bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cryogenic optical feedthrough using polarization maintaining fibers
Authors: Nelson M. J. , Collins C. J. , Speake C. C.
Published: March 2016

Polarization maintaining optical fibers can be used to transmit linearly polarized light over long distances but their use in cryogenic environments has been limited by their sensitivity to temperature changes and associated mechanical stress. We investigate experimentally how thermal stresses affect the polarization maintaining fibers and model the observations with Jones matrices. We describe the design, construction, and testing of a feedthrough and fiber termination assembly that uses polarization maintaining fiber to transmit light from a 633 nm HeNe laser at room temperature to a homodyne polarization-based interferometer in a cryogenic vacuum. We report on the efficiency of the polarization maintaining properties of the feedthrough assembly. We also report that, at cryogenic temperatures, the interferometer can achieve a sensitivity of 8 × 10−10 rad/Hz at 0.05 Hz using this feedthrough.
Conformational changes in matrix-isolated 6-methoxyindole: Effects of the thermal and infrared light excitations
Authors: Lopes Jesus A. J. , Reva I. , Araujo-Andrade C. , Fausto R.
Published: March 2016

Conformational changes induced thermally or upon infrared excitation of matrix-isolated 6-methoxyindole were investigated. Narrowband near-infrared excitation of the first overtone of the N–H stretching vibration of each one of the two identified conformers is found to induce a selective large-scale conversion of the pumped conformer into the other one. This easily controllable bidirectional process consists in the intramolecular reorientation of the methoxy group and allowed a full assignment of the infrared spectra of the two conformers. Matrices with different conformational compositions prepared by narrow-band irradiations were subsequently used to investigate the effects of both thermal and broadband infrared excitations on the conformational mixtures. Particular attention is given to the influence of the matrix medium (Ar vs. Xe) and conformational effects of exposition of the sample to the spectrometer light source during the measurements.
Residual entropy of ice III from Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Kolafa Jiří
Published: March 2016

We calculated the residual entropy of ice III as a function of the occupation probabilities of hydrogen positions α and β assuming equal energies of all configurations. To do this, a discrete ice model with Bjerrum defect energy penalty and harmonic terms to constrain the occupation probabilities was simulated by the Metropolis Monte Carlo method for a range of temperatures and sizes followed by thermodynamic integration and extrapolation to N = ∞. Similarly as for other ices, the residual entropies are slightly higher than the mean-field (no-loop) approximation. However, the corrections caused by fluctuation of energies of ice samples calculated using molecular models of water are too large for accurate determination of the chemical potential and phase equilibria.
Nonlinear magnetic field enhancement and turbulence in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas
Authors: Tiwary Prem Pyari , Modi K. V. , Sharma Swati , Singh Ram Kishor , Uma R. , Sharma R. P.
Published: March 2016

The transient response of nonlinear coupling between relatively high frequency magnetosonic wave (HMSW) and low frequency magnetosonic wave (LMSW) in the overdense plasma has been presented in this paper. Along with this, the adiabatic response of HMSW also has been studied for low value of magnetic field in the underdense plasma. The ponderomotive force of relatively high frequency and high power pump magnetosonic wave is expected to excite the low frequency magnetosonic wave. The dynamical equation of LMSW in the presence of ponderomotive force of HMSW (pump wave) has been derived for this purpose. Using this coupled system of dynamical equations, the nonlinear behavior of the pump HMSW was studied, and the resulting turbulent spectrum has been presented. Numerical simulation has been carried out for dimensionless nonlinear coupled equations of HMSW and LMSW, and the results show quite complex localized structures that grow with time. The ensemble averaged power spectrum has also been studied which shows that the spectral index follows an approximate scaling of the order of ∼k−1.67 at larger scales and scaling of the order of ∼k−3.4 at smaller scales. The results indicate considerable randomness in the spatial structure of the magnetic field profile which gives sufficient indication of turbulence. In this context, filamentation of high frequency magnetosonic wave has been considered to be responsible for magnetic turbulence during the laser plasma interaction. The results of the present paper are found relevant with two different experimental observations. Such a nonlinear interaction is quite important in understanding turbulence in the astrophysical phenomenon.
Three dimensional equilibrium solutions for a current-carrying reversed-field pinch plasma with a close-fitting conducting shell
Authors: Koliner J. J. , Cianciosa M. R. , Boguski J. , Anderson J. K. , Hanson J. D. , Chapman B. E. , Brower D. L. , Den Hartog D. J. , Ding W. X. , Duff J. R. , Goetz J. A. , McGarry M. , Morton L. A. , Parke E.
Published: March 2016

In order to characterize the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) reversed-field pinch (RFP) plasmas that bifurcate to a helical equilibrium, the V3FIT equilibrium reconstruction code was modified to include a conducting boundary. RFP plasmas become helical at a high plasma current, which induces large eddy currents in MST's thick aluminum shell. The V3FIT conducting boundary accounts for the contribution from these eddy currents to external magnetic diagnostic coil signals. This implementation of V3FIT was benchmarked against MSTFit, a 2D Grad-Shafranov solver, for axisymmetric plasmas. The two codes both fit Bθ measurement loops around the plasma minor diameter with qualitative agreement between each other and the measured field. Fits in the 3D case converge well, with q-profile and plasma shape agreement between two distinct toroidal locking phases. Greater than 60% of the measured n = 5 component of Bθ at r = a is due to eddy currents in the shell, as calculated by the conducting boundary model.
Search for parity and time reversal violating effects in HgH: Relativistic coupled-cluster study
Authors: Sasmal Sudip , Pathak Himadri , Nayak Malaya K. , Vaval Nayana , Pal Sourav
Published: March 2016

The high effective electric field (Eeff) experienced by the unpaired electron in an atom or a molecule is one of the key ingredients in the success of electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) experiment and its precise calculation requires a very accurate theory. We, therefore, employed the Z-vector method in the relativistic coupled-cluster framework and found that HgH has a very large Eeff value (123.2 GV/cm) which makes it a potential candidate for the next generation eEDM experiment. Our study also reveals that it has a large scalar-pseudoscalar (S-PS) P,T-violating interaction constant, Ws = 284.2 kHz. To judge the accuracy of the obtained results, we have calculated parallel and perpendicular magnetic hyperfine structure (HFS) constants and compared with the available experimental values. The results of our calculation are found to be in nice agreement with the experimental values. Therefore, by looking at the HFS results, we can say that both Eeff and Ws values are also very accurate. Further, We have derived the relationship between these quantities and the ratio which will help to get model independent value of eEDM and S-PS interaction constant.
Scalings of intermittent structures in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
Authors: Zhdankin Vladimir , Boldyrev Stanislav , Uzdensky Dmitri A.
Published: March 2016

Turbulence is ubiquitous in plasmas, leading to rich dynamics characterized by irregularity, irreversibility, energy fluctuations across many scales, and energy transfer across many scales. Another fundamental and generic feature of turbulence, although sometimes overlooked, is the inhomogeneous dissipation of energy in space and in time. This is a consequence of intermittency, the scale-dependent inhomogeneity of dynamics caused by fluctuations in the turbulent cascade. Intermittency causes turbulent plasmas to self-organize into coherent dissipative structures, which may govern heating, diffusion, particle acceleration, and radiation emissions. In this paper, we present recent progress on understanding intermittency in incompressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence with a strong guide field. We focus on the statistical analysis of intermittent dissipative structures, which occupy a small fraction of the volume but arguably account for the majority of energy dissipation. We show that, in our numerical simulations, intermittent structures in the current density, vorticity, and Elsässer vorticities all have nearly identical statistical properties. We propose phenomenological explanations for the scalings based on general considerations of Elsässer vorticity structures. Finally, we examine the broader implications of intermittency for astrophysical systems.
Exploration of the Super H-mode regime on DIII-D and potential advantages for burning plasma devices
Authors: Solomon W. M. , Snyder P. B. , Bortolon A. , Burrell K. H. , Garofalo A. M. , Grierson B. A. , Groebner R. J. , Loarte A. , Leonard A. W. , Meneghini O. , Nazikian R. , Osborne T. H. , Petty C. C. , Poli F.
Published: March 2016

A new high pedestal regime (“Super H-mode”) has been predicted and accessed on DIII-D. Super H-mode was first achieved on DIII-D using a quiescent H-mode edge, enabling a smooth trajectory through pedestal parameter space. By exploiting Super H-mode, it has been possible to access high pedestal pressures at high normalized densities. While elimination of Edge localized modes (ELMs) is beneficial for Super H-mode, it may not be a requirement, as recent experiments have maintained high pedestals with ELMs triggered by lithium granule injection. Simulations using TGLF for core transport and the EPED model for the pedestal find that ITER can benefit from the improved performance associated with Super H-mode, with increased values of fusion power and gain possible. Similar studies demonstrate that the Super H-mode pedestal can be advantageous for a steady-state power plant, by providing a path to increasing the bootstrap current while simultaneously reducing the demands on the core physics performance.
A corpuscular picture of electrons in chemical bond
Authors: Ando Koji
Published: March 2016

We introduce a theory of chemical bond with a corpuscular picture of electrons. It employs a minimal set of localized electron wave packets with “floating and breathing” degrees of freedom and the spin-coupling of non-orthogonal valence-bond theory. Its accuracy for describing potential energy curves of chemical bonds in ground and excited states of spin singlet and triplet is examined.
How nonspecifically DNA-binding proteins search for the target in crowded environments
Authors: Ma Yiding , Chen Yuhao , Yu Wancheng , Luo Kaifu
Published: March 2016

We investigate how a tracer particle searches a target located in DNA modeled by a stiff chain in crowded environments using theoretical analysis and Langevin dynamics simulations. First, we show that the three-dimensional (3D) diffusion coefficient of the tracer only depends on the density of crowders ϕ, while its one-dimensional (1D) diffusion coefficient is affected by not only ϕ but also the nonspecific binding energy ε. With increasing ϕ and ε, no obvious change in the average 3D diffusion time is observed, while the average 1D sliding time apparently increases. We propose theoretically that the 1D sliding of the tracer along the chain could be well captured by the Kramers’ law of escaping rather than the Arrhenius law, which is verified directly by the simulations. Finally, the average search time increases monotonously with an increase in ϕ while it has a minimum as a function of ε, which could be understood from the different behaviors of the average number of search rounds with the increasing ϕ or ε. These results provide a deeper understanding of the role of facilitated diffusion in target search of proteins on DNA in vivo.
Detection of the adsorption of water monolayers through the ion oscillation frequency in the magnesium oxide lattice by means of low energy electron diffraction
Authors: Guevara-Bertsch M. , Ramírez-Hidalgo G. , Chavarría-Sibaja A. , Avendaño E. , Araya-Pochet J. A. , Herrera-Sancho O. A.
Published: March 2016

We investigate the variation of the oscillation frequency of the Mg2+ and O2− ions in the magnesium oxide lattice due to the interactions of the surface with water monolayers by means of Low Energy Electron Diffraction. Our key result is a new technique to determine the adsorbate vibrations produced by the water monolayers on the surface lattice as a consequence of their change in the surface Debye temperature and its chemical shift. The latter was systematically investigated for different annealing times and for a constant external thermal perturbation in the range of 110–300 K in order to accomplish adsorption or desorption of water monolayers in the surface lattice.
Integrated mental health atlas of the Western Sydney Local Health District: gaps and recommendations
Authors: Fernandez Ana , Gillespie James A. , Smith-Merry Jennifer , Feng Xiaoqi , Astell-Burt Thomas , Maas Cailin , Salvador-Carulla Luis
Published: March 2016

Objective
Australian mental health care remains hospital centric and fragmented; it is riddled with gaps and does little to promote recovery. Reform must be built on better knowledge of the shape of existing services. Mental health atlases are an essential part of this knowledge base, enabling comparison with other regions and jurisdictions, but must be based on a rigorous classification of services. The main aim of this study is to create an integrated mental health atlas of the Western Sydney LHD in order to help decision makers to better plan informed by local evidence.

Methods
The standard classification system, namely the Description and Evaluation of Services and Directories in Europe for Long-term Care model, was used to describe and classify adult mental health services in the Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD). This information provided the foundation for accessibility maps and the analysis of the provision of care for people with a lived experience of mental illness in Western Sydney LHD. All this data was used to create the Integrated Mental Health Atlas of Western Sydney LHD.

Results
The atlas identified four major gaps in mental health care in Western Sydney LHD: (1) a lack of acute and sub-acute community residential care; (2) an absence of services providing acute day care and non-acute day care; (3) low availability of specific employment services for people with a lived experience of mental ill-health; and (4) a lack of comprehensive data on the availability of supported housing.

Conclusions
The integrated mental health atlas of the Western Sydney LHD provides a tool for evidence-informed planning and critical analysis of the pattern of adult mental health care.

What is known about the topic?
Several reports have highlighted that the Australian mental health system is hospital based and fragmented. However, this knowledge has had little effect on actually changing the system.

What does this paper add?
This paper provides a critical analysis of the pattern of adult mental health care provided within the boundaries of the Western Sydney LHD using a standard, internationally validated tool to describe and classify the services. This provides a good picture of the availability of adult mental health care at the local level that was hitherto lacking.

What are the implications for practitioners?
The data presented herein provide a better understanding of the context in which mental health practitioners work. Managers and planners of services providing care for people with a lived experience of mental illness can use the information herein for better planning informed by local evidence.
Integrated 1H NMR-based metabolomics analysis of earthworm responses to sub-lethal Pb exposure
Authors: Chen Ting , Liu Yan , Li Ming-Hui , Xu Hua-Dong , Sheng Ji-Yang , Zhang Li , Wang Jun-Song
Published: March 2016

Environmental contextHeavy metals are non-degradable and are therefore a severe and persistent environmental menace. The toxic effects of Pb were investigated using NMR to determine the metabolic changes in earthworms exposed to Pb. The approach using 1H NMR to analyse earthworm metabolomics demonstrated great potential as a reliable, rapid and convenient tool to assess the toxicity of heavy metals and could be used to identify warning signs of heavy metal contamination of soil. AbstractA 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based approach to metabolomics combined with atomic absorption spectroscopy, histopathological examination and biochemical assessment was used to determine the toxic effects of lead (Pb) on earthworms (Eisenia fetida). Earthworms were exposed to Pb in a lead nitrate solution at converted concentrations of 1.25, 5.0 and 20µgcm–2 in contact tests for 48h. Based on histopathological inspection, the epidermis, muscles, chloragogenous tissues and intestinal epithelium were severely impaired. Based on biochemical assessment, a disruption of the antioxidative system and neurotoxic effects in earthworms occurred following exposure to Pb. Orthogonal signal correction–partial least-squares-discriminant analysis of NMR profiles indicated that Pb exposure in earthworms caused widespread metabolic changes, which were associated with oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalance, disruption of osmotic equilibrium and interference in energy metabolism and nucleic acid metabolism. The integrated metabolomics approach provided new insights into Pb-induced toxicity in earthworms. Metabolomics is a powerful and highly effective approach and has great promise to determine the ecotoxicological effects and the underlying mechanisms of toxicity of heavy metals.
Modulation of nitrogen vacancy charge state and fluorescence in nanodiamonds using electrochemical potential
Authors: Karaveli Sinan , Gaathon Ophir , Wolcott Abraham , Sakakibara Reyu , Shemesh Or A. , Peterka Darcy S. , Boyden Edward S. , Owen Jonathan S. , Yuste Rafael , Englund Dirk
Published: March 2016

Significance

The nitrogen vacancy center (NV) in diamond is a fluorescent color center that can be in several charge states depending on its local electrostatic environment. Here, we demonstrate the control of the charge state and fluorescence of NVs in nanodiamonds (NDs) by applying a potential difference across NDs in an electrochemical cell. Controlling the charge state can improve spin-based sensing protocols of the NV. Conversely, the NV’s strong fluorescence dependence on electrochemical potential differences also enables a new modality for optical sensing of its environment. With this electrochemical setup, we show that a single NV can reveal a 100-mV potential swing, whereas multiple NVs allow for the detection of potential swings as small as 20 mV.
S
-nitrosation of proteins relevant to Alzheimer’s disease during early stages of neurodegeneration
Authors: Seneviratne Uthpala , Nott Alexi , Bhat Vadiraja B. , Ravindra Kodihalli C. , Wishnok John S. , Tsai Li-Huei , Tannenbaum Steven R.
Published: March 2016

Significance

Protein
S
-nitrosation (
SNO
-protein) is a posttranslational modification in which a cysteine (Cys) residue is modified by nitric oxide (
SNO
-Cys).
SNO
-proteins impact many biological systems, but their identification has been technically challenging. We developed a chemical proteomic strategy—
SNO
TRAP (
SNO
trapping by triaryl phosphine)—that allows improved identification of
SNO
-proteins by mass spectrometry. We found that S-nitrosation is elevated during early stages of neurodegeneration, preceding cognitive decline. We identified changes in the
SNO
-proteome during early neurodegeneration that are potentially relevant for synapse function, metabolism, and Alzheimer’s disease pathology.
SNO
-proteome analysis further reveals a potential linear motif for
SNO
-Cys sites that are altered during neurodegeneration. Our strategy can be applied to multiple cellular and disease contexts and can reveal signaling networks that aid drug development.
Two distinct trimeric conformations of natively membrane-anchored full-length herpes simplex virus 1 glycoprotein B
Authors: Zeev-Ben-Mordehai Tzviya , Vasishtan Daven , Hernández Durán Anna , Vollmer Benjamin , White Paul , Prasad Pandurangan Arun , Siebert C. Alistair , Topf Maya , Grünewald Kay
Published: March 2016

Significance

Successful host cell infection requires that viruses get various components—most importantly, their genomes—across the bounding membranes into the cytosol. For enveloped viruses, this crucial part of the entry process is achieved by merging the viral membrane with the host membrane, a process mediated by specialized virus-encoded fusion proteins residing on the virus envelope. Accordingly, these surface viral proteins constitute important targets for antiviral treatments as well as for prophylactic vaccine development. Herpesviruses are ubiquitous, opportunistic DNA viruses that have mastered immune system evasion to cause lifelong infections, with intermittent clinical and subclinical viral reactivation. The structural information on an effective glycoprotein B conformation reported here opens up overdue opportunities for targeted interventions in herpesvirus entry.
No evidence for extensive horizontal gene transfer in the genome of the tardigrade
Hypsibius dujardini
Authors: Koutsovoulos Georgios , Kumar Sujai , Laetsch Dominik R. , Stevens Lewis , Daub Jennifer , Conlon Claire , Maroon Habib , Thomas Fran , Aboobaker Aziz A. , Blaxter Mark
Published: March 2016

Significance

Tardigrades, also known as moss piglets or water bears, are renowned for their ability to withstand extreme environmental challenges. A recently published analysis of the genome of the tardigrade
Hypsibius dujardini
by Boothby et al. concluded that horizontal acquisition of genes from bacterial and other sources might be key to cryptobiosis in tardigrades. We independently sequenced the genome of
H. dujardini
and detected a low level of horizontal gene transfer. We show that the extensive horizontal transfer proposed by Boothby et al. was an artifact of a failure to eliminate contaminants from sequence data before assembly.
S4 Charges Move Close to Residues in the Pore Domain during Activation in a K Channel
Authors: Elinder Fredrik , Männikkö Roope , Larsson H. Peter
Published: March 2016

Voltage-gated ion channels respond to changes in the transmembrane voltage by opening or closing their ion conducting pore. The positively charged fourth transmembrane segment (S4) has been identified as the main voltage sensor, but the mechanisms of coupling between the voltage sensor and the gates are still unknown. Obtaining information about the location and the exact motion of S4 is an important step toward an understanding of these coupling mechanisms. In previous studies we have shown that the extracellular end of S4 is located close to segment 5 (S5). The purpose of the present study is to estimate the location of S4 charges in both resting and activated states. We measured the modification rates by differently charged methanethiosulfonate regents of two residues in the extracellular end of S5 in the Shaker K channel (418C and 419C). When S4 moves to its activated state, the modification rate by the negatively charged sodium (2-sulfonatoethyl) methanethiosulfonate (MTSES−) increases significantly more than the modification rate by the positively charged [2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl] methanethiosulfonate, bromide (MTSET+). This indicates that the positive S4 charges are moving close to 418C and 419C in S5 during activation. Neutralization of the most external charge of S4 (R362), shows that R362 in its activated state electrostatically affects the environment at 418C by 19 mV. In contrast, R362 in its resting state has no effect on 418C. This suggests that, during activation of the channel, R362 moves from a position far away (>20 Å) to a position close (8 Å) to 418C. Despite its close approach to E418, a residue shown to be important in slow inactivation, R362 has no effect on slow inactivation or the recovery from slow inactivation. This refutes previous models for slow inactivation with an electrostatic S4-to-gate coupling. Instead, we propose a model with an allosteric mechanism for the S4-to-gate coupling.
Gene expression profiling in undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma induced by high-dose radiation
Authors: Bang Hyun Soon , Choi Moo Hyun , Kim Cha Soon , Choi Seung Jin
Published: March 2016

Published gene expression studies for radiation-induced thyroid carcinogenesis have used various methodologies. In this study, we identified differential gene expression in a human thyroid epithelial cell line after exposure to high-dose γ-radiation. HTori-3 cells were exposed to 5 or 10 Gy of ionizing radiation using two dose rates (high-dose rate: 4.68 Gy/min, and low-dose rate: 40 mGy/h) and then implanted into the backs of BALB/c nude mice after 4 (10 Gy) or 5 weeks (5 Gy). Decreases in cell viability, increases in giant cell frequency, anchorage-independent growth in vitro , and tumorigenicity in vivo were observed. Particularly, the cells irradiated with 5 Gy at the high-dose rate or 10 Gy at the low-dose rate demonstrated more prominent tumorigenicity. Gene expression profiling was analyzed via microarray. Numerous genes that were significantly altered by a fold-change of >50% following irradiation were identified in each group. Gene expression analysis identified six commonly misregulated genes, including CRYAB, IL-18, ZNF845, CYP24A1, OR4N4 and VN1R4, at all doses. These genes involve apoptosis, the immune response, regulation of transcription, and receptor signaling pathways. Overall, the altered genes in high-dose rate (HDR) 5 Gy and low-dose rate (LDR) 10 Gy were more than those of LDR 5 Gy and HDR 10 Gy. Thus, we investigated genes associated with aggressive tumor development using the two dosage treatments. In this study, the identified gene expression profiles reflect the molecular response following high doses of external radiation exposure and may provide helpful information about radiation-induced thyroid tumors in the high-dose range.
Consent for Anesthesia Clinical Trials on the Day of Surgery
Authors: Murphy Glenn S. , Szokol Joseph W. , Avram Michael J. , Greenberg Steven B. , Shear Torin D. , Vender Jeffery S. , Landry Elizabeth
Published: March 2016

AbstractAbstract

In a survey distributed to 200 patients who provided informed consent for anesthesia research on the day of surgery, 96% of respondents were satisfied with the consent process, and most disagreed that they were anxious, felt obligated to participate, or had regrets about participation.

Background

Opportunities for anesthesia research investigators to obtain consent for clinical trials are often restricted to the day of surgery, which may limit the ability of subjects to freely decide about research participation. The aim of this study was to determine whether subjects providing same-day informed consent for anesthesia research are comfortable doing so.

Methods

A 25-question survey was distributed to 200 subjects providing informed consent for one of two low-risk clinical trials. While consent on the day of surgery was permitted for both studies, a preadmission telephone call was required for one. The questionnaire was provided to each subject at the time of discharge from the hospital. The questions were structured to assess six domains relating to the consent process, and each question was graded on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Overall satisfaction with same-day consent was assessed using an 11-point scale with 0 = extremely dissatisfied and 10 = extremely satisfied.

Results

Completed questionnaires were received from 129 subjects. Median scores for satisfaction with the consent process were 9.5 to 10. Most respondents reported that the protocol was well explained and comprehended and that the setting in which consent was obtained was appropriate (median score of 5). Most patients strongly disagreed that they were anxious at the time of consent, felt obligated to participate, or had regrets about participation (median score of 1). Ten percent or less of subjects reported negative responses to any of the questions, and no differences were observed between the study groups.

Conclusion

More than 96% of subjects who provided same-day informed consent for low-risk research were satisfied with the consent process.
The anterolateral ligament of the knee: anatomy, biomechanics, and clinical implications
Authors: Feucht Matthias J. , Zens Martin , Frosch Karl-Heinz , Akoto Ralph , Südkamp Norbert P. , Niemeyer Philipp
Published: March 2016

A detailed anatomic description of the anterolateral ligament published in 2013 has led to a renewed interest in the anatomy of the anterolateral structures of the knee and lateral extraarticular reconstruction procedures. It was hypothesized that the anterolateral ligament may represent an important stabilizer to anterolateral rotational instability, and injury to this structure may be involved in the pathogenesis of a high-grade pivot shift. Hence, several authors have suggested reconstruction of this ligament in conjunction with intraarticular reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament to improve postoperative knee stability. This article provides a comprehensive review about the historical and contemporary literature related to the anterolateral ligament. The anatomic descriptions of the anterolateral ligament vary considerably with regard to the femoral insertion site, and it remains controversial whether the anterolateral ligament represents a distinct extracapsular ligament or a part of the anterolateral capsule. Based on currently available biomechanical data, the anterolateral ligament can be considered a stabilizer against internal tibial rotation. Preliminary data after combined reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament and anterolateral ligament are promising; however, the value of this combined procedure over isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has yet to be determined.
Worldwide incidence, mortality and time trends for cancer of the oesophagus
Authors: Gupta Bhawna , Kumar Narinder
Published: March 2016

The incidence and mortality trends of oesophageal cancer are changing significantly across the world with considerable heterogeneity between sex, histological types, ethnic patterns and geographical distribution. Recent oesophageal cancer incidence and mortality trends have been analysed using data available from the WHO mortality database, the GLOBOCAN 2012 database and the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents database managed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Huge geographical variation is an epidemiological characteristic of oesophageal cancer, with the highest incidence rates observed in Eastern Asia and in Eastern and Southern Africa and the lowest rates observed in Western Africa. The variation is to the order of more than 21 times between the lowest-incidence and the highest-incidence countries. Although the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma is increasing globally, its incidence rates are decreasing in the USA and a few European countries. However, the decrease in the incidence of squamous cell carcinomas in these countries has been accompanied by a marked increase in adenocarcinoma incidence rates. There is a significant sex variation as well, with men being affected three to four times more commonly than women worldwide. The observed trends reflect significant global variations in the incidence and mortality of oesophageal cancers on the basis of sex, geographical distribution, ethnicity and histology. These epidemiological factors related to oesophageal cancers point out a possibly significant role of molecular epidemiological factors (genetic susceptibility and response to treatment) with major differences likely between the characteristics of Asian and Western populations.
Impact of Radiation Therapy Dose Escalation on Prostate Cancer Outcomes and Toxicities
Authors: Zaorsky Nicholas G. , Keith Scott W. , Shaikh Talha , Nguyen Paul L. , Horwitz Eric M. , Dicker Adam P. , Den Robert B.
Published: March 2016

Objectives:

Freedom from biochemical failure (FFBF) is a common primary outcome of randomized-controlled trials of prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to determine how increasing the PCa biologically equivalent dose (BED) of external radiation therapy (RT) is correlated with FFBF and overall patient outcomes: overall survival (OS), distant metastasis (DM), and cancer-specific mortality (CSM); as well as genitourinary (GU), and gastrointestinal toxicities.

Materials and Methods:

We performed a meta-analysis of 6884 PCa patients from 12 randomized-controlled trials of external beam RT. Mixed effects regression models were used to estimate weighted linear relationships between BED and observed percentages of 5- and 10-year outcomes. For toxicities, a subset analysis of using 3-dimensional conformal RT (3D-CRT) versus intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) was performed.

Results:

Increasing BED correlated with improved FFBF: 10-year absolute improvement of 9.6% and 7.2% for low-risk and intermediate-risk patients, respectively (P<0.05); but not with improvement of OS, DM, or CSM at either time point. BED escalation was not correlated with increased acute toxicities; it was correlated with increased late gastrointestinal toxicities in patients treated with 3D-CRT (1.5% increase over BED range, P<0.01). IMRT patients had significantly fewer late toxicities, despite being treated at higher BED.

Conclusions:

RT BED escalation has resulted in significantly improved PCa FFBF at up to 10 years; but not with improvement in OS, DM, or CSM. Thus, FFBF is a poor surrogate of overall patient outcomes for trials of RT. Late toxicities were less frequent with IMRT than with 3D-CRT, even at higher BED.
Positive Inotropic Effect of Prostaglandin F2α in Rat Ventricular Trabeculae
Authors: Shen Xin , Kaur Sarbjot , Power Amelia , Williams Logan Z. J. , Ward Marie-Louise
Published: March 2016

Prostaglandins are ubiquitous signaling molecules in the body that produce autocrine/paracrine effects on target cells in response to mechanical or chemical signals. In the heart, long-term exposure to prostaglandin (PG) F2α has been linked to the development of hypertrophy; however, there is no consensus on the acute effect of PGF2α. Our aim was to determine the response to exogenous PGF2α in isolated trabeculae from rat hearts. PGF2α (1 μM) increased both the Ca2+ transients and the isometric stress in trabeculae, reaching steady state after 10–15 minutes, without altering the time course of Ca2+ transient decay. The precursor of PGF2α, arachidonic acid, also stimulated a similar response. The positive inotropic effect of PGF2α was mediated through a protein kinase C signaling pathway that involved activation of the sarcolemmal Na+/H+ exchanger. We also found that the slow force response to stretch was attenuated in the presence of PGF2α and by addition of indomethacin, a blocker of prostaglandin synthesis. In conclusion, PGF2α was positively inotropic when acutely applied to trabeculae and contributed to the increased Ca2+ transients during the slow force response to stretch. Together, these data suggest that PGF2α is important in maintaining homeostasis during volume loading in healthy hearts.
Irreversible Blindness Following Periocular Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Skin Rejuvenation Treatment
Authors: Kalyam Krishnapriya , Kavoussi Shaheen C. , Ehrlich Michael , Teng Christopher C. , Chadha Nisha , Khodadadeh Sarah , Liu Ji
Published: March 2016

A 49-year-old woman developed acute visual loss in the right eye following bilateral cosmetic platelet-rich plasma injections to rhytids in the glabellar region. External exam showed skin necrosis in the region over the right rhytids and restricted right ocular motility. Dilated fundus exam was significant for ophthalmic artery occlusion. Imaging revealed right eye extraocular muscle ischemia and optic nerve infarction, along with right frontal, parietal, and occipital lobe infarction. Work-up for thromboembolic and vascular etiologies were negative. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of extensive ischemia following autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy.
Heart Failure After 5 Years on LVAD: Diagnosis and Treatment of Outflow Graft Obstruction
Authors: Pieri Marina , Scandroglio Anna Mara , Kukucka Marian , Kretzschmar Alexandra , Dreysse Stephan , Falk Volkmar , Krabatsch Thomas , Potapov Evgenij
Published: March 2016

HeartWare assist device outflow graft obstruction is an uncommon but severe complication, and it may be because of several reasons. We present a case of recurrence of heart failure in a young patient supported with left ventricular assist device and on the waiting list for heart transplantation. After a complex diagnostic workout, a stenosis of the graft anastomosis was found and successfully stented.
Endovascular Stenting of a LVAD Outflow Graft Thrombosis
Authors: Hubbert Laila , Forssell Claes , Baranowski Jacek , Lindgren Bo , Holm Jonas , Ahn Henrik
Published: March 2016

We report the endovascular stenting of an outflow tract thrombosis in a left ventricular assist device in a patient with relative contraindications to sternotomy and pump exchange. This report highlights the importance of simultaneous prevention of stroke using filter devices in the common carotid arteries.
Invasive Hemodynamic Echocardiographic Ramp Test in the HeartAssist5 LVAD: Insights into Device Performance
Authors: Sayer Gabriel , Jeevanandam Valluvan , Ota Takeyoshi , Uriel Nir
Published: March 2016

The HeartAssist5 is a new axial-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) that has been engineered to provide greater pulsatility and improved hemocompatibility. This LVAD’s pressure and flow characteristics during clinical use have not been previously reported. After HeartAssist5 implantation, we performed a ramp study with simultaneous right heart catheterization. High speeds were required to significantly reduce the filling pressures and normalize cardiac output (CO). CO was consistently lower than reported flow from the flow probe, but there was a strong correlation between changes in CO and changes in pump flow (R
2 of 0.80). This assessment of intracardiac hemodynamics during changes in HeartAssist5 speed provides important clinical information about pump physiology beyond what can be evaluated in preclinical studies.
Comparing the Prognostic Value of BAP1 Mutation Pattern, Chromosome 3 Status, and BAP1 Immunohistochemistry in Uveal Melanoma
Authors: van de Nes Johannes A.P. , Nelles Jasmin , Kreis Stefan , Metz Claudia H.D. , Hager Thomas , Lohmann Dietmar R. , Zeschnigk Michael
Published: March 2016

Uveal melanoma (UM), a tumor of the eye, can be divided into 2 major classes correlating with patients’ prognosis. Gene expression profiles and chromosome 3 status are correlated with tumor classification and prognosis. Somatic BAP1 mutations are another feature largely restricted to metastatic UM. Here we performed thorough BAP1 mutation analysis including sequencing and gene dosage analysis of all BAP1 coding exons as well as methylation analysis of the promoter CpG island in a set of 66 UMs. The results were compared with the BAP1 protein expression as determined by immunohistochemistry and the tumor-related survival of the patients. BAP1 sequencing and gene dosage analysis of BAP1 exons by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification revealed a mutation in 33 (89%) of 37 tumors with monosomy 3 (M3) or isodisomy 3. BAP1 mutations were not detected in any of the 28 tumors with disomy 3 or partial monosomy 3 (partM3). Most of the sequence mutations (21 of 28) were frame-shift, splice-site, or nonsense mutations leading to a premature termination codon. BAP1 protein as determined by immunohistochemistry was absent in all samples with a BAP1 mutation irrespective of the functional type of mutation. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a highly significant association between BAP1 protein staining and patients’ survival (P=0.0004). The association between BAP1 mutation status and tumor-related survival was less pronounced but still significant (P=0.0023). We conclude that BAP1 protein staining is favorable over BAP1 mutation screening by Sanger sequencing for prognostic testing of UM patients.
Effects of a Group-Based Treadmill Program on Children With Neurodevelopmental Impairment Who Are Not Yet Ambulating
Authors: Mattern-Baxter Katrin
Published: March 2016

Purpose:

To examine the effects of a group-based treadmill program on gross motor skills related to walking and the amount of support needed for ambulation in children with neuromotor impairment who are not yet walking.

Methods:

Twelve children (mean age, 30.4 months; standard deviation, 7.9) participated in the program twice per week for 14 weeks. The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 Dimensions D and E (GMFM-88 D/E), the Functional Mobility Scale (FMS), the timed 10-m walk test, and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Mobility Scale (PEDI) were administered before and at the conclusion of the program. Data were analyzed using paired the t test and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test.

Results:

Statistically significant improvements were found between pre- and posttests in the GMFM-88 D (P = .0005) and E (P = .001), in FMS scores (P = .039), and the PEDI (P = .001).

Conclusions:

A group-based treadmill program leads to positive changes in walking ability in children with neuromotor impairment.
Distant Metastases in Uterine Leiomyosarcomas: The Wide Variety of Body Sites and Time Intervals to Metastatic Relapse
Authors: Bartosch Carla , Afonso Mariana , Pires-Luís Ana S. , Galaghar Ana , Guimarães Marcos , Antunes Luís , Lopes José M.
Published: March 2016

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (U-LMS) is the most frequent malignant gynecologic mesenchymal tumor, often develops distant metastases and has a dismal prognosis. In this study we aim to characterize the body sites and time to metastasis in women with U-LMS. We evaluated 130 U-LMSs with distant metastases including a series of patients diagnosed at 2 tertiary centers, as well as cases published in the literature, found using a PubMed query. Data collected included clinic-pathologic features, time to first metastasis, and survival. Survival analysis was performed using univariable and multivariable Cox regression model. The most frequent metastatic sites were: lung (67.7%), cranial/intracranial (16.2%), skin/soft tissues (15.3%), and bone (13.8%). Other sites included thyroid, salivary gland, heart, liver, pancreas, adrenal gland, bowel, and breast. Metastases were histologically identical to primary tumors. Median time to first metastasis was highly variable (median: 24 mo; range, 1 mo to 26 y). Lung and peritoneum were the earlier metastatic sites; 21.4% of patients with U-LMS limited to the pelvis develop metastasis >5 yr after diagnosis. Lung metastases significantly associated with other distant metastases. Regarding treatment, only resection of metastases significantly influenced postmetastasis survival in multivariable analysis (hazard ratio: 0.49, P=0.015). In conclusion, U-LMS display highly variable sites of distant metastases. Metastases in unusual locations are sometimes the first to be detected, and not uncommonly, single and prone to surgical resection. There is also a wide range of time intervals to first metastasis, highlighting the need of long-term follow-up, high level of suspicion, and appropriate diagnostic confirmation.
Ovarian Microcystic Stromal Tumor: A Rare Clinical Manifestation of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Authors: Liu Cheng , Gallagher Renee L. , Price Gareth R. , Bolton Elizabeth , Joy Christopher , Harraway James , Venter Deon J. , Armes Jane E.
Published: March 2016

Microcystic stromal tumor (MST) is a rare tumor of presumed sex-cord stromal differentiation. We present a case of MST arising within a patient with constitutional 5q deletion syndrome, whose deletion encompassed the APC gene. Genomic analysis of the MST revealed a point mutation in the remaining APC allele, predicted to result in abnormal splicing of Exon 7. Subsequent clinical investigation revealed multiple gastrointestinal polyps qualifying for a diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis. This case emphasizes the importance of an aberrant Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the development of MST and adds credence to the inclusion of MST as a rare phenotype of familial adenomatous polyposis. In a search for additional genetic aberrations which may contribute to the development of this rare tumor, genomic analysis revealed a frameshift mutation in FANCD2, a protein which plays a key role in DNA repair. This protein is expressed in human ovarian stromal cells and FANCD2-knockout mice are known to develop sex cord-stromal tumors, factors which further support a possible role of aberrant FANCD2 in the development of MST.
The Application of Three-Dimensional Surface Imaging System in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Authors: Li Yanqi , Yang Xin , Li Dong
Published: March 2016

Three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging system has gained popularity worldwide in clinical application. Unlike computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, it has the ability to capture 3D images with both shape and texture information. This feature has made it quite useful for plastic surgeons. This review article is mainly focusing on demonstrating the current status and analyzing the future of the application of 3D surface imaging systems in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Currently, 3D surface imaging system is mainly used in plastic and reconstructive surgery to help improve the reliability of surgical planning and assessing surgical outcome objectively. There have already been reports of its using on plastic and reconstructive surgery from head to toe. Studies on facial aging process, online applications development, and so on, have also been done through the use of 3D surface imaging system.

Because different types of 3D surface imaging devices have their own advantages and disadvantages, a basic knowledge of their features is required and careful thought should be taken to choose the one that best fits a surgeon's demand.

In the future, by integrating with other imaging tools and the 3D printing technology, 3D surface imaging system will play an important role in individualized surgical planning, implants production, meticulous surgical simulation, operative techniques training, and patient education.
An Atypical Case of Lymphocytic Panhypophysitis in a Pregnant Woman
Authors: Davies Emma C. , Jakobiec Frederick A. , Stagner Anna M. , Rizzo Joseph F.
Published: March 2016

We describe a case of lymphocytic panhypophysitis (LPH) in a 30-year-old woman presenting with throbbing headaches and vision changes during her third trimester. LPH is the rarest subclassification of lymphocytic hypophysitis; it is typically found in males and has not previously been associated with pregnancy. Anterior and posterior pituitary deficits together with headaches should raise a high degree of suspicion regarding the possibility of LPH. The atypical magnetic resonance imaging finding of a heterogeneous pituitary mass additionally raised concern about pituitary apoplexy. Tissue from a transsphenoidal biopsy permitted diagnosis of lymphocytic hypophysitis. There was infiltration of the pituitary gland by small B and T lymphocytes. Resolution of the visual symptoms occurred after the biopsy and treatment with intravenous steroids.