bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variability of functional traits and their syndromes in a freshwater fish species (Phoxinus phoxinus): The role of adaptive and nonadaptive processes
Authors: Raffard Allan , Cucherousset Julien , Prunier Jérôme G. , Loot Géraldine , Santoul Frédéric , Blanchet Simon
Published: February 2019

Functional traits can covary to form “functional syndromes.” Describing and understanding functional syndromes is an important prerequisite for predicting the effects of organisms on ecosystem functioning. At the intraspecific level, functional syndromes have recently been described, but very little is known about their variability among populations and—if they vary—what the ecological and evolutionary drivers of this variation are. Here, we quantified and compared the variability in four functional traits (body mass, metabolic rate, excretion rate, and boldness), their covariations and the subsequent syndromes among thirteen populations of a common freshwater fish (the European minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus). We then tested whether functional traits and their covariations, as well as the subsequent syndromes, were underpinned by the phylogenetic relatedness among populations (historical effects) or the local environment (i.e., temperature and predation pressure), and whether adaptive (selection or plasticity) or nonadaptive (genetic drift) processes sustained among‐population variability. We found substantial among‐population variability in functional traits and trait covariations, and in the emerging syndromes. We further found that adaptive mechanisms (plasticity and/or selection) related to water temperature and predation pressure modulated the covariation between body mass and metabolic rate. Other trait covariations were more likely driven by genetic drift, suggesting that nonadaptive processes can also lead to substantial differences in trait covariations among populations. Overall, we concluded that functional syndromes are population‐specific, and that both adaptive and nonadaptive processes are shaping functional traits. Given the pivotal role of functional traits, differences in functional syndromes within species provide interesting perspectives regarding the role of intraspecific diversity for ecosystem functioning.
Wildlife mortality on roads and railways following highway mitigation
Authors: Gilhooly Patrick S. , Nielsen Scott E. , Whittington Jesse , St. Clair Colleen Cassady
Published: February 2019

Wildlife mortality caused by collisions with vehicles on roads is increasingly and effectively mitigated with exclusion fencing and crossing structures, but this solution potentially changes wildlife habitat use and distribution to increase the risk of mortality on adjacent, unmitigated railways. We investigated this potential side‐effect of mitigating the TransCanada Highway, which was completed in sections between 1983 and 2013, on the rate of wildlife mortality on the nearby transcontinental mainline of the Canadian Pacific Railway in Banff National Park. For each transportation class (highway and railway), we calculated collision rate as the number of collisions per year and km for two guilds (carnivores and ungulates) before and after mitigation occurred between 1981 and 2014. We constructed additional models for each transportation class and each of four species groups with adequate sample sizes: elk (Cervus canadensis), other ungulates (family Cervidae), bears (Ursus spp.), and coyotes (Canis latrans). Across guilds, mortality rates declined after mitigation, particularly on the highway (as expected) and most strongly for ungulates. For individual species groups, mortality on the railway for elk was best predicted by year and population size, without the inclusion of mitigation status on the adjacent highway. However, collision rates on the railway increased after mitigation for other ungulates (mostly deer, Odocoileus spp.) while also increasing over time. Collision rates on the railway increased over time for bears, but not in relation to highway mitigation. We found no evidence that the spatial distribution of collisions on the railway changed after highway mitigation, as might be expected from a funneling effect of crossing structures. Our results support and extend previous work demonstrating that exclusion fencing and wildlife crossing structures reduce wildlife mortalities on the highway at this location, and provide limited evidence, for other ungulates alone, that such mitigation may increase mortality on the adjacent railway. Similar analyses are warranted in other locations, particularly mountainous regions, where major transportation features often occur in close proximity.
Community resistance to an invasive forest insect–fungus mutualism
Authors: Thompson Brian M. , Bodart Jake , Gruner Daniel S.
Published: February 2019

Antagonistic species interactions may prevent introduced species from becoming invasive in novel geographic ranges. Within mutualisms, resistance to any partner can impact the mutualism as a whole. Larvae of the globally invasive Sirex woodwaspSirex noctilio(Hymenoptera: Siricidae) complete their development in the sapwood ofPinusspp. (Pinaceae) only in the presence of the fungus,Amylostereum areolatum(Basidiomycota). In the Southern Hemisphere wherePinusare introduced,Sirex noctiliois an outbreak invasive pest, but in North America wherePinusis indigenous it has not irrupted to economic levels 15+ yr since introduction. To test the biotic resistance hypothesis, we characterized the arthropod community attracted to and co‐infestingPinus resinosatrees at the geographic frontier of its introduced North American range, quantified antagonistic interactions observed within trees, and assayed competition of fungal species under laboratory conditions. A suite of potential natural enemies and competitors inhabitedSirex‐infestedP. resinosatrees. Trees experimentally exposed to ovipositingSirex noctiliofemales and to physical wounding attracted greater numbers of saprophagous beetles (Cerambycidae:Xylotrechus sagittatusand Curculionidae:Ips pini) and parasitoid wasps (Ichneumonidae:Ibalia leucospoides) compared to undamaged controls. Recruitment ofXylotrechusandIbaliawas positively related to numbers of oviposition scars left bySirexfemales. Within xylem tissue, abundantXylotrechuslarvae killed and consumed more than 10% ofSirexlarvae. This facultative intraguild predation was positively density‐dependent but nonlinear, with a unimodal peak at intermediateSirexdensity.Sirexdensity in xylem was weakly, negatively related toIpsbark beetle density, suggesting potential competition between fungal associates (Ascomycota:Ophiostoma ips) for sapwood resources. Benchtop experiments in natural and artificial media supported the hypothesis of competition betweenIpsandSirexfungal associates, with faster growth and competitive dominance of the bluestain fungus under most scenarios tested. Altogether, this study provides evidence for multiple mechanisms of biotic resistance, whereby a resident community reduces survival or performance of both an invasive insect and its fungal mutualist.
Widely Exploited, Yet Unreported: Regiocontrolled Synthesis and the Suzuki–Miyaura Reactions of Bromooxazole Building Blocks
Authors: Solomin Vitalii V. , Radchenko Dmytro S. , Slobodyanyuk Evgeniy Y. , Geraschenko Oleksandr V. , Vashchenko Bohdan V. , Grygorenko Oleksandr O.
Published: February 2019

An approach to synthesis of 2‐, 4‐, and 5‐bromooxazoles is described. The method was optimized, and its scope was extended to all three isomeric parents, as well as various alkyl‐ and aryl‐substituted bromooxazoles. It was found that direct regiocontrolled lithiation followed by reaction with electrophilic bromine source was common for all substrates and led exclusively to the target substituted 2‐, 4‐ and 5‐bromooxazoles on multigram scale. The utility of the multipurpose building blocks obtained in this work was demonstrated in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction under parallel synthesis conditions.
Coupled biosynthesis and esterification of 1,2,4‐butanetriol to simplify its separation from fermentation broth
Authors: Feng Xinjun , Gao Wenjie , Zhou Yifei , Zhao Zhiqiang , Liu Xiutao , Han Xiaojuan , Xian Mo , Zhao Guang
Published: February 2019

1,2,4‐Butanetriol (BT) is a valuable chemical with versatile applications in many fields and can be produced through biosynthetic pathways. As a trihydric alcohol, BT possesses good water solubility and is very difficult to separate from fermentation broth, which does complicate the production process and increase the cost. To develop a novel method for BT separation, a biosynthetic pathway for 1,2,4‐butanetriol esters with poor water solubility was constructed. Wax ester synthase/acyl‐coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (Atf) from Acinetobacter baylyi, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Escherichia coli were screened, and the acyltransferase from A. baylyi (AtfA) was found to have higher capability. The BT producing strain with AtfA overexpression produced 49.5 mg/L BT oleate in flask cultivation. Through enhancement of acyl‐CoA production by overexpression of the acyl‐CoA synthetase gene fadD and deleting the acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase gene fadE, the production was improved to 64.4 mg/L. Under fed‐batch fermentation, the resulting strain produced up to 1.1 g/L BT oleate. This is the first time showed that engineered E. coli strains can successfully produce BT esters from xylose and free fatty acids.
Predictors of early response in conjoint and separated models of family‐based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa
Authors: Hughes Elizabeth K. , Sawyer Susan M. , Accurso Erin C. , Singh Simar , Le Grange Daniel
Published: February 2019

Objective

Early response, as indicated by early weight gain, in family‐based treatment (FBT) for adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN) predicts remission at end of treatment. However, little is known about what factors contribute to early response. Further, no previous studies have examined early response to separated forms of FBT.

Method

Data from a randomised clinical trial of conjoint FBT and separated FBT (parent‐focused treatment, PFT) were analysed to examine the timing and amount of early weight gain that predicted remission and identify factors associated with early response.

Results

Weight gain of at least 2.80 kg in FBT (N = 55) and 2.28 kg in PFT (N = 51), by Session 5, were the best predictors of remission at end of treatment. Early response in FBT was predicted by greater paternal therapeutic alliance and lower paternal criticism. Early response in PFT was predicted by less severe eating‐disorder symptoms and negative affect at baseline, lower maternal criticism, and greater adolescent therapeutic alliance.

Conclusions

The results confirm that early weight gain is an important prognostic indicator in both conjoint FBT and PFT and suggest that addressing negative emotion, parental criticism, and therapeutic alliance early in treatment could improve remission rates.
On the wireless virtualization with QoE constraints
Authors: Rawat Danda B. , Alsulami Bassma Saleh , Chaudhary Vijay
Published: February 2019

Wireless virtualization is emerging as a new paradigm to improve wireless spectrum utilization by subleasing radio frequency (RF) channels through slicing. This paper investigates wireless virtualization where wireless resources for virtual wireless networks adapted based on availability of leasable RF slices as well as the demands from the users of virtual wireless networks. The user utilities are subject to quality‐of‐experience requirements such as coverage, rate, mobility, and delay requirements. With the help of software defined network controller, wireless infrastructure providers (WIPs) slice their RF bands to sublease those slices to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). In wireless virtualization, MVNOs work as independent service provides, and thus, the end users negotiate directly to MVNOs regardless of WIPs used behind the scene (this concept is analogous to the Uber being a taxi company without owning any vehicles). The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated with the help of numerical results obtained from simulations by using different metrics such as percentage of RF band of WIP, outage probability, and data rate.
Power‐efficient D2D relaying cellular network access
Authors: Pan Yijin , Chen Ming , Huang Nuo , Wang Yinlu
Published: February 2019

Device‐to‐device (D2D) communications are exploited in this paper to assist remote user equipments (UEs) access the cellular network with reduced energy consumption. A power‐efficient relay selection criterion is proposed to guarantee that the power saved by D2D relaying access exceeds a given threshold. Then, the relay selection criterion is equivalently transformed into a region constraint, based on which the success probability of D2D relaying access is derived. Furthermore, the power consumption of D2D relaying access is analyzed in two stages: the stage from the remote UE to the relaying UE and the stage from the relaying UE to the base station. The calculation of the average power consumption requires a double integral over the plane, and the closed‐form expression is derived by applying the Green's theorem and proper variable substitutions. Finally, simulation results validate the analytical derivations and present the impacts of system parameters on the performance of D2D relaying access in terms of the success probability and power consumption.
Palaeozoic diorites from the south‐western Dunhuang terrane, NW China: Constraints on tectonic evolution of southernmost CAOB
Authors: Zhu Tao , Wang Hongliang , Zhao Yan , Xu Xueyi , Li Zhipei
Published: February 2019

The petrology, geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and Hf isotopes of Duobagou diorite and Karatashtage diorite were studied to establish the evolution of Palaeozoic orogeny in the Dunhuang area in Western China. The weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 448 ± 2 Ma in zircon grains from Duobagou diorite indicated an origin in the late Ordovician Period; age‐corrected εHf(t) values of −0.98 to +4.46 correspond to a two‐stage zircon Hf model age (TDM2) of 1,145 Ma to 1,477 Ma. Karatashtage diorite has a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 436 ± 3 Ma, indicating an origin in the early Silurian Period; age‐corrected εHf(t) values of −1.13 to +7.96 correspond to a two‐stage zircon Hf model age (TDM2) of 718 Ma to 1,301 Ma. These findings indicate that Duobagou and Karatashtage diorites were derived from ancient crust. Duobagou diorite has high levels of Al2O3 (15.76%~17.64%), MgO (2.18%~5.44%), Mg# (40~51), Na2O (2.78%~4.19%), Sr (466~1,160 ppm), and Ba (523~892 ppm), low levels of K2O (1.29%~3.13%) and TiO2 (0.64%~1.0%), variable levels of Cr (73.4~253 ppm) and Ni (42.2~98.8 ppm), and depleted HREEs. Karatashtage diorite is characterized by high levels of Al2O3 (16.33%~17.59%), MgO (4.15%~7.10%), Mg# (50~59), Na2O (3.39%~4.41%), Cr (73.4~253 ppm), Ni (42.2~98.8 ppm), Sr (466~1,160 ppm), and Ba (523~892 ppm), low levels of K2O (1.29%~3.13%) and TiO2 (0.64%~1.0%), and depleted HREEs. The Duobagou pluton and the Karatashtage pluton display arc signatures, suggesting that they were formed by the partial melting of a subducted slab under garnet–amphibolite facies in an active continental margin, and an interaction between melt and mantle materials during emplacement. Subduction of the oceanic plate in the Dunhuang terrane occurred during the Early Silurian Period (435–430 Ma), which is close to that of the Beishan orogenesis but later than the formation of the Hongliugou–Lapeiquan ophiolitic belt. We suggest that the Dunhuang terrane underwent an orogenic process related to the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean during the Early Palaeozoic Era, and that it belongs to the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB).
Early Carboniferous mafic dike–syenitic granite association in the Atengtao Mountain, Yili Block (NW China): Geochronology, petrogenesis, and tectonic significance
Authors: Wang Zuopeng , Li Yongjun , Yang Gaoxue , Zhang Yuling , Zhang Chao , Luo Yaoqing , Wang Weining , Teng Mingyao
Published: February 2019

The Carboniferous is an important period for understanding tectonic evolutionary history and subduction processes of Chinese western Tianshan orogen. Here, we present results of petrologic, geochemical, and in situ LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data from an Early Carboniferous mafic dike–syenitic granite association in Atengtao Mountain, Yili Block, aiming to constrain their ages and petrogenesis and tectonic significance. Zircon U–Pb dating results reveal that the mafic dikes and syenitic granites were coevally emplaced at ca. 345–349 Ma. Geochemically, the mafic dikes contain high MgO, Nb, TiO2, and Ta contents, low SiO2 contents, and high Na2O/K2O ratios, showing Nb‐enriched affinities. Additionally, they are enriched in LILEs, relatively depleted in HFSEs, and positive εHf(t) values (+1.2 to +8.7), likely representing melts derived from partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by subducted slab‐derived fluids, with minor involvement of asthenospheric components. Compared with mafic dikes, the coeval syenitic granites display calc‐alkaline I‐type features and have high SiO2, Al2O3, and low MgO, Mg# (<40), Ni, and Cr contents, considered to have been derived from the reworking of the Precambrian basement with an input of mantle‐derived components. These mafic dike–syenitic granite associations likely formed in an arc‐related setting rather than postcollision or mantle plume setting. In addition, pronouncedly higher zircon saturation temperature of the syenitic granites, compared with the coeval I‐type granitoids from western Tianshan, imply the occurrence of a thermal anomaly in this period (ca. 345 Ma). With these studied results, together with previously published data, we argue that a slab break‐off model was likely responsible for the mafic dike–syenitic granite association, and related rocks, in the western Yili Block during Early Carboniferous.
Anticholinergic burden before and after hospitalization in older adults with dementia: Increase due to antipsychotic medications
Authors: Reinold Jonas , Palese Francesca , Romanese Federico , Logroscino Giancarlo , Riedel Oliver , Pisa Federica E.
Published: February 2019

Objectives

To evaluate changes in the use of antipsychotics and medications with anticholinergic activity (MACs) during hospitalization in older adults with dementia and factors associated with antipsychotic prescriptions and increased anticholinergic burden (ACB).

Methods and design

This retrospective cohort study included all patients aged 65 years or older with a discharge diagnosis of dementia hospitalized at the university hospital of Udine, Italy, from 2012 to 2014. Medications dispensed within 3 months before and after hospitalization were identified in community‐pharmacy dispensations while those prescribed at discharge were collected from Hospital Electronic Medical Records (EMR). ACB was assessed using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden score.

Results

Among 1908 patients included, at discharge, 37.0% used one or more antipsychotic (9.4% before and 12.6% after hospitalization), 68.6% used one or more MAC (49.1% and 45.7%, respectively), and ACB of 38.4% of patients increased at discharge mainly because of a higher use of antipsychotics with anticholinergic activity (33% at discharge vs 12% before hospitalization). Prescription of antipsychotics at discharge was associated with prior treatment with antipsychotics (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.85; 95%CI, 3.37‐6.97), psychiatric conditions, (4.39; 3.47‐5.54) and discharge from surgical department (2.17; 1.32‐3.55). An increased ACB was associated with psychiatric conditions (1.91; 1.52‐2.39), discharge from surgical (1.75; 1.09‐2.80) or medical department (1.50; 1.04‐2.17), and with cardiac insufficiency (1.41; 1.00‐1.99).

Conclusions

ACB was higher at discharge, and antipsychotics were the main drivers of this increase. Clinicians treating older adults with dementia should be aware of the risks associated with antipsychotics and that some of these medications may increase the risk of anticholinergic effects.
Parts‐based representations of perceived face movements in the superior temporal sulcus
Authors: Deen Ben , Saxe Rebecca
Published: February 2019

Facial motion is a primary source of social information about other humans. Prior fMRI studies have identified regions of the superior temporal sulcus (STS) that respond specifically to perceived face movements (termed fSTS), but little is known about the nature of motion representations in these regions. Here we use fMRI and multivoxel pattern analysis to characterize the representational content of the fSTS. Participants viewed a set of specific eye and mouth movements, as well as combined eye and mouth movements. Our results demonstrate that fSTS response patterns contain information about face movements, including subtle distinctions between types of eye and mouth movements. These representations generalize across the actor performing the movement, and across small differences in visual position. Critically, patterns of response to combined movements could be well predicted by linear combinations of responses to individual eye and mouth movements, pointing to a parts‐based representation of complex face movements. These results indicate that the fSTS plays an intermediate role in the process of inferring social content from visually perceived face movements, containing a representation that is sufficiently abstract to generalize across low‐level visual details, but still tied to the kinematics of face part movements.
Long‐term functional and esthetic outcomes after fibula free flap reconstruction of the mandible
Authors: Petrovic Ivana , Baser Raymond , Blackwell Timothy , McCarthy Colleen , Ganly Ian , Patel Snehal , Cordeiro Peter , Shah Jatin
Published: February 2019

Background

The goal of this study is to report functional and esthetic outcomes, after fibula free flap (FFF) reconstruction of the mandible for oral cancer, assessed by physicians, nonclinicians, and patients.

Methods

Twenty‐five long‐term survivors from oral cancer after FFF reconstruction were recalled for head and neck examination by surgeons, for photographs and patient‐reported outcomes, using EORTC, QLQ‐C30, H&N35, and FACE‐Q questionnaires.

Results

Physicians reported 64% restoration of functionality compared to normal. Patients reported high scores on QLQ‐C30 but lower scores on H&N35. Esthetic scores were reported higher by clinicians than nonclinicians. The decline in function and appearance was attributed to loss of lower dentition, trismus, malocclusion, xerostomia, and tissue atrophy.

Conclusion

To minimize the decline in function and appearance, immediate dental implants in FFF, better reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint, newer methods of radiotherapy to minimize xerostomia and oral exercises to prevent trismus should be considered.
Parotidectomy in patients with head and neck cutaneous melanoma with cervical lymph node involvement
Authors: Berger Danique M.S. , van Veen Martinus M. , Madu Max F. , van Akkooi Alexander C.J. , Vogel Wouter V. , Balm Alfons J.M. , Klop Willem M.C.
Published: February 2019

Background

Parotidectomy in melanoma of the coronal scalp and face with clinically involved cervical lymph node metastasis is based on predicted cervical lymphatic drainage described by O'Brien.

Methods

In total, 40 parotidectomies with en bloc therapeutic neck dissection were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Lymphatic spread of melanoma to the parotid lymph nodes was observed in 10 of 40 specimens (25%). Eight of the 10 parotid‐positive patients developed a recurrence vs 17 of the 30 parotid‐negative patients (P = 0.28). There were no differences in overall survival, melanoma‐specific survival, and disease‐free survival between the parotid‐positive and parotid‐negative patients.

Conclusion

Although in this series no survival differences were found, parotidectomy still merits a sustained role in therapeutic neck dissection procedures to improve regional control and to prevent facial nerve damage after surgery for a second relapse from occult metastases in the parotid.
Predicting glottal closure insufficiency using fundamental frequency contour analysis
Authors: Cohen Jacob T. , Cohen Alma , Benyamini Limor , Adi Yossi , Keshet Joseph
Published: February 2019

Background

Voice analysis has a limited role in a day‐to‐day voice clinic. We developed objective measurements of vocal folds (VF) glottal closure insufficiency (GCI) during phonation.

Methods

We examined 18 subjects with no history of voice impairment and 20 patients with unilateral VF paralysis before and after injection medialization laryngoplasty. Voice analysis was extracted. We measured settling time, slope, and area under the fundamental frequency curve from the phonation onset to its settling‐time.

Results

The measured parameters, settling time, slope, and area under the curve were in correlation with the traditional acoustic voice assessments and clinical findings before treatment and after injection medialization laryngoplasty.

Conclusion

We found that the fundamental frequency curve has several typical contours which correspond to different glottal closure conditions. We proposed a new set of parameters that captures the contour type, and showed that they could be used to quantitatively assess individuals with GCI.
Lusutrombopag for the Treatment of Thrombocytopenia in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease Undergoing Invasive Procedures (L‐PLUS 2)
Authors: Peck‐Radosavljevic Markus , Simon Krzysztof , Iacobellis Angelo , Hassanein Tarek , Kayali Zeid , Tran Albert , Makara Mihaly , Ben Ari Ziv , Braun Marius , Mitrut Paul , Yang Sheng‐Shun , Akdogan Meral , Pirisi Mario , Duggal Ajay , Ochiai Toshimitsu , Motomiya Tomoko , Kano Takeshi , Nagata Tsutae , Afdhal Nezam
Published: February 2019

Thrombocytopenia may be associated with increased bleeding risk impacting timing and outcome of invasive procedures in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Lusutrombopag, a small‐molecule, thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist, was evaluated as a treatment to raise platelet counts (PCs) in patients with thrombocytopenia and CLD undergoing invasive procedures. L‐PLUS 2 was a global, phase 3, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. Adults with CLD and baseline PCs < 50 × 109/L were randomized to receive once‐daily lusutrombopag 3 mg or placebo ≤ 7 days before an invasive procedure scheduled 2‐7 days after the last dose. The primary endpoint was avoidance of preprocedure platelet transfusion and avoidance of rescue therapy for bleeding. A key secondary endpoint was number of days PCs were ≥ 50 × 109/L throughout the study. Safety analysis was performed on patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This study occurred between June 15, 2015, and April 19, 2017, with a total of 215 randomized patients (lusutrombopag, 108; placebo, 107); 64.8% (70/108) of patients in the lusutrombopag group versus 29.0% (31/107) in the placebo group met the primary endpoint (P < 0.0001; difference of proportion 95% confidence interval [CI], 36.7 [24.9, 48.5]). The median duration of PCs ≥ 50 × 109/L was 19.2 days with lusutrombopag (without platelet transfusion) compared with 0.0 in the placebo group (with platelet transfusion) (P = 0.0001). Most adverse events were mild or moderate in severity, and rates were similar in the lusutrombopag and placebo groups (47.7% and 48.6%, respectively). Conclusion: Lusutrombopag was superior to placebo for reducing the need for platelet transfusions and achieved durable PC response in patients with thrombocytopenia and CLD undergoing invasive procedures, with a safety profile similar to placebo.
Identifying the health problems of slum residents using social determinants of health: Kerman, Iran
Authors: Nekoei‐Moghadam Mahmood , Heidari Narges , Amiresmaeili Mohammadreza , Heidarijamebozorgi Majid
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Although slum emerged in industrialized countries, today, all cities in the world are somehow facing this phenomenon. Slums create many problems in different areas, especially health for residents. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of identifying the health problems of the slum residents of Kerman city by using the social determinant of health approach.

Method

The present study is an applied study that was carried out qualitatively using semistructured interviews. Samples were selected using purposeful and snowball sampling methods. Data were analyzed using the Colaizy method.

Results

In this study, the health problems of residents of slums in the city of Kerman were identified by interviews. In total, seven main themes and 32 sub‐themes were extracted. The main concepts extracted include the economic and social class, the early childhood development, social exclusion and social support, employment and unemployment, addiction, food, transport, and traffic.

Conclusion

The problems of slums people are very widespread, and almost all of the problems affect the health of slums people. The place of living, job, income, the early childhood development and nutritional status are determinants that affect people's health.
Single‐institution retrospective review of patients with recurrent glioblastoma treated with bevacizumab in clinical practice
Authors: Desjardins Annick , Herndon James E. , McSherry Frances , Ravelo Arliene , Lipp Eric S. , Healy Patrick , Peters Katherine B. , Sampson John H. , Randazzo Dina , Sommer Nicolas , Friedman Allan H. , Friedman Henry S.
Published: February 2019

Background and aims

This retrospective review of patients with recurrent glioblastoma treated at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center investigated treatment patterns, survival, and safety with bevacizumab in a real‐world setting.

Methods

Adult patients with glioblastoma who initiated bevacizumab at disease progression between January 1, 2009, and May 14, 2012, were included. A Kaplan‐Meier estimator was used to describe overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and time to greater than or equal to 20% reduction in Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). The effect of baseline demographic and clinical factors on survival was examined using a Cox proportional hazards model. Adverse event (AE) data were collected.

Results

Seventy‐four patients, with a median age of 59 years, were included in this cohort. Between bevacizumab initiation and first failure, defined as the first disease progression after bevacizumab initiation, biweekly bevacizumab and bevacizumab/irinotecan were the most frequently prescribed regimens. Median duration of bevacizumab treatment until failure was 6.4 months (range, 0.5‐58.7). Median OS and PFS from bevacizumab initiation were 11.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.3‐13.4) and 6.4 months (95% CI, 3.9‐8.5), respectively. Median time to greater than or equal to 20% reduction in KPS was 29.3 months (95% CI, 13.8‐∞). Lack of corticosteroid usage at the start of bevacizumab therapy was associated with both longer OS and PFS, with a median OS of 13.2 months (95% CI, 8.6‐16.6) in patients who did not initially require corticosteroids versus 7.2 months (95% CI, 4.8‐12.5) in those who did (P = 0.0382, log‐rank), while median PFS values were 8.6 months (95% CI, 4.6‐9.7) and 3.7 months (95% CI, 2.7‐6.6), respectively (P = 0.0243, log‐rank). Treatment failure occurred in 70 patients; 47 of whom received salvage therapy, and most frequently bevacizumab/carboplatin (7/47; 14.9%). Thirteen patients (18%) experienced a grade 3 AE of special interest for bevacizumab.

Conclusions

Treatment patterns and outcomes for patients with recurrent glioblastoma receiving bevacizumab in a real‐world setting were comparable with those reported in prospective clinical trials.
Systematic reviews as a ‘lens of evidence’: Determinants of benefits and harms of breast cancer screening
Authors: Mandrik Olena , Zielonke Nadine , Meheus Filip , Severens J.L. (Hans) , Guha Neela , Herrero Acosta Rolando , Murillo Raul
Published: February 2019

This systematic review, stimulated by inconsistency in secondary evidence, reports the benefits and harms of breast cancer (BC) screening and their determinants according to systematic reviews. A systematic search, which identified 9,976 abstracts, led to the inclusion of 58 reviews. BC mortality reduction with screening mammography was 15–25% in trials and 28–56% in observational studies in all age groups, and the risk of stage III+ cancers was reduced for women older than 49 years. Overdiagnosis due to mammography was 1–60% in trials and 1–12% in studies with a low risk of bias, and cumulative false‐positive rates were lower with biennial than annual screening (3–17% vs 0.01–41%). There is no consistency in the reviews’ conclusions about the magnitude of BC mortality reduction among women younger than 50 years or older than 69 years, or determinants of benefits and harms of mammography, including the type of mammography (digital vs screen‐film), the number of views and the screening interval. Similarly, there was no solid evidence on determinants of benefits and harms or BC mortality reduction with screening by ultrasonography or clinical breast examination (sensitivity ranges, 54–84% and 47–69%, respectively), and strong evidence of unfavourable benefit‐to‐harm ratio with breast self‐examination. The reviews’ conclusions were not dependent on the quality of the reviews or publication date. Systematic reviews on mammography screening, mainly from high‐income countries, systematically disagree on the interpretation of the benefit‐to‐harm ratio. Future reviews are unlikely to clarify the discrepancies unless new original studies are published.
Perceptions and practices for beta‐lactam antibiotic dosing, administration, and monitoring in critically ill patients: Current views and use among critical care and infectious diseases pharmacists
Authors: Hammond Drayton A. , McCreary Erin K. , Rech Megan A. , Smith Melanie N. , Yeo Qiu Min , Lusardi Katherine , Rhodes Nathaniel J. , Swanson Joseph M. , Bland Christopher M.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

To elucidate considerations that infectious diseases (ID) and critical care (CC) pharmacists have regarding beta‐lactam antibiotics in critically ill adult patients in order to identify areas for practice improvement and future research.

Materials and Methods

A 17‐item survey was distributed to ID and CC pharmacists. Responses were characterized using frequency and descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were compared using χ2 or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate.

Results

Ninety‐five of 834 ID pharmacists (11.4%) and 221 of 1436 CC pharmacists (15.4%) participated. Compared with ID pharmacists, more CC pharmacists would administer renally‐excreted beta‐lactams in critically ill patients with reduced renal function without dosage adjustment for 24 hours (17% vs 34%, P = 0.002). Most respondents believed therapeutic drug monitoring would be somewhat/very important in all surveyed scenarios. ID pharmacists more frequently believed antimicrobial stewardship teams should conduct prospective audits for definitive beta‐lactam therapy (98% vs 86%, P = 0.001), develop protocols for beta‐lactam use (95% vs 85%, P = 0.019), recommend beta‐lactam dosing (98% vs 85%, P < 0.001), and recommend empirical beta‐lactam selection (95% vs 81%, P = 0.001) compared with CC pharmacists.

Conclusion

Beta‐lactam dosing and monitoring recommendations in critically ill adults were frequently similar between pharmacy specialties. Research should be conducted in areas where opinions differ between specialties.
Ligand‐free, copper‐catalyzed, one‐pot, three‐component synthesis of novel 1,2,3‐triazole‐linked indoles in magnetized water
Authors: Bakherad Mohammad , Keivanloo Ali , Bakherad Zohreh , Toozandejani Zahra , Mahdavi Mohamad
Published: February 2019

Magnetized water (MW) is used as a green and new solvent‐promoting medium for the one‐pot, three‐component synthesis of novel 1,2,3‐triazole‐linked indoles catalyzed by copper iodide. A broad range of 2‐aryl‐1‐(prop‐2‐ynyl)‐1H‐indole‐3‐carbaldehydes were reacted with alkyl halides and sodium azide via copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reactions in MW in the absence of any ligand. This method offers the advantages of short reaction times, green procedure, low cost, simple work‐up, quantitative reaction yields, and no need for any organic solvent.
Synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]furans via a gold(I)‐catalyzed rearrangement/cycloisomerization sequence of cyclic 1‐aryl‐2‐propargyl‐cyclohex‐2enols
Authors: Chen Hsiao‐Feng , Yeh Ming‐Chang P.
Published: February 2019

A facile synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]furans via gold(I)‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1‐aryl‐2‐propargylcyclohex‐2‐enols is described. The transformation is suggested to proceed through a gold(I)‐catalyzed tertiary allylic alcohol rearrangement to give a secondary allylic alcohol that underwent a 5‐exo‐dig addition of the hydroxyl group onto the gold(I)‐activated alkyne to give a vinylgold species. Protodeauration of the resulting vinylgold intermediate followed by aromatization furnished the tetrahydrobenzo[b]furans.
Juice from fescue grain sorghum to produce bioethanol for gasoline additive
Authors: Salinas Hernández Pastora , Morales Anzures Fernando , Martínez Mendoza Eduardo , Romero Romo Mario A , Ramírez Silva Maria T
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the juice of the fescue grain sorghum, since it is a low‐cost agricultural waste, for the production of bioethanol to be used as a gasoline additive. In addition, the octane number has been investigated by varying the ethanol‐gasoline mixture 2, 6 and 10%.

RESULTS

The wort fermentation was carried out with commercial bread yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The liquor obtained was characterized and quantified through gas chromatography. Bioethanol–gasoline mixtures were prepared as: 2, 6 and 10% v/v to determine their octane index. Bioethanol was purified in a fractional distillation tower, attaining thereby a 93.5% purity: lastly, it was dehydrated through molecular sieves to obtain a 99.2% final purity bioethanol. Spectroscopy aided also to determine that the bioethanol–gasoline mixture containing 10% ethanol attained an octane index of 89, which is the value required for commercial gasoline in Mexico.

CONCLUSION

The bioethanol obtained from the fermentation of juice of fescue grain sorghum is indeed viable to be used as additive in gasolines. The fermentation can be carried out with the bread yeast, at the natural pH of the juice and without the addition of nutrients, which leads to an attractive economic process. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Perspectives on facilitating whole exome sequencing for international patients at Mayo Clinic
Authors: Bertsch Nicole , Agre Katherine , Ewing Sarah , Gunderson Lauren , Kemppainen Jennifer , Murphree Marine
Published: February 2019

Whole exome sequencing (WES) has become a fundamental component of genetic evaluation and diagnosing rare genetic diseases. This test is now offered to patients from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and in various clinical and research settings. This commentary is a reflection of one group of clinical genetic counselors’ experiences in facilitating WES for patients who come from outside the United States for genetic evaluation and pursue WES. This patient population in our clinic primarily consists of individuals from the Middle East and presents recurrent logistical and counseling challenges. We aim to describe our international patient population, illuminate the challenges we have faced and illustrate how we have addressed these challenges.
Contribution of snowfall from diverse synoptic conditions in the Catskill/Delaware Watershed of New York State
Authors: Suriano Zachary J. , Leathers Daniel J. , Hall Dorothy K. , Frei Allan
Published: February 2019

Snowfall in the six basins of the Catskill/Delaware Watershed in south‐central New York State historically contributes roughly 20–30% of the water resources derived from the watershed for use in the New York City water supply. The watershed regularly experiences snowfall from three distinctive weather patterns: coastal mid‐latitude cyclones, overrunning systems, and lake‐effect or Great Lakes enhanced storms. Using synoptic weather classification techniques, these distinct regional atmospheric patterns impacting the watershed are isolated and analysed in conjunction with daily snowfall observations from 1960 to 2009 to allow the influence of each synoptic weather pattern on snowfall to be evaluated independently.

Results indicate that snowfall‐producing events occur on average approximately 63 days/year, or once every 4 days during the October–May season, leading to an average of 213 cm/year of snowfall within the watershed. Snowfall from Great Lakes enhanced storms and overrunning systems contribute nearly equally to seasonal totals, representing 38 and 39%, respectively. Coastal mid‐latitude cyclones, while producing the highest amount of snowfall per event on average, contribute only 16% to the watershed average total snowfall. Predicted climate change is expected to impact snowfall differently depending on the specific atmospheric pattern producing the snow. As such, quantifying the contribution of snowfall to the watershed by synoptic pattern can inform future water management and reservoir operation practices for the New York City Water Supply Management System.
Fabrication and physicochemical and antibacterial properties of ethyl cellulose‐structured cinnamon oil oleogel: relation between ethyl cellulose viscosity and oleogel performance
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wang Wenhang , Wang Xiao , Cheng Shan , Zhou Jingyang , Wu Zinan , Li Yu
Published: February 2019

Background

Edible packaging and coating with natural antimicrobials such as essential oils is an emerging technology for the control of pathogen growth in meat products. This study aimed to explore ethyl cellulose (EC) of three viscosities for the structuring of cinnamon essential oil (CEO), and investigated the physicochemical properties of the resulting oleogel and its emulsion, as well as the corresponding antibacterial activity in model and actual environments (as in sausages).

Results

The network structure of CEO‐EC oleogel was more compact with increased EC viscosity, thereby improving the binding capacity and stability of the oil. A positive correlation was found between EC viscosity and particle size of the CEO‐EC emulsion. The 45 cP CEO‐EC emulsion exhibited greatest antimicrobial activitiy in models with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 (ATCC 700927) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (ATCC 29213), as well as in sausage, with respect to total counts of mesophilic bacteria, psychrotrophs, lactobacilli, and pseudomonads.

Conclusion

The CEO‐EC oleogel has antibacterial activity, determined by the EC viscosity, that provide potential antibacterial protection for meat products and might be especially suitable for some traditional Chinese ready‐to‐eat sausages without strictly sealed packaging. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Short‐term effect of helicopter‐based capture on movements of a social ungulate
Authors: Jung Thomas S. , Konkolics Sean M. , Kukka Piia M. , Majchrzak Yasmine N. , Menzies Allyson K. , Oakley Michelle P. , Peers Michael J.L. , Studd Emily K.
Published: February 2019

Capture and handling of wildlife is often an important component of studies where detailed demographic, behavioral, physiological, or health data are required. Yet, capturing and handling wildlife is sometimes controversial and lacking public support because of concern about effects on individuals. Investigating potential effects of capturing wildlife is also important to inform data‐censoring protocols when using information obtained from captured animals. We investigated the short‐term effect of helicopter‐based capture and handling on movements of free‐ranging bison (Bison bison) that were chemically immobilized in Yukon, Canada. We examined daily movement rates, home range size, and displacement of global positioning system‐collared individuals immediately after capture and for 20 days thereafter. Our results indicate that there is a minimal short‐term effect of helicopter‐based capture on bison movements. Significant differences from apparent pre‐capture movement behavior were observed only within 24 hours after capture. We observed variation among individuals, however, with some animals taking up to 10 days to return to apparent pre‐capture movement rates, whereas others had no measurable response to capture. Despite individual variation, >80% of individuals had returned to apparent pre‐capture movement behavior within the first 5 days after capture. Furthermore, sex‐based effects were evident: females increased their daily movement rates, home range size, and displacement after capture, whereas males had either no effect or decreased movement rates. Our results suggest that movement rates are altered for only a short period after capture and, therefore, should not have severe negative effects on bison using our protocols. Accordingly, researchers should censor the first 10 days after capture from their analyses to avoid using biased information. Our study should also help inform public discourse regarding capturing and handling wildlife for research or management purposes. © 2019 The Wildlife Society
Cross‐Network Directory Service: Infrastructure to enable collaborations across distributed research networks
Authors: Malenfant Jessica M. , Hochstadt Jenny , Nolan Bridget , Barrett Kimberly , Corriveau Dean , Dee Daniel , Harris Marcelline , Herzig‐Marx Chayim , Nair Vinit P. , Wyner Zachary , Brown Jeffrey S.
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Existing large‐scale distributed health data networks are disconnected even as they address related questions of healthcare research and public policy. This paper describes the design and implementation of a fully functional prototype open‐source tool, the Cross‐Network Directory Service (CNDS), which addresses much of what keeps distributed networks disconnected from each other.

Methods

The set of services needed to implement a Cross‐Directory Service was identified through engagement with stakeholders and workgroup members. CNDS was implemented using PCORnet and Sentinel network instances and tested by participating data partners.

Results

Web services that enable the four major functional features of the service (registration, discovery, communication, and governance) were developed and placed into an open‐source repository. The services include a robust metadata model that is extensible to accommodate a virtually unlimited inventory of metadata fields, without requiring any further software development. The user interfaces are programmatically generated based on the contents of the metadata model.

Conclusion

The CNDS pilot project gathered functional requirements from stakeholders and collaborating partners to build a software application to enable cross‐network data and resource sharing. The two partners—one from Sentinel and one from PCORnet—tested the software. They successfully entered metadata about their organizations and data sources and then used the Discovery and Communication functionality to find data sources of interest and send a cross‐network query. The CNDS software can help integrate disparate health data networks by providing a mechanism for data partners to participate in multiple networks, share resources, and seamlessly send queries across those networks.