bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The involvement of microglia in Alzheimer's disease: a new dog in the fight
Authors: Moore Zachery , Taylor Juliet M , Crack Peter J
Published: November 2018

First described clinically in 1906, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and form of dementia worldwide. Despite its prevalence, only five therapies are currently approved for AD, all dealing with the symptoms rather than the underlying causes of the disease. A multitude of experimental evidence has suggested that the once thought inconsequential process of neuroinflammation does, in fact, contribute to the AD pathogenesis. One such CNS cell type critical to this process are microglia. Plastic in nature with varied roles, microglia are emerging as key contributors to AD pathology. This review will focus on the role of microglia in the neuroinflammatory response in AD, highlighting recent studies implicating aberrant changes in microglial function in disease progression. Of critical note is that with these advances, a reconceptualization of the framework in which we view microglia is required.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Therapeutics for Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: New Directions for Precision Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.18/issuetoc
Mixed Land Use: Implications for Violence and Property Crime
Authors: Zahnow Renee
Published: November 2018

This study investigates the effect of mixed land use on violence and property crime in neighborhood block groups while simultaneously considering the presence of criminogenic facilities and sociodemographic conditions. We conduct negative binomial regression to examine the relationship between mixed land use and crime and investigate whether the relationship is moderated by sociodemographic characteristics or the presence of criminogenic facilities. The results suggest that mixed land use may reduce property crime while violent crime is influenced by mixed land use in nearby neighborhoods. There was an additional effect of the presence of particular facilities, notably bars, transportation stations, schools, stores, and gas stations in the neighborhood. There was some evidence that the impact of land use mix on crime varies dependent on residential mobility, ethnic diversity and the presence of bars, transport stations, and schools. Our findings indicate that those responsible for planning urban spaces and developing land use policies should consider differential effects of land use characteristics across neighborhood contexts.
High PD‐L1 expression in the tumour cells did not correlate with poor prognosis of patients suffering for oral squamous cells carcinoma: A meta‐analysis of the literature
Authors: Troiano Giuseppe , Caponio Vito C. A. , Zhurakivska Khrystyna , Arena Claudia , Pannone Giuseppe , Mascitti Marco , Santarelli Andrea , Lo Muzio Lorenzo
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Oral cancer represents one of the most common malignancies in humans. Its prognosis is still poor, despite the most recent improvements in therapies. An increasing attention is placed on the role of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) in the tumour immunity and its potential function as a marker for tumour prognosis. Whether PD‐L1 expression is a prognostic factor for the poor outcomes in oral squamous cell carcinoma is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate, through a meta‐analysis, a potential correlation between PD‐L1 expression and the prognostic outcomes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials and methods

The studies were identified by searching PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science and were assessed by two of the authors. After the selection process, 11 articles met eligibility criteria and were included in the meta‐analysis. Quality assessment of studies was performed according to the REMARK guidelines, and the risk of biases across studies was investigated through Q and I2 tests. Meta‐analysis was performed to investigate the association between the PD‐L1 expression either overall survival (OS), disease‐free survival (DFS), disease‐specific survival (DSS), gender and lymph node metastasis.

Results

A total of 1060 patients were analysed in the 11 studies included in the meta‐analysis. Pooled analysis revealed that the expression of PD‐L1 did not correlate with poor OS (HR, 0.60; 95% CI: [0.33, 1.10]; P = 0.10), DFS (HR, 0.62; 95% CI: [0.21, 1.88]; P = 0.40), DSS (HR, 2.05; 95% CI: [0.53, 7.86]; P = 0.29 and lymph node metastasis (HR, 1.15; 95% CI: [0.74, 1.81]; P = 0.53). Furthermore, results of the meta‐analysis showed that high expression of PD‐L1 is two times more frequent in female patients (OR, 0.5; 95% CI: [0.36, 0.69]; P < 0.0001) compared to males. For all the three outcomes analysed, a high rate of heterogeneity was detected (I2 > 50%).

Discussion

High PD‐L1 expression did not correlate with poor prognosis of patients suffering for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Studies published on the topic showed a significant variation in results, limiting the use of PD‐L1 expression by immunohistochemistry as prognostic biomarker in clinical practice.
Open niche regulation of mouse spermatogenic stem cells
Authors: Yoshida Shosei
Published: November 2018

In mammalian testes, robust stem cell functions ensure the continual production of sperm. In testicular seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic stem cells (SSCs) are highly motile and are interspersed between their differentiating progeny, while undergoing self‐renewal and differentiation. In such an “open niche” microenvironment, someSSCs proliferate, while others exit the stem cell compartment through differentiation; therefore, self‐renewal and differentiation are perfectly balanced at the population (or tissue) level, a dynamics termed “population asymmetry.” This is in stark contrast to the classical perception of tissue stem cells being cells that are clustered in a specialized “closed niche” region and that invariantly undergo asymmetric divisions. However, despite its importance, how the self‐renewal and differentiation ofSSCs are balanced in an open niche environment is poorly understood. Recent studies have thrown light on the key mechanism that enablesSSCs to follow heterogeneous fates, although they are equally exposed to signaling molecules controlling self‐renewal and differentiation. In particular,SSCs show heterogeneous susceptibilities to differentiation‐promoting signals such as Wnt and retinoic acid. Heterogeneous susceptibility to the ubiquitously distributed fate‐controlling extracellular signal might be a key generic mechanism for the heterogeneous fate of tissue stem cells in open niche microenvironments.
A New Perspective of Migraine Symptoms in Patients With Congenital Heart Defect
Authors: Liu Yinglu , Li Sulei , Wang Rongfei , Han Xun , Su Min , Cao Xiutang , Wang Guangyi , Cao Feng , Yu Shengyuan
Published: November 2018

Objective

To investigate the association between congenital heart defects (CHDs) and migraine and evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter defect closure from a new perspective.

Methods

The patients with CHDs who underwent transcatheter defect closure were screened in the medical database of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2006 to January 2017. The assessment included basic admission information, the 3‐item ID Migraine Screener, and a detailed questionnaire administered by telephone or in an outpatient clinic. Patients were divided into ventricular septal defect (VSD) group and AP group (ie, patients with ASD or PFO) based on the type of defects. The latter group could be further divided into right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) group and left‐to‐right (LRS) shunt group. Each group contained 4 subgroups according to their migraine diagnosis before and after defect closure: persistent migraine (PM), relieved migraine (RM), without migraine (WM), and new‐onset migraine (NM).

Results

The study recruited total 441 CHDs patients. Most patients in RLS group had migraine before and/or after surgery (76.4%, 42/55) and the proportion of them in NM group was higher than that of in LRS group (23.5%, 4/17 vs 6.8%, 18/266, P = .0418). Although the size of closure device or defect did not show significant differences, the ratios (R = size of closure/size of defect) were significantly higher in NM group than those in WM group (1.40 [1.26, 1.80] vs 1.22 [1.13, 1.38] in AP group, P = .00238; 1.38 [1.23, 1.50] vs 1.22 [1.13, 1.37] in LRS group, P = .024934, respectively). Further logistic regression analysis illustrated that larger R value was a risk factor for NM in AP group (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.07–2.05, P = .0188). Besides, migraine symptoms decreased significantly after defect closure in PM group among patients with ASD and PFO.

Conclusion

This study revealed several associations between migraine and CHDs, especially the large ratio of closure device size to defect size. High‐quality randomized controlled trials and animal studies are needed to further investigate and clarify the underlying association between CHDs and migraine.
Shaved hair style scalp medical tattooing technique for treatment of advanced male pattern baldness patients
Authors: Park Jae Hyun , You Seung Hyun , Kim Narae
Published: November 2018

Background

The most infallible approach to male pattern baldness (MPB) is hair transplantation in the thinning area in parallel to medical treatment to prevent further alopecia progression. For an individual with advanced stage hair loss, a megasession surgery is recommended to meet the high donor hair requirement. Yet a most effective therapeutic regimen for alopecia, hair transplantation inevitably has its advantages and disadvantages for it is done with the expense of donor hair sacrifice, intraoperative and postoperative pain, and unavoidable scars. Also, with poor donor condition, surgery may not even be an option. Nowadays, more patients with such limitations are undergoing shaved style scalp medical tattoo (SMT).

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of SMT technique for shaved hair style.

Methods and materials

A total of 80 patients who were included in the study underwent SMT for shaved hair style between June 2014 and June 2017 and were followed for at least 6 months afterward. Patients and the surgeon completed a survey about donor and recipient site surgical results using a 5‐point Likert scale.

Results

The average satisfaction scores of patients and surgeon were 4.8 and 4.9, respectively.

Conclusion

Shaved style SMT can be considered one of the most effective treatment methods for patients with advanced stage hair loss.

Level of evidence

IV.
Management of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease
Authors: Harries Rhiannon L. , Alqallaf Abdullah , Torkington Jared , Harding Keith G.
Published: November 2018

The ideal treatment for patients who suffer from pilonidal sinus disease should lead to a cure with a rapid recovery period allowing a return to normal daily activities, with a low level of associated morbidity. A variety of different surgical techniques have been described for the primary treatment of pilonidal sinus disease and current practice remains variable and contentious. Whilst some management options have improved outcomes for some patients, the complications of surgery, particularly related to wound healing, often remain worse than the primary disease. This clinical review aims to provide an update on the management options to guide clinicians involved in the care of patients who suffer from sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease.
Precision and accuracy of Dahl‐Lea back‐calculated smolt lengths from adult scales of Atlantic salmonSalmo salar
Authors: Hanson Nora N. , Smith Gordon W. , Middlemas Stuart J. , Todd Christopher D.
Published: November 2018

Using tagged and recaptured Atlantic salmonSalmo salar(n = 106) the present analysis shows that the most commonly applied linear back‐calculation method for estimating past length, the Dahl‐Lea method, resulted in overestimation of the length of large smolts and underestimation of small smolts. A correction equation (y = 0.53x + 6.23) for estimating true smolt length (y) from lengths back‐calculated from adult scale measures (x) to account for these systematic discrepancies is proposed.
A stochastic microstructure model for particle reinforced aluminium matrix composites
Authors: LOSCH K. , SCHUFF S. , BALLE F. , BECK T. , REDENBACH C.
Published: November 2018

Metal matrix composites are complex materials consisting of various phases which can display largely different mechanical properties. The deformation behaviour of these composites cannot be sufficiently modelled by averages or simple particle shapes due to the local stresses that occur on the particle edges. Therefore, a sophisticated model of the microstructure is needed. We introduce a method for stochastic modelling of a silicon carbide (SiC) particle reinforced aluminium matrix composite. The SiC particles are modelled by Laguerre polyhedra generated by densely packed spheres. The shape factors of the polyhedra have been fitted to the particle shapes observed in three‐dimensional images. Particle elongation in extrusion direction and the observed log‐normal volume distribution of the particles are included in the model by suitable scaling. An outlook is presented on how to model the grains of the polycrystalline aluminium matrix and intermetallic precipitates, which result from the strengthening mechanism of the matrix.

Lay Description

Metal matrix composites are complex materials consisting of different phases which can display largely different mechanical properties. The deformation behaviour of these composites cannot be sufficiently modelled by averages or simple particle shapes due to the local stresses that occur on the particle edges. Therefore, a sophisticated model of the microstructure is needed. We introduce a method of stochastic modelling of a silicon carbide (SiC) particle reinforced aluminium matrix composite. The SiC particles are modelled by Laguerre polyhedra generated by densely packed spheres. The shape factors of the polyhedra have been fitted to the SiC shapes observed in three‐dimensional images. Additionally, the polyhedra are scaled anisotropically to account for orientation anisotropy and to obtain a log‐normal volume distribution. An outlook is presented on how to model the aluminium phase's grains and intermetallic precipitates, which result from the strengthening mechanism of the aluminium matrix alloy.
Daily strengths use and employee well‐being: The moderating role of personality
Authors: Bakker Arnold B. , Hetland Jørn , Olsen Olav Kjellevold , Espevik Roar
Published: November 2018

This study combines strengths use and personality theories to develop a multilevel model of employee well‐being. We hypothesized that individuals would experience higher well‐being on the days they use their strengths. In addition, we predicted that Neuroticism, Extraversion, and their blend would bolster this main effect. A total of 87 Norwegian naval cadets filled out a general survey and then completed a diary questionnaire for 30 consecutive days (total N = 2610). Results of multilevel modelling showed that daily strengths use was positively related to daily positive affect and work engagement, after controlling for previous levels of the dependent variables. In addition, we found evidence for the predicted three‐way interaction effects. These findings contribute to character strengths and personality theories by showing how blends of personality traits modify the effects of daily strengths use behaviours.

Practitioner points

Employees who use their strengths at work build their own positive affect and work engagement.

Personality influences how successful employees are in using strengths; strengths use works best for those high in Extraversion and low in Neuroticism.

Organizations and managers should facilitate employee strengths use, because when employees use their strong points, they are more dedicated and energized during work.
Spurious weather effects
Authors: Lind Jo Thori
Published: November 2018

Rainfall is exogenous to human actions and hence popular as an exogenous source of variation. But it is also spatially correlated. This can generate spurious relationships between rainfall and other spatially correlated outcomes. As an illustration, rainfall on almost any day of the year has seemingly high predictive power of electoral turnout in Norwegian municipalities. In Monte Carlo analyses, I find that standard tests reject true null hypotheses in as much as 99% of cases. Standard approaches to estimating consistent standard errors do not solve the problem. Instead, I suggest controlling for spatial and spatiotemporal trends using multidimensional polynomials.
Simulation‐based education for novices: complex learning tasks promote reflective practice
Authors: Tremblay Marie‐Laurence , Leppink Jimmie , Leclerc Gilles , Rethans Jan‐Joost , Dolmans Diana H J M
Published: November 2018

Context

Simulated clinical immersion (SCI), in which clinical situations are simulated in a realistic environment, safely and gradually exposes novices to complex problems. Given their limited experience, undergraduate students can potentially be quite overwhelmed by SCI learning tasks, which may result in misleading learning outcomes. Although task complexity should be adapted to the learner's level of expertise, many factors, both intrinsic and extraneous to the learning task, can influence perceived task complexity and its impact on cognitive processes.

Objectives

The purpose of this mixed‐methods study was to understand the effects of task complexity on undergraduate pharmacy students’ cognitive load, task performance and perception of learning in SCI.

Methods

A total of 167 second‐year pharmacy students were randomly assigned to undertake one simple and one complex learning task in SCI consecutively. Participants’ cognitive load was measured after each task and debriefing. Task performance and time on task were also assessed. As part of a sequential explanatory design, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with students showing maximal variations in intrinsic cognitive load to elucidate their perceptions of learning when dealing with complexity.

Results

Although the complex task generated significantly higher cognitive load and time on task than the simple task, performance was high for both tasks. Qualitative results revealed that a lack of clinical experience, an unfamiliar resource in the environment and the constraints inherent to SCI, such as time limitations, hindered the clinical reasoning process and led to poorer self‐evaluation of performance. Simple tasks helped students gain more self‐confidence, whereas complex tasks further encouraged reflective practice during debriefings.

Conclusions

Although complex tasks in SCI were more cognitively demanding and took longer to execute, students indicated that they learned more from them than they did from simple tasks. Complex tasks constitute an additional challenge in terms of clinical reasoning and thus provide a more valuable learning experience from the student's perspective.
Irritable bowel syndrome, mental health, and quality of life: Data from a population‐based survey in Germany (SHIP‐Trend‐0)
Authors: Schauer Birgit , Grabe Hans J. , Ittermann Till , Lerch Markus M. , Weiss Frank U. , Mönnikes Hubert , Völzke Henry , Enck Paul , Schwille‐Kiuntke Juliane
Published: November 2018

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with reduced quality of life and high healthcare costs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for IBS in a general adult population.

Methods

The Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) is a population‐based cohort study in northeastern Germany. SHIP‐Trend‐0 participants enrolled from 2008 to 2012 were grouped according to Rome III criteria (main criteria: abdominal discomfort or crampy or bloating pain for at least six months plus 2/3 additional criteria). Factors associated with IBS were assessed using survey‐weighted backward stepwise logistic regression.

Key Results

The final data set included 4194 records. IBS prevalence was 3.5% (3.0%‐4.2%). Unemployment (OR: 2.02, 1.26‐3.21), headaches (OR: 2.37, 1.59‐3.52), mental quality of life (OR: 0.95 per unit increase, 0.93‐0.97), and interactions between gender and physical quality of life (P = 0.004) and gender and alexithymia (P = 0.002) predicted IBS probability. The model resulted in a good discrimination (area under the curve = 75.4%) and model fit (F = 0.72, P = 0.69). History of depression (OR: 2.77, 1.94‐3.95), back pain (OR: 2.38, 1.69‐3.35), early trauma (OR: 1.03, 1.02‐1.04), and duration of inpatient treatment within the last twelve months (OR: 1.02, 1.01‐1.04) lost their significance in multivariable analysis.

Conclusions & Inferences

IBS prevalence was relatively low compared to other studies. Factors predicting IBS were of biological, psychological, and social nature. The association between IBS and pain in different areas of the body indicates a potential underlying complex somatic symptom disorder.
Variation in species light acquisition traits under fluctuating light regimes: implications for non‐equilibrium coexistence
Authors: Guislain Alexis , Beisner Beatrix E. , Köhler Jan
Published: November 2018

Resource distribution heterogeneity offers niche opportunities for species with different functional traits to develop and potentially coexist. Available light (photosynthetically active radiation or PAR) for suspended algae (phytoplankton) may fluctuate greatly over time and space. Species‐specific light acquisition traits capture important aspects of the ecophysiology of phytoplankton and characterize species growth at either limiting or saturating daily PAR supply. Efforts have been made to explain phytoplankton coexistence using species‐specific light acquisition traits under constant light conditions, but not under fluctuating light regimes that should facilitate non‐equilibrium coexistence. In the well‐mixed, hypertrophic Lake TaiHu (China), we incubated the phytoplankton community in bottles placed either at fixed depths or moved vertically through the water column to mimic vertical mixing. Incubations at constant depths received only the diurnal changes in light, while the moving bottles received rapidly fluctuating light. Species‐specific light acquisition traits of dominant cyanobacteria (Anabaena flos‐aquae, Microcystis spp.) and diatom (Aulacoseira granulata, Cyclotella pseudostelligera) species were characterized from their growth–light relationships that could explain relative biomasses along the daily PAR gradient under both constant and fluctuating light. Our study demonstrates the importance of interspecific differences in affinities to limiting and saturating light for the coexistence of phytoplankton species in spatially heterogeneous light conditions. Furthermore, we observed strong intraspecific differences in light acquisition traits between incubation under constant and fluctuating light – leading to the reversal of light utilization strategies of species. This increased the niche space for acclimated species, precluding competitive exclusion. These observations could enhance our understanding of the mechanisms behind the Paradox of the Plankton.
Hypomania and depression associated with distinct neural activity for immediate and future rewards
Authors: Glazer James E. , Kelley Nicholas J. , Pornpattananangkul Narun , Nusslock Robin
Published: November 2018

Bipolar spectrum and unipolar depressive disorders have been associated with distinct and opposite profiles of reward‐related neural activity. These opposite profiles may reflect a differential preexisting vulnerability for both types of disorders. In support, recent ERP studies find that, following reward feedback, a larger reward positivity (RewP) is associated with greater vulnerability for bipolar spectrum disorders, whereas a smaller RewP is associated with greater vulnerability for depression. However, prior studies have investigated only immediate rewards and have not examined dimensions of both bipolar disorder and unipolar depression within the same sample. The present study is the first to investigate feedback‐related ERP correlates of proneness to hypomania and unipolar depressive tendencies within the same sample and to expand our scope to include future rewards. Participants completed a modified time estimation task where the same monetary reward was available immediately or at one of five different future dates. Results revealed proneness to hypomania and unipolar depressive tendencies were related to an elevated and blunted RewP, respectively, but only following immediate rewards (i.e., today). Following rewards in the distant future (e.g., 8 months), proneness to hypomania and depressive tendencies were associated with elevated and blunted amplitudes for the P3, respectively, a subsequent ERP component reflecting motivational salience during extended feedback processing. Furthermore, these opposing profiles were independent of, and significantly different from, one another. These results suggest that feedback‐related ERPs following immediate and future rewards are candidate biomarkers that can physiologically separate vulnerability for bipolar spectrum from unipolar depressive disorders.
From an axiological standpoint
Authors: Tucker Miles
Published: November 2018

I maintain that intrinsic value is the fundamental concept of axiology. Many contemporary philosophers disagree; they say the proper object of value theory is final value. I examine three accounts of the nature of final value: the first claims that final value is non‐instrumental value; the second claims that final value is the value a thing has as an end; the third claims that final value is ultimate or non‐derivative value. In each case, I argue that the concept of final value described is either identical with the classical notion of intrinsic value or is not a plausible candidate for the primary concept of axiology.
Multiperil Rate Making for Property Insurance Using Longitudinal Data
Authors: Yang Lu , Shi Peng
Published: November 2018

In property insurance, a contract often provides the policyholder with protection against damages to the insured properties that arise from a variety of perils. We propose a multivariate framework for pricing property insurance contracts with multiperil coverage in a longitudinal context. Specifically, a two-part model is employed to accommodate the excess of 0s and heavy tails in the insurance loss cost, and a Gaussian copula with a structured correlation is used to capture the dependence within and between perils, as well as their interaction. Using the government property insurance data from the state of Wisconsin in the USA, we show that the multiperil claim model has important implications in both experience rating and risk margin analysis.
The genome of the medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata provides insight into the biosynthesis of the bioactive diterpenoid neoandrographolide
Authors: Sun Wei , Leng Liang , Yin Qinggang , Xu MeiMei , Huang Mingkun , Xu Zhichao , Zhang Yujun , Yao Hui , Wang Caixia , Xiong Chao , Chen Sha , Jiang Chunhong , Xie Ning , Zheng Xilong , Wang Ying , Song Chi , Peters Reuben J. , Chen Shilin
Published: November 2018

Andrographis paniculata is a herbaceous dicot plant widely used for its anti‐inflammatory and anti‐viral properties across its distribution in China, India and other Southeast Asian countries. A. paniculata was used as a crucial therapeutic treatment during the influenza epidemic of 1919 in India, and is still used for the treatment of infectious disease in China. A. paniculata produces large quantities of the anti‐inflammatory diterpenoid lactones andrographolide and neoandrographolide, and their analogs, which are touted to be the next generation of natural anti‐inflammatory medicines for lung diseases, hepatitis, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune disorders and inflammatory skin diseases. Here, we report a chromosome‐scale A. paniculata genome sequence of 269 Mb that was assembled by Illumina short reads, PacBio long reads and high‐confidence (Hi‐C) data. Gene annotation predicted 25 428 protein‐coding genes. In order to decipher the genetic underpinning of diterpenoid biosynthesis, transcriptome data from seedlings elicited with methyl jasmonate were also obtained, which enabled the identification of genes encoding diterpenoid synthases, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, 2‐oxoglutarate‐dependent dioxygenases and UDP‐dependent glycosyltransferases potentially involved in diterpenoid lactone biosynthesis. We further carried out functional characterization of pairs of class‐I and ‐II diterpene synthases, revealing the ability to produce diversified labdane‐related diterpene scaffolds. In addition, a glycosyltransferase able to catalyze O‐linked glucosylation of andrograpanin, yielding the major active product neoandrographolide, was also identified. Thus, our results demonstrate the utility of the combined genomic and transcriptomic data set generated here for the investigation of the production of the bioactive diterpenoid lactone constituents of the important medicinal herb A. paniculata.
Dear departed: Writing the lifeworlds of place
Authors: Lorimer Hayden
Published: November 2018

This paper is concerned with the lifeworlds of place, and the significant part that the storied word might play in them. It considers the modern disciplinary history of place study, and styles of creative geographical writing presently being employed to configure place as a lived phenomenon, with a past, present and future. Across the piece, an experiment in place‐portraiture unfolds, according to a series of episodes penned in non‐fiction prose. The muse for these meditations is an arresting site reserved for burying the remains of loved ones: a seaside pet cemetery. Deep diving into the cemetery's place lore, and the life of its custodian, “The Keeper,” the essay explores the loss, love and longing felt for domestic companion animals by grieving humans, the better to understand a nexus of geographies; variously, of memory, emotion, intimacy, responsibility and creativity. The essay closes by reflecting on how a sustained fusion of site, subject and style can give voice to a language of radical parochialism and, simultaneously, reset the wider representational project by which geographers engage proprietary feelings about place, its presumed fate and possible prospects. In its avoidance of a more conventional academic mode, and adoption of descriptive geographical narratives, the paper offers an alternate literary model by which pressing environmental challenges might yet be affectively articulated and addressed.
The effect of repeated stimulated granulocyte donations on hematopoietic indexes in donors: a 24‐year donor center experience
Authors: Szymanski James , Troendle James , Leitman Susan , Hong Hong , Yau Yu Ying , Cantilena Cathy
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Short‐ and long‐term effects of mobilization regimens in hematopoietic stem cell and granulocyte donors have been well characterized. In this study, we examined the longitudinal hematopoietic changes related to repeat stimulated granulocyte donation.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Complete blood counts for consecutive granulocyte donors between October 1994 and May 2017 were compared to unstimulated granulocyte donors. Plateletpheresis donors served as controls. The longitudinal change in precollection white blood cell (WBC) counts for these donor groups were modeled using a linear mixed‐effects model. The investigated variables were granulocyte, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts and the granulocyte collection yield. Contrasts were performed to explore the effect of donation number on precollection counts.

RESULTS

For the granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor plus dexamethasone (G‐CSF/Dex)–stimulated group, both the granulocyte and the lymphocyte counts decreased 6.51 × 109/L (−23.1%, p < 0.001) and 0.21 × 109/L (−20.4%, p < 0.001), respectively, between Donation 1 and Donation 20. This effect was still present at the 3‐ to 4‐year interval (b = −0.0008313, SE = 0.00029, p = 0.004). For the unstimulated donor group between Donation 1 and Donation 20, the lymphocyte count decreased by 0.62 × 109/L (−51.5%, p < 0.001). This effect was only significant up to Year 2 (b = −0.0026, SE = 0.0010, p = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

Past granulocyte donations were found to have a statistically strong negative effect on precollection granulocyte counts and lymphocyte counts and decreased granulocyte yield both in the G‐CSF/Dex–stimulated donors and the unstimulated donors. In this statistical model, for both these groups, the effect of past donations on granulocyte and WBC counts were still detectable 2 years later.
Hepatitis E virus infection in Thai blood donors
Authors: Intharasongkroh Duangnapa , Thongmee Thanunrat , Sa‐nguanmoo Pattaratida , Klinfueng Sirapa , Duang‐in Ausanee , Wasitthankasem Rujipat , Theamboonlers Apiradee , Charoonruangrit Ubonwon , Oota Sineenart , Payungporn Sunchai , Vongpunsawad Sompong , Chirathaworn Chintana , Poovorawan Yong
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in several industrialized and developing countries is associated with the consumption of pork and other meat products, an exposure risk among the majority of blood donors. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HEV in plasma from healthy blood donors in Thailand.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We screened blood samples collected between October and December 2015, from 30,115 individual blood donors in 5020 pools of six, for HEV RNA using in‐house real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Thrice‐reactive samples were subjected to a commercial real‐time RT‐PCR (cobas HEV test) and evaluated for anti‐HEV immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies. Genotyping using nested RT‐PCR, nucleotide sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty‐six donors were positive for HEV RNA by the in‐house assay, nine of whom were also positive by cobas test. None of the latter were reactive for anti‐HEV immunoglobulin M or immunoglobulin G antibodies. Six samples were successfully genotyped and found to be HEV genotype 3. Thus, the frequency of HEV infection among healthy Thai blood donors is 1 in 1158.

CONCLUSION

The presence of HEV RNA in the Thai blood supply was comparable to the rates reported in western European countries, but higher than in North America and Australia.
Amino acid and lipid profiles following pig‐to‐primate liver xenotransplantation
Authors: Shah Jigesh A. , Patel Madhukar S. , Louras Nathan , Sachs David H. , Vagefi Parsia A.
Published: November 2018

As outcomes in clinical liver transplantation steadily improve, demand continues to exceed supply, leading to a substantial disparity in organ availability. The translation of porcine liver xenotransplantation (LXT) into a clinical reality aims to address this dilemma. Our laboratory has previously established an applicable model of α‐1,3‐galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT‐KO) pig‐to‐primate LXT with continuous human coagulation factor infusion and costimulation blockade. This report aims to further investigate the post‐LXT lipid and amino acid metabolism profile in our longest surviving recipients (25 and 29 days). Experimental samples and control samples, consisting of pre‐transplant porcine and baboon serum and plasma, were analyzed for standard lipid profiles and for amino acid levels. Lipid profiles of LXT recipients remained stable following xenotransplantation compared to donor porcine baseline levels. Amino acid concentrations also remained similar to baseline controls, with the exception of a 3‐fold increase in l‐ornithine and more than a 10‐fold decrease in l‐arginine post‐transplant when compared to both porcine and baboon baseline levels. The observed changes in l‐arginine are consistent with prior studies investigating the effects of graft preservation injury following liver transplantation. These results indicate that the porcine liver can maintain most biochemical profiles stably post‐operatively in baboons and suggest that arginine supplementation post‐LXT may potentially be useful for further prolongation of xenograft survival.
Effectiveness of flavonoid rich fruits for hypertension in adults: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Ellwood Laura , Torun Gizemnur , Bahar Zuhal , Fernandez Ritin
Published: November 2018

Review question:

The question of this review is: what is the effectiveness of flavonoid rich fruits for blood pressure in adults with hypertension?
Feasibility study of acoustic imaging for human thorax using an acoustic contrast source inversion algorithm
Authors: Song Xiaoqian , Li Maokun , Yang Fan , Xu Shenheng , Abubakar Aria
Published: November 2018

In this work, an acoustic imaging method based on contrast source inversion and its feasibility in quantitatively reconstructing compressibility, attenuation, and density of human thorax is studied. In the acoustic wave equation, the inhomogeneity in density makes the relationship between the contrasts and the total pressure highly nonlinear. To reduce this nonlinearity, two contrast sources are introduced to ensure symmetry in the equation, such that the inverse problem can be solved efficiently by alternately updating two contrast sources and two contrasts. Moreover, to improve the stability of the algorithm, the multiplicative regularization scheme with two additive regularization factors is applied. Using this algorithm, acoustic parameters of human thorax from low frequency ultrasound measurement are reconstructed. Numerical results show that the acoustic parameters of human thorax can be properly reconstructed at frequency of tens of kHz using this algorithm.
Segmentation of binaural room impulse responses for speech intelligibility prediction
Authors: Kokabi Omid , Brinkmann Fabian , Weinzierl Stefan
Published: November 2018

The two most important aspects in binaural speech perception—better-ear-listening and spatial-release-from-masking—can be predicted well with current binaural modeling frameworks operating on head-related impulse responses, i.e., anechoic binaural signals. To incorporate effects of reverberation, a model extension was proposed, splitting binaural room impulse responses into an early, useful, and late, detrimental part, before being fed into the modeling framework. More recently, an interaction between the applied splitting time, room properties, and the resulting prediction accuracy was observed. This interaction was investigated here by measuring speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in quiet with 18 normal-hearing subjects for four simulated rooms with different reverberation times and a constant room geometry. The mean error with one of the most promising binaural prediction models could be reduced by about 1 dB by adapting the applied splitting time to room acoustic parameters. This improvement in prediction accuracy can make up a difference of 17% in absolute intelligibility within the applied SRT measurement paradigm.
The origin and stability of nanostructural hierarchy in crystalline solids
Authors: Meher S. , Aagesen L. K. , Carroll M. C. , Pollock T. M. , Carroll L. J.
Published: November 2018

A correlative four-dimensional analysis reveals the secret of nanoscale structural hierarchy in nickel-base superalloys.
Genetic Mechanisms behind the Spread of Reduced Susceptibility to Azithromycin in
Shigella
Strains Isolated from Men Who Have Sex with Men in Québec, Canada
Authors: Yousfi Khadidja , Gaudreau Christiane , Pilon Pierre A. , Lefebvre Brigitte , Walker Matthew , Fournier Éric , Doualla Bell Florence , Martineau Christine , Longtin Jean , Bekal Sadjia
Published: November 2018

We analyzed 254
Shigella
species isolates collected in Québec, Canada, during 2013 and 2014. Overall, 23.6% of isolates showed reduced susceptibility to azithromycin (RSA) encoded by
mphA
(11.6%),
ermB
(1.7%), or both genes (86.7%).
Invasive Infections Due to
Trichosporon
: Species Distribution, Genotyping, and Antifungal Susceptibilities from a Multicenter Study in China
Authors: Guo Li-Na , Yu Shu-Ying , Hsueh Po-Ren , Al-Hatmi Abdullah M. S. , Meis Jacques F. , Hagen Ferry , Xiao Meng , Wang He , Barresi Cinzia , Zhou Meng-Lan , de Hoog G. Sybren , Xu Ying-Chun
Published: November 2018

A total of 133 clinical
Trichosporon
isolates were collected in the National China Hospital Invasive Fungal Surveillance Net (CHIF-NET) program in 2009 to 2016. Accurate identification was performed by sequencing of the intergenic spacer 1 (IGS1) region.
Genetic variants in a sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter gene and age-related cataract
Authors: Ravindran Ravilla D , Sundaresan Periasamy , Krishnan Tiruvengada , Vashist Praveen , Maraini Giovanni , Saravanan Vijayan , Chakravarthy Usha , Smeeth Liam , Nitsch Dorothea , Young Ian S , Fletcher Astrid E
Published: November 2018

Background

Cataract is a major health burden in many countries and a significant problem in India. While observational studies show lower cataract risk with increasing dietary or plasma vitamin C, randomised controlled trials of supplements have been negative. Genetic variants in vitamin C transporter proteins (SLC23A1), especially rs33972313, may provide evidence on a causal association of vitamin C with cataract.

Methods

We used data from a randomly selected population-based study in people aged 60 years and above in north and south India. Of 7518 sampled, 5428 (72%) were interviewed for socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, attended hospital for lens imaging and blood collection and were subsequently genotyped for rs33972313 and rs6596473. Mixed or pure types of cataract were graded by the Lens Opacity Classification System III as nuclear (2404), cortical (494) or posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) (1026); 1462 had no significant cataract and no history of cataract surgery and 775 had bilateral aphakia/pseudophakia.

Results

rs33972313 was associated with cortical (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.34 to 3.49, p=0.002) and PSC (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.65, p=0.03) but not with nuclear cataract. In analyses of pure cataracts, associations were found only between rs33972313 and pure cortical cataracts (OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.12 to 4.65, p=0.03) and with a standardised cortical opacity score. There was no association with rs6596473 and any cataract outcomes.

Conclusions

Using an established genetic variant as a proxy for lifetime ascorbate concentrations, our results support a causal association of vitamin C with cataract.
Moving to a strong(er) community health system: analysing the role of community health volunteers in the new national community health strategy in Malawi
Authors: Angwenyi Vibian , Aantjes Carolien , Kondowe Ketwin , Mutchiyeni Joseph Zulu , Kajumi Murphy , Criel Bart , Lazarus Jeffrey V , Quinlan Tim , Bunders-Aelen Joske
Published: November 2018

Since the Alma Ata Declaration in 1978, community health volunteers (CHVs) have been at the forefront, providing health services, especially to underserved communities, in low-income countries. However, consolidation of CHVs position within formal health systems has proved to be complex and continues to challenge countries, as they devise strategies to strengthen primary healthcare. Malawi’s community health strategy, launched in 2017, is a novel attempt to harmonise the multiple health service structures at the community level and strengthen service delivery through a team-based approach. The core community health team (CHT) consists of health surveillance assistants (HSAs), clinicians, environmental health officers and CHVs. This paper reviews Malawi’s strategy, with particular focus on the interface between HSAs, volunteers in community-based programmes and the community health team. Our analysis identified key challenges that may impede the strategy’s implementation: (1) inadequate training, imbalance of skill sets within CHTs and unclear job descriptions for CHVs; (2) proposed community-level interventions require expansion of pre-existing roles for most CHT members; and (3) district authorities may face challenges meeting financial obligations and filling community-level positions. For effective implementation, attention and further deliberation is needed on the appropriate forms of CHV support, CHT composition with possibilities of co-opting trained CHVs from existing volunteer programmes into CHTs, review of CHT competencies and workload, strengthening coordination and communication across all community actors, and financing mechanisms. Policy support through the development of an addendum to the strategy, outlining opportunities for task-shifting between CHT members, CHVs’ expected duties and interactions with paid CHT personnel is recommended.
International experiments with different models of allocating funds to facilitate integrated care: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Khayatzadeh-Mahani Akram , Nolte Ellen , Sutherland Jason , Forest Pierre-Gerlier
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Integrated care is viewed widely as a potential solution to some of the major challenges faced by health and social care systems, such as those posed by service duplication, fragmentation and poor care coordination, and associated impacts on the quality and cost of services. Fragmented models of allocating funds to and across sectors, programmes and providers are frequently cited as a major barrier to integration and countries have experimented with different models of allocating funds to enhance care coordination among service providers and to reduce ineffective care and avoid costly adverse events. This scoping review aims to assess published international experiences of different models of allocating funds to facilitate integration and the evidence on their impacts.

Methods and analysis

We will adopt a scoping review methodology due to the potentially vast and multidisciplinary nature of the literature on different models of allocating funds in health and social care systems, as well as the scarcity of existing knowledge syntheses. The framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley will be followed that entails six steps: (1) identifying the research question(s), (2) searching for relevant studies, (3) selecting studies, (4) charting the data, (5) collating, summarising and reporting the results and (6) and conducting consultation exercises. These steps will be conducted iteratively and reflexively, making adjustments and repetitions when appropriate to make sure the literature has been covered as comprehensively as possible. To ensure comprehensiveness of our literature review, we also search a wide range of sources.

Ethics and dissemination

An integrated knowledge translation strategy will be pursued by engaging our knowledge users through all stages of the review. We will organise two workshops or policy roundtables/policy dialogues in Alberta and British Columbia with participation of diverse knowledge users to discuss and interpret the findings of our review and to draw out policy opportunities and lessons that can be applied to the context of these two provinces.