open concerning its biological cycle in the environment, the pathology and pathogenesis of the disease, the possible routes of infection in animals, and the pathologic and ecological relevance of the distinct phylogenetic clusters of F. tularensis. In order to address these questions, we have thoroughly characterized the pathology and microbiology of terminally ill European brown hares ( Lepus europaeus) infected with F. tularensis subsp. holarctica, collected in Switzerland from 2012 to 2014. F. tularensis isolates were typed by defining their phylogenetic clusters. We showed that the pathology associated with F. tularensis subsp. holarctica belonging to the clade B.FTNF002-00 is different from that previously reported to be associated with the clade B.13. In particular, strains of the clade B.FTNF002-00 were almost invariably associated with splenitis and hepatitis and not with the polyserositis affecting pleura, pericardium, and kidney reported in the literature for infections caused by the clade B.13. We describe findings suggesting that the ports of entry for the bacteria might be the respiratory and digestive routes.
Ex Nihilo in Mundum: A Reply to Paipais
Authors: Prozorov Sergei
Published: March 2016

In this reply to Vassilios Paipais’s review of my Void Universalism books I focus on two main points of my disagreement with Paipais. The first concerns the possibility of deriving universalist axioms of world politics from the ontology of the void discussed in the first volume, Ontology and World Politics. While Paipais rejects such a possibility and posits a contentless ontology of the political, I argue that it is possible to derive from void ontology the political axioms of community, equality and freedom understood as attributes of indiscernible ‘whatever being’. The second pertains to the limitations on the world-political subject addressed in the second volume, Theory of the Political Subject. While Paipais is entirely correct in arguing that my notion of political subjectivity combines purism on the level of content with prudentialism with regard to form, I demonstrate that this combination is not a contradiction but is rather the precondition of politics as free praxis, whereby the politicisation of particular worlds in accordance with universal axioms always remains up to the subject.
Tail risk hedging for mutual funds using equity market state prices
Authors: O’Neill Michael J , Liu Zhangxin (Frank)
Published: March 2016

This paper proposes a method for generating unbiased predictors of downside and tail volatility for individual mutual funds, using theoretical market state prices and applying these to fund payoffs. The method is validated as a predictor of market downside and tail volatility. The Fund Volatility Index-Lower Partial Moment ([Formula: see text]) is then proposed as a forward-looking hedge of downside volatility for funds, calibrated and assessed on a database of 13,202 individual funds. The method proves to be unbiased with high forecast accuracy and is capable of capturing individual fund skewness.
The ignored citizen: Young children’s subjectivities in Swedish and English early childhood education settings
Authors: Bath Caroline , Karlsson Rauni
Published: March 2016

This article looks at examples of young children acting as citizens and aims to illuminate these by utilising Biesta’s exposition of subjectification and socialisation conceptions of citizenship. Specifically, the article applies the concepts of ‘dissensus’, taken from Rancière’s work; ‘agonism’, taken from Mouffe’s work; and solidarity from Levinas’ work to actual ‘scenes’ from Swedish and English early childhood education settings. It also discusses these in relation to other contemporary work on concepts of children’s citizenship and our own theories of young children’s play.
Optimized low-risk deployment of a passenger airbag with a passenger protection wrap considering pressure dispersion
Authors: Kim Dong-Eun , Park Woon-Ik , Shin Bo-Sung , Kang Myung Chang
Published: March 2016

The airbag is an occupant protection device widely used in the automotive industry. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 requires the low-risk deployment airbag system to be utilized in vehicles to protect out-of-position occupants. This paper presents a design-for-six-sigma low-risk deployment passenger airbag optimized by adding a passenger protection wrap. The passenger protection wrap reduces the cushion impact force on the passenger by ensuring pressure dispersion. A series of static tests were conducted to demonstrate the proposed system using Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 test procedures. The test results shows that the proposed passenger airbag satisfies the criteria established by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 and also presents a significant improvement over conventional airbag systems.
Missing the Millennium Development Goal targets for water and sanitation in urban areas
Authors: Satterthwaite David
Published: March 2016

This paper reviews progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for water and sanitation in urban areas. Drawing on UN data, it shows the disastrous performance of many low- and middle-income nations in relation to the goal of halving the proportion without drinking water sources piped on premises and improved sanitation between 1990 and 2015. It also describes how even such a poor performance is actually understating the problem because of deficiencies in the data available. For water, there are no data sources with global coverage on who has “sustainable access to safe drinking water” (what the MDGs specify). UN statistics record whether households have drinking water sources piped on premises, but this does not necessarily mean the water is safe to drink or that there is a regular, reliable supply (what is implied by sustainable access). For what is termed “improved” or “basic” sanitation, the bar is set too low in the quality of provision needed in urban areas, so large numbers of urban dwellers said to have improved or basic sanitation still lack sanitation that greatly reduces health risks. The paper emphasizes that assessments of provision for water and sanitation need to make allowances for different contexts; what can work well in rural contexts does not do so in large and dense urban agglomerations. The paper ends with a discussion of what the experience with the MDGs for water and sanitation implies for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Understanding and describing users’ wayfinding behavior in public library facilities
Authors: Mandel Lauren H.
Published: March 2016

Wayfinding is the study of how humans use a variety of informational media to orient themselves and navigate in a space, such as a library. This multi-method case study tested the applicability of a wayfinding framework developed in architecture to a public library environment. Research methods included unobtrusive observation of a random sample of users’ wayfinding in the facility and interviews with a convenience sample of users to discuss their wayfinding behavior. Patrons used various wayfinding behaviors in the facility, some corresponding to the framework, but other behaviors did not fit into the existing framework and not all aspects of the framework were observed or expressed. Additional research is necessary to investigate more fully the degree to which the framework validly describes how library users wayfind. Results have value for librarians, architects and interior designers, all of whom may apply findings toward their work designing facilities that are intuitive to navigate.
Ethical challenges when using coercion in mental healthcare: A systematic literature review
Authors: Hem Marit Helene , Gjerberg Elisabeth , Husum Tonje Lossius , Pedersen Reidar
Published: March 2016

Background:

To better understand the kinds of ethical challenges that emerge when using coercion in mental healthcare, and the importance of these ethical challenges, this article presents a systematic review of scientific literature.

Methods:

A systematic search in the databases MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Cinahl, Sociological Abstracts and Web of Knowledge was carried out. The search terms derived from the population, intervention, comparison/setting and outcome. A total of 22 studies were included.

Ethical considerations:

The review is conducted according to the Vancouver Protocol.

Results:

There are few studies that study ethical challenges when using coercion in an explicit way. However, promoting the patient’s best interest is the most important justification for coercion. Patient autonomy is a fundamental challenge facing any use of coercion, and some kind of autonomy infringement is a key aspect of the concept of coercion. The concepts of coercion and autonomy and the relations between them are very complex. When coercion is used, a primary ethical challenge is to assess the balance between promoting good (beneficence) and inflicting harm (maleficence). In the included studies, findings explicitly related to justice are few. Some studies focus on moral distress experienced by the healthcare professionals using coercion.

Conclusion:

There is a lack of literature explicitly addressing ethical challenges related to the use of coercion in mental healthcare. It is essential for healthcare personnel to develop a strong awareness of which ethical challenges they face in connection with the use of coercion, as well as challenges related to justice. How to address ethical challenges in ways that prevent illegitimate paternalism and strengthen beneficent treatment and care and trust in connection with the use of coercion is a ‘clinical must’. By developing a more refined and rich language describing ethical challenges, clinicians may be better equipped to prevent coercion and the accompanying moral distress.
Students’ Perceptions of Oral Screencast Responses to Their Writing
Authors: Anson Chris M. , Dannels Deanna P. , Laboy Johanne I. , Carneiro Larissa
Published: March 2016

This study explores the intersections between facework, feedback interventions, and digitally mediated modes of response to student writing. Specifically, the study explores one particular mode of feedback intervention—screencast response to written work—through students’ perceptions of its affordances and through dimensions of its role in the mediation of face and construction of identities. Students found screencast technologies to be helpful to their learning and their interpretation of positive affect from their teachers by facilitating personal connections, creating transparency about the teacher’s evaluative process and identity, revealing the teacher’s feelings, providing visual affirmation, and establishing a conversational tone. The screencast technologies seemed to create an evaluative space in which teachers and students could perform digitally mediated pedagogical identities that were relational, affective, and distinct, allowing students to perceive an individualized instructional process enabled by the response mode. These results suggest that exploring the concept of digitally mediated pedagogical identity, especially through alternative modes of response, can be a useful lens for theoretical and empirical exploration.