bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rescue alemtuzumab for refractory acute cellular rejection and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation
Authors: Ensor Christopher R. , Rihtarchik Lindsey C. , Morrell Matthew R. , Hayanga J. W. Awori , Lichvar Alicia B. , Pilewski Joseph M. , Wisniewski Stephen , Johnson Bruce A. , D'Cunha Jonathan , Zeevi Adriana , McDyer John F.
Published: December 2016

Refractory acute cellular rejection (rACR) is associated with death and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) post‐lung transplantation. We report the largest cohort of lung transplant recipients (LTRs) treated with rescue alemtuzumab for rACR or BOS. RACR outcomes included burden of ACR 30 days before and 180 days after rescue assessed by a novel composite rejection standardized score (CRSS, range 0‐6) and freedom from ≥A2 ACR. BOS outcomes included freedom from BOS progression and FEV1 decline >10%. Univariate parametric and nonparametric statistical approaches were used to assess treatment response. Kaplan‐Meier method with log rank conversion was used to assess freedom from events. Fifty‐seven alemtuzumab doses (ACR 40 and BOS 17) given to 51 patients were included. Median time to rescue was 722 (IQR 42‐1403) days. CRSS declined significantly (3 vs 0.67, P<0.001) after rescue. Freedom from ≥A2 was 62.5% in rACR. Freedom from BOS progression was 52.9% at 180 days in the BOS cohort. Freedom from FEV1 decline >10% was 70% in BOS grade 1 and 14.3% in advanced BOS grades 2‐3. Infections developed in 72.5% and 76.5% of rACR and BOS groups. Rescue alemtuzumab appears useful for rACR. Patients with BOS 1 may have transient benefit, and patients with advanced BOS seem not to respond to alemtuzumab.
Efficacy and safety of short‐term treatment with isoniazid and rifampicin for latent tuberculosis infection in lung transplant candidates
Authors: Guirao‐Arrabal Emilio , Santos Francisco , Redel Javier , Vaquero José Manuel , Torre‐Cisneros Julián
Published: December 2016

Background

The current recommendation for the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in solid organ transplant candidates is isoniazid for 9 months, but this treatment has the main problem of frequently reaching the posttransplant period.

Methods

This is the study of efficacy and safety of a 3‐month regimen with isoniazid and rifampicin (3HR) in lung transplant candidates in the Reina Sofía Hospital in Córdoba.

Results

Three hundred and ninety‐eight lung transplant patients were evaluated. Ninety‐two (24.9%) had LTBI and just 22 received the 3HR treatment. One additional patient was treated because he had a history of previous incomplete treatment for active TB. None of the treated patients developed posttransplant tuberculosis compared to three of the 62 patients with LTBI who were not treated (4.8%). Three patients could not conclude the 3HR treatment (13%), but only two had adverse effects (8.7%).

Conclusions

Treatment of LTBI in lung transplant candidates using a short course of 3HR appears to be effective and safe in preventing posttransplant TB in lung transplant recipients.
Reliability of reporting the presence of transformation zone material in Papanicolaou smears using an automated screening system
Authors: Erbarut Seven I. , Mollamemisoglu H. , Eren F.
Published: December 2016

Objective

This study was conducted to evaluate the reliability of using an interactive automated screening system (IAS) to determine the presence of endocervical and/or metaplastic cells (transformation zone material; TZM) in liquid‐based cytology (LBC) Papanicolaou (Pap) smear slides.

Materials and methods

A series of LBC Pap smears was manually screened to determine the presence or absence of TZM. The results were compared to those obtained through IAS.

Results

ThinPrep® Imaging System (Imager)‐assisted screening indicated that 22.4% of the slides did not contain TZM in cases in which previous manual screening revealed that 100% of the slides did contain TZM.

Conclusion

The reliability of determining TZM through IAS is limited. Manual screening of the slides appears to be necessary to report the presence of TZM accurately.
Effect of a brief episode of experimental muscle pain on jaw movement and jaw‐muscle activity during chewing
Authors: Inamoto Kyoko , Murray Greg M. , Whittle Terry
Published: December 2016

The aims of this study were to determine whether: (i) the jaw motor system develops a new pattern of jaw movement and/or jaw‐muscle activity after resolution of an acute episode of jaw‐muscle pain; and (ii) if jaw‐muscle activity and jaw‐movement features change progressively with repetition of a chewing sequence. Jaw movement and jaw muscle (masseter, anterior temporalis, and digastric) activity were recorded during free and rate‐standardized chewing in eight asymptomatic participants (pain infusion group), before and at three time blocks up to 45 min after a single 0.2‐ml bolus infusion of 5% hypertonic saline into the right masseter muscle. The same procedure, without infusion, was performed in another eight participants (control group). There were no significant main effects of group on jaw movement and muscle activity, suggesting that there were no persistent post‐pain effects on chewing. Across groups, repetitions of free and unstandardized chewing movements were associated with progressive increases in velocity and amplitude of jaw movement and masseter and temporalis electromyographic (EMG) activity. These findings suggest that factors unrelated to pain, such as practice effects, may be playing a role in the changes in jaw movement and jaw‐muscle activity observed after resolution of an acute episode of jaw‐muscle pain.
European Law Beyond ‘Ever Closer Union’ Repositioning the Concept, its Thrust and the ECJ's Comparative Methodology
Authors: von Bogdandy Armin
Published: December 2016

The article investigates competing understandings of European law. It supports, against the prevailing EU‐centred understanding, an ecumenical concept that embraces EU law, supplementing international instruments, the European Convention on Human Rights and, importantly, various domestic laws enacting or responding to such transnational law, as well as European comparative law. To keep the concept in sync with European politics, it posits a new idea that binds the parts together: to provide for a European legal space rather than further European integration (the ever closer union). This idea can also serve as European law's functional equivalent to forming one legal order. European law thus conceived grasps the puzzling complex of interdependent legal orders, sets a common frame for corresponding reconstructions (European composite constructions, legal pluralism, network theories, federalism or intergovernmentalism) and allows forces with diverging outlooks to meet in one legal field, on one more neutral disciplinary platform. Within this framework, European comparative law finds a new mission as well as a sound legal basis.
Human herpesvirus 6 lymphadenitis in drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome: a lymphoma mimic
Authors: Johnson Steven , Mathews Stephanie , Hudnall S. David
Published: December 2016

Aims

Lymphadenopathy, haematological abnormalities and constitutional symptoms are among the non‐specific manifestations seen in drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), an uncommon but potentially fatal cutaneous adverse drug reaction. The ubiquitous human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) plays a unique role in the pathogenesis of DRESS, with emerging data suggesting that reactivation occurs in most cases and contributes to the clinical manifestations, including lymphadenopathy. Further, in the appropriate clinical context, demonstration of HHV‐6 reactivation may lend support to a diagnosis of DRESS. The histopathology of DRESS‐associated HHV‐6 lymphadenitis is reported rarely, with morphologic and immunophenotypic characteristics concerning for T cell lymphoma. The aim is to characterize the histopathology of HHV‐6 lymphadenitis in the context of DRESS and to highlight this as an important cause of lymphadenopathy that may be a clinical, morphologic and immunophenotypic mimic of lymphoma.

Methods and results

We describe a case of lymphoma‐mimicking lymphadenitis in which the histopathological demonstration of reactivation of HHV‐6 infection lent support to the clinical diagnosis of DRESS.

Conclusion

Lymph node biopsies concerning for T cell lymphoma should be evaluated for HHV‐6 involvement in a clinical context suggestive of DRESS.
Environmental factors determining the establishment of the African Long‐legged BuzzardButeo rufinus cirtensisin Western Europe
Authors: Chamorro Darío , Olivero Jesús , Real Raimundo , Muñoz Antonio‐Román
Published: December 2016

Winters have become warmer under the impact of climate change, which has modified the phenology as well as the distribution ranges of birds. The African Long‐legged BuzzardButeo rufinus cirtensishas recently colonized Europe via the Strait of Gibraltar. We aim to explain the native distribution of this species and to predict favourable areas in newly colonized parts of Europe using geospatial modelling to identify the most influential factors in this process. We applied the favourability function, a generalized linear model describing environmental favourability, for the presence/absence of breeding areas in northern Morocco and the southern Iberian Peninsula, according to a set of variables describing climate, topography, human activity, vegetation and purely spatial trends. A model was built using some known breeding sites in northern Morocco, and was used to forecast future suitable breeding areas in Europe. A second model was built with the available data for northern Morocco and Europe to explain the current distribution of breeding sites. Both models were assessed according to discrimination, calibration and parsimony criteria, and the influence of each factor was analysed using variation partitioning. We conclude that the Iberian Peninsula could provide new suitable areas for the species and facilitate its northward expansion. This result, together with the increasing number of records available, suggests that this species could soon spread throughout Europe. Steady temperatures and abundant but seasonally distributed precipitation showed the strongest predictive power in the models. This indicates a close relationship between the species’ distribution and climate in the study area, and suggests that this species finds its most favourable environments in the Mediterranean biome. Topography and vegetation, specifically cliffs and woods near hunting zones, point to a fine‐scale habitat selection for breeding. As the case of the African Long‐legged Buzzard is not a unique event, our results may be useful to determine whether a northward expansion of the Mediterranean biome could be followed by distribution shifts of bird species that have so far been restricted to Africa.
Emphysema induced by elastase enhances acute inflammatory pulmonary response to intraperitoneal LPS in rats
Authors: da Fonseca Lídia Maria Carneiro , Reboredo Maycon Moura , Lucinda Leda Marília Fonseca , Fazza Thaís Fernanda , Rabelo Maria Aparecida Esteves , Fonseca Adenilson Souza , de Paoli Flavia , Pinheiro Bruno Valle
Published: December 2016

Abnormalities in lungs caused by emphysema might alter their response to sepsis and the occurrence of acute lung injury (ALI). This study compared the extension of ALI in response to intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in Wistar rats with and without emphysema induced by elastase. Adult male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: control, emphysema without sepsis, normal lung with sepsis and emphysema with sepsis. Sepsis was induced, and 24 h later the rats were euthanised. The following analysis was performed: blood gas measurements, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung permeability and histology. Animals that received LPS showed significant increase in a lung injury scoring system, inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and IL‐6, TNF‐α and CXCL2 mRNA expression in lung tissue. Animals with emphysema and sepsis showed increased alveolocapillary membrane permeability, demonstrated by higher BAL/serum albumin ratio. In conclusion, the presence of emphysema induced by elastase increases the inflammatory response in the lungs to a systemic stimulus, represented in this model by the intraperitoneal injection of LPS.
Nursing student plans for the future after graduation: a multicentre study
Authors: Palese A. , Falomo M. , Brugnolli A. , Mecugni D. , Marognolli O. , Montalti S. , Tameni A. , Gonella S. , Dimonte V.
Published: December 2016

Background

When modelling the nursing workforce, estimations of the numbers and characteristics of new graduates over the forecast period are assumed on the basis of previous generations; however, new graduates may have different plans for their future than those documented previously in different socio‐economical contexts.

Aims

To explore (a) nursing student plans after graduation and factors influencing their plans, and (b) factors associated with the intention to emigrate.

Methods

A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to students attending their final third year of nursing education in seven universities in Italy in 2015. Nine hundred and twenty‐three (90.4%) students participated.

Findings

Four different plans after graduation emerged: about two‐thirds reported an intention to look for a nursing job in Italy; the remaining reported (a) an intention to emigrate, looking for a nursing job abroad, (b) an intention to search for a nursing job in both Italy and abroad, and (c) while a few an intention to continue nursing education in Italy. Having previous experience abroad, the need to grow and be satisfied, trusting the target country and a desire to increase knowledge encouraged an intention to emigrate, whereas the desire to stay in a comfortable environment and nurture personal relationships prevented the desire to migrate.

Conclusion

Nursing students may have different plans after graduation, and this should be considered when modelling the nursing workforce of the future.

Implications for nursing/health policy

Policymakers should be aware of different plans after graduation to guide healthcare human resource strategies. Knowing these trajectories allows policymakers to estimate the appropriate nursing workforce, and also to act at both macro‐ and meso‐levels, on work environments and opportunities for professional development, according to the different levels of expectations.
A novel Mn4+‐activated red phosphor for use in light emitting diodes, K3SiF7:Mn4+
Authors: Kim Minseuk , Park Woon Bae , Bang Bokeuk , Kim Chang Hae , Sohn Kee‐Sun
Published: December 2016

Phosphors that exhibit a narrow red emission are particularly interesting due to the advantage of providing a more extensive color gamut and better rendering in LED applications such as displays and solid‐state lighting. Although some Eu2+‐activated nitridosilicates have been discovered in this regard, K2SiF6:Mn4+ phosphors are the only option in actual LED applications thus far. We discovered a novel phosphor, K3SiF7:Mn4+, with P4/mbm symmetry. The luminescent properties of K3SiF7:Mn4+ are almost identical to those of the K2SiF6:Mn4+ phosphor, but its materials identity is distinct due to a completely different crystallographic structure, which leads to reduced decay time. The fast decay is one of the most serious disadvantages of existing K2SiF6:Mn4+ phosphors. The K3SiF7:Mn4+ phosphor was examined in comparison to the K2SiF6:Mn4+ via density functional theory calculation, Rietveld refinement, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy, and time‐resolved photoluminescence.
Human gingiva transcriptome during wound healing
Authors: Wang Yun , Tatakis Dimitris N.
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To investigate the gene expression profile of human gingiva following surgical wounding.

Methods

Ten volunteers had one side of the palate wounded. Five days later, biopsies were harvested from both wounded (healing gingiva) and contra‐lateral site (normal gingiva). Tissue samples were processed for gene expression (RNA‐Seq, real‐time PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Gene set enrichment/pathway analysis was also performed.

Results

Seven hundred genes were significantly differentially expressed in healing gingiva. Among genes with >twofold change (FC) in expression, 399 genes were up‐regulated and 88 down‐regulated, several not previously reported expressed in gingiva. Most increased in expression (≥30‐FC) were MMP1, CCL18, SPP1, MUC21, CTHRC1, MMP10, and SERPINE1; most decreased (≥7‐FC) were COCH, SIAH3, MT4, IGFL3, KY, and SYT16. Real‐time PCR confirmed significantly changed mRNA levels for selective genes tested. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed several significantly enriched biological pathways. Immunohistochemistry confirmed protein expression of MUC21, CTHRC1, CTGF, and SYT16 in normal and healing gingiva.

Conclusions

This first comprehensive analysis of the human gingival transcriptome during surgical wound healing offers novel insights into the participating molecular and biological mechanisms. The present results could serve as basis for future investigations into gingival wound healing following surgical, traumatic, or other type of injury.
Urgency to treat patients with chronic hepatitis C in Asia
Authors: Kao Jia‐Horng , Ahn Sang Hoon , Chien Rong‐Nan , Cho Mong , Chuang Wan‐Long , Jeong Sook‐Hyang , Liu Chen‐Hua , Paik Seung‐Woon
Published: December 2016

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection poses a global healthcare burden, being associated with serious complications if untreated. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highest in areas of Central, South, and East Asia; over 50% of HCV patients worldwide live in the region, where HCV genotypes 1b, 2, 3, and 6 are the most prevalent. Treatment outcomes for chronic hepatitis C vary by ethnicity, and Asian patients achieve higher sustained virologic response rates following interferon (IFN)‐based therapy than non‐Asians. However, low efficacy, poor safety profile, and subcutaneous administration limit the use of IFN‐based therapies. Superior virologic outcomes have been observed with different classes of direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) alone or in combination, and several all‐oral DAA regimens are available in Asia. These regimens have shown excellent efficacy and favorable tolerability in clinical trials, yet there is a need for further studies of DAAs in a real world context, particularly in Asia. Furthermore, IFN‐free treatment may not be accessible for many patients in the region, and IFN‐based regimens remain an option in some countries. There is a need to improve current clinical practices for HCV management in Asia, including effective screening, disease awareness, and prevention programs, and to further understand the cost‐effectiveness of IFN‐free regimens. The evolution of potent treatments makes HCV eradication a possibility that should be available to all patients. However, access to these therapies in Asian countries has been slow, primarily because of economic barriers that continue to present a hurdle to optimal treatment.
The Association of Vitamin D Deficiency and Incident Frailty in Older Women: The Role of Cardiometabolic Diseases
Authors: Buta Brian , Choudhury Parichoy Pal , Xue Qian‐Li , Chaves Paulo , Bandeen‐Roche Karen , Shardell Michelle , Semba Richard D. , Walston Jeremy , Michos Erin D. , Appel Lawrence J. , McAdams‐DeMarco Mara , Gross Alden , Yasar Sevil , Ferrucci Luigi , Fried Linda P. , Kalyani Rita Rastogi
Published: December 2016

Objectives

Evidence suggests vitamin D deficiency is associated with developing frailty. However, cardiometabolic factors are related to both conditions and may confound and/or mediate the vitamin D–frailty association. We aimed to determine the association of vitamin D concentration with incidence of frailty, and the role of cardiometabolic diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension) in this relationship.

Design

Prospective longitudinal cohort study (7 visits from 1994–2008).

Setting

Baltimore, Maryland.

Participants

Three hundred sixty‐nine women from the Women's Health and Aging Study II aged 70–79 years, free of frailty at baseline.

Measurements

Serum circulating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration was assessed at baseline and categorized as: <10; 10–19.9; 20‐29.9; and ≥30 ng/mL. Frailty incidence was determined based on presence of three or more criteria: weight loss, low physical activity, exhaustion, weakness, and slowness. Cardiometabolic diseases were ascertained at baseline. Analyses included Cox regression models adjusted for key covariates.

Results

Incidence rate of frailty was 32.2 per 1,000 person‐years in participants with 25(OH)D < 10 ng/mL, compared to 12.9 per 1,000 person‐years in those with 25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/mL (mean follow‐up = 8.5 ± 3.7 years). In cumulative incidence analyses, those with lower 25(OH)D exhibited higher frailty incidence, though differences were non‐significant (P = .057). In regression models adjusted for demographics, smoking, and season, 25(OH)D < 10 ng/mL (vs ≥30 ng/mL) was associated with nearly three‐times greater frailty incidence (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.14, 6.71, P = .02). After adjusting for BMI, the relationship of 25(OH)D < 10 ng/mL (vs ≥30 ng/mL) with incident frailty persisted, but was attenuated after further accounting for cardiometabolic diseases (HR = 2.29, 95% CI = 0.92, 5.69, P = .07).

Conclusion

Low serum vitamin D concentration is associated with incident frailty in older women; interestingly, the relationship is no longer significant after accounting for the presence of cardiometabolic diseases. Future studies should explore mechanisms to explain this relationship.
Content of Personalized Socioeducational Programs for Adults with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities. The Risk of Restricting Perspectives in Adulthood
Authors: Petitpierre G. , Gyger J. , Panchaud L. , Romagny S.
Published: December 2016

Supporting individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) in the intricate pattern of their relationships with their physical and social environment undoubtedly represents the main challenge that faces those closely involved with them, and this applies to individuals of all ages, including adults. In an effort to find out more about the priorities applied in the support of adolescents and adults with multiple disabilities in French‐speaking Switzerland, we have analyzed the content of personalized programs (PP's) with particular attention to the long‐term objectives. The programs of 58 individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (aged 16–55) were analyzed under conditions of strict anonymity. They had been selected using a stratified random sampling process. The content was analyzed in terms of theme and category in order to identify and quantify the content of the objectives and their number. The results indicate an average of 10–11 objectives per person. The number of objectives falls as the individuals reach adulthood. The programs of adolescents who attend day schools contain significantly more objectives that those of young people in residential schools. It was apparent in all the programs that less importance is attached to emotional, conceptual, and cognitive aspects. The results highlight the under‐investment in some functioning spheres and reveal a restriction of perspectives in the programs of adults with PIMD. Several interpretations are possible. Lines of action have been identified in order to support a life‐span perspective and break through the current barriers.
Family Quality of Life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Aldersey Heather M. , Francis Grace L. , Haines Shana J. , Chiu Chun Yu
Published: December 2016

There is a critical need to create a reliable, relevant, and culturally appropriate measure of Family Quality of Life (FQOL) in order to evaluate family outcomes and related national family support mechanisms in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study explores Congolese conceptions of FQOL and examines the appropriateness of adapting a common FQOL measurement tool for use in a Congolese context. Data are derived from four focus groups, conducted with 21 family members of persons with disabilities and 2 family advocates in Kinshasa, DRC. Participant conceptions of FQOL were highly similar to common understandings of FQOL globally. Participant discourse identified poverty and resiliency as potentially crucial underlying factors in FQOL in the DRC. FQOL is an important concept to measure in the DRC. Measurement must take poverty and resiliency into consideration.
Social and Cultural Considerations in Family Quality of Life: Jewish and Arab Israeli Families' Child‐Raising Experiences
Authors: Roth Dana , Brown Ivan
Published: December 2016

This paper compares the family quality of life (FQOL) of families with a child with disability in Jewish and Arab communities in Israel. Social, political, and cultural realities have an effect on all members of society. For families with a child with disability there are additional challenges. Being a minority family with a child with a disability adds to the challenges. One hundred fifty‐eight Jewish and 105 Arab Israeli caregivers of children with disabilities responded to the Family Quality of Life Survey (FQOLS‐2006), which operationalizes FQOL as a construct of six measurement dimensions in nine core family life domains. Overall, Jewish families in Israel reported higher FQOL than Arab families. Although eight of the nine domains were rated highly for Importance, the main outcome measures Attainment and Satisfaction were rated lower for almost all domains. Some domains contributed to overall differences more than others. The patterns also differed for the Jewish and Arab families. It is important for policy and practice to consider the social/political status of families and to consider the possible impact this has on the family of a child with a disability. Further research is needed to develop application models for addressing the needs of minority populations in designing programs into the general service delivery system.
Nonenzymatic glycation interferes with fibronectin‐integrin interactions in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Dhar Srijita , Sun Zhe , Meininger Gerald A. , Hill Michael A.
Published: December 2016

Objective

We aimed to investigate whether advanced nonenzymatic glycation of the ECM protein, fibronectin, impacts its normal integrin‐mediated interaction with arteriolar VSMC.

Methods

AFM was performed on cultured VSMC from rat cremaster arterioles to study native and glycated fibronectin (FN and gFN) interactions with cellular integrins. AFM probes were functionalized with FN or gFN or with native or glycated albumin (gAlb) as controls.

Results

VSMC showed increased adhesion probability to gFN (72.9±3.5%) compared with native FN (63.0±1.6%). VSMC similarly showed increased probability of adhesion (63.8±1.7%) to gAlb compared with native Alb (40.1±4.7%). Adhesion of native FN to VSMC was α5 and β1 integrin dependent whereas adhesion of gFN to VSMC was integrin independent. The RAGE‐selective inhibitor, FPS‐ZM1, blocked gFN (and gAlb) adhesion, suggesting that adhesion of glycated proteins was RAGE dependent. Interaction of FN with VSMC was not altered by soluble gFN while soluble native FN did not inhibit adhesion of gFN to VSMC. In contrast, gAlb inhibited adhesion of gFN to VSMC in a concentration‐dependent manner.

Conclusions

Glycation of FN shifts the nature of cellular adhesion from integrin‐ to RAGE‐dependent mechanisms.
Use of the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARATkids) in children and adolescents: Validation in Dutch
Authors: Emons J. A. M. , Flokstra B. M. J. , de Jong C. , van der Molen T. , Brand H. K. , Arends N. J. T. , Amaral R. , Fonseca J. A. , Gerth van Wijk R.
Published: December 2016

Background

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are common and closely related diseases. Recently, a Portuguese questionnaire has been developed ‘The Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test’ (CARATkids) that measures disease control of both diseases in children. This study aims to validate the CARATkids in Dutch children and for the first time in adolescents and, in addition, to calculate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID).

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted in an outpatient clinic. After translation of the CARATkids from Portuguese to Dutch, patients (6–18 years) with asthma or asthma and allergic rhinitis completed the CARATkids, Asthma Control Test, and visual analog scale questionnaire three times. Baseline characteristics, mean scores, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, cross‐sectional and longitudinal validity, discriminative properties, responsiveness, and MCID of the CARATkids were assessed.

Results

A total of 111 patients were included. In total, 86% and 79%, respectively, completed the questionnaires at the second and third visits. All children had asthma, and 85% had concomitant allergic rhinitis. The internal consistency was good with all expected a priori correlations met. CARATkids scores were higher in patients with uncontrolled asthma and patients with moderate–severe rhinitis compared to better controlled subjects. Patients with a variable asthma control had significantly higher scores during periods of uncontrolled asthma. Also the Guyatt's responsiveness index was good. The MCID was 2.8.

Conclusions

The CARATkids questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool to assess allergic rhinitis and asthma control among Dutch children. The tool can be used in adolescents.
Modelling Trends in Digit Preference Patterns
Authors: Camarda Carlo G. , Eilers Paul H. C. , Gampe Jutta
Published: December 2016

Digit preference is the habit of reporting certain end digits more often than others. If such a misreporting pattern is a concern, then measures to reduce digit preference can be taken and monitoring changes in digit preference becomes important. We propose a two-dimensional penalized composite link model to estimate the true distributions unaffected by misreporting, the digit preference pattern and a trend in the preference pattern simultaneously. A transfer pattern is superimposed on a series of smooth latent distributions and is modulated along a second dimension. Smoothness of the latent distributions is enforced by a roughness penalty. Ridge regression with an L1-penalty is used to extract the misreporting pattern, and an additional weighted least squares regression estimates the modulating trend vector. Smoothing parameters are selected by the Akaike information criterion. We present a simulation study and apply the model to data on birth weight and on self-reported weight of adults.
ZxAKT1 is essential for K+ uptake and K+/Na+ homeostasis in the succulent xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum
Authors: Ma Qing , Hu Jing , Zhou Xiang‐Rui , Yuan Hui‐Jun , Kumar Tanweer , Luan Sheng , Wang Suo‐Min
Published: December 2016

The inward‐rectifying K+ channel AKT1 constitutes an important pathway for K+ acquisition in plant roots. In glycophytes, excessive accumulation of Na+ is accompanied by K+ deficiency under salt stress. However, in the succulent xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum, which exhibits excellent adaptability to adverse environments, K+ concentration remains at a relatively constant level despite increased levels of Na+ under salinity and drought conditions. In this study, the contribution of ZxAKT1 to maintaining K+ and Na+ homeostasis in Z. xanthoxylum was investigated. Expression of ZxAKT1 rescued the K+‐uptake‐defective phenotype of yeast strain CY162, suppressed the salt‐sensitive phenotype of yeast strain G19, and complemented the low‐K+‐sensitive phenotype of Arabidopsis akt1 mutant, indicating that ZxAKT1 functions as an inward‐rectifying K+ channel. ZxAKT1 was predominantly expressed in roots, and was induced under high concentrations of either KCl or NaCl. By using RNA interference technique, we found that ZxAKT1‐silenced plants exhibited stunted growth compared to wild‐type Z. xanthoxylum. Further experiments showed that ZxAKT1‐silenced plants exhibited a significant decline in net uptake of K+ and Na+, resulting in decreased concentrations of K+ and Na+, as compared to wild‐type Z. xanthoxylum grown under 50 mm NaCl. Compared with wild‐type, the expression levels of genes encoding several transporters/channels related to K+/Na+ homeostasis, including ZxSKOR, ZxNHX, ZxSOS1 and ZxHKT1;1, were reduced in various tissues of a ZxAKT1‐silenced line. These findings suggest that ZxAKT1 not only plays a crucial role in K+ uptake but also functions in modulating Na+ uptake and transport systems in Z. xanthoxylum, thereby affecting its normal growth.
Magnetic response of nanostructured systems: A ferromagnetic resonance investigation
Authors: Lindner J. , Wiedwald U. , Baberschke K. , Farle M.
Published: December 2016

Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements probe the response of magnetic systems within the nanosecond-regime due to an excitation within the microwave regime. Due to the high sensitivity of FMR this technique is well suited for the investigation of nanostructures and ultrathin magnetic films or multilayers. As the resonance condition is determined by internal fields like anisotropy fields or interlayer coupling fields within layered structures, FMR experiments give direct and quantitative access to these quantities based on an analysis that uses the Landau–Lifshitz equation of motion. This will be demonstrated for the case of Ni–Cu–Ni films grown epitaxially on Cu(100) substrates and for highly monodisperse Co–CoO core–shell particles of about 10 nm diam. In case of the films the unique possibility to grow and measure the samples within an ultrahigh vacuum environment is presented.
The near non-existence of “pure” energetic masking release for speech: Extension to spectro-temporal modulation and glimpsing
Authors: Stone Michael A. , Canavan Shanelle
Published: December 2016

Stone and Moore [(2014). J. Acoust. Soc Am. 135, 1967–77], showed that the introduction of explicit temporal-only modulations to a speech masker, that otherwise produced a near-constant envelope at the output of each auditory filter, rarely resulted in improved intelligibility, except at a very low modulation rate. This represents a failure in “dip-listening” or “glimpsing” [Cooke (2006). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, 1562–1573], a facility where listeners are presumed to benefit from the temporarily improved signal-to-noise ratio during the masker dips. The dips of Stone and Moore only varied temporally, so Stone and Moore's method was used here to investigate the effect of maskers with both spectral and temporal dips, a pattern more representative of real-world maskers. For sinusoidally shaped modulations, intelligibility improved only at very low modulation rates, below 2 Hz temporally and 0.14 ripples/auditory filter spectrally. Square-wave modulation at a rate of 4 Hz resulted in improved intelligibility when only one cycle of spectral modulation was present across the audio bandwidth. Compared to the spectro-temporal extent of dips present during real-world noisy speech, dips generated by the reported modulation patterns were very large, further supporting the notion that dip-listening reflects a release from modulation masking and not energetic masking.
Near-infrared–to–visible highly selective thermal emitters based on an intrinsic semiconductor
Authors: Asano Takashi , Suemitsu Masahiro , Hashimoto Kohei , De Zoysa Menaka , Shibahara Tatsuya , Tsutsumi Tatsunori , Noda Susumu
Published: December 2016

A Si nanorod array enables the concentration of thermal emission in the near-infrared range while suppressing other components.
Kinematics and dynamics of the East Pacific Rise linked to a stable, deep-mantle upwelling
Authors: Rowley David B. , Forte Alessandro M. , Rowan Christopher J. , Glišović Petar , Moucha Robert , Grand Stephen P. , Simmons Nathan A.
Published: December 2016

Longitudinal stability of East Pacific Rise reflects coupling of deep-mantle buoyancy, mantle-wide flow, and seafloor spreading.
Moving target: transient rotational stenosis precipitating jugular bow hunter's syndrome
Authors: Brinjikji Waleed , Graffeo Christopher S , Perry Avital , Zimmerman Terence , Janus Jeffrey R , Morris Pearce P , Cascino Gregory D , Lanzino Giuseppe
Published: December 2016

A 60-year-old man presented with a 10-month history of of stereotypical spells characterized by vertigo, tinnitus, blurred vision, left hemibody numbness, and occasional syncope, precipitated by turning his head leftwards. Cerebral angiography and CT angiography of the head and neck with provocative maneuvers did not demonstrate vertebral artery narrowing. However, there was narrowing of the left internal jugular vein due to extrinsic compression from the sternocleidomastoid with leftward head rotation in the setting of hypoplasia of the right internal jugular vein. The patient underwent a cervical venogram which confirmed the finding. Manometric evaluation demonstrated a gradient of 29 mm Hg across the stenosis with the head turned leftwards compared with 1 mm Hg in the neutral position. The patient was treated with myectomies of the left sternocleidomastoid, posterior belly of the digastric, stylohyoid and omohyoid and styloid process removal. Following surgery, the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms. Repeat venography demonstrated resolution of the stenosis and pressure gradient.
Citalopram-induced dyskinesia of the tongue: a video presentation
Authors: Gaanderse Marissa , Kliffen Jasper , Linssen Wim
Published: December 2016

We describe a 51-year-old man with sudden onset involuntary movements of the tongue 2 weeks after initiation of citalopram. The movements were continuous and isolated to the tongue. Speech was minimally dysarthric. Further examination revealed no abnormalities. Citalopram was continued and spontaneous improvement was noticed in the following weeks. There was complete recovery 5 weeks after symptoms had started. We argue that the involuntary tongue movements were a side effect of citalopram. Furthermore, our patient used concomitant citalopram and methylphenidate, a combination which potentially elicits side effects. We include a video of the tongue movements in this patient.
Bilateral choroidal detachment with exudative retinal detachment in a patient with septicaemia
Authors: Rani Padmaja Kumari , Ambiya Vikas , Senthil Sirisha , Jalali Subhadra
Published: December 2016

We present a case of bilateral choroidal and exudative retinal detachment with hypotony in a patient with septicaemia. Our patient after initial hospitalisation was treated by the local ophthalmologist as a case of sterile pan uveitis with systemic and topical steroids that did not have any effect. Our patient responded well to timely surgical intervention of choroidal drainage and vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade followed by steroids and antibiotics. Cataract progression in both eyes occurred due to hypotony, inflammation, use of steroids and the vitreous surgery. It was successfully managed with timely surgical removal of cataract and intraocular lens implantation in both eyes facilitating early visual rehabilitation. Topical medications included frequent topical steroids and antibiotics as per our published protocols.
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma masquerading as osteomyelitis of the shoulder: an uncommon presentation
Authors: Tuck Matthew , Lim Jane , Lucar Jose , Benator Debra
Published: December 2016

The presentation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein (ALK)-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in bone is rare. We describe a patient with ALK-negative ALCL presenting with clinical and radiographic findings suggesting osteomyelitis 6 months after left rotator cuff repair surgery. A review of the characteristics of ALK-negative ALCL with primary bone involvement is presented. ALCL should be considered in patients not responding to therapies for osteomyelitis.
Invasive group G streptococcal infection in a paediatric patient
Authors: Bhavsar Sejal Makvana , Shust Gail F
Published: December 2016

We present a paediatric case of group G streptococcal bacteraemia and vertebral osteomyelitis. The patient is a 14-year-old girl with Gaucher disease type 1 who presented with severe thoracolumbar pain. She was treated with a 4-week course of antibiotics for presumed osteomyelitis with clinical improvement.
Resistance training interventions across the cancer control continuum: a systematic review of the implementation of resistance training principles
Authors: Fairman C M , Hyde P N , Focht B C
Published: December 2016

Objectives

The primary purpose of this systematic review is to examine the extant resistance training (RT) cancer research to evaluate the proportion of RT interventions that: (1) implemented key RT training principles (specificity, progression, overload) and (2) explicitly reported relevant RT prescription components (frequency, intensity, sets, reps).

Design

A qualitative systematic review was performed by two reviewers (CMF and PNH) who inspected the titles and abstracts to determine eligibility for this systematic review. Identified papers were obtained in full and further reviewed. Data were extracted to evaluate the application of principles of training, along with specific RT components.

Data sources

Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, PsychInfo, Cancer Lit, Sport Discus, AMED, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and reference lists of included articles from inception to May 2016.

Results

37 studies were included. The principle ofspecificitywas used appropriately in all of the studies,progressionin 65% andoverloadin 76% of the studies. The most common exercise prescription (∼50%) implemented in the studies included in this review were 2–3 days/week, focusing on large muscle groups, 60–70% 1 repetition maximum (RM), 1–3 sets of 8–12 repetitions.

Conclusions

Reporting of RT principles in an oncology setting varies greatly, with often vague or non-existent references to the principles of training and how the RT prescription was designed.
Reliability of specific physical examination tests for the diagnosis of shoulder pathologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lange Toni , Matthijs Omer , Jain Nitin B , Schmitt Jochen , Lützner Jörg , Kopkow Christian
Published: December 2016

Background

Shoulder pain in the general population is common and to identify the aetiology of shoulder pain, history, motion and muscle testing, and physical examination tests are usually performed.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to summarise and evaluate intrarater and inter-rater reliability of physical examination tests in the diagnosis of shoulder pathologies.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) through 20 March 2015. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Appraisal of Reliability Studies (QAREL) tool by 2 independent reviewers.

Results

The search strategy revealed 3259 articles, of which 18 finally met the inclusion criteria. These studies evaluated the reliability of 62 test and test variations used for the specific physical examination tests for the diagnosis of shoulder pathologies. Methodological quality ranged from 2 to 7 positive criteria of the 11 items of the QAREL tool.

Conclusions

This review identified a lack of high-quality studies evaluating inter-rater as well as intrarater reliability of specific physical examination tests for the diagnosis of shoulder pathologies. In addition, reliability measures differed between included studies hindering proper cross-study comparisons.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42014009018.
Low risk of concussions in top-level karate competition
Authors: Arriaza Rafael , Cierna Dusana , Regueiro Patricia , Inman David , Roman Franco , Abarca Benjamin , Barrientos Mercé , Saavedra Miguel A
Published: December 2016

Background

Although it is well known that injuries occur in combat sports, the true incidence of concussions is not clearly defined in the literature for karate competition.

Aim

To determine the incidence of concussions in top-level (World Karate Federation World Championships) karate competition.

Methods

Injuries that took place in 4 consecutive World Karate Championships (from 2008 to 2014) were prospectively registered. A total of 4625 fights (2916 in the male category and 1709 in the female category) were scrutinised, and concussions were identified and analysed separately for frequency (rate per fight) and injury risk.

Results

A total of 4 concussions were diagnosed by the attending physicians after carrying out athlete examinations. Globally, there was 1 concussion in every 1156 fights, or 0.43/1000 athlete-exposures (AE). In male athletes, the rate of concussion was 1/5832 min of fighting, and in female athletes, it was 1/6836 min. OR for concussion in women is 0.57 (95% CI 0.06 to 5.47; z=0.489; p=0.6249) and risk ratio for concussions in men is RR 1.478 (95% CI 0.271 to 8.072), p=0.528, representing a higher risk of definite concussions in men than in women, but not statistically significant. There is not a significantly higher risk of concussions in team competition (no weight limit) when compared with individual competition (held with strict weight limits for each category).

Conclusion

The risk of concussions in top-level karate competition is low, with a tendency for an increased risk for men and for competition without weight limits, but not statistically significant with respect to women or individual competition.
Cancer Data and Aboriginal Disparities (CanDAD)—developing an Advanced Cancer Data System for Aboriginal people in South Australia: a mixed methods research protocol
Authors: Yerrell Paul Henry , Roder David , Cargo Margaret , Reilly Rachel , Banham David , Micklem Jasmine May , Morey Kim , Stewart Harold Bundamurra , Stajic Janet , Norris Michael , Brown Alex
Published: December 2016

Introduction

In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People carry a greater burden of cancer-related mortality than non-Aboriginal Australians. The Cancer Data and Aboriginal Disparities Project aims to develop and test an integrated, comprehensive cancer monitoring and surveillance system capable of incorporating epidemiological and narrative data to address disparities and advocate for clinical system change.

Methods and analysis

The Advanced Cancer Data System will integrate routinely collected unit record data from the South Australian Population Cancer Registry and a range of other data sources for a retrospective cohort of indigenous people with cancers diagnosed from 1990 to 2010. A randomly drawn non-Aboriginal cohort will be matched by primary cancer site, sex, age and year at diagnosis. Cross-tabulations and regression analyses will examine the extent to which demographic attributes, cancer stage and survival vary between the cohorts. Narratives from Aboriginal people with cancer, their families, carers and service providers will be collected and analysed using patient pathway mapping and thematic analysis. Statements from the narratives will structure both a concept mapping process of rating, sorting and prioritising issues, focusing on issues of importance and feasibility, and the development of a real-time Aboriginal Cancer Measure of Experience for ongoing linkage with epidemiological data in the Advanced Cancer Data System. Aboriginal Community engagement underpins this Project.

Ethics and dissemination

The research has been approved by relevant local and national ethics committees. Findings will be disseminated in local and international peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. In addition, the research will provide data for knowledge translation activities across the partner organisations and feed directly into the Statewide Cancer Control Plan. It will provide a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the recommendations in these documents.