bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) for bladder cancer: a systematic review using the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist
Authors: Mason Samantha J. , Catto James W.F. , Downing Amy , Bottomley Sarah E. , Glaser Adam W. , Wright Penny
Published: May 2018

Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) are important tools used to understand patient‐focused outcomes from care. Various PROMs have been developed for patients with bladder cancer (BC), although the disease's heterogeneity makes selection difficult. Accurate measurement of health‐related quality of life (HRQL) can only be achieved if the PROM chosen is ‘fit for purpose’ (i.e. psychometrically sound). Systematic reviews of psychometric properties are useful for selecting the best PROM for a specific purpose. The COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) developed a checklist to improve the selection of health measurement instruments as part of a review process. Our aims were to undertake a systematic review, using the COSMIN criteria, to assess the quality of studies that report the psychometric properties of PROMs used with people with BC and determine the psychometric quality of these PROMs. An electronic search of seven databases including PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE (PROSPERO reference CRD42016051974) was undertaken to identify English language publications, published between January 1990 and September 2017 that evaluated psychometric properties of PROMs used in BC research. Two researchers independently screened abstracts and selected full‐text papers. Studies were rated on methodological quality using the COSMIN checklist. Overall, 4663 records were screened and 23 studies, reporting outcomes in 3568 patients, were evaluated using the COSMIN checklist. Most PROMs had limited information reported about their psychometric properties. Studies reporting on the Bladder Cancer Index (BCI) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Vanderbilt Cystectomy Index (FACT‐VCI) provided the most detail and these PROMs could be evaluated on the most COSMIN properties. Based on the available evidence, no existing PROM stands out as the most appropriate to measure HRQL in BC populations. This is due to two factors; (i) the heterogeneity of BC and its treatments (ii) no PROM was evaluated on all COSMIN measurement properties due to a lack of validation studies. We suggest future evaluation of generic, cancer generic and BC‐specific PROMs to better understand their application with BC populations and propose strategies to help clinicians and researchers.
Gene expression signatures prognostic for relapse in stage I testicular germ cell tumours
Authors: Lewin Jeremy , Soltan Ghoraie Laleh , Bedard Philippe L. , Hamilton Robert J. , Chung Peter , Moore Malcolm , Jewett Michael A.S. , Anson‐Cartwright Lynn , Virtanen Carl , Winegarden Neil , Tsao Julie , Warde Padraig , Sweet Joan , Haibe‐Kains Benjamin , Hansen Aaron R.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To identify differentially expressed genes between relapsed and non‐relapsed clinical stage I testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs).

Materials and Methods

We reviewed patients with clinical stage I non‐seminoma and seminoma from an institutional database (2000–2012) who were managed by active surveillance. Patients with non‐relapsed non‐seminoma and non‐relapsed seminoma were defined as being relapse‐free after 2 and 3 years of surveillance, respectively. RNA extraction and gene expression analysis was performed on archival primary tumour samples and gene‐set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted in order to identify differentiating biological pathways.

Results

A total of 57 patients (relapsed non‐seminoma, n = 12; relapsed seminoma, n =15; non‐relapsed non‐seminoma, n = 15; non‐relapsed seminoma, n = 15) were identified, with a median (range) relapse time of 5.6 (2.5–18.1) and 19.3 (4.7–65.3) months in the relapsed non‐seminoma and relapsed seminoma cohorts, respectively. A total of 1 039 differentially expressed genes were identified that separated relapsed and non‐relapsed groups. In patients with relapse, GSEA revealed enrichment in pathways associated with differentiation, such as skeletal development (i.e. FGFR1, BMP4, GLI2, SPARC, COL2A1), tissue (i.e. BMP4, SPARC, COL13A1) and bone remodelling (i.e. CARTPT, GLI2, MGP). A discriminative gene expression profile between relapsed and non‐relapsed cases was discovered when combining non‐seminoma and seminoma samples using 10‐ and 30‐probe signatures; however, this profile was not observed in the seminoma and non‐seminoma cohorts individually.

Conclusion

A discriminating signature for relapsed disease was identified for clinical stage I TGCT that we were not able to identify by histology alone. Further validation is required to determine if this signature provides independent prognostic information to standard pathological risk factors.
A prospective randomized multicentre study of the impact of gallium‐68 prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT imaging for staging high‐risk prostate cancer prior to curative‐intent surgery or radiotherapy (proPSMA study): clinical trial protocol
Authors: Hofman Michael S. , Murphy Declan G. , Williams Scott G. , Nzenza Tatenda , Herschtal Alan , Lourenco Richard De Abreu , Bailey Dale L. , Budd Ray , Hicks Rodney J. , Francis Roslyn J. , Lawrentschuk Nathan
Published: May 2018

Background

Accurate staging of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) is important for therapeutic decision‐making. Relapse after surgery or radiotherapy of curative intent is not uncommon and, in part, represents a failure of staging with current diagnostic imaging techniques to detect disease spread. Prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron‐emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is a new whole‐body scanning technique that enables visualization of PCa with high contrast. The hypotheses of this study are that: (i) PSMA‐PET/CT has improved diagnostic performance compared with conventional imaging; (ii) PSMA‐PET/CT should be used as a first‐line diagnostic test for staging; (iii) the improved diagnostic performance of PSMA‐PET/CT will result in significant management impact; and (iv) there are economic benefits if PSMA‐PET/CT is incorporated into the management algorithm.

Objectives and Methods

The proPSMA trial is a prospective, multicentre study in which patients with untreated high‐risk PCa will be randomized to gallium‐68‐PSMA‐11 PET/CT or conventional imaging, consisting of CT of the abdomen/pelvis and bone scintigraphy with single‐photon emission CT/CT. Patients eligible for inclusion are those with newly diagnosed PCa with select high‐risk features, defined as International Society of Urological Pathology grade group ≥3 (primary Gleason grade 4, or any Gleason grade 5), prostate‐specific antigen level ≥20 ng/mL or clinical stage ≥T3. Patients with negative, equivocal or oligometastatic disease on first line‐imaging will cross over to receive the other imaging arm. The primary objective is to compare the accuracy of PSMA‐PET/CT with that of conventional imaging for detecting nodal or distant metastatic disease. Histopathological, imaging and clinical follow‐up at 6 months will define the primary endpoint according to a predefined scoring system. Secondary objectives include comparing management impact, the number of equivocal studies, the incremental value of second‐line imaging in patients who cross over, the cost of each imaging strategy, radiation exposure, inter‐observer agreement and safety of PSMA‐PET/CT. Longer‐term follow‐up will also assess the prognostic value of a negative PSMA‐PET/CT.

Outcome and Significance

This trial will provide data to establish whether PSMA‐PET/CT should replace conventional imaging in the primary staging of select high‐risk localized PCa, or whether it should be used to provide incremental diagnostic information in selected cases.
Targeting the dopamine D1 receptor or its downstream signalling by inhibiting phosphodiesterase‐1 improves cognitive performance
Authors: Pekcec Anton , Schülert Niklas , Stierstorfer Birgit , Deiana Serena , Dorner‐Ciossek Cornelia , Rosenbrock Holger
Published: May 2018

Background and Purpose

Insufficient prefrontal dopamine 1 (D1) receptor signalling has been linked to cognitive dysfunction in several psychiatric conditions. Because the PDE1 isoform B (PDE1B) is postulated to regulate D1 receptor‐dependent signal transduction, in this study we aimed to elucidate the role of PDE1 in cognitive processes reliant on D1 receptor function.

Experimental Approach

Cognitive performance of the D1 receptor agonist, SKF38393, was studied in the T‐maze continuous alternation task and 5‐choice serial reaction time task. D1 receptor/PDE1B double‐immunohistochemistry was performed using human and rat prefrontal brain sections. The pharmacological activity of the PDE1 inhibitor, ITI‐214, was assessed by measuring the increase in cAMP/cGMP in prefrontal brain tissue and its effect on working memory performance. Mechanistic studies on the modulation of prefrontal neuronal transmission by SKF38393 and ITI‐214 were performed using extracellular recordings in brain slices.

Key Results

SKF38393 improved working memory and attentional performance in rodents. D1 receptor/PDE1B co‐expression was verified in both human and rat prefrontal brain sections. The pharmacological activity of ITI‐214 on its target, PDE1, was demonstrated by its ability to increase prefrontal cAMP/cGMP. In addition, ITI‐214 improved working memory performance. Both SKF38393 and ITI‐214 facilitated neuronal transmission in prefrontal brain slices.

Conclusion and Implications

We hypothesize that PDE1 inhibition improves working memory performance by increasing prefrontal synaptic transmission and/or postsynaptic D1 receptor signalling, by modulating prefrontal downstream second messenger levels. These data, therefore, support the use of PDE1 inhibitors as a potential approach for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.
Developing a positive living group climate in residential youth care: A single case study
Authors: Levrouw Delphine , Roose Rudi , van der Helm Peer , Strijbosch Eefje , Vandevelde Stijn
Published: May 2018

In residential youth care, a positive living group climate is one of the main pillars for having a child grow up and develop optimally. Despite its importance, the development of a positive living group climate seems to be “under pressure,” due to recent evolutions in residential youth care all over the world. This article describes what could be learned from a project focused on monitoring the living group climate in a residential youth care service in Flanders, Belgium. The objectives were (a) to investigate the implications of this project specifically aimed at improving the living group climate, and (b) to discuss the opportunities and challenges of this process, in relation to the particular service and staff, and residential youth care in general.

The outcomes indicate that group workers perceive the monitoring process as a constructive tool for discussing outcomes in establishing a positive living climate. Furthermore, the findings show that the living group climate is perceived as a complex context, with many interactions that are difficult to measure or capture—therefore, discussion about the outcomes is an essential part of improvement processes. This study provides insight into the key factors and tensions in the development of a positive living group climate.
Quality of life and psychosocial functioning in adolescents with developmental coordination disorder and attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Cairney John
Published: May 2018

This commentary is on the original article by Dewey and Volkovinskaia on pages 711–717 of this issue.
INEQUALITY OF SUBJECTIVE WELL‐BEING AS A COMPREHENSIVE MEASURE OF INEQUALITY
Authors: Goff Leonard , Helliwell John F. , Mayraz Guy
Published: May 2018

The link between happiness and overall inequality is best studied using an index that incorporates different aspects of inequality, and is measured consistently in different countries. One such index is the degree to which happiness itself varies among individuals. Its correlation with both happiness levels and social trust is substantially stronger than the corresponding correlation for income inequality. This remains so after allowing for bounded scale reporting, including a purely ordinal measure of dispersion. Moreover, the correlation is stronger for individuals who profess to care most about inequality. The link between happiness and inequality may thus be stronger than previously appreciated. (JEL I31, D6, D63, D31)
MONETARY POLICY SHOCKS, EXPECTATIONS, AND INFORMATION RIGIDITIES
Authors: Beckmann Joscha , Czudaj Robert L.
Published: May 2018

This paper contributes to the literature by assessing expectation effects from monetary policy for G7 economies. We rely on expectation data from Consensus Economics and a panel vector autoregression framework, which accounts for international spillovers and time‐variation. We analyze whether monetary policy has changed the degree of information rigidity after the emergence of the subprime crisis and estimate effects of interest rate changes on expectations, disagreements, and forecast errors. We find strong evidence for information rigidities and identify higher forecast errors by professionals after monetary policy shocks. Our results suggest that the international transmission of monetary policy shocks introduces noisy information and partly increases disagreement among forecasters. (JEL E31, E52)
Sharing information about diagnosis and outcome of first‐episode psychosis in patients presenting to early intervention services
Authors: Farooq Saeed , Green Debra J. , Singh Swaran P.
Published: May 2018

Aim

First‐episode psychosis (FEP) can be a serious and debilitating disease, but there is limited literature on how to inform patients and carers about its diagnosis and outcome. We aimed to examine the attitudes, practices and views of clinicians working in Early Intervention Service about sharing information on diagnosis and outcome of FEP.

Methods

A 26‐item questionnaire was sent electronically to clinical staff who have been involved in the discussion of FEP diagnosis in Early Intervention Services in the West Midlands, UK.

Results

A total of 51 clinicians completed the questionnaire. All respondents stated that patients or carers of those presenting with FEP wish to be informed of their diagnosis, and three‐quarters (76%) felt there is a need to develop guidelines on how to inform about diagnosis; 57% stated that they usually use broad diagnostic groups such as psychosis when discussing diagnosis, and only 11% use the term schizophrenia. A total of 40% thought that the therapeutic relationship and treatment adherence (58%) would improve if patients know about their diagnosis; 42 (88%) respondents felt that the likely outcome of the illness should also be discussed with patients when the diagnosis is communicated.

Conclusion

The clinicians were aware that service users wished to be informed about the diagnosis and outcome of FEP but had no guidance on the subject. Despite the limitations of an online self‐administered survey, the study highlights the need for guidance and improving clinical practice in discussing the diagnosis of FEP in a vulnerable population.
Greater attention should be paid to developing therapies for elderly patients with Hodgkin lymphoma—A population‐based study from Sweden
Authors: Björkholm Magnus , Weibull Caroline E. , Eloranta Sandra , Smedby Karin E. , Glimelius Ingrid , Dickman Paul W.
Published: May 2018

Objective

Forty percent of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients are older than 50 years at diagnosis, a fact which is not commonly recognized. Older patients do significantly worse than younger patients and are rarely included in clinical trials.

Methods

Using data from Swedish Cancer and Lymphoma Registries, we estimated relative survival ratios (RSRs) for 7997 HL patients (diagnosed 1973‐2013; 45% ≥50 years).

Results

The 1‐year RSRs (95% confidence interval; CI) for males aged 45‐59, 60‐69, 70‐80, and 81 years and over, diagnosed in 2013, were 0.95 (0.91‐0.97), 0.88 (0.81‐0.92), 0.74 (0.63‐0.81), and 0.52 (0.35‐0.67), respectively. The corresponding 1‐year RSRs for females were 0.97 (0.94‐0.98), 0.91 (0.85‐0.95), 0.82 (0.73‐0.88), and 0.66 (0.50‐0.77). No improvements in 1‐year of 5‐year relative survival from 2000 to 2013 were observed for patients aged 45‐59 or 60‐69 but there were modest improvements for patients aged 70 years and older. Importantly, we saw no changes in the distribution of disease or patient characteristics between 2000 and 2013.

Conclusions

Elderly patients constitute a large group with clearly unmet medical needs. Our findings motivate a more active approach to including elderly patients in clinical trials. Our study provides a baseline for outcome comparison after the broader introduction of targeted drugs.
Everolimus dosing recommendations for tuberous sclerosis complex–associated refractory seizures
Authors: Franz David N. , Lawson John A. , Yapici Zuhal , Brandt Christian , Kohrman Michael H. , Wong Michael , Milh Mathieu , Wiemer‐Kruel Adelheid , Voi Maurizio , Coello Neva , Cheung Wing , Grosch Kai , French Jacqueline A.
Published: May 2018

Objective

The present analysis examined the exposure‐response relationship by means of the predose everolimus concentration (Cmin) and the seizure response in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex–associated seizures in the EXIST‐3 study. Recommendations have been made for the target Cmin range of everolimus for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and the doses necessary to achieve this target Cmin.

Methods

A model‐based approach was used to predict patients' daily Cmin. Time‐normalized Cmin (TN‐Cmin) was calculated as the average predicted Cmin in a time interval. TN‐Cmin was used to link exposure to efficacy and safety end points via model‐based approaches. A conditional logistic regression stratified by age subgroup was used to estimate the probability of response in relation to exposure. A multiplicative linear regression model was used to estimate the exposure‐response relationship for seizure frequency (SF). An extended Cox regression model was used to link exposure to the time to first adverse event.

Results

There was a strong, consistent, and highly significant relationship between everolimus exposure and efficacy, measured by TN‐Cmin and SF, regardless of patient's age and concomitant use of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors/inducers. Results of an extended Cox regression analyses indicated that twofold increases in TN‐Cmin were not associated with statistically significant increases in the risk of stomatitis or infections.

Significance

The recommended TDM is to target everolimus Cmin within a range of 5‐7 ng/mL initially and 5‐15 ng/mL in the event of an inadequate clinical response, and safety is consistent with previous reports. Starting doses depend on age and the concomitant use of CYP3A4/P‐glycoprotein inducers/inhibitors.
Evaluation of notch size effect on LCF life of TA19 specimens based on the stress gradient modified critical distance method
Authors: Wang R. , Liu H. , Hu D. , Li D. , Mao J.
Published: May 2018

In the present study, the stress gradient modified critical distance method is proposed to predict the low‐cycle fatigue lifetime of notched TA19 specimens by introducing a weight function of relative stress gradient into conventional critical distance theories. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed method were validated based on the experimental data by performing low‐cycle fatigue tests on smooth bar TA19 specimens as well as geometrically similar plate specimens containing a bore hole (BHP). Predicted results demonstrate that the mean absolute errors for entire tested specimens using the stress gradient modified critical distance method on the basis of the point method and the line method are 7.49% and 7.41% respectively. Furthermore, the fatigue striation width at the fracture surface was determined by scanning electronic microscope observations to examine the stress gradient effect on the crack growth rate.
Correlation of fracture toughness with microstructural features for ultrafine‐grained 6082 Al alloy
Authors: Kumar N. , Owolabi G.M. , Jayaganthan R. , Goel S.
Published: May 2018

In the present work, cryorolling (CR) and room temperature rolling (RTR) followed by annealing (AN) at 200°C were carried out to investigate the effects of grain size, precipitates (Mg‐Si‐phases), and AlFeMnSi‐phases on the fracture toughness of 6082 Al alloy. Using the values of the conditional fracture toughness, (KQ), in the critical fracture toughness (KIC) validation criteria, it was found that the sample size is inappropriate, which implies that the conditional fracture toughness obtained cannot be considered as the critical fracture toughness. Therefore, to establish the relative improvement in fracture toughness, the equivalent energy fracture toughness (Kee) and J‐integral were calculated and used. The results show that the values of Kee (89.91 MPa √m) and J (89.86 kJ/m2) obtained for the sample processed via CR followed by AN (CR + AN) are the highest when compared with the other samples processed through CR, RTR, and RTR followed by AN, RTR + AN. Microstructural features such as high fraction of low Taylor factor, high fraction of kernel average misorientation, Si‐rich particles, small size AlFeMnSi‐phases, and mixed mode of failure (transgranular shear and micro‐void coalescence) also support the high fracture toughness in the CR + AN sample. It was also observed that the effect of residual stresses on the fracture toughness of CR and RTR samples is minimal. Therefore, the correlation between microstructure and residual stresses is not considered in the present work due to very small values of the residual stresses for CR and RTR samples and the absence of residual stress from the heat‐treated samples.
Torsional fatigue with axial constant stress of oligo‐crystalline 316L stainless steel thin wire
Authors: Shen Y. , Fu S. , Shi S. , Chen X.
Published: May 2018

A series of symmetric torsional fatigue with axial constant stress tests, a kind of multiaxial fatigue test, was conducted on oligo‐crystalline 316L stainless steel thin wire, which was less than 3.5 grains across diameter of 200 μm. The material presents significant cyclic hardening under symmetric torsion cycling, and hardening is more obvious with the increasing shear strain amplitude. However, symmetric torsional cycle with constant axial stresses tests characterize rapid initial hardening and then gradually softening until fatigue failure. The axial stress has a great effect on torsional fatigue life. Fractography observation shows a mixed failure mode combined torsional fatigue with tensile strain because of axial tensile stress. A newly proposed model with axial stress damage parameter is used to predict the torsional fatigue life with constant axial stress of small scale thin wire.
Fracture analysis of dissimilar Al‐Al friction stir welded joints under tensile/shear loading
Authors: Torabi A.R. , Kalantari M.H. , Aliha M.R.M.
Published: May 2018

In this research, fracture of dissimilar friction stir welded (FSWed) joint made of Al 7075‐T6 and Al 6061‐T6 aluminum alloys is investigated in the cracked semi‐circular bend (CSCB) specimen under mixed mode I/II loading. Due to the elastic‐plastic behavior of the welded material and the existence of significant plastic deformations around the crack tip at the propagation instance, fracture prediction of the FSWed specimens needs some failure criteria in the context of the elastic‐plastic fracture mechanics which are very complicated and time‐consuming. For this purpose, the Equivalent Material Concept (EMC) is used herein by which the tensile behavior of the welded material is equated with that of a virtual brittle material. By combining EMC with the 2 brittle fracture criteria, namely the maximum tangential stress (MTS) and mean stress (MS) criteria, the load‐carrying capacity (LCC) of the FSWed CSCB specimens is predicted. Comparison of the experimental results and theoretical predictions from the 2 criteria showed that both criteria could accurately predict the LCC of the cracked specimens. Moreover, as the contribution of mode II loading increases, the size of the plastic region around the crack tip at failure increases, leading to increasing the LCC.
Where can switchgrass production be more profitable than corn and soybean? An integrated subfield assessment in Iowa, USA
Authors: Brandes Elke , Plastina Alejandro , Heaton Emily A.
Published: May 2018

Perennial bioenergy crops are considered an important feedstock for a growing bioeconomy. However, in the USA, production of biofuel from these dedicated, nonfood crops is lagging behind federal mandates and markets have yet to develop. Most studies on the economic potential of perennial biofuel crops have concluded that even high‐yielding bioenergy grasses are unprofitable compared to corn/soybeans, the prevailing crops in the United States Corn Belt. However, they did not account for opportunities precision agriculture presents to integrate perennials into agronomically and economically underperforming parts of corn/soybean fields. Using publicly available subfield data and market projections, we identified an upper bound to the areas in Iowa, United States, where the conversion from corn/soybean cropland to an herbaceous bioenergy crop, switchgrass, could be economically viable under different price, land tenancy, and yield scenarios. Assuming owned land, medium crop prices, and a biomass price of US$ 55 Mg−1, we showed that 4.3% of corn/soybean cropland could break even when converted to switchgrass yielding up to 10.08 Mg ha−1. The annualized change in net present value on each converted subfield patch ranged from just above US$ 0 ha−1 to 692 ha−1. In the three counties of highest economic opportunity, total annualized producer benefits from converting corn/soybean to switchgrass summed to US$ 2.6 million, 3.4 million, and 7.6 million, respectively. This is the first study to quantify an upper bound to the potential private economic benefits from targeted conversion of unfavorable corn/soybean cropland to switchgrass, leaving arable land already under perennial cover unchanged. Broadly, we conclude that areas with high within‐field yield variation provide highest economic opportunities for switchgrass conversion. Our results are relevant for policy design intended to improve the sustainability of agricultural production. While focused on Iowa, this approach is applicable to other intensively farmed regions globally with similar data availability.
Assessing Physician‐Patient Dialogues About Chronic Migraine During Routine Office Visits
Authors: Buse Dawn C. , Gillard Patrick , Arctander Kaitlyn , Kuang Amy W. , Lipton Richard B.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To assess physician‐patient communication and identify the frequency of use of specific communication techniques by analyzing recordings of routinely scheduled medical encounters for patients with clinician‐identified chronic migraine.

Background

Chronic migraine is an under‐diagnosed, under‐treated, and highly burdensome disease. Effective medical communication is integral to optimal medical care, including providing accurate diagnoses, creating effective treatment plans, and enhancing patient adherence. Communication patterns during office visits may be a target for intervention to improve outcomes for people with chronic migraine.

Design

This was a prospective, observational study based on analysis of audio recordings collected during neurologist‐patient chronic migraine dialogues.

Methods

Twenty neurologists from a US neurology panel maintained by Verilogue, Inc., a research organization specializing in healthcare dialogues, were invited to identify patients with chronic migraine and record clinical encounters with their patients. Both new patient visits and follow‐up visits were included in this analysis. Neurologist‐patient dialogues were audio‐recorded, anonymized, transcribed, and analyzed by a sociolinguist for the presence of prespecified communication parameters, strategies, and specific language indicative of optimal migraine‐related medical care.

Results

Fourteen out of the 20 invited neurologists (70.0%) accepted the study invitation and recorded 35 encounters with patients eligible for the study. The patient sample was 91.4% female (n = 32/35), with a mean age of 46 years. On average, there were 17 headache‐related questions per visit; 82.0% of questions were closed‐ended (n = 369/450). Headache/migraine frequency was elicited in 77.1% of the dialogues (n = 27/35), but headache days per month was assessed in only a single dialogue. Only one neurologist utilized the ask‐tell‐ask technique. Headache‐related disability was discussed in 22.9%of the dialogues (n = 8/35), with only one using open‐ended questions. None of the dialogues discussed ictal vs interictal headache‐related disability. Chronic migraine was mentioned in 8.6% of dialogues (n = 3/35) and treatment plans were discussed in 37.1% of the dialogues (n = 13/35).

Conclusions

Results from this preliminary study showed that the majority of the neurologist‐chronic migraine patient dialogues did not assess elements crucial for diagnosis and treatment (eg, headache days per month and headache related disability) or use standard communication techniques (eg, open‐ended questions, ask‐tell‐ask). We recommend intervention studies designed to assess the benefits of improved communication on diagnostic accuracy, treatment decisions, and patient reported outcomes.
Walking Ability is Associated with Social Communication Skills in Infants at High Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Bradshaw Jessica , Klaiman Cheryl , Gillespie Scott , Brane Natalie , Lewis Moira , Saulnier Celine
Published: May 2018

Achievement of early motor milestones in infancy affords new opportunities for social interaction and communication. Research has shown that both motor and social deficits are observed in infants who later develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined associations between motor and Social communication skills in 12‐month‐old infant siblings of children with ASD who are at heightened risk for developmental delays (N = 86) and low‐risk, typically developing infants (N = 113). Infants were classified into one of three groups based on their walking ability: walkers (walks independently), standers (stands independently), or prewalkers (does not yet stand or walk independently). Social communication and cognitive skills were assessed with two standardized assessments (Communication and Symbolic Behaviors Scales [CSBS] and Mullen Scales of Early Learning) and compared across the three walking groups. Results demonstrated that high‐risk walkers showed superior Social communication skills, but commensurate cognitive skills, compared to high‐risk prewalkers. In contrast, Social communication and cognitive skills were largely comparable for low‐risk infants, regardless of walking status. Findings suggest that for high‐risk infants, who are already vulnerable to developmental delays and ASD, independent walking may facilitate the emergence of Social communication abilities. Pivotal motor milestones may serve as useful indicators of Social communication delays and targets for intervention.
Arabidopsis VQ10 interacts with WRKY8 to modulate basal defense against Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Chen Junqiu , Wang Houping , Li Yang , Pan Jinjing , Hu Yanru , Yu Diqiu
Published: May 2018

Recent studies in Arabidopsis have revealed that some VQ motif‐containing proteins physically interact with WRKY transcription factors; however, their specific biological functions are still poorly understood. In this study, we confirmed the interaction between VQ10 and WRKY8, and show that VQ10 and WRKY8 formed a complex in the plant cell nucleus. Yeast two‐hybrid analysis showed that the middle region of WRKY8 and the VQ motif of VQ10 are critical for their interaction, and that this interaction promotes the DNA‐binding activity of WRKY8. Further investigation revealed that the VQ10 protein was exclusively localized in the nucleus, and VQ10 was predominantly expressed in siliques. VQ10 expression was strongly responsive to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen, Botrytis cinerea and defense‐related hormones. Phenotypic analysis showed that disruption of VQ10 increased mutant plants susceptibility to the fungal pathogen B. cinerea, whereas constitutive‐expression of VQ10 enhanced resistance to B. cinerea. Consistent with these findings, expression of the defense‐related PLANT DEFENSIN1.2 (PDF1.2) gene was decreased in vq10 mutant plants, after B. cinerea infection, but increased in VQ10‐overexpressing transgenic plants. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that VQ10 physically interacts with WRKY8 and positively regulates plant basal resistance against the necrotrophic fungal pathogen B. cinerea.
On the Contagion Effect in the US Banking Sector
Authors: PINO GABRIEL , SHARMA SUBHASH C.
Published: May 2018

By using the spatial econometrics methodology, this paper investigates the contagion of the risk taking by banks in the US banking sector during 2001 to 2012. In addition, the contagion signals up to the Subprime crisis in 2008 are analyzed and different channels of contagion are studied in order to identify fragile groups of banks. Our analysis reveals that there is no significant contagion transmitted to the whole banking system. However, we observe that the bank contagion is significantly spread locally and for the group of banks that share similar characteristics related to size and bank regulations.
Local rotations due to mixed‐type misfit dislocation at α‐Fe2O3/α‐Al2O3 heterostructure interface
Authors: WANG Y. , TAO Z. , YU J. , ZHANG X.
Published: May 2018

The misfit dislocations at α‐Fe2O3/α‐Al2O3 heterostructure interfaces were investigated by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), geometric phase analysis (GPA) and dislocation density tensor analysis. When imaged along the [110] direction, the misfit dislocation core is a mixed‐type, which can be characterised by one extra (102) plane and one extra (104) plane of α‐Al2O3. Dislocation density tensor analysis gave a very high accuracy in determining the corresponding Burgers vectors of two extra half‐planes. By comparing the measured Burgers vectors with theoretical ones, we are able to determine local rotations in the dislocation core region: the (102) plane is rotated clockwise 6.25° and the (104) plane is rotated anticlockwise 4.81°. Such a local rotation is favourable from the viewpoint of both energy and function to relax lattice misfit.
Intravascular ultrasound guided wiring re‐entry technique for complex chronic total occlusions
Authors: Huang Wei‐Chieh , Teng Hsin‐I , Hsueh Chien‐Hung , Lin Shing‐Jong , Chan Wan‐Leong , Lu Tse‐Min
Published: May 2018

Background

The successful recanalization rate of chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions without retrograde collaterals available is always low. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) may be useful to guide the subintimal guidewire to re‐enter the true lumen. We evaluated the clinical feasibility and efficacy of the IVUS‐guided wiring re‐entry technique for these complex CTO lesions.

Methods

Twenty consecutive patients (19 male, mean age: 65.3 ± 12.8 years) with both failed antegrade and retrograde approaches were enrolled. The IVUS catheter was introduced into the subintimal space to identify the entry point into the subintimal space, and guide another stiff wire to re‐enter the true lumen with the adjacent side‐branch or first wire as markers, or using IVUS‐guided parallel wire technique.

Results

The entry point into the subintimal space was identified by IVUS in all cases, and the IVUS‐guided wiring re‐entry technique succeeded in 17 cases (85%). No procedure‐related complication was noted except one case of delayed cardiac tamponade due to the wire perforation. During the mean follow‐up period of 1.9 ± 1.3 years, there was no adverse cardiac event, except one patient died of the complication of cardiac transplantation.

Conclusion

The IVUS‐guided wiringre‐entry technique might be feasible and safe for the recanalization of complex CTO lesions.
Performative Interior Design in the Criminal Courtroom
Authors: Corrigan Lawrence T. , Robertson Heather E. , Anderson Bruce
Published: May 2018

This paper engages with the idea that interior design is a performative practice. The central question of interest is dramaturgical rather than instrumental: How do building interiors “act” and how do these performances construct a particular definition of the situation? We critically bring into play related academic discussions of “political interiors” and “the good organization” by exploring the built environment of the court of law. The good organization is an ideal–type used to help identify and understand the deficiencies of actual organizations. We show that ontological politics is at work when performative design enables problematic realities. This study relied on a microethnographic research method using participant observation as the data collection strategy. It focused on a Canadian interior design project that implemented a workplace violence assessment in the criminal courtrooms of the Nova Scotia justice system. We use theatrical performance as a research lens, drawing on dramaturgy, as a fruitful way to engage with the concept of political interiors. This expands beyond mainstream epistemological assumptions about the grounds for knowing. We find that criminal courtrooms, as the physical expression of the good organization, are rooted in questionable design assumptions that are seldom examined. The nominalist stance in this paper promotes a more complete understanding of the realities of interior space that are socially constructed through physical settings that create, preserve, and promote hierarchy, personal stigma, and theatricality.
MiR-505 mediates methotrexate resistance in colorectal cancer by targeting RASSF8
Authors: Chen Yalin , Bian Li , Zhang Yingmei
Published: May 2018

Objective

To investigate the relationship between miR-505 and RASSF8 as well as the effect of miR-505 on methotrexate (MTX) resistance of human colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Microarray was used to select differentially expressed miRNAs. QRT-PCR and western blot were performed to assess miR-505 and RASSF8 mRNA levels in MTX-sensitive and MTX-resistant CRC tissues and cells. Cell viability, propagation and apoptosis were confirmed by MTT, colony formation assays and flow cytometry. Transwell and wound healing assays were conducted on cancerous cells to determine cell metastasis. The target relationship between miR-505 and RASSF8 was validated using dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.

Key findings

MiR-505 expression significantly increased in resistant tissues compared with sensitive tissues. Down-regulation of miR-505 expression weakened the proliferation ability of LS174T and LS174T/MTX cells, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis rate. RASSF8 was a target of miR-505 and overexpression of miR-505 down-regulated RASSF8 mRNA and protein expression. Overexpression of RASSF8 could affect the cycle of CRC cells, accelerate apoptosis as well as restrain migration and invasion. Moreover, miR-505 advanced MTX-induced LS174T cells migration and invasiveness as well as depressed LS174T/MTX cell apoptosis through the down-regulation of RASSF8.

Conclusion

MiR-505 mediated MTX resistance, propagation, cell cycle and metastasis by targeting RASSF8 in colorectal cancer.
The novel cyst nematode effector protein 30D08 targets host nuclear functions to alter gene expression in feeding sites
Authors: Verma Anju , Lee Chris , Morriss Stephanie , Odu Fiona , Kenning Charlotte , Rizzo Nancy , Spollen William G. , Lin Marriam , McRae Amanda G. , Givan Scott A. , Hewezi Tarek , Hussey Richard , Davis Eric L. , Baum Thomas J. , Mitchum Melissa G.
Published: May 2018

Cyst nematodes deliver effector proteins into host cells to manipulate cellular processes and establish a metabolically hyperactive feeding site. The novel 30D08 effector protein is produced in the dorsal gland of parasitic juveniles, but its function has remained unknown.

We demonstrate that expression of 30D08 contributes to nematode parasitism, the protein is packaged into secretory granules and it is targeted to the plant nucleus where it interacts with SMU2 (homolog of suppressor of mec‐8 and unc‐52 2), an auxiliary spliceosomal protein.

We show that SMU2 is expressed in feeding sites and an smu2 mutant is less susceptible to nematode infection. In Arabidopsis expressing 30D08 under the SMU2 promoter, several genes were found to be alternatively spliced and the most abundant functional classes represented among differentially expressed genes were involved in RNA processing, transcription and binding, as well as in development, and hormone and secondary metabolism, representing key cellular processes known to be important for feeding site formation.

In conclusion, we demonstrated that the 30D08 effector is secreted from the nematode and targeted to the plant nucleus where its interaction with a host auxiliary spliceosomal protein may alter the pre‐mRNA splicing and expression of a subset of genes important for feeding site formation.
Modelling the management of forest ecosystems: Importance of wood decomposition
Authors: Blanco Juan A. , Page‐Dumroese Deborah S. , Jurgensen Martin F. , Curran Michael P. , Tirocke Joanne M. , Walitalo Joanna
Published: May 2018

Scarce and uncertain data on woody debris decomposition rates are available for calibrating forest ecosystem models, owing to the difficulty of their empirical estimations. Using field data from three experimental sites which are part of the North American Long‐Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) Study in south‐eastern British Columbia (Canada), we developed probability distributions of standard wood stake mass loss ofPopulus tremuloidesandPinus contorta. Using a Monte Carlo approach, 50 synthetic decomposition rate values per debris type were used to calibrate the ecosystem‐level forest model FORECAST. Significant effects of uncertainty of pine stake mass loss rates on estimated tree growth were found, especially in moderately managed forests, as estimations of available nitrogen were affected. Consequently, our work has shown that projections of tree growth under management conditions depend on accurate estimations of woody debris decomposition rates, and special effort should be done in create reliable databases of decomposition rates for their use in tree growth and yield modelling.

Recommendations for Resource Managers

Maintaining woody debris on site, particularly large roots, should be favored. Significant influences of wood decomposition rates on tree growth were found, especially in moderately managed forests, because belowground woody debris became an important reservoir of nutrients needed to maintain tree growth rates. Forest floor and stump removal are therefore discouraged.

When using ecological models for estimating tree growth, uncertainty associated with calibrating woody debris decomposition processes should be taken into consideration if moderate management is planned.

Special efforts should be made to gather site‐ and species‐specific woody debris decomposition rates, particularly for medium and coarse roots (diameter above 2.5 cm). Creating a database of standardized branch and root decomposition rates would greatly reduce the uncertainty of model estimations of tree growth.
Unrelated and related donor transplantation for beta‐thalassemia major: A single‐center experience from India
Authors: John M. Joseph , Mathew Amrith , Philip Chepsy C. , Singh Sohan , Tanuja Tanuja , Kakkar Naveen
Published: May 2018

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains the only curative treatment in patients with β‐thalassemia major. A matched sibling or a related donor is usually found in only 25%‐30% of the patients. There are limited data on matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplants from India. We reviewed HSCT outcome in 56 children with TM who underwent 57 transplants at our center. Related donor (RD) (n=43) and MUD (n=14) transplants were performed with TreoFluT‐based conditioning regimen in majority (95%) of patients. Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were the preferred (85%) source of stem cells. The overall survival (OS) at 1 year in RD and MUD groups was 87.6±5.2% and 85.7±9.4% at a median follow‐up of 25 (1‐92) months and 22.5 (1‐50) months, respectively (P=.757). The thalassemia‐free survival (TFS) at 1 year was 87.6±5.2% and 77.1±11.7% with a median follow‐up of 24 (1‐92) and 16.5 (1‐50) months, respectively (P=.487). Although acute (14% vs 64%) and chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) (13.9% vs 42.9%), infectious (39.5% vs 71.4%), and non‐infectious (37.2% vs 78.5%) complications are higher in MUD transplant group, the present data show a comparable OS and TFS among RD and MUD group with treosulfan‐based regimen using PBSC grafts.
Stratified Space–Time Infectious Disease Modelling, with an Application to Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in China
Authors: Bauer Cici , Wakefield Jon
Published: May 2018

We extend an interesting class of space–time models for infectious disease data proposed by Held and co-workers, to analyse data on hand, foot and mouth disease, collected in the central north region of China over 2009–2011. We provide a careful derivation of the model and extend the model class in two directions. First, we model the disease transmission between age–gender strata, in addition to space and time. Second, we use our model for inference on effective local reproductive numbers. For the hand, foot and mouth data, for each of the six age–gender strata we consider that transmission is greatest between individuals within the same strata, with also relatively high transmission between individuals of the same age group but the opposite gender. The local reproductive numbers show strong seasonality, and between-area differences.
Battleship and the negative hypergeometric distribution
Authors: Autin Melanie A. , Gerstenschlager Natasha E.
Published: May 2018

The negative hypergeometric distribution is often not formally studied in secondary or collegiate statistics in contexts other than drawing cards without replacement. We present a different context with the potential of engaging students in simulating and exploring data.