bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MK‐1 Apatite: A New Potential Reference Material for (U‐Th)/He Dating
Authors: Wu Lin , Shi Guanghai , Danišík Martin , Zhang Zhiyong , Wang Yinzhi , Wang Fei
Published: January 2019

The (U‐Th)/He dating technique has been widely used for several decades to constrain the timing of low temperature geological processes. Recent research has shown that the commonly used reference material (the Durango apatite) often yields dispersed fragment dates that are beyond analytical uncertainties. Here, we report a new apatite (U‐Th)/He dating reference material, MK‐1, which was collected from the Mogok metamorphic belt in Burma. Electron probe microanalysis and backscattered electron images of two randomly selected fragments indicate that this apatite is chemically and structurally homogeneous. We performed single‐grain (U‐Th)/He dating on thirty randomly selected fragments of this material. (U‐Th)/He dating results from multiple laboratories show that fragments of the MK‐1 apatite megacryst yielded reproducible results, with a mean date of 18.0 ± 0.2 Ma. The Th/U ratio of this apatite is homogeneous. Nine randomly selected fragments registered a narrow range of effective uranium (eU) mass fractions (326–354 μg g−1), with a mean value of 336.6 ± 10.3 μg g−1. Twenty‐four in situ (U‐Th)/He dates yielded a mean value of 18.0 ± 0.2 Ma (MSWD = 0.41), indistinguishable from the results obtained by the conventional method. All the results suggest that this apatite has the potential to become a new reference material for (U‐Th)/He geochronology.
Beyond deportation: researching the control of outward mobility using a space of flows logic
Authors: WEBER LEANNE , MOHN SIGMUND BOOK , VECCHIO FRANCESCO , FILI ANDRIANI
Published: January 2019

Manuel Castells (1996) famously argued that human processes are increasingly operating according to the logic of flows and it has now become commonplace to analyse movements of people, information and commodities in terms of flows. However, scholars have been slow to capture the dynamics of border enforcement practices in these terms. In this article, we argue that ‘deportation’ can best be understood, not as a discrete practice that is unidirectional, territorial and wholly controlled by individual states, but as a range of diverse practices used by states (and sometimes undermined by other parties) to try to control the circulation of people within a dynamic supra‐national space. By focusing on ‘mobility control continuums’ operating in selected countries at the peripheries of Europe, we capture the dynamics of state intervention in trans‐border flows and thereby contribute towards developing concepts and methodologies for the criminological study of border controls that are ‘sensitive to the complexities of the global’ (Aas 2007).
Hindfoot malalignment in adults with haemophilic ankle arthropathy: The importance of early detection and orthotic treatment
Authors: De la Corte‐Rodriguez Hortensia , Rodriguez‐Merchan Emerito Carlos , Alvarez‐Roman Maria Teresa , Martin‐Salces Monica , Jimenez‐Yuste Victor
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Haemophilic arthropathy (osteoarthritis secondary to haemophilia) of the ankle may result in painful hindfoot malalignment.

Purpose

To analyse hindfoot alignment in subjects with haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle and evaluate the response (improvement of pain, function and alignment) to the orthotic treatment prescribed in patients with malalignment.

Methods

The study included 163 patients with haemophilia, all of them over 16 years of age. Hindfoot alignment and footprint were analysed in patients with and without haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle (as determined by the Pettersson score). Response to the use of an orthosis was evaluated at 6 months by means of the AOFAS Ankle‐Hindfoot Scale.

Results

Fifty‐six (59.5%) patients with haemophilic arthropathy presented with concomitant  hindfoot malalignment. The most common abnormality was a valgus alignment combined with a neutral footprint. In 14 cases, valgus was associated with a pes planus or a pes cavus. Only 5 patients without haemophilic arthropathy (7.2%) presented with some form of malalignment. The differences between the groups were statistically significant. The probability of having malalignment increased with the degree of arthropathy. Patients with haemophilic arthropathy and malalignment were treated with an orthosis, with insoles as the most commonly used alternative (86%). Such treatment significantly improved patients’ pain and function‐related scores on the AOFAS Ankle‐Hindfoot Scale.

Conclusion

Given the high rates of valgus malalignment in subjects with haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle, and the good response rates obtained following individualised orthotic treatment, it seems reasonable to routinely evaluate hindfoot alignment in this group of patients.
Novel insights into views towards H1N1 during the 2009 Pandemic: a thematic analysis of Twitter data
Authors: Ahmed Wasim , Bath Peter A. , Sbaffi Laura , Demartini Gianluca
Published: January 2019

Background

Infectious disease outbreaks have the potential to cause a high number of fatalities and are a very serious public health risk.

Objectives

Our aim was to utilise an indepth method to study a period of time where the H1N1 Pandemic of 2009 was at its peak.

Methods

A data set ofn = 214 784 tweets was retrieved and filtered, and the method of thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Eight key themes emerged from the analysis of data: emotion and feeling, health related information, general commentary and resources, media and health organisations, politics, country of origin, food, and humour and/or sarcasm.

Discussion

A major novel finding was that due to the name ‘swine flu’, Twitter users had the belief that pigs and pork could host and/or transmit the virus. Our paper also considered the methodological implications for the wider field of library and information science as well as specific implications for health information and library workers.

Conclusions

Novel insights were derived on how users communicate about disease outbreaks on social media platforms. Our study also provides an innovative methodological contribution because it was found that by utilising an indepth method it was possible to extract greater insight into user communication.
XP‐endo Finisher R instrument optimizes the removal of root filling remnants in oval‐shaped canals
Authors: De‐Deus G. , Belladonna F. G. , Zuolo A. S. , Cavalcante D. M. , Carvalhal J. C. A. , Simões‐Carvalho M. , Souza E. M. , Lopes R. T. , Silva E. J. N. L.
Published: January 2019

Aim

To evaluate the performance of XP‐endo Finisher R instruments when removing root filling remnants from oval‐shaped canals using microcomputed tomographic (micro‐CT) imaging as the analytical tool. Passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) was used as a reference technique for comparison.

Methodology

Twenty mandibular incisors with oval‐shaped canals were matched based on similar anatomic features of the canal (volume, aspect ratio and 3D configuration) after scanning procedures. The canals were prepared with Reciproc R25 instruments, filled with gutta‐percha and AH Plus sealer using the single‐cone technique and retreated up to a Reciproc R40 instrument. After retreatment procedures, the specimens were rescanned, and the homogeneity between the specimens, the oval‐shaped anatomy and the remaining filling material were confirmed. The pair‐matched samples were assigned to two experimental groups (n = 10), according to the supplementary approach used: XP‐endo Finisher R or PUI. Each sample was scanned after each endodontic procedure. The volume of remaining root filling material was quantified before and after the use of each supplementary approach. This analysis was performed considering the total canal (Student t‐test) and also by thirds (anova procedure followed by a Bonferroni correction). Data were analysed statistically with a significance level of 5%.

Results

The volume of root filling material at baseline was similar between the groups (t‐test, P = 0.787). XP‐endo Finisher R removed significantly more root filling material compared to PUI (t‐test, P = 0.015), as it removed a mean of ≅32% material compared to 12% for the PUI. There was no difference in the amount of root filling material removed in the root canal thirds after using both supplementary approaches (one‐way anova, P = 0.07 for XP‐endo Finisher R and P = 0.886 for PUI).

Conclusions

Both supplementary approaches significantly reduced the volume of remaining root filling material from oval‐shaped canals. The XP‐endo Finisher R instrument removed significantly more root filling material than PUI. None of the supplementary approaches was able to render oval‐shaped canals completely free from remaining root filling material.
Metabolites composition and variation in processing waste of water chestnut
Authors: Zhang Zhou , He Yaqiong , Wang Meng , Lu Ruili , Bao Guanhu , Luo Feifei , Hu Fenglin
Published: January 2019

There are fourteen compounds tentatively identified from fresh processing waste of different ripened water chestnut (WC) by using high performance liquid chromatography combined with diode array detector and high resolution mass spectrometer (HPLC‐DAD‐HRMS). The chromatographic profiles show that most of the chemical components of the peels are similar in various ripening stages but the contents increase significantly during ripening. The most abundant metabolite is chlorogenic acid which increased more than four times and reached 3.046 mg g−1 in the peel of fully ripened WC. The second biggest peak is at retention time 1.82 min. The peak in half ripened WC is a combined compound of sucrose and quinic acid which is probably an intermediate product of the cell walls of WC. It is mainly a trisaccharide in near ripened WC, and mainly a tetrasaccharide in fully ripened WC. Peel of fully ripened WC contains all the above compounds, stachyose, coumaroylquinic acid, feruloylquinic acid, feruloylmalic acid, 6,7,3′,4′‐tetrahydroxyaurone, 3,3′,4′,5,7,8‐hexahydroxyflavan, tectorigenin, luteolin, apigenin, rhamnocitrin and dihydrokaempferide. All the above metabolites except the last six flavonoids and chlorogenic acid are the first time reported from WC. Bud of WC contains the same metabolites as the peel. Puchiin contains much less metabolites and the content of chlorogenic acid is only 0.013 mg g−1. Most of the metabolites are bioactive compounds associated with the health function of WC. Because that peel and bud of the fully ripened WC not only possess 94.44% of the total processing waste but also contain all the bioactive compounds, they have great potential for metabolites utilisation.
Child and parent reports of children's depressive symptoms in relation to children's weight loss response in family‐based obesity treatment
Authors: Conlon Rachel P. Kolko , Hurst Kelly T. , Hayes Jacqueline F. , Balantekin Katherine N. , Stein Richard I. , Saelens Brian E. , Brown Mackenzie L. , Sheinbein Daniel H. , Welch R. Robinson , Perri Michael G. , Schechtman Kenneth B. , Epstein Leonard H. , Wilfley Denise E.
Published: January 2019

Background

Studies of the association between children's depressive symptoms and obesity treatment response show mixed results. Different measurement may contribute to the inconsistent findings, as children's depressive symptoms are often based on parent‐report about their child rather than child self‐report.

Objectives

We assessed both child‐ and parent‐report of child depressive symptoms as predictors of children's obesity treatment response.

Methods

Children with overweight/obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 85th percentile; N = 181) and their parents reported on children's depressive symptoms prior to family‐based behavioral weight loss treatment.

Results

Child percent overweight reduction from baseline to post‐treatment was not predicted by child self‐reported depressive symptoms or parent‐report of child symptoms (P > 0.80), but was significantly predicted by the interaction between child self‐report and parent‐report on child (β = 0.14, P = 0.05). In analyses using clinical cutoffs, amongst children with high self‐reported symptoms, those whose parents reported low child depressive symptoms had greater reduction in percent overweight (t = 2.67, P = 0.008), whereas amongst children with low self‐reported symptoms, parent ratings were not associated with treatment outcome.

Conclusions

Including both child self‐report and parent‐report of child depressive symptoms may inform obesity care. Research is needed to examine differences amongst child and parent depressive symptom reports and strategies to address symptoms and optimize pediatric obesity treatment.
Biased‐randomized iterated local search for a multiperiod vehicle routing problem with price discounts for delivery flexibility
Authors: Estrada‐Moreno A. , Savelsbergh M. , Juan A. A. , Panadero J.
Published: January 2019

The multiperiod vehicle routing problem (MPVRP) is an extension of the vehicle routing problem in which customer demands have to be delivered in one of several consecutive time periods, for example, the days of a week. We introduce and explore a variant of the MPVRP in which the carrier offers a price discount in exchange for delivery flexibility. The carrier's goal is to minimize total costs, which consist of the distribution costs and the discounts paid. A biased‐randomized iterated local search algorithm is proposed for its solution. The two‐stage algorithm first quickly generates a number of promising customer‐to‐period assignments, and then intensively explores a subset of these assignments. An extensive computational study demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed algorithm and highlights the benefit of pricing for delivery flexibility in different settings.
Optimizing a linear function over the nondominated set of multiobjective integer programs
Authors: Lokman Banu
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we develop two algorithms to optimize a linear function over the nondominated set of multiobjective integer programs. The algorithms iteratively generate nondominated points and converge to the optimal solution reducing the feasible set. The first algorithm proposes improvements to an existing algorithm employing a decomposition and search procedure in finding a new point. Differently, the second algorithm maximizes one of the criteria throughout the algorithm and generates new points by setting bounds on the linear function value. The decomposition and search procedure in the algorithms is accompanied by problem‐specific mechanisms in order to explore the objective function space efficiently. The algorithms are designed to produce solutions that meet a prespecified accuracy level. We conduct experiments on multiobjective combinatorial optimization problems and show that the algorithms work well.
Association between Helicobacter pylori infection, eradication and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kato Masayuki , Toda Akiko , Yamamoto‐Honda Ritsuko , Arase Yasuji , Sone Hirohito
Published: January 2019

Aims/Introduction

It is suspected that Helicobacter pylori is associated with extradigestive diseases including diabetes. So far, a number of studies have examined the association between H. pylori and diabetes, and the results were conflicting. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between H. pylori infection, eradication and diabetes.

Materials and Methods

The present cross‐sectional study was carried out using data from annual health checkups carried out at the Toranomon Hospital Health Management Center. The status of H. pylori infection, determined by serum antibodies and history of eradication, was categorized into three groups as “never,” “current” and “past.” The association between H. pylori infection and diabetes was examined using logistic regression.

Results

Of 21,634 participants, 6,530 (30.2%) had a current or past history of H. pylori infection, and 1,184 (5.5%) were identified as having diabetes. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios for diabetes compared with the “never” group were 1.36 (95% confidence interval 1.10–1.67) for the “current” group and 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.79–1.07) for the “past” group. The association between H. pylori infection and diabetes was also observed among participants without a history of eradication.

Conclusions

We found that current H. pylori infection was associated with an increased risk of diabetes, and the increased risk was not observed among participants after eradication. The results were concordant with the hypothesis that H. pylori infection increases the risk of diabetes. Further studies are necessary to validate the present results.
The effect of silver nanocomposite packaging based on melt mixing and sol–gel methods on shelf life extension of fresh chicken stored at 4 °C
Authors: Lotfi Somayeh , Ahari Hamed , Sahraeyan Razi
Published: January 2019

In the present study, seven types of films were produced using different proportions of polyethylene containing silver, clay, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Following the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration of the films in the eradication of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, the film containing 5% silver nanoparticles and 5% titanium dioxide nanoparticles was found to have the highest antimicrobial property and was determined to be an ideal cover for food products. The antibacterial effect of the films on the shelf life extension and quality of the chicken stored at 4 °C in the Days 1, 3, and 5 of the experiment was checked. The structure and morphology of the nanoparticles and the selected films were evaluated using a field emission scanning electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The analysis of the results indicated that the most appropriate inhibition growth was observed with S. aureus and E. coli in nutrient agar and the largest diameter of the radial inhibition zone occurred with S. aureus. Moreover, the analysis of variance showed that the effect of different concentrations of silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles was significant (p < .05). The results of this study showed that the produced nanocomposite was used to preserve chicken meat for 5 days at 4 °C inhibited the growth of both types of bacteria.

Practical applications

Nowadays production of active packaging is increasing worldwide as they were proved to have numerous effects on inhibiting of microbial growth and even bactericidal effects. Therefore, a wide variety of food producers in different sections namely agriculture, dairy, and meat industries have applied nanopackaging using different nanoparticles. Thus, more research on different physicochemical and antimicrobial effects are needed.
Deprescribing in the Pharmacologic Management of Delirium: A Randomized Trial in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Campbell Noll L. , Perkins Anthony J. , Khan Babar A. , Gao Sujuan , Farber Mark O. , Khan Sikandar , Wang Sophia , Boustani Malaz A.
Published: January 2019

Objective

Benzodiazepines and anticholinergics are risk factors for delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU). We tested the impact of a deprescribing intervention on short‐term delirium outcomes.

Design

Multisite randomized clinical trial.

Setting

ICUs of three large hospitals.

Participants

Two hundred adults aged 18 years or older and admitted to an ICU with delirium, according to the Richmond Agitation‐Sedation Scale and the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM‐ICU). Participants had a contraindication to haloperidol (seizure disorder or prolonged QT interval) or preference against haloperidol as a treatment for delirium, and were excluded for serious mental illness, stroke, pregnancy, or alcohol withdrawal. Participants were randomized to a deprescribing intervention or usual care. The intervention included electronic alerts combined with pharmacist support to deprescribe anticholinergics and benzodiazepines.

Measurements

Primary outcomes were delirium duration measured by the CAM‐ICU and severity measured by the Delirium Rating Scale Revised‐98 (DRS‐R‐98) and the CAM‐ICU‐7; secondary outcomes included adverse events and mortality.

Results

Participants had a mean age of 61.8 (SD = 14.3) years, 59% were female, and 52% were African American, with no significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups. No differences between groups were identified in the number exposed to anticholinergics (P = .219) or benzodiazepines (P = .566), the median total anticholinergic score (P = .282), or the median total benzodiazepine dose in lorazepam equivalents (P = .501). Neither median delirium/coma‐free days (P = .361) nor median change in delirium severity scores (P = .582 for DRS‐R‐98; P = .333 for CAM‐ICU‐7) were different between groups. No differences in adverse events or mortality were identified.

Conclusions

When added to state‐of‐the‐art clinical services, this deprescribing intervention had no impact on medication use in ICU participants. Given the age of the population, results of clinical outcomes may not be easily extrapolated to older adults. Nonetheless, improved approaches for deprescribing or preventing anticholinergics and benzodiazepines should be developed to determine the impact on delirium outcomes. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:695–702, 2019.
Effect of local probiotic (Lactobacillus reuteri) vs systemic antibiotic therapy as an adjunct to non‐surgical periodontal treatment in chronic periodontitis
Authors: Ikram Sana , Hassan Nuzhat , Baig Saeeda , Borges Kevin Joseph Jerome , Raffat Muhammad Arsalan , Akram Zohaib
Published: January 2019

Aim

The aim of the present study was to assess and compare the clinical efficacy of local probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) and systemic antibiotics as adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP).

Methods

Thirty systemically‐healthy participants (15 probiotic and 15 antibiotic), clinically diagnosed with CP, were enrolled. All patients underwent SRP. Adjunctive probiotics were administered twice daily for 3 months, whereas a combination of amoxicillin and metronidazole were given three times daily for 7 days.

Results

Intragroup analysis showed statistically‐significant improvement in all clinical parameters: plaque index, bleeding on probing, periodontal pocket depth, and clinical attachment level gain at each follow‐up visit. However, intergroup comparison of clinical periodontal parameters did not show statistical significance.

Conclusion

The adjunctive use of L. reuteri and systemic antibiotics along with SRP showed similar improvement in all clinical periodontal parameters. This indicates that both adjunctive therapeutic agents showed similar efficacy in resolving inflammation and improving periodontal outcomes.
Oral and uro‐vaginal intra‐amniotic infection in women with preterm delivery: A case‐control study
Authors: Montenegro Daniel A. , Borda Luis F. , Neuta Yineth , Gómez Luz A. , Castillo Diana M. , Loyo Daniela , Lafaurie Gloria I.
Published: January 2019

Aim

The aim of the present study was to establish the association between the presence of oral and uro‐vaginal microorganisms in the placental membrane and preterm delivery (PTD), the premature rupture of membranes (PRM), and the clinical signs of intra‐amniotic infection.

Methods

Eighty‐four women with PTD and 127 women with delivery at term were assessed for the PRM, clinical signs of intra‐amniotic infection, and the presence of periodontitis. Twenty‐seven microorganisms were identified in the placental tissue using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) was quantified by droplet digital PCR.

Results

The prevalence of microorganisms was 9.47% (20/211). P. gingivalis was the most prevalent (12/211, 5.68%). Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Staphylococcus spp, and Fusobacterium nucleatum were isolated at a very low frequency in the placenta. Candida albicans was associated with PTD (P = 0.027). Periodontitis was associated with clinical signs of infection (odds ratio [OR] = 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28‐13.5) and with PTD (OR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.07‐3.72).

Conclusion

The presence of P. gingivalis in the placenta was not associated with perinatal complications. Detecting microorganisms in the placenta by nested PCR is not relevant, as it has a poor association with clinical variables that establish the diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. However, periodontitis was associated with the clinical signs of intra‐amniotic infection and PTD.
Protein S‐Nitrosylation in plants: Current progresses and challenges
Authors: Feng Jian , Chen Lichao , Zuo Jianru
Published: January 2019

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule regulating diverse biological processes in all living organisms. A major physiological function of NO is executed via protein S‐nitrosylation, a redox‐based posttranslational modification by covalently adding a NO molecule to a reactive cysteine thiol of a target protein. S‐nitrosylation is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism modulating multiple aspects of cellular signaling. During the past decade, significant progress has been made in functional characterization of S‐nitrosylated proteins in plants. Emerging evidence indicates that protein S‐nitrosylation is ubiquitously involved in the regulation of plant development and stress responses. Here we review current understanding on the regulatory mechanisms of protein S‐nitrosylation in various biological processes in plants and highlight key challenges in this field.
The Effectiveness of Consumption Taxes and Transfers as Insurance Against Idiosyncratic Risk
Authors: NAKAJIMA TOMOYUKI , TAKAHASHI SHUHEI
Published: January 2019

We quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of a consumption tax and lump‐sum transfer program as insurance against idiosyncratic earnings risk. We use a heterogeneous agent, incomplete markets model in which households adjust savings and employment in each period in the presence of idiosyncratic productivity risk and a borrowing constraint. The model is calibrated to the U.S. economy. We find a weak insurance effect of the consumption tax and transfer program. Expanding the tax and transfer program from the current U.S. level increases the capital‐output ratio and reduces the interest rate. Consumption inequality also decreases only slightly.
Neuronal KIF5b deletion induces striatum‐dependent locomotor impairments and defects in membrane presentation of dopamine D2 receptors
Authors: Cromberg Lucas E. , Saez Trinidad M. M. , Otero María G. , Tomasella Eugenia , Alloatti Matías , Damianich Ana , Pozo Devoto Victorio , Ferrario Juan , Gelman Diego , Rubinstein Marcelo , Falzone Tomás L.
Published: January 2019

The process of locomotion is controlled by fine‐tuned dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars‐compacta (SNpc) that projects their axons to the dorsal striatum regulating cortical innervations of medium spiny neurons. Dysfunction in dopaminergic neurotransmission within the striatum leads to movement impairments, gaiting defects, and hypo‐locomotion. Due to their high polarity and extreme axonal arborization, neurons depend on molecular motor proteins and microtubule‐based transport for their normal function. Transport defects have been associated with neurodegeneration since axonopathies, axonal clogging, microtubule destabilization, and lower motor proteins levels were described in the brain of patients with Parkinson's Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. However, the contribution of specific motor proteins to the regulation of the nigrostriatal network remains unclear. Here, we generated different conditional knockout mice for the kinesin heavy chain 5B subunit (Kif5b) of Kinesin‐1 to unravel its contribution to locomotion. Interestingly, mice with neuronal Kif5b deletion showed hypo‐locomotion, movement initiation deficits, and coordination impairments. High pressure liquid chromatography determined that dopamine (DA) metabolism is impaired in neuronal Kif5b‐KO, while no dopaminergic cell loss was observed. However, the deletion of Kif5b only in dopaminergic neurons is not sufficient to induce locomotor defects. Noteworthy, pharmacological stimulation of DA release together with agonist or antagonist of DA receptors revealed selective D2‐dependent movement initiation defects in neuronal Kif5b‐KO. Finally, subcellular fractionation from striatum showed that Kif5b deletion reduced the amount of dopamine D2 receptor in synaptic plasma membranes. Together, these results revealed an important role for Kif5b in the modulation of the striatal network that is relevant to the overall locomotor response.

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Role of intravenous tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss during caesarean section: Study at tribal‐dominated area hospital in Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Sahu Jaiprakash , Mishra Nalini
Published: January 2019

Aim

To evaluate the effect of low dose (1 g) of intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) before caesarean delivery upon the mean blood loss during and after surgery as well side effects of the drug and to compare these effects with those who did not receive this medication in a referral hospital situated at the tribal terrain of Chhattisgarh.

Methods

Total 100 women fulfilling inclusion criteria and shifted for caesarean section were studied. Fifty women comprising the study group were given one gram TXA (10 mL) intravenously over 10–20 min before skin incision whereas the other 50 women did not receive the drug (control group). Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor was done in all using 10 units of oxytocin intramuscularly within one minute of delivery of baby. The blood loss was quantified by the combination of gravimetric and direct measurement.

Results

The mean blood loss (intra as well as postoperative) was 436.5 ± 118.07 mL in the study group in comparison to 616.5 ± 153.34 mL in the control group (P ≤ 0.05), only two (4%) women had a blood loss >500 mL during surgery versus nine (18%) (P ≤ 0.05), none versus three (6%) had PPH and postoperative mean change in the hemoglobin was 0.494 ± 0.12 g % versus 0.594 ± 0.16 g % (P ≤ 0.05) in the study and control groups, respectively. No adverse effects were reported in women or neonates.

Conclusion

TXA is a cheap, easily available antifibrinolytic drug that significantly reduces the intra and postoperative blood loss in caesarean section and is very useful for low resource settings.
Comparing the effectiveness of Salvia officinalis, clotrimazole and their combination on vulvovaginal candidiasis: A randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ahangari Fatemeh , Farshbaf‐Khalili Azizeh , Javadzadeh Yousef , Adibpour Mohammad , Sadeghzadeh Oskouei Behnaz
Published: January 2019

Aim

To determine the effect of vaginal tablet of Salvia officinalis, alone and in combination with Clotrimazole, on the recovery of Vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Methods

In this triple‐blind randomized controlled trial, 111 participants were randomly assigned into three groups of 37 patients using block randomization with block sizes of 6 and 9, and allocation ratio of 1:1:1: 100 mg vaginal tablet of Clotrimazole and Placebo (CP), 400 mg vaginal tablet of S. officinalis and Placebo (SP), and vaginal tablet of S. officinalis and Clotrimazole (SC), once daily for 7 days. On the seventh day after the treatment was ended up, Vulvovaginal candidiasis were examined by vaginal symptoms and wet test, and if positive, they were examined by culture in chrome agar Candida medium.

Results

Socio‐demographic characteristics was similar (P > 0.05). Thirty‐six, 36 and 35 patients, respectively in CP, SC and SP groups recruited in the study. The frequency of a positive wet test confirmed by Sabrodextrose agar medium 7 days after treatment was significantly lower in SC group than the reference group of CP (adjusted odds ratio = 0.09, 95% confidence interval: 0.93–0.932, P = 0.043). There was no significant difference between SP and CP group (P = 0.071, 95% confidence interval: 0.032–1.151, adjusted odds ratio = 0.192). Also, there was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of vaginal symptoms at the baseline (P > 0.05), however the statistical differences were indicated after the intervention in cheesy discharge, pruritus and Vulvovaginal edema (P < 0.05.(.

Conclusion

S. officinalis in the form of vaginal tablet, alone and when combined with Clotrimazole, can treat the Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.
Early feasibility surveillance of gynecologic robotic‐assisted surgeries in Japan
Authors: Baba Tsukasa , Mandai Masaki , Nishi Hirotaka , Nishii Osamu , Kitawaki Jo , Sawada Morio , Isaka Keiichi , Fujii Tomoyuki
Published: January 2019

Aim

To evaluate the clinical relevance of robotic‐assisted surgeries (RAS) for gynecologic malignancies in a Japanese multi‐institutional cohort.

Methods

A retrospective review of perioperative outcomes of 357 gynecologic RAS procedures was conducted in 24 hospitals accredited to perform RAS by the Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) over a 4‐year period, January 2014 to December 2017.

Results

More than 25 (high), 10–24 (middle) and less than 10 cases (low) were enrolled from 3, 8 and 13 hospitals, respectively. A total of 247 patients underwent RAS for malignant indications. Radical hysterectomy (RH) was conducted for 200 patients, while para‐aortic node excision (PAN) for 47 patients. RAS with RH or PAN was more feasible in high‐volume centers with significantly shorter operation time and lesser blood loss than that in middle‐volume centers. The total rate of perioperative injury and complications in RAS with PAN reached 33.3% in high‐volume centers, which was almost equal to those in middle‐volume centers (35.5%) but much higher than RAS without PAN (8.5%).

Conclusion

Perioperative surveillance demonstrated high feasibility of gynecologic RAS procedures conducted in JSOG accredited hospitals for these 4 years. It is mandatory for RAS conducting hospitals to have careful attitudes to realize their learning curves in conducting advanced procedures.
Self and identity in social anxiety disorder
Authors: Gilboa‐Schechtman Eva , Keshet Hadar , Peschard Virginie , Azoulay Roy
Published: January 2019

Models of social anxiety (SA) place the self as an organizing and causal center involved in the maintenance of this condition. An integrative conceptual framework for the understanding of the self is used to review the literature on the self in SA. Two main distinctions are emphasized: the self‐as‐a‐subject (I‐self) versus self‐as‐an‐object (Me‐self), and the evolutionary‐based distinction of social rank versus affiliation. We argue that (a) although much progress has been made in understanding the association between SA and Me‐self, the association between SA and I‐self remains largely unexplored (with the important exception of anxiety‐related processes in social situations); and (b) experiences and representations of the self in SA center on social rank. We suggest that in SA, social rank themes constitute the linchpins of identity, defined as the content and structure of the Me‐self. We speculate that processes related to low social rank contribute to the focus on representational (Me), rather than experiential (I), self‐aspects. Finally, we delineate the ways in which such an understanding may direct and refine the construction of novel, individually tailored, therapeutic approaches.
Baicalin reduces ciclosporin bioavailability by inducing intestinal p-glycoprotein in rats
Authors: Tian Xin , Chang Yuanyuan , Wei Jingyao , Liu Ruijuan , Wang Li , Zhang Ji , Zhang Xiaojian
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To investigate the effects of multiple doses of baicalin (BG) on the pharmacokinetics of ciclosporin (CsA) in rats and the potential mechanisms.

Methods

Pharmacokinetic parameters of CsA were determined in male rats after administration of CsA (3 mg/kg, i.g. or i.v.) to rats in the presence and absence of BG (80 mg/kg, i.g. or i.v.) for 7 days. The livers and intestines of rats were isolated and the CYP3A and p-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression were analysed. The effect of BG on the intestinal absorptive behaviour of CsA was also investigated using in-vitro everted rat gut sac model.

Key findings

Baicalin (80 mg/kg, i.v., 7 days) had no effect on the intravenously administered CsA. However, BG (80 mg/kg, i.g., 7 days) significantly decreased the Cmax, AUC0–t and AUC0–∞ of orally administered CsA by 38, 26 and 25%, respectively (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Further study revealed that the expression of P-gp in intestine increased in oral multiple doses of BG-treated rats. The in-vitro everted rat gut sac model demonstrated BG (10 μm) significantly decreased the absorption of CsA (10 μm) in intestine (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Multiple doses of BG decreased the oral bioavailability of CsA in rats significantly, which may be mainly attributable to inhibition of absorption of CsA in intestine and induction of P-gp. The interaction between BG and CsA may occur when BG and CsA were co-administered for long-term use. The dosage adjustment and blood concentration monitoring of CsA may be required in clinic.
Monitoring the hepatitis C epidemic in England and evaluating intervention scale‐up using routinely collected data
Authors: Harris Ross J. , Harris Helen E. , Mandal Sema , Ramsay Mary , Vickerman Peter , Hickman Matthew , De Angelis Daniela
Published: January 2019

In England, 160 000 individuals were estimated to be chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 2005 and the burden of severe HCV‐related liver disease has increased steadily for the past 15 years. Direct‐acting antiviral treatments can clear infection in most patients, motivating HCV elimination targets. However, the current burden of HCV is unknown and new methods are required to monitor progress. We employed a Bayesian back‐calculation approach, combining data on severe HCV‐related liver disease and disease progression, to reconstruct historical HCV incidence and estimate current prevalence in England. We explicitly modelled infections occurring in people who inject drugs, the key risk group, allowing information on the size of this population and surveillance data on HCV prevalence to inform recent incidence. We estimated that there were 143 000 chronic infections in 2015 (95% credible interval 123 000‐161 000), with 34% and 54% in those with recent and past injecting drug use, respectively. Following the planned scale‐up of new treatments, chronic infections were predicted to fall to 113 400 (94 900‐132 400) by the end of 2018 and to 89 500 (71 300‐108 600) by the end of 2020. Numbers developing severe HCV‐related liver disease were predicted to fall by at least 24% from 2015 to 2020. Thus, we describe a coherent framework to monitor progress using routinely collected data, which can be extended to incorporate additional data sources. Planned treatment scale‐up is likely to achieve 2020 WHO targets for HCV morbidity, but substantial efforts will be required to ensure that HCV testing and patient engagement are sufficiently high.
Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir/Voxilaprevir for patients with HCV who previously received a Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir‐containing regimen: Results from a retreatment study
Authors: Ruane Peter , Strasser Simone I. , Gane Edward J. , Hyland Robert H. , Shao Jiang , Dvory‐Sobol Hadas , Tran Tram , Stamm Luisa M. , Brainard Diana M. , Nyberg Lisa , Shafran Stephen
Published: January 2019

This study evaluated 12‐week retreatment with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who did not achieve sustained virologic response after previous treatment with a sofosbuvir‐ and velpatasvir‐containing regimen. All 31 patients maintained a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the last sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir dose.
Medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw after long‐term bisphosphonate treatment in a cat
Authors: Larson Melinda J. , Oakes Ashley B. , Epperson Ember , Chew Dennis J.
Published: January 2019

A 12‐year‐old, neutered female, domestic medium hair cat was evaluated for a nonhealing, oral mucosal ulceration. The cat had a history of idiopathic hypercalcemia that had been treated with a bisphosphonate for 41 months. Oral examination identified exposed maxillary bone adjacent to a previous extraction site. Histopathology of the exposed bone and associated mucosa was most consistent with medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Treatment involved both medical and surgical interventions. Oral mucosal healing occurred after 6 months of treatment.
Treatment with metformin is associated with a prolonged survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Schulte Lena , Scheiner Bernhard , Voigtländer Torsten , Koch Sandra , Schweitzer Nora , Marhenke Silke , Ivanyi Philipp , Manns Michael P. , Rodt Thomas , Hinrichs Jan B. , Weinmann Arndt , Pinter Matthias , Vogel Arndt , Kirstein Martha M.
Published: January 2019

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal cancers. Nutrition‐ and life style‐associated risk factors are increasingly prevalent. Metformin, the mainstay of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)‐treatment, reduces the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis. However, its influence on the prognosis of patients with HCC has not been investigated on a large scale, yet.

Methods

Five thousand and ninety‐three patients treated for HCC between 2000 and 2016 at three referral centres were included in this retrospective multicentre study. The aim of this study was to assess whether treatment with metformin for T2DM is associated with a prolonged overall survival (OS) in patients diagnosed with HCC.

Results

Among 5093 patients with HCC, 1917 patients (37.6%) were diagnosed with T2DM, of which 338 (17.6%) received treatment with metformin. Compared to diabetic patients not treated with metformin, patients on metformin had a significantly better hepatic function (Child‐Pugh‐Score A: 69.2% vs 47.4%, P < 0.001) and underwent significantly more often tumour resection (22.1% vs 16.5%, P = 0.024). Patients on metformin had a significantly longer median OS (mOS) compared to diabetic patients not treated with metformin (22 vs 15 months, P = 0.019). The prolongation of survival was most significant in patients treated with surgery. Using a propensity score match (PSM), patients were adjusted for hepatic function and initial therapy. In the matched cohorts, mOS remained significantly longer in metformin‐treated patients (22 vs 16 months, P = 0.021). Co‐treatment of metformin and sorafenib was associated with a survival disadvantage.

Conclusion

Treatment with metformin was associated with an improved survival in patients with T2DM and HCC. This effect was most pronounced in patients at potentially curative tumour stages.
The Creston, California, meteorite fall and the origin of L chondrites
Authors: Jenniskens Peter , Utas Jason , Yin Qing‐Zhu , Matson Robert D. , Fries Marc , Howell J. Andreas , Free Dwayne , Albers Jim , Devillepoix Hadrien , Bland Phil , Miller Aaron , Verish Robert , Garvie Laurence A. J. , Zolensky Michael E. , Ziegler Karen , Sanborn Matthew E. , Verosub Kenneth L. , Rowland Douglas J. , Ostrowski Daniel R. , Bryson Kathryn , Laubenstein Matthias , Zhou Qin , Li Qiu‐Li , Li Xian‐Hua , Liu Yu , Tang Guo‐Qiang , Welten Kees , Caffee Marc W. , Meier Matthias M. M. , Plant Amy A. , Maden Colin , Busemann Henner , Granvik Mikael ,   (The Creston Meteorite Consortium)
Published: January 2019

It has been proposed that all L chondrites resulted from an ongoing collisional cascade of fragments that originated from the formation of the ~500 Ma old asteroid family Gefion, located near the 5:2 mean‐motion resonance with Jupiter in the middle Main Belt. If so, L chondrite pre‐atmospheric orbits should be distributed as expected for that source region. Here, we present contradictory results from the orbit and collisional history of the October 24, 2015, L6 ordinary chondrite fall at Creston, CA (here reclassified to L5/6). Creston's short 1.30 ± 0.02 AU semimajor axis orbit would imply a long dynamical evolution if it originated from the middle Main Belt. Indeed, Creston has a high cosmic ray exposure age of 40–50 Ma. However, Creston's small meteoroid size and low 4.23 ± 0.07° inclination indicate a short dynamical lifetime against collisions. This suggests, instead, that Creston originated most likely in the inner asteroid belt and was delivered via the ν6 resonance. The U‐Pb systematics of Creston apatite reveals a Pb‐Pb age of 4,497.1 ± 3.7 Ma, and an upper intercept U‐Pb age of 4,496.7 ± 5.8 Ma (2σ), circa 70 Ma after formation of CAI, as found for other L chondrites. The K‐Ar (age ~4.3 Ga) and U,Th‐He (age ~1 Ga) chronometers were not reset at ~500 Ma, while the lower intercept U‐Pb age is poorly defined as 770 ± 320 Ma. So far, the three known L chondrites that impacted on orbits with semimajor axes a <2.0 AU all have high (>3 Ga) K‐Ar ages. This argues for a source of some of our L chondrites in the inner Main Belt. Not all L chondrites originate in a continuous population of Gefion family debris stretching across the 3:1 mean‐motion resonance.
Factors influencing the implementation of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly initiative in Ghana
Authors: Carroll Grace , Atuobi‐Yeboah Afua , Hromi‐Fiedler Amber , Aryeetey Richmond , Safon Cara , Pérez‐Escamilla Rafael
Published: January 2019

Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly (BBF) is an initiative designed to help countries assess their readiness to scale‐up breastfeeding programs and develop key recommendations to strengthen their breastfeeding environment. In 2016, Ghana was one of two countries to first pilot BBF. In applying BBF, a committee of 15 Ghanaian nutrition, health, and breastfeeding experts implemented the BBF toolbox over 8 months. Following implementation, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 committee members (CMs) to (a) identify facilitators and barriers to implement BBF and (b) determine factors needed to strengthen the breastfeeding environment in Ghana. Using a grounded theory approach, five domains were identified. First, a dynamic committee of key stakeholders drove the implementation of BBF. Second, CMs faced some logistical and methodological challenges, including difficulty accessing data and the need for strong in‐country technical support for adhering to the BBF process. Third, CMs felt well positioned to facilitate and lead the dissemination and implementation of recommendations. Fourth, accountability would be essential to properly translate recommendations. Fifth, to move recommendations to action, advocacy would be a required first step, and BBF was proposed to facilitate this step. BBF provided an in‐depth analysis of Ghana's current breastfeeding environment to help Ghana strengthen its breastfeeding governance, policies, and programs while informing CMs' government and non‐governmental organizations' breastfeeding efforts.