bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroimmunology – the past, present and future
Authors: Nutma E , Willison H , Martino G , Amor S
Published: February 2019

Neuroimmunology as a separate discipline has its roots in the fields of neurology, neuroscience and immunology. Early studies of the brain by Golgi and Cajal, the detailed clinical and neuropathology studies of Charcot and Thompson’s seminal paper on graft acceptance in the central nervous system, kindled a now rapidly expanding research area, with the aim of understanding pathological mechanisms of inflammatory components of neurological disorders. While neuroimmunologists originally focused on classical neuroinflammatory disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and infections, there is strong evidence to suggest that the immune response contributes to genetic white matter disorders, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders, peripheral nervous system and neuro-oncological conditions, as well as ageing. Technological advances have greatly aided our knowledge of how the immune system influences the nervous system during development and ageing, and how such responses contribute to disease as well as regeneration and repair. Here, we highlight historical aspects and milestones in the field of neuroimmunology and discuss the paradigm shifts that have helped provide novel insights into disease mechanisms. We propose future perspectives including molecular biological studies and experimental models that may have the potential to push many areas of neuroimmunology. Such an understanding of neuroimmunology will open up new avenues for therapeutic approaches to manipulate neuroinflammation.
Immediately restored single implants in the aesthetic zone of the maxilla using a novel design: 5‐year results from a prospective single‐arm clinical trial
Authors: Ma Sunyoung , Tawse‐Smith Andrew , Brown Simon D.K. , Duncan Warwick
Published: February 2019

Background

Single implant crowns have become the preferred rehabilitation treatment option for replacing a missing tooth.

Purpose

This study evaluates 5‐year clinical success of using tilted implants placed immediately after extraction followed by rehabilitation with all‐ceramic crowns.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐seven participants requiring 28 single implant crowns in the aesthetic zone of maxilla were recruited to participate in a single‐arm clinical trial. All participants were rehabilitated according to immediate implant placement using CP grade 4 titanium implants with roughened surfaces and a 12°‐angled platform. Provisional implant crowns were connected within 4 hours of implant placement and loaded according to progressive loading protocol. At 8 weeks (baseline), definitive screw‐retained crowns fabricated using densely sintered zirconia abutments with the veneering porcelain were delivered. Participants were followed up to 5 years and 16 participants with 17 single implant crowns attended Year 5 recall. Data collection included changes in marginal bone levels (MBLs), mid‐buccal mucosal levels (MBMLs), implant stability quotient (ISQ) values, and any prosthodontic maintenance issues.

Results

The mean changes in MBLs at each recall was bone fill of 0.5 ± 1.18 mm (surgery—baseline), increase of 0.1 ± 0.57 mm (baseline—Year 1), and marginal bone loss of 0.1 ± 0.25 mm (Years 1‐5). A minimal change occurred with the MBMLs during the observation period. The mean ISQ value at each time point increased from 65.1 (implant placement), to 67.4 (baseline) and 69.9 (Years 1 and 5). Prosthodontic maintenance issues occurred only during the first year which included fracture of veneering ceramic and zirconia abutment as well as aesthetic concerns.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, the data collected would suggest that replacing a single missing tooth using titanium oral implants with 12° platform tilt and zirconia abutments can be a successful rehabilitation option in the esthetically demanding zone of anterior maxilla.
Inflammatory cells infiltrate and angiogenesis in locally advanced and metastatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Tamma Roberto , Annese Tiziana , Ruggieri Simona , Brunetti Oronzo , Longo Vito , Cascardi Eliano , Mastropasqua Mauro Giuseppe , Maiorano Eugenio , Silvestris Nicola , Ribatti Domenico
Published: February 2019

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common subtype of primary hepatobiliary cancer and one of the most aggressive characterized by an extremely poor prognosis with limited treatment options. Inflammatory cells in tumour microenvironment support tumour growth in term of progression, angiogenesis and metastatic capacity. A link between inflammation and biliary carcinogenesis has been previously observed but the mechanisms involved remain to be determined.

Methods

We investigated the microvascular density (MVD) and inflammatory cells in tissue samples from 40 patients with CCA with locally advanced CCA and metastatic CCA by means of immunohistochemical analysis of macrophages, mast cells, B and T lymphocytes and we correlated inflammatory infiltrate with MVD.

Results

We observed significant decrease in the levels of CD31 positive vessels, and CD8, CD4, CD68 and tryptase‐positive cells in metastatic lesions as compared to the localized ones. A negative correlation between CD31 and CD8 and CD31 and CD4 in localized CCA samples was found as assessed by Spearman correlation analysis.

Conclusions

In locally advanced CCA patients, there is a significant increase of immune cell infiltrate constituted by CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes, macrophages and mast cells as compared to the metastatic ones. This alteration in the tumour microenvironment infiltrate is related to a significant increased MVD in localized CCA lesions compared with the metastatic ones. Moreover, we observed a negative correlation between MVD and CD8+, CD4+ cells in localized CCA patients.
Serum osteopontin negatively impacts on intima‐media thickness in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Carbone Federico , Dallegri Franco , Montecucco Fabrizio , Poggi Alessandro , Nobili Flavio Mariano , Cacciapaglia Fabio , Afeltra Antonella , Moccetti Tiziano , Colombo Barbara M.
Published: February 2019

Background

Ultrasound evaluation of carotid intima‐media thickness (cIMT) has been extensively used for potentially improving cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification in several patients’ categories. Subjects with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been investigated by both imaging and molecular biomarker approaches with contrasting results. Here, we focused on the role of osteopontin (OPN) as biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis associated with SLE.

Materials and Methods

Eighty females (age 18‐65 years) affected by SLE and eighty age‐matched healthy female controls without a clinical history of CV disease underwent ultrasound evaluation of cIMT and blood sample assay of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) and OPN.

Results

Healthy controls and SLE patients significantly differed for CV risk factors (ie, waist circumference, hypertension and dyslipidaemia) and the inflammatory status. Noteworthy, an opposite association between cIMT and OPN was observed in the two study groups. Whereas OPN was positively associated with mean cIMT (r = 0.364; P = 0.001) in SLE patients, a negative correlation was found in healthy controls. Furthermore, in SLE patients increased circulating levels of OPN were associated with the use of hydroxychloroquine and the positivity for the anti‐dsDNA autoantibodies. At linear regression analysis, only OPN remained independently associated with cIMT also after adjustment for age, smoking pack‐year, Heart SCORE, disease length and steroid therapy length.

Conclusions

These results indicate that serum OPN levels were strongly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with LES and it might be a useful CV biomarker that requires additional validation in larger trials.
Crystal structures of human 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 complexed with estrone and NADP+ reveal the mechanism of substrate inhibition
Authors: Li Tang , Stephen Preyesh , Zhu Dao‐Wei , Shi Rong , Lin Sheng‐Xiang
Published: February 2019

Human 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β‐HSD1) catalyses the last step in estrogen activation and is thus involved in estrogen‐dependent diseases (EDDs). Unlike other 17β‐HSD members, 17β‐HSD1 undergoes a significant substrate‐induced inhibition that we have previously reported. Here we solved the binary and ternary crystal structures of 17β‐HSD1 in complex with estrone (E1) and cofactor analog NADP+, demonstrating critical enzyme‐substrate‐cofactor interactions. These complexes revealed a reversely bound E1 in 17β‐HSD1 that provides the basis of the substrate inhibition, never demonstrated in estradiol complexes. Structural analysis showed that His221 is the key residue responsible for the reorganization and stabilization of the reversely bound E1, leading to the formation of a dead‐end complex, which exists widely in NADP(H)‐preferred enzymes for the regulation of their enzymatic activity. Further, a new inhibitor is proposed that may inhibit 17β‐HSD1 through the formation of a dead‐end complex. This finding indicates a simple mechanism of enzyme regulation in the physiological background and introduces a pioneer inhibitor of 17β‐HSD1 based on the dead‐end inhibition model for efficiently targeting EDDs.

Databases

Coordinates and structure factors of 17β‐HSD1‐E1 and 17β‐HSD1‐E1‐NADP+ have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank with accession code 6MNC and 6MNE respectively.

Enzymes

17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β‐HSD1) EC 1.1.1.62.
Concept of stress dead zone in cracked plates: Theoretical, experimental, and computational studies
Authors: Farahani Behzad V. , Eslami Shayan , de Melo Francisco Q. , Tavares Paulo J. , Moreira Pedro M.G.P.
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a study on stress dead zone implications and its characterization with uniaxial tensile testing on MT polycarbonate plate specimens. To obtain the experimental solution, digital image correlation (DIC) is used. Numerically, based on LEFM, the problem is solved using advanced discretization techniques, finite element, and meshless methods. Considering stress dead zone notion, it aims to determine alternative analytical solution of the SIF. Thus, the compliance method is adopted, which is associated with the specimen's dead zone region that does not involve the cracking resistance. Hence, LEFM formulations complying with strain energy release rate criterion are assumed. A proper comparison is made amongst results obtained from all theoretical, experimental, and numerical analyses. Furthermore, this work focuses on the variational fields' evaluation and, in particular, verification on the theoretical assumption of dead zone characteristics. The obtained results support adopted methodologies and are encouragingly robust and cost‐effective.
Corporate social responsibility risk and auditor–client retention
Authors: Brooks Li (Lily) Zheng , Gill Sue , Wong‐On‐Wing Bernard
Published: February 2019

Literature suggests that firms engaging in irresponsible corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities are more likely to increase auditor's engagement risk. Using audit firm tenure as a continuous measure for retention decisions made by either auditors or client firms, we find a significant and negative association between CSR risk and auditor tenure. Moreover, when the continuous variable audit tenure is replaced with a dichotomous variable auditor change, the likelihood of auditor change intensifies with increases in CSR risk. These results suggest that both clients and auditors are more likely to sever relationships when client firms exhibit high CSR risk than low CSR risk. This study has implications for future research on audit firm tenure and audit outcomes.
Impact of the disclosure of audit engagement partners on audit quality: Evidence from the USA
Authors: Dao Mai , Xu Hongkang , Liu Long
Published: February 2019

The debate concerning the recent regulation in the USA mandating accounting firms to disclose engagement partners' identity is ongoing. We examine the impact of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's (PCAOB's) requirement of disclosing engagement partners' names on Form AP on the quality of audit engagements. Using two measures of audit quality (abnormal accruals and the probability of detecting material weaknesses in internal control), we find that disclosing engagement partners' names is associated with a lower level of abnormal accruals and a higher probability of accounting firms detecting material weaknesses in internal control. Our study extends the contemporary research on the disclosure of engagement partners' identification by providing additional evidence to the literature on this issue in the U.S. setting. Our study also provides evidence supporting the PCAOB's perception that this disclosure leads to higher audit quality.
Pricing strategies for dual‐channel supply chains under a trade credit policy
Authors: Qin Juanjuan , Ren Liguo , Xia Liangjie , Wang Ziping , Chang Haodong
Published: February 2019

This paper discusses the impact of a trade credit policy on alleviating conflicts arising on a dual‐channel supply chain that includes one manufacturer and one value‐added retailer. We use the Stackelberg game to model the problem and characterize optimal pricing strategies for each supply chain partner, examining different circumstances in terms of retail price and trade credit contracts. When a consistent price strategy is applied in the dual channels under conditions of an exogenous credit period, trade credit can help both partners to achieve win‐win situations in the following circumstances: (1) when the retail channel's market share is small and the retailer's interest rate is high; or (2) when the retail channel's market share is large and the retailer's interest rate is lower than the manufacturer's. The study also concludes that when an inconsistent price strategy is applied, a trade credit contract can alleviate channel conflicts when the retailer's interest rate is higher than the manufacturer's. Otherwise, the partners may terminate cooperation. However, when the manufacturer has the power to determine and set the credit period, trade credit cannot alleviate channel conflicts under consistent price and inconsistent price scenarios.
A cash transportation vehicle routing problem with combinations of different cash denominations
Authors: Xu Guoxun , Li Yanfeng , Szeto W. Y. , Li Jun
Published: February 2019

This paper investigates a new cash transportation problem, which is a variant of the capacitated vehicle routing problem. To better satisfy the demands of customers (e.g., banks, large retailers, shopping centers, automated teller machines, etc.), the combination of different cash denominations (i.e., $100, $50, $20, etc.) is considered. The robbery risk, which is measured by both the amount of cash being carried and the distance covered by the vehicle carrying the cash, is limited by a risk threshold. The problem is formulated as mixed‐integer linear programming to minimize the total cost, which consists of the total travel cost and the total penalties due to the unmet expected demand of customers. A combined hybrid tabu search metaheuristic is proposed to solve this problem. Tabu search is adopted for determining routing decisions while three methods, namely the exact method, the greedy method, and the mixed method, are proposed to be embedded within the tabu search to determine the denomination combination strategy. The numerical studies show that the proposed method makes a good tradeoff between the solution quality and the computation time. Experimental results also reveal the effects of the unit penalty and the risk threshold.
Anti‐fungal bandages containing cinnamon extract
Authors: Ahmed Jubair , Altun Esra , Aydogdu Mehmet O. , Gunduz Oguzhan , Kerai Laxmi , Ren Guogang , Edirisinghe Mohan
Published: February 2019

Cinnamon‐containing polycaprolactone (PCL) bandages were produced by pressurised gyration and their anti‐fungal activities againstCandida albicanswere investigated. It was found that by preparing and spinning polymer solutions of cinnamon with PCL, fibres capable of inhibiting fungal growth could be produced, as observed in disk diffusion tests for anti‐fungal susceptibility. Fascinatingly, compared with raw cinnamon powder, the novel cinnamon‐loaded fibres had outstanding long‐term activity. The results presented here are very promising and may indeed accelerate a new era of using completely natural materials in biomedical applications, especially in wound healing.
Cation deficiency associated with the chemical exfoliation of lithium cobalt oxide
Authors: Pachuta Kevin G. , Pentzer Emily B. , Sehirlioglu Alp
Published: February 2019

Compositional changes associated with the chemical exfoliation of lithium cobalt oxide, a layered transition metal oxide, are discussed. Starting from a layered bulk structure, lithium cobalt oxide can undergo chemical exfoliation through a two‐step method: treatment with a protic acid, then treatment with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (this intercalates the layered structure and yields exfoliated nanosheets). This work provides an in‐depth analysis of compositional and structural changes occurring to the powder upon the first step to exfoliation, treatment with acid, revealing variations in vacancies and valence changes depending on the conditions used. Through coupled analysis of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectroscopy data, we illustrate that both lithium and cobalt ions are diffusing out the structure along with the dissolution of full unit cells. As such, nanosheets accessed from the bulk by this exfoliation process should not be considered simply as divisions of the original unit cell. This work provides fundamental insights on the stability of LiCoO2 and the exfoliation of layered transition metal oxides, beyond the access of individual nanosheets, and is vital to determining structure‐property relationships of chemically exfoliated nanosheets (eg, changes in valency which dictate catalytic activity, magnetic susceptibility, etc).
Impact on renal resistive index of diabetes in renal transplant donors and recipients: A retrospective analysis of 1827 kidney transplant recipients
Authors: de Freminville Jean‐Baptiste , Vernier Louis‐Marie , Roumy Jérome , Patat Frédéric , Gatault Philippe , Sautenet Bénédicte , Bailly Elodie , Chevallier Eloi , Barbet Christelle , Longuet Hélène , Merieau Elodie , Baron Christophe , Buchler Matthias , Halimi Jean‐Michel
Published: February 2019

High renal resistive index (RI) is observed in diabetes and is associated with poor patient survival, but whether it is primarily due to renal vascular resistance or systemic vascular alterations is unclear. The respective impact of kidney transplant from diabetic donors or to diabetic recipients on RI would shed some light on this issue. The objective of the study was to analyze the impact of donor and recipient diabetes on RI in order to understand the respective impact of the kidney and the vascular environment. The authors conducted a retrospective study in 1827 renal transplant recipients who received a kidney between 1985 and 2017, and had Doppler measurements at 3 months after transplant. Donor and recipient characteristics at the time of transplant and at 3 months were reviewed. Both donor diabetes and recipient diabetes were associated with RI in univariate analysis, but only recipient diabetes remained significantly associated in stepwise multivariate analyses (effect estimate on RI: +0.03 ± 0.005, P < 0.001). These findings were confirmed when RI was expressed as a binary variable using a cutoff of 0.75 (OR = 2.50 [1.77, 3.54], P < 0.001). Other determinants of RI were recipient characteristics (age, sex, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and duration of dialysis). Donor characteristics were not associated with RI. Our results suggest that high RI observed in diabetic recipients shortly after transplant is primarily due to the new vascular environment, rather than to characteristics of the transplanted kidney. Therefore, RI reflects systemic rather than intra‐renal changes.
Systolic blood pressure increases in patients with atrial fibrillation regaining sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion
Authors: Olbers Joakim , Jacobson Ellen , Viberg Fredrik , Witt Nils , Ljungman Petter , Rosenqvist Mårten , Östergren Jan
Published: February 2019

Direct current (DC) cardioversion is used to convert persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm (SR), but there is limited knowledge about how blood pressure (BP) is affected by conversion to SR. We sought to evaluate how BP changed in AF patients who converted to SR, compared to patients still in AF. In this retrospective registry analysis, we included a total of 487 patients, treated with DC cardioversion for persistent AF. We obtained data regarding medical history, medication, BP, and electrocardiogram the day before and 7 days after cardioversion. Systolic BP increased by 9 (±16) mm Hg (P < 0.01) and diastolic BP decreased by 3 (±9) mm Hg (P < 0.01) after conversion to SR. In the group of patients with restored SR, there was a 40% increase in the proportion of patients with a hypertensive BP level (≥140/90 mm Hg) after DC cardioversion compared to before. Patients still in AF had no significant change in BP. Systolic BP increases and diastolic BP slightly decreases when persistent AF is converted to SR. The underlying mechanisms explaining these findings are not known, but may involve either hemodynamic changes that occur when SR is restored, an underestimation of systolic BP in AF, or a combination of both. Our findings suggest that an increased attention to BP levels after a successful cardioversion is warranted.
Shrinkage and rehydration characteristics of vacuum assisted microwave dried green bell pepper
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Devi Moirangthem Kalpana , Panda Brajesh Kumar , Shrivastava Shanker Lal
Published: February 2019

Green bell pepper was dried under vacuum assisted microwave (VAM) drying conditions. The effect of microwave power (100, 200, 300 W) and vacuum pressure (200, 400, 600 mmHg) were observed on shrinkage and rehydration characteristics of the sample. Shrinkage was modeled as a linear function of volume change of material and its moisture content. A model was proposed where apparent density could be evaluated as a function of product's moisture content. The sample volume in case of VAM drying shrunk by 59 to 78%, while in case of hot air drying, the shrinkage occurred up to 90%. At a given power level of 100 W, equilibrium rehydration values (Req) increased from 5.04 to 5.75 for samples dried at increasing vacuum pressure from 200 to 600 mmHg. Rehydration rate constant decreased correspondingly for samples dried at higher microwave power levels. Higher level of microwave power and vacuum pressure played significant (p < 0.01) role in producing more porous (lesser shrunken) product leading to higher diffusion (and thus better rehydrated product) of water through it. Diffusion coefficient in rehydration was calculated using Fick's second law. The values of “k” and “R2” varied from 1 × 10−3 to 6.4 × 10−3 and 0.986 to 0.999, respectively.

Practical applications

Shrinkage and rehydration characteristics of dried vegetables are of utmost importance when it comes to culinary preparations, premixes, convenient foods and retention of sensory qualities. The model proposed in the present study will be helpful in evaluating shrinkage as a function of apparent density and moisture content of dried green bell pepper. Several changes such as shape, size, structure, color, bulk density, porosity, and rehydration capacity are induced due to structural alteration in green bell pepper followed by drying. This information could help in safe commercial packaging of dried products. Further, dried green bell pepper must be rehydrated to be used in preparation of foods such as soups, pizzas, stews, casseroles, and many other recipes. Outcome of the current study can also be referred and implemented while accessing the rehydration characteristics of dried and shrunken vegetables.
Plasticity versus chronicity: Stable performance on category fluency 40 years post‐onset
Authors: de Haan Edward H. F. , Seijdel Noor , Kentridge Robert W. , Heywood Charles A.
Published: February 2019

What is the long‐term trajectory of semantic memory deficits in patients who have suffered structural brain damage? Memory is, per definition, a changing faculty. The traditional view is that after an initial recovery period, the mature human brain has little capacity to repair or reorganize. More recently, it has been suggested that the central nervous system may be more plastic with the ability to change in neural structure, connectivity, and function. The latter observations are, however, largely based on normal learning in healthy subjects. Here, we report a patient who suffered bilateral ventro‐medial damage after presumed herpes encephalitis in 1971. He was seen regularly in the eighties, and we recently had the opportunity to re‐assess his semantic memory deficits. On semantic category fluency, he showed a very clear category‐specific deficit performing better that control data on non‐living categories and significantly worse on living items. Recent testing showed that his impairments have remained unchanged for more than 40 years. We suggest cautiousness when extrapolating the concept of brain plasticity, as observed during normal learning, to plasticity in the context of structural brain damage.
Mandible strength and geometry in relation to bite force: a study in three caviomorph rodents
Authors: Buezas Guido N. , Becerra Federico , Echeverría Alejandra I. , Cisilino Adrián , Vassallo Aldo I.
Published: February 2019

The monophyletic group Caviomorpha constitutes the most diverse rodent clade in terms of locomotion, ecology and diet. Caviomorph species show considerable variation in cranio‐mandibular morphology that has been linked to the differences in toughness of dietary items and other behaviors, such as chisel‐tooth digging. This work assesses the structural strength of the mandible of three caviomorph species that show remarkable differences in ecology, behavior and bite force: Chinchilla lanigera (a surface‐dwelling species), Octodon degus (a semi‐fossorial species) and Ctenomys talarum (a subterranean species). Finite element (FE) models of the mandibles are used to predict the stresses they withstand during incisor biting; the results are related to in vivo bite forces and interspecific variations in the mandibular geometries. The study concludes that the mandible of C. talarum is better able to withstand strong incisor bites. Its powerful adducting musculature is consistent with the notorious lateral expansion of the angular process and the masseteric crest, and the enhanced cortical bone thickness. Although it has a relatively low bite force, the mandible of O. degus also shows a good performance for mid‐to‐strong incisor biting, in contrast to that of C. lanigera, which exhibits, from a mechanical point of view, the worst performance. The mandibles of C. talarum and O. degus appear to be better suited to withstand stronger reaction forces from incisor biting, which is consistent with their closer phylogenetic affinity and shared digging behaviors. The contrast between the low in vivo bite force of C. lanigera and the relatively high estimations that result from the models suggests that its adductor musculature could play significant roles in functions other than incisor biting.
Prognostic value of fluorine18flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma
Authors: Griffin Lynn R. , Thamm Douglas H. , Brody Ariel , Selmic Laura E.
Published: February 2019

Background

Factors indicative of a negative prognosis for appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) in dogs are visible metastatic disease, location, and size of lesion. In human medicine maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), as measured on a fluorine18flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT), is prognostic for survival for several tumor types.

Objective

Determine if SUVmaxis associated with progression‐free interval (PFI) and determination of survival in dogs with appendicular OSA.

Animals

Sixty‐two dogs with untreated appendicular OSA that had been staged with18F‐FDG PET/CT.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of the18F‐FDG PET/CT was performed. Dogs were excluded from the study if they did not receive definitive intent treatment for their primary OSA and adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin, or had visible metastatic disease on initial imaging. A region of interest (ROI) was created around the primary tumor to measure SUVmax. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to evaluate for associations between variables including SUVmaxand outcome of PFI and overall survival (OS).

Results

Maximum standard uptake value of the primary tumor was significantly associated with the OS (P = .04) with adjustment for treatment type and monocyte count. The overall median survival time (OST) was 284 days (range, 39‐1293 days) with the OST of dogs having an SUVmaxof ≥7.4 of 254 days (range, 98‐428 days) and dogs with an SUVmaxof <7.4 of 680 days (range, 108‐811 days,P = .01).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Maximum standard uptake value as measured via18F‐FDG PET/CT is significantly associated with survival in dogs with appendicular OSA with a high SUVmaxbeing an indicator of a negative prognosis.
Baleen whales in Macaronesia: occurrence patterns revealed through a bibliographic review
Authors: Valente Raul , Correia Ana M. , Gil Ágatha , González García Laura , Sousa‐Pinto Isabel
Published: February 2019

Macaronesia, an oceanic area located in the Northeast Atlantic, exhibits a high topographic and oceanographic complexity that enables a rich biodiversity. So far, seven species of baleen whales have been recorded in the area. These are migratory animals that travel long distances between feeding grounds at high latitudes in summer and tropical areas for mating and breeding in winter. As baleen whales are such mobile animals, the conservation and management of their habitat is highly challenging. Hence, knowing and understanding the patterns of their distribution is fundamental. Despite the many records of baleen whales in Macaronesia, heterogeneity in research effort has resulted in scattered occurrence data that leads to an incomplete picture of their distribution in the area.

We aim to increase knowledge of distribution patterns of baleen whales, and identify research effort gaps in Macaronesia.

From a total of 14 peer‐reviewed publications, four public reports, two poster presentations, and four data bases, we gathered 1798 records in Macaronesia since 1990 for four species of baleen whale: minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata, fin whale Balaenoptera physalus, blue whale Balaenoptera musculus, and humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae. Spatio‐temporal descriptive analyses and ecological modelling were carried out in order to understand occurrence patterns.

The results show a big lack of research effort and occurrence data in offshore areas and in some coastal waters, namely off the West African coast. Moreover, blue, fin, and humpback whales are sighted mainly in spring in the north of Macaronesia, while minke whale distribution is clearly different: they have a stronger presence in summer. This study highlights areas in urgent need of research effort in order to inform decision‐makers and support effective measures for the protection and conservation of baleen whales in Macaronesia.
Age of introduction of complementary feeding and overweight in adolescence and adulthood: A systematic review
Authors: Araújo Cybele Sodré , de Farias Costa Priscila Ribas , de Oliveira Queiroz Valterinda Alves , de Santana Monica Leila Portela , Miranda Emile Pereira , Pitangueira Jacqueline Costa Dias , de Assis Ana Marlucia
Published: February 2019

Recent studies on early infant feeding suggest that the type of diet and age of starting complementary foods may have a positive correlation with overweight in adolescence and adulthood. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence on the relationship between the age of introduction of complementary feeding and excess weight in adolescence and adulthood (PROSPERO: CRD42017067764). The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses standards were used as a reference. Articles were researched on Medline via PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Lilacs, Ovid, and Scopus, between June and December 2017. Descriptors were defined according to Medical Subject Heading. Of the 103 articles selected for complete reading, nine were included in the review. Of these, only three found an association between the age of introduction of complementary feeding and overweight. Despite these findings, the studies presented a high heterogeneity, mainly due to the difference in cut‐off points for the age of introduction of complementary feeding and the classification of overweight. We concluded that the evidence was not consistent enough to confirm the existence of the association.
Predictors of breastfeeding non‐initiation in the NICU
Authors: Gertz Brooke , DeFranco Emily
Published: February 2019

This study compared predictors of breastfeeding non‐initiation between infants who were and were not admitted to the NICU so that interventions can target high‐risk mothers whose infants desperately need breastmilk. This was a population‐based retrospective cohort study of singleton Ohio live births using birth certificates, 2006–2015. In babies who were and were not admitted to the NICU, a multivariable logistic regression model assessed the association between breastfeeding non‐initiation and predictors relating to the mother, neonate, and labour and delivery events while adjusting for covariables. Of 1,463,506 births, 76,855 infants were admitted to the NICU (5.8% of study population), and breastfeeding was not initiated in 39.4% of them, compared with 31.5% of infants in the newborn nursery, p < 0.001. Apart from abnormal newborn conditions, smoking during pregnancy was the most significant risk factor for not breastfeeding in the NICU (RR 1.91 [95% CI 1.82–2.02]) and newborn nursery (RR 2.10 [95% CI 2.08–2.13]), followed by socioeconomic factors and multiparity. Limited prenatal visits (≤5) were a significantly higher risk factor in the NICU (RR 1.41 [95% CI 1.34–1.49]) than in the newborn nursery (RR 1.24 [95% CI 1.22–1.26]). Intentional home birth and use of infertility treatment were associated with breastfeeding initiation. The rate of breastfeeding initiation is lower in infants admitted to the NICU than those who are not, especially among mothers with limited prenatal care. Interventions should target mothers who smoke because they are least likely to breastfeed, and their babies, who are prone to serious health conditions, could especially benefit from breastmilk.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Rhododendron simsii (Ericaceae) as revealed by microsatellite markers
Authors: Wang Shuzhen , Jin Zhengqiang , Luo Yanyan , Li Zhiliang , Fang Yuanping , Xiang Jun , Jin Weibin
Published: February 2019

Rhododendron simsii Planch. (Ericaceae) is a valuable horticultural and medicinal plant species. In this study, the genetic diversity of eight wild R. simsii populations from the Dabie Mountains (central China) was investigated with 29 microsatellite markers. The results showed that R. simsii harbored a high level of genetic diversity (HE: 0.64–0.79; HO: 0.71–0.94; I = 1.917; h = 0.826), and 84.34% of this genetic variation was maintained within populations, while variation among populations only accounted for 15.66%. The number of alleles ranged from 6 to 11, with an average of 9.069. Heterozygote excess was found, with the mean FIS and FIT values of −0.1739 and 0.0092, respectively. The average value of gene flow (Nm) was 1.3525. Within‐population, genetic diversity (I) ranged from 1.131 to 1.681. Cluster analyses divided the eight populations into two clades: the ‘Ltjiuzihe’ population formed its own cluster, while the other seven populations clustered together. There was a weak negative correlation between genetic and geographic distance. The results are highly relevant for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wild R. simsii germplasm resources in central China.
Urbanization drives unique latitudinal patterns of insect herbivory and tree condition
Authors: Just Michael G. , Dale Adam G. , Long Lawrence C. , Frank Steven D.
Published: February 2019

Urban landscapes are characterized by high proportions of impervious surface resulting in higher temperatures than adjacent natural landscapes. In some cities, like those at cooler latitudes, trees may benefit from warmer urban temperatures, but trees in many cities are beset with problems like drought stress and increased herbivory. What drives patterns of urban tree health across urbanization and latitudinal temperature gradients? In natural systems, latitude–herbivory relationships are well‐studied, and recent temperate studies have shown that herbivory generally increases with decreasing latitudes (warmer temperatures). However, the applicability of this latitude–herbivory theory in already‐warmed urban systems is unknown. In this study, we investigated how the interaction of urbanization, latitudinal warming and scale insect abundance affected urban tree health. We predicted that trees in warmer, lower latitude cities would be in poorer health at lower levels of urbanization than trees at cooler, higher latitudes due to the interaction of urbanization, latitudinal temperature and herbivory. To evaluate our predictions, we surveyed the abundance of scale insect herbivores on a single, common tree species Acer rubrum in eight US cities spanning 10° of latitude. We estimated urbanization at two extents, a local one that accounted for the direct effects on an individual tree, and a larger one that captured the surrounding urban landscape. We found that urban tree health did not vary with latitudinal temperature but was best predicted by local urbanization and herbivore abundance. We did not observe increased herbivore abundance in warmer, lower latitudes cities, but instead herbivore abundance peaked in the mid latitudes of our study. This study demonstrates that urban landscapes may deviate from classical theory developed in natural systems and reinforces the need for research reconciling ecological patterns in urban landscapes.
Impact of Preoperative Diagnosis on Clinical Outcomes of Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion for Lumbar Degenerative Disease in a Single‐institution Prospective Cohort
Authors: Chang Sam Yeol , Nam Yunjin , Lee Jeongik , Chang Bong‐Soon , Lee Choo‐Ki , Kim Hyoungmin
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Oblique lateral interbody fusion is considered a useful surgical option for various lumbar degenerative diseases with favorable clinical results and few complications. However, clinical outcomes following oblique lateral interbody fusion stratified according to the preoperative diagnosis have not been fully evaluated in a large cohort. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes following oblique lateral interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease and to identify differences in outcomes when stratified according to preoperative diagnosis.

Methods

All patients receiving oblique lateral interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative diseases were included in the current study and were stratified into four diagnostic groups: (i) degenerative spondylolisthesis; (ii) spondylolytic spondylolisthesis; (iii) spinal stenosis without spondylolisthesis and instability; and (iv) deformity. Clinical outcomes were assessed using multiple patient‐reported questionnaires. Radiologic outcomes, including cage subsidence and completion of fusion, were also evaluated.

Results

Overall, 169 patients with 262 operative levels were included in the study. All clinical scoring items showed significant improvement at 1 year postoperatively for all diagnostic groups. Net and percent improvement, and a proportion of patients reaching a threshold for substantial clinical benefit were not significantly different between the diagnostic groups in all scoring items, except for lower extremity radiating pain of the deformity group. Although the deformity group had the highest overall complication rate, neurologic complications were more frequent in the spondylolytic spondylolisthesis group. The rate of complete fusion and cage subsidence for individual levels at 1 year postoperatively was 62.7% and 32.6% respectively, with no significant difference between the diagnostic groups.

Conclusions

The large single‐institution prospective cohort of the present study showed favorable clinical outcomes following oblique lateral interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease, even in spinal stenosis without spondylolisthesis and instability.
Greater palatine block for V2 trigeminal neuralgia: Case report
Authors: Gornitsky Mervyn , Elsaraj Sherif M. , Canie Olivia , Mohit Shrisha , Velly Ana M. , Schipper Hyman M.
Published: February 2019

Aims

This study describes a novel nerve block directed at the maxillary (V2) division of the fifth cranial nerve as treatment for medication‐refractory trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

Methods and results

The authors present three cases of TN treated with V2 nerve block using commonly available local anesthetics injected through the greater palatine foramen. Patients’ medications were noted before and after the procedure. Following the injection, patients were followed over time and outcome was assessed.

Patients experienced rapid and long‐lasting pain relief allowing for significant reduction in antineuralgia medications. This was done with the objective of breaking the pain cycle with subsequent discontinuation or reduction of analgesic medications.

Conclusion

This technique may be an effective treatment for medication‐refractory V2 TN. By interrupting the pain cycle, this renders the condition amenable to long‐term control using diminished doses of standard antineuralgia pharmaceuticals. The practical implications of the described procedure are that it is simple, safe, and well‐tolerated with few or no adverse effects. This novel technique is a diagnostic feature for the dentist to differentiate between sources of facial pain.
A Cretaceous carbonate delta drift in the Montagna della Maiella, Italy
Authors: Eberli Gregor P. , Bernoulli Daniel , Vecsei Adam , Sekti Rizky , Grasmueck Mark , Lüdmann Thomas , Anselmetti Flavio S. , Mutti Maria , Porta Giovanna Della
Published: February 2019

The Upper Cretaceous (Campanian–Maastrichtian) bioclastic wedge of the Orfento Formation in the Montagna della Maiella, Italy, is compared to newly discovered contourite drifts in the Maldives. Like the drift deposits in the Maldives, the Orfento Formation fills a channel and builds a Miocene delta‐shaped and mounded sedimentary body in the basin that is similar in size to the approximately 350 km2 large coarse‐grained bioclastic Miocene delta drifts in the Maldives. The composition of the bioclastic wedge of the Orfento Formation is also exclusively bioclastic debris sourced from the shallow‐water areas and reworked clasts of the Orfento Formation itself. In the near mud‐free succession, age‐diagnostic fossils are sparse. The depositional textures vary from wackestone to float‐rudstone and breccia/conglomerates, but rocks with grainstone and rudstone textures are the most common facies. In the channel, lensoid convex‐upward breccias, cross‐cutting channelized beds and thick grainstone lobes with abundant scours indicate alternating erosion and deposition from a high‐energy current. In the basin, the mounded sedimentary body contains lobes with a divergent progradational geometry. The lobes are built by decametre thick composite megabeds consisting of sigmoidal clinoforms that typically have a channelized topset, a grainy foreset and a fine‐grained bottomset with abundant irregular angular clasts. Up to 30 m thick channels filled with intraformational breccias and coarse grainstones pinch out downslope between the megabeds. In the distal portion of the wedge, stacked grainstone beds with foresets and reworked intraclasts document continuous sediment reworking and migration. The bioclastic wedge of the Orfento Formation has been variously interpreted as a succession of sea‐level controlled slope deposits, a shoaling shoreface complex, or a carbonate tidal delta. Current‐controlled delta drifts in the Maldives, however, offer a new interpretation because of their similarity in architecture and composition. These similarities include: (i) a feeder channel opening into the basin; (ii) an excavation moat at the exit of the channel; (iii) an overall mounded geometry with an apex that is in shallower water depth than the source channel; (iv) progradation of stacked lobes; (v) channels that pinch out in a basinward direction; and (vi) smaller channelized intervals that are arranged in a radial pattern. As a result, the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian–Maastrichtian) bioclastic wedge of the Orfento Formation in the Montagna della Maiella, Italy, is here interpreted as a carbonate delta drift.
Contemporary organizational theory: The demographic, relational, and cultural perspectives
Authors: Haveman Heather A. , Wetts Rachel
Published: February 2019

We review three perspectives—demographic, relational, and cultural—that have dominated sociological research on organizations during the past four decades. These perspectives arose in reaction to the atomistic and rationalist–adaptationist assumptions of earlier perspectives on organizations. These perspectives have different conceptions of social structure and thus different conceptions of what creates opportunities for and constraints on action. The demographic perspective holds that social structure is constituted by distributions of social actors along salient dimensions of social and physical space; the relational perspective, by webs of social relationships; and the cultural perspective, by widely shared and patterned understandings of reality and possibility. These perspectives also have different conceptions of identity and therefore motivations for action. For demographers, identity derives from position, absolute or relative, along salient dimensions of social life; for relational scholars, from ties among individuals, groups, and organizations; and for cultural scholars, from social interaction. All three perspectives have been applied to explain behavior at five different levels of analysis: the individual, group or organizational subunit, organization, industry or organizational population, and field. Up to the 1990s, these perspectives were generally applied separately, but over the past two decades, studies have increasingly used multiple perspectives.