bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Os meandros da escrita académica. Alguns recados aos estudantes universitários
Authors: Pinto Maria da Graça Lisboa Castro
Published: March 2018

A escrita-composição é uma atividade que requer uma prática continuada, não se reduzindo, por isso, a uma mera mecânica que mais não exige do que justapor palavras, exercício que, na melhor das hipóteses, obedece às regras prescritas pela gramática. As novas tecnologias da comunicação, tão usadas na atualidade, nem sempre tornam visíveis bons exemplares de escrita, o que alerta imediatamente para a realidade nua e crua que deriva dessa vivência. Não bastam os meios. Apesar de as mensagens se subordinarem a esses meios, importa fazer sentir, nomeadamente aos jovens, que existem vários registos de escrita e que na Universidade deles vai ser reivindicada uma escrita – a académica - que tem de respeitar tanto uma redação caracterizada por regras específicas, como uma estrutura regida por normas próprias, estabelecidas internacionalmente. É objetivo deste texto deixar alguns recados aos estudantes que se iniciam na escrita académica para que venham a redigir trabalhos que se aproximem do que deles espera a comunidade científica que os há de avaliar e que eles seguramente quererão vir a integrar.
Microhabitat use during brumation in the Japanese treefrog, Dryophytes japonicus
Authors: Borzée Amaël , Kim Miyeon , Kim Jun Young , Kim Taeho , Jang Yikweon
Published: March 2018

Although amphibians undergo drastic changes in physiology and behaviour before hibernation, this phase of their life cycle (i.e., brumation) is the least understood. We investigated the patterns of microhabitat use by Dryophytes japonicus during brumation using a Harmonic Direction Finder to track 27 adults in October 2013. Most frogs used chestnut trees throughout their diel cycle. The species was most active within the “leafy vegetation” microhabitat, moving about 2 m within 72 h on average, and mostly circa 10 AM. Frogs moved less in the four other microhabitats, with individuals moving between 1 m and 50 cm, typically during the early afternoon. Around 3 pm, the microhabitat mostly used was “on bark”, with displacements almost totally halted. The use of microhabitats and shelters, as well as movements in relation to time of day, suggests that D. japonicus displays behavioural thermoregulation during brumation. This research is the first providing insights in the brumation ecology of a non-freeze-resistant Palearctic anuran.
Visual communication and aggressive behaviour in a giant mute torrent-frog, Megaelosia apuana (Anura; Hylodidae)
Authors: Augusto-Alves Guilherme , Dena Simone A. , Toledo Luís F.
Published: March 2018

Advertisement call is the most common signal used by anurans for intraspecific communication. However, some species have lost the ability to emit these vocalizations and are denoted as mute. Alternatively, these species may communicate by visual, tactile and chemical signals. The lack of advertisement call could be explained by the high background noise of breeding microhabitats. A model group to study alternative communication tactics is the genus Megaelosia, which is composed by seven mute species that inhabit noisy streams, and for which no information on intraspecific communication is available. We monitored a population of M. apuana and described its visual signalling during aggressive interactions between males. This interaction included visual signalling, physical combat, and the retreat of the smaller individual. No audible sound was detected during the whole aggressive interaction, reinforcing the genus muteness. This is the first report of any communication behaviour for the genus Megaelosia.
Three Buddhist Texts from Dunhuang
Authors: Goble Geoffrey C.
Published: March 2018

“Three Buddhist Texts from Dunhuang” provides an introduction to and translation of texts that are representative of the larger genre of Chinese Buddhist medical literature. These examples are indigenous Chinese Buddhist scriptures dating to the early ninth century. They were recovered in the early twentieth century at Dunhuang in western China. Although they often draw from Indian Buddhist sources, these texts are local Chinese products and are characterized by etiologies and therapeutics drawn from both Indian Buddhist traditions and Chinese worldviews. In these texts, disease is alternately the result of personal immorality, divine retribution, and collective misconduct. The prescribed therapies are also multiple, but consistently social in nature. These include worshiping buddhas and Buddhist deities, performing repentance rituals, copying Buddhist scriptures, sponsoring meals, and refraining from immoral behavior. As manuscripts essentially discoveredin situ, these texts provide valuable insight into on-the-ground worldviews, concerns, practices, and institutions in far western China. With their composite nature, drawing from established Indian Buddhist scriptures, folk beliefs, and governmental fiats, they are also suggestive of the strategies behind indigenous textual production.
The genus Agaricus in the Caribbean. Nine new taxa mostly based on collections from the Dominican Republic
Authors: PARRA LUIS A. , ANGELINI CLAUDIO , ORTIZ-SANTANA BEATRIZ , MATA GERARDO , BILLETTE CHRISTOPHE , ROJO CARLOS , CHEN JIE , CALLAC PHILIPPE
Published: March 2018

Field collections of Agaricus were collected in the Dominican Republic from 2009–2016 with the intent to evaluate the diversity in this genus, which was quasi-unknown in this country. In the same period, studies on tropical Agaricus revealed tropical clades that remained unclassified. A new taxonomic system of classification was developed, with the aim, inter alia, to integrate such tropical clades. A recent phylogenetic study, which included some samples from the Dominican Republic, revealed they belonged to three putative new sections. Our objective in this paper is to describe the species of Agaricus collected in this country and to classify them whitin the new taxonomic system, including formal descriptions of the three new sections to which they belong. A preliminary study indicated that the collections of the Dominican Republic belong either to a group of three related subgenera (Flavoagaricus, Minores, and Minoriopsis) or to the unrelated A. subg. Pseudochitonia. For the species of the three related subgenera, a phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences data reliably confirmed the classification of the species into five sections including the three new sections, which were well supported. For the collections of A. subg. Pseudochitonia, preliminary studies indicated that they all belonged to species of A. sect. Xanthodermatei without any doubt except for one species. This species was included in a multi-gene (ITS, LSU and tef-1α) phylogenetic analysis which confirmed placement in this section. Consequently, all the samples were included in a phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences and focusing on A. sect. Xanthodermatei. We noted an unusually high intraspecific variability in the ITS sequences of five of the 12 studied species. Fifteen taxa are described, among which three sections and six species are new for science: Agaricus sect. Kerrigania, Agaricus sect. Minoriopsis, Agaricus sect. Pantropicales, A. argenteopurpureus, A. candussoi, A. flavidodiscus, A. lodgeae, A. porphyropos and A. tephrolepidus. We report all these taxa from the Dominican Republic but the latter three species are also recorded from Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, and Mexico, respectively.
Sadiria longistyla (Myrsinoideae, Primulaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China
Authors: WANG LI-YAN , WANG ZE-HUAN , CHEN LI , ZHAO FEI , LI RONG-JIA
Published: March 2018

Sadiria longistyla from West Yunnan, China, is described as a species new to science and illustrated. It morphologically resembles S. eugenifolia var. burmanica, but differs by its fewer and larger leaves on the flowering branches, more lateral veins, larger inflorescences and petals, and smaller sepals. In addition, this new species is compared to S. aberrans, the only representative of Sadiria in China. A key to all taxa of Sadiria is also provided here.
Seven new species of Strongylophthalmyia Heller, 1902 (Diptera: Strongylophthalmyiidae) from the Eastern Palaearctic and Oriental Regions with notes on peculiar rare species
Authors: GALINSKAYA TATIANA V. , SHATALKIN ANATOLY I.
Published: March 2018

Seven species of Strongylophthalmyia are described as new species: Strongylophthalmyia armipes n. sp. (Malaysia), S. biloba n. sp. (Indonesia), S. bukittinggiana n. sp. (Indonesia), S. minutissima n. sp. (Thailand), S. prominens n. sp. (Vietnam), S. strigosa n. sp. (China), S. vichrevi n. sp. (Russia). New data on morphology and distribution of S. bifasciata Yang et Wang 1992 and S. malayensis Evenhuis, 2016 are provided.
A new species of the genus Riccardoella (Acari: Prostigmata: Ereynetidae) from the land snail Tauphaedusa tau (Gastropoda: Clausliidae) in Japan
Authors: WAKI TSUKASA , HIRUTA SHIMPEI F , SHIMANO SATOSHI
Published: March 2018

A new mite species, Riccardoella (Proriccardoella) tokyoensis n. sp., is described from the lungs of the terrestrial gastropod Tauphaedusa tau (Boettger, 1877) (Clausliidae) collected in a forest city park of Tokyo, Japan. The new species is distinguished from other Riccardoella species by the following morphological characters: tibia II bears 2 setae (vs. 3 setae in other species); femur I bears 5 setae (vs. 4 or 6 setae in other species); seta of trochanter I is absent (vs. 1 seta in other species). Our phylogenetic tree based on amino acid sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) confirmed that another member of the family Ereynetidae, “Ereynetidae sp.”, is the closest relative with 85% sequence identity.
Settlement of the classification of Svistella Gorochov and Paratrigonidium Brunner von Wattenwyl using morphology and molecular techniques, with the description of a new species from Yunnan, China (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae: Trigonidiinae)
Authors: LU HUI , WANG HANG-QIANG , LI KAI , LIU XIAN-WEI , HE ZHU-QING
Published: March 2018

It is difficult to distinguish the genera Svistella and Paratrigonidium on the basis of morphology. Gorochov postulated that Svistella spp. possess the following identification characters: posterior lateral lobes of epiphallus long and narrow at apex, guide rod elongate, attachment plate of the spermatophore consisting of three sclerites (a narrow middle sclerite bearing no protruding structure, and a pair of lateral ones extending to the sides). These features have not been extensively evaluated. In this study, the COI gene was sequenced and was used as a DNA marker to distinguish two genera. The results showed that each genus formed a monophyly, respectively. One new species, Svistella fuscoterminata sp. nov., was found in Yunnan, China. Although its genitalia were similar to that of Paratrigonidium spp., the molecular result supported the new species belonging to Svistella. The specimens are deposited in East China Normal University, Biology of History Museum (ECNU) and Shanghai Entomological Museum (SEM).
Coupled Interannual Variability of the Hadley and Ferrel Cells
Authors: Zurita-Gotor Pablo , Álvarez-Zapatero Pablo
Published: March 2018

This work investigates the covariability in the strength of the Hadley and Ferrel cells on interannual time scales using reanalysis data. A significant correlation is found in both hemispheres only during boreal winter. For other seasons, only the outermost (subtropical) part of the Hadley cell is correlated with changes in the extratropical eddy momentum fluxes, as the eddies are unable to penetrate into the deep tropics. During boreal winter, the northern Hadley cell variability is driven by extratropical planetary momentum fluxes, but the mean meridional circulation response is primarily found below the level of maximum climatological outflow. Instead, at upper levels, changes in the zonal wind dominate the response to the anomalous eddy forcing. During austral winter, the southern Hadley cell is shielded from the extratropical eddy fluxes and its variability displays some of the characteristics of the angular momentum–conserving solution.
Effects of Wave–Current Interactions on Suspended-Sediment Dynamics during Strong Wave Events in Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, China
Authors: Gao Guan Dong , Wang Xiao Hua , Song Dehai , Bao Xianwen , Yin Bao Shu , Yang De Zhou , Ding Yang , Li Haoqian , Hou Fang , Ren Zhaopeng
Published: March 2018

Wave–current interactions are crucial to suspended-sediment dynamics, but the roles of the associated physical mechanisms, the depth-dependent wave radiation stress, Stokes drift velocity, vertical transfer of wave-generated pressure transfer to the mean momentum equation (form drag), wave dissipation as a source term in the turbulence kinetic energy equation, and mean current advection and refraction of wave energy, have not yet been fully understood. Therefore, in this study, a computationally fast wave model developed by Mellor et al., a Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) hydrodynamics model, and the sediment model developed by the University of New South Wales are two-way coupled to study the effect of each wave–current interaction mechanism on suspended-sediment dynamics near shore during strong wave events in a tidally dominated and semiclosed bay, Jiaozhou Bay, as a case study. Comparison of Geostationary Ocean Color Imager data and model results demonstrates that the inclusion of just the combined wave–current bottom stress in the model, as done in most previous studies, is clearly far from adequate to model accurately the suspended-sediment dynamics. The effect of each mechanism in the wave–current coupled processes is also investigated separately through numerical simulations. It is found that, even though the combined wave–current bottom stress has the largest effect, the combined effect of the other wave–current interactions, mean current advection and refraction of wave energy, wave radiation stress, and form drag (from largest to smallest effect), are comparable. These mechanisms can cause significant variation in the current velocities, vertical mixing, and even the bottom stress, and should obviously be paid more attention when modeling suspended-sediment dynamics during strong wave events.
Issues Related to Implementation of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest-dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006, in Bihar: Fieldwork from Gaya District, Bihar
Authors: Kishore Kunal
Published: March 2018

Forest Rights Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2006, and the states have implemented it since 2008. The Act recognises rights of the forest-dwelling communities on forest lands. This article tries to analyse the issues related to its implementation in Bihar through the fieldwork done in the villages of Gaya district. In case of Bihar, apart from tribals, the largest beneficiaries of this Act are the Mahadalits who qualify as Other Traditional Forest-Dwellers in this law. Bhyuians, a scheduled caste, have managed to acquire (by Kabza, possession) forest land despite the non-recognition of their entitlement rights by the state. They have been in a constant interaction with the administrative apparatus of state in holding on to their Kabza over forest land without resorting to any act of physical violence. Their basic demand is that the state government should recognise the legality of their Kabza on the land.
Disastrous Forest Fires: Management and Control
Authors: Vasudeva S.P.
Published: March 2018

Forest fires are the most common hazard in forests causing havoc with biodiversity. Forest fires may occur naturally; however, about 80 per cent of forest fires in the world are caused by human beings. Forest Survey of India estimates that about half of the country’s forests are affected by fire. The negative effects of forest fires override the beneficial effects requiring their strategic management. Management of forest fires through the disaster management continuum would lead to systematic tackling with better results. Involvement of communities with their viewpoint in devising strategy for forest fire prevention and control is required. Integrated approach incorporating ecological, economic, social, cultural and religious considerations, and rational knowledge of local people through consultative process to be considered by a fully accountable nodal department would go a long way in managing this disastrous menace.
Upper Airway Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: 5‐Year Outcomes
Authors: Woodson B. Tucker , Strohl Kingman P. , Soose Ryan J. , Gillespie M. Boyd , Maurer Joachim T. , de Vries Nico , Padhya Tapan A. , Badr M. Safwan , Lin Ho‐sheng , Vanderveken Olivier M. , Mickelson Sam , Strollo Patrick J.
Published: March 2018

Objective

To present 5‐year outcomes from a prospective cohort of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who were treated with upper airway stimulation (UAS) via a unilateral hypoglossal nerve implant.

Study Design

A multicenter prospective cohort study.

Setting

Industry‐supported multicenter academic and clinical trial.

Methods

From a cohort of 126 patients, 97 completed protocol, and 71 consented to a voluntary polysomnogram. Those having continuous positive airway pressure failure with moderate to severe OSA, body mass index <32 kg/m2, and no unfavorable collapse on drug‐induced sleep endoscopy were enrolled in a phase 3 trial. Prospective outcomes included apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index, and adverse events, as well as measures of sleepiness, quality of life, and snoring.

Results

Patients who did and did not complete the protocol differed in baseline AHI, oxygen desaturation index, and Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire scores but not in any other demographics or treatment response measures. Improvement in sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and quality of life was observed, with normalization of scores increasing from 33% to 78% and 15% to 67%, respectively. AHI response rate (AHI <20 events per hour and >50% reduction) was 75% (n = 71). When a last observation carried forward analysis was applied, the responder rate was 63% at 5 years. Serious device‐related events all related to lead/device adjustments were reported in 6% of patients.

Conclusions

Improvements in sleepiness, quality of life, and respiratory outcomes are observed with 5 years of UAS. Serious adverse events are uncommon. UAS is a nonanatomic surgical treatment with long‐term benefit for individuals with moderate to severe OSA who have failed nasal continuous positive airway pressure.
Embodied Interaction Priority: Other's Body Part Affects Numeral–Space Mappings
Authors: You Xuqun , Zhang Yu , Zhu Rongjuan , Guo Yu
Published: March 2018

Traditionally, the spatial–numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect was presented in two-choice condition, in which only one individual reacted to both even (small) and odd (large) numbers. Few studies explored SNARC effect in a social situation. Moreover, there are many reference frames involved in SNARC effect, and it has not yet been investigated which reference frame is dominated when two participants perform the go-nogo task together. In the present study, we investigated which reference frame plays a primary role in SNARC effect when allocentric and egocentric reference frames were consistent or inconsistent in social settings. Furthermore, we explored how two actors corepresent number–space mapping interactively. Results of the two experiments demonstrated that egocentric reference frame was at work primarily when two reference frames were consistent and inconsistent. This shows that body-centered coordinate frames influence number–space mapping in social settings, and one actor may represent another actor's action and tasks.
Cross-Lagged Models of Mathematics Achievement and Motivational Factors Among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic High School Students
Authors: Saw Guan , Chang Chi-Ning
Published: March 2018

This study examines the disparities in, changes in, and longitudinal interrelationships among mathematics achievement and motivational factors for Hispanics and their White, Black, and Asian peers throughout high school. Analyzing the nationally representative High School Longitudinal Study of 2009, regression results indicate that Hispanics trail other racial/ethnic groups in math cognitive and psychosocial factors, except that they outperform their Black counterparts in math standardized assessments. Cross-lagged path analyses further reveal that while math intellectual competencies and expectancy-value beliefs are generally reciprocal over time for all racial/ethnic groups, the estimated effect of initial math expectancy on subsequent math test scores for Hispanics is 2.4 to 2.6 times larger than for non-Hispanics. This finding highlights the distinctive developmental patterns of math achievement and motivational factors for young Hispanic students, which have important implications for research and practice on increasing participation of Hispanics in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers.
Series valve speed control system: A new type of spark ignition engine speed control system without throttle
Authors: Sun Peiyan , Li Xiang , Man Changzhong , Tang Yunbang , Wan Yi
Published: March 2018

Spark ignition engines perform with low power efficiency and low fuel economy for which the throttling loss is the main reason. This paper introduces a new kind of intake control system-series valve speed control system that consists of two intake valves connected in series. It is operated without throttle to reduce the engine intake loss and thereby improve fuel economy under medium- and low-load working conditions. Through experiments, we confirm that compared with the basal spark ignition engine, the spark ignition engine with series valve speed control system can reduce fuel consumption, and the maximum fuel consumption rate can be increased up to 12% at the engine speed of 3000 r/min.
A Blast From the Past: Revival of Angiotensin II for Vasodilatory Shock
Authors: Bissell Brittany D. , Browder Kelsey , McKenzie Matt , Flannery Alexander H.
Published: March 2018

Objective: To review and summarize data on angiotensin II (AT-II), approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2017 to increase blood pressure in adults with septic or other distributive shock. Data Sources: A PubMed/MEDLINE search was conducted using the following terms: (angiotensin ii OR angiotensin 2) AND (shock) from 1966 to February 2018. Study Selection and Data Extraction: A total of 691 citations were reviewed with only relevant clinical data extracted. Data Synthesis: AT-II is a peptide hormone with a multitude of physiological effects—namely, vasoconstriction of venous and arterial smooth muscle. The priority approval granted by the FDA was secondary to a phase 3 study of patients receiving at least 0.2 µg/kg/min of norepinephrine or equivalent for vasodilatory shock. Compared with placebo, AT-II had a significantly higher rate of response, defined as a mean arterial pressure of 75 mm Hg or an increase of 10 mm Hg. No significant difference was found in death by day 28. Conclusions: AT-II is a newly available vasoactive agent with a novel mechanism for the treatment of distributive shock. Further research is needed to define its exact role in therapy of shock states, identify patients most likely to benefit, and further study its safety profile in critical illness.
Updates in pancreatic cancer: Modest gains and hopeful targets
Authors: Draper Amber
Published: March 2018

Pancreatic cancer is the twelfth most common cancer in the United States, representing 3.2% of all new cancer cases. While composing a small percentage of cancer diagnoses, pancreatic cancer is amongst the most lethal carcinomas, with an overall 5-year survival of 8.2% and incidence rates almost equivocal to death rates. By the time of diagnosis, a majority of patients will present with advanced stage disease. For patients with resectable disease, the estimated overall survival (OS) remains low at 20% as most will develop metastatic disease within 5 years. The lethality of this cancer is attributed to several factors including delayed presentation, lack of effective screening, and complex tumor biology and genetics. Data also suggest that even upon early presentation, pancreatic cancer is a systemic disease with micrometastasis present in the early stages. Traditional cytotoxic therapies have not been clinically impactful in pancreatic cancer, especially in advanced stages, and very little headway has been made in the development of new targeted therapies. As such, this review will discuss current advances in standard of care treatments and novel drug targets being researched.
Digital policing technologies and democratic policing
Authors: Odeyemi Temitayo Isaac , Obiyan A. Sat
Published: March 2018

The police are expected to perform functions critical to relations between the government and citizens in democratic societies. However, in Nigeria, the reality is that the police organisation suffers limitations that undermine effective and democratic policing. Although the Nigeria Police Force has a long and chequered history, its services are dogged by challenges including adversarial police–citizen relations and mutual suspicion and police misconduct. To address these problems and enhance policing, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed digital technologies through a Complaint Response Unit [later renamed the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU)]. The PCRRU allows the public to connect with the police through dedicated phone numbers for calls and SMS, and a round-the-clock presence on Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Blackberry Messenger and a mobile application. Although this initiative often draws attention and commendation, it also raises doubts about sustenance and utility value. Drawing on David Easton’s input–output nexus as a theoretical underpinning on the one hand, and data sourced through expert opinion interviews and web measurement on the other hand, this article investigates how these digital policing technologies, through the PCRRU, enhance efforts at mutually rewarding police–citizen relations and police accountability, as requisites of democratic policing, in Nigeria. The findings expand discussion on the dimensions of Nigeria’s police–citizen relations and the potentials of technology in promoting positive outcomes. The findings also suggest means through which police managers can optimise technology in ways that aid strategic efforts at improving public security.
Application of response surface methodology to establish friction model of upset forging
Authors: Hong Jia-Jyun , Yeh Wei-Ching
Published: March 2018

In this study, upset forging experiments were performed on various uneven boundary frictional conditions generated using combinations of dies and specimens with differing surface conditions. Experimental points were established based on the experimental results as a regression using the response surface methodology and three-level full-factorial design of experiments. A regression model was constructed from a second-order model with interactive components by adopting a pointer variable and different qualitative parameters. Furthermore, a general regression model involving both frictional isotropy and anisotropy was constructed to predict the plastic deformation of materials after upset forging. The validity of the general regression model for the deformation of a forged piece was examined by conducting a finite-element analysis using the DEFORM-3D software. The simulation results demonstrate the reliability of the model in predicting the inhomogeneous friction pattern from the observed agreement between the finite-element analysis and experimental results.
Minimal Invasive Fixation Can Decrease Infection Rates in Diabetic and Obese Patients With Severe Ankle Fracture and Syndesmotic Injury
Authors: Ebraheim Nabil A. , Dailey Matthew , Huff Scott , Qu Yihuai , White Erik , Liu Jiayong
Published: March 2018

Background. Ankle fractures involving syndesmosis disruption cause severely unstable joint conditions. Traditional invasive operations put certain patient groups at an increased risk of infection. There is limited literature discussing the outcomes of minimally invasive fixation of severe ankle fractures including syndesmotic injury, as clinicians may be tempted to treat these difficult cases with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). Methods. A retrospective case-control study was conducted on patients treated at a level one trauma center. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on presence of diabetes and/or obesity (body mass index ≥30.0 kg/m2). Those with either comorbidity were defined as high infection risk patients and placed in a comorbidity group. Patients were further divided into subgroups based on the operation’s invasiveness; either traditional ORIF or percutaneous cannulated screw fixation. Results. Comorbid patients (N = 67) were more likely to sustain Weber C fractures compared to noncomorbid patients (N = 43) (59.70% to 37.21%, P = .019). Additionally, patients receiving minimally invasive fixation procedures experienced fewer infections than those receiving ORIF (0 vs 11 incidences, P = .01), without effect on union rates, fracture reduction, pain, need for revision surgery, or time to full weightbearing. Conclusions: Diabetic and obese patients are at an increased risk of experiencing severe ankle fractures. The use of minimally invasive fixation methods can reduce the risk of postoperative infection without sacrificing other surgical outcomes, even with fractures involving syndesmotic injury.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level III: Retrospective comparative study
Effect of the CCL5-Releasing Fibrin Gel for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration
Authors: Zhou Zhiyu , Zeiter Stephan , Schmid Tanja , Sakai Daisuke , Iatridis James C. , Zhou Guangqian , Richards R. Geoff , Alini Mauro , Grad Sibylle , Li Zhen
Published: March 2018

Objective

To explore if chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) delivery could recruit annulus fibrosus (AF) cells to the injury sites and facilitate the repair of ruptured AF.

Design

The effects of CCL5 on bovine AF cells in vitro were tested by transwell assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Fibrin gel containing CCL5 was used to treat annulotomized bovine caudal discs cultured under dynamic loading conditions. After 14 days of loading, the samples were collected for histological examination. A pilot animal study was performed using sheep cervical discs to investigate the effect of fibrin gel encapsulated with CCL5 for the treatment of ruptured AF. After 14 weeks, the animals were sacrificed, and the discs were scanned with magnetic resonance imaging before histopathological examination.

Results

CCL5 showed a chemotactic effect on AF cells in a dose-dependent manner. AF cells cultured with CCL5 in vitro did not show any change of the gene expression of CCL5 receptors, catabolic and proinflammatory markers. In vitro release study showed that CCL5 exhibited sustained release from the fibrin gel into the culture media; however, in the organ culture study CCL5 did not stimulate homing of AF cells toward the defect sites. The pilot animal study did not show any repair effect of CCL5.

Conclusions

CCL5 has a chemotactic effect on AF cells in vitro, but no ex vivo or in vivo regenerative effect when delivered within fibrin gel. Further study with a stronger chemotactic agent and/or an alternate biomaterial that is more conductive of cell migration is warranted.
Dosing characteristics of oral treprostinil in real‐world clinical practice
Authors: Balasubramanian Vijay P. , Messick Chad R. , Broderick Meredith , Nelsen Andrew C.
Published: March 2018

Pharmacokinetic studies with oral treprostinil demonstrate that three times daily (TID) dosing reduces peak‐to‐trough plasma trepostinil fluctuations compared with twice daily (BID) dosing. TID dosing may allow for faster titration, higher total daily doses, and potentially improve the tolerability of oral trepostinil. This analysis, which looks at the real‐world dosing of oral treprostinil, supports the utility of TID dosing.
Feasibility of mesenchymal stem cell culture expansion for a phase I clinical trial in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Planchon Sarah M , Lingas Karen T , Reese Koç Jane , Hooper Brittney M , Maitra Basabi , Fox Robert M , Imrey Peter B , Drake Kylie M , Aldred Micheala A , Lazarus Hillard M , Cohen Jeffrey A
Published: March 2018

Background

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system for which therapeutic mesenchymal stem cell transplantation is under study. Published experience of culture-expanding multiple sclerosis patients’ mesenchymal stem cells for clinical trials is limited.

Objective

To determine the feasibility of culture-expanding multiple sclerosis patients’ mesenchymal stem cells for clinical use.

Methods

In a phase I trial, autologous, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from 25 trial participants with multiple sclerosis and eight matched controls, and culture-expanded to a target single dose of 1–2 × 106 cells/kg. Viability, cell product identity and sterility were assessed prior to infusion. Cytogenetic stability was assessed by single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of mesenchymal stem cells from 18 multiple sclerosis patients and five controls.

Results

One patient failed screening. Mesenchymal stem cell culture expansion was successful for 24 of 25 multiple sclerosis patients and six of eight controls. The target dose was achieved in 16–62 days, requiring two to three cell passages. Growth rate and culture success did not correlate with demographic or multiple sclerosis disease characteristics. Cytogenetic studies identified changes on one chromosome of one control (4.3%) after extended time in culture.

Conclusion

Culture expansion of mesenchymal stem cells from multiple sclerosis patients as donors is feasible. However, culture time should be minimized for cell products designated for therapeutic administration.
Does the Rotator Cuff Tear Pattern Influence Clinical Outcomes After Surgical Repair?
Authors: Watson Scott , Allen Benjamin , Robbins Chris , Bedi Asheesh , Gagnier Joel J. , Miller Bruce
Published: March 2018

Background:

Limited literature exists regarding the influence of rotator cuff tear morphology on patient outcomes.

Purpose:

To determine the effect of rotator cuff tear pattern (crescent, U-shape, L-shape) on patient-reported outcomes after rotator cuff repair.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of known full-thickness rotator cuff tears were observed prospectively at regular intervals from baseline to 1 year. The tear pattern was classified at the time of surgery as crescent, U-shaped, or L-shaped. Primary outcome measures were the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. The tear pattern was evaluated as the primary predictor while controlling for variables known to affect rotator cuff outcomes. Mixed-methods regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine the effects of tear morphology on patient-reported outcomes after surgical repair from baseline to 1 year.

Results:

A total of 82 patients were included in the study (53 male, 29 female; mean age, 58 years [range, 41-75 years]). A crescent shape was the most common tear pattern (54%), followed by U-shaped (25%) and L-shaped tears (21%). There were no significant differences in outcome scores between the 3 groups at baseline. All 3 groups showed statistically significant improvement from baseline to 1 year, but analysis failed to show any predictive effect in the change in outcome scores from baseline to 1 year for the WORC, ASES, or VAS when tear pattern was the primary predictor. Further ANOVA also failed to show any significant difference in the change in outcome scores from baseline to 1 year for the WORC ( P = .96), ASES ( P = .71), or VAS ( P = .86).

Conclusion:

Rotator cuff tear pattern is not a predictor of functional outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
Relationship Between Psychosocial Distress in Pregnancy and Two Genes Associated With Human Social Interaction: A Pilot Study
Authors: Dewell Sarah , Slater Donna , Benzies Karen , McDonald Sheila , Tough Suzanne
Published: March 2018

Background

Prenatal depression, anxiety, and stress (prenatal psychosocial distress) are common, and several environmental risk factors have been implicated in their development. Variation in genes, specifically single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), may explain why some women develop maternal mental health concerns while others do not.

Purpose

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of completing SNP analyses using whole blood collected prenatally between 2008 and 2011. We examined the association between SNPs in two genes ( FKBP5 and OXTR) among women with low and high prenatal psychosocial distress.

Methods

A subset ( N = 50, 25 high and 25 low prenatal psychosocial distress) of participants was selected from the All Our Families pregnancy cohort. DNA was extracted from maternal blood and used for selected SNP analysis. Participants’ scores on the Edinburgh Prenatal Depression Scale, Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory, and Perceived Stress Scale were used along with demographic variables.

Results

Genotype distribution was not significantly different between the low and high prenatal psychosocial distress groups for either the FKBP5 or the OXTR SNP ( p = .699 and p = .125). After controlling for maternal age and income, women with the GG genotype at the OXTR SNP (rs237885) were statistically less likely to be in the high prenatal psychosocial distress group ( p = .037).

Conclusion

OXTR SNP rs237885, maternal age, and lower income were associated with prenatal psychosocial distress. This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of continuing to a larger study that incorporates additional environmental and genetic information.
Overall Survival Benefit in Patients With Rituximab-Refractory Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Who Received Obinutuzumab Plus Bendamustine Induction and Obinutuzumab Maintenance in the GADOLIN Study
Authors: Cheson Bruce D. , Chua Neil , Mayer Jiri , Dueck Greg , Trněný Marek , Bouabdallah Kamal , Fowler Nathan , Delwail Vincent , Press (Deceased) Oliver , Salles Gilles , Gribben John G. , Lennard Anne , Lugtenburg Pieternella J. , Fingerle-Rowson Günter , Mattiello Federico , Knapp Andrea , Sehn Laurie H.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To perform an updated analysis of the randomized phase III GADOLIN trial in patients with rituximab-refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with obinutuzumab (GA101; G) and bendamustine (B).

Patients and Methods

Patients with histologically documented, rituximab-refractory CD20+indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma received G 1,000 mg (days 1, 8, and 15, cycle 1; day 1, cycles 2 to 6) plus B 90 mg/m2/d (days 1 and 2, all cycles) or B 120 mg/m2/d monotherapy. Patients who did not experience disease progression with G-B received G maintenance (1,000 mg every 2 months) for up to 2 years. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

Of 413 randomly assigned patients (intention-to-treat [ITT]: G-B, n = 204; B monotherapy, n = 209), 335 had follicular lymphoma (FL; G-B, n = 164; B monotherapy, n = 171). After a median follow-up of 31.8 months, median PFS in ITT patients was 25.8 months (G-B) and 14.1 months (B monotherapy; hazard ratio [HR], 0.57; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.73; P < .001). Overall survival (OS) also was prolonged (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.96; P = .027). PFS and OS benefits were similar in patients with FL. Grade 3 to 5 adverse events (AEs) were reported by 148 (72.5%) and 133 (65.5%) patients in the G-B and B monotherapy arms, respectively, most commonly neutropenia (G-B, 34.8%; B monotherapy, 27.1%), thrombocytopenia (10.8% and 15.8%), anemia (7.4% and 10.8%), and infusion-related reactions (9.3% and 3.4%). Serious AEs occurred in 89 G-B patients (43.6%) and 75 B monotherapy patients (36.9%); fatal AEs occurred in 16 (7.8%) and 13 (6.4%), respectively.

Conclusion

This updated analysis confirms the PFS benefit for G-B shown in the primary analysis. A substantial OS benefit also was demonstrated in the ITT population and in patients with FL. Toxicity was similar for both treatments.
An interview with James Briscoe
Authors: Brown Katherine
Published: March 2018

James Briscoe is a group leader at The Francis Crick Institute in London. His lab's research focusses on the developing vertebrate spinal cord, with a particular interest in how sonic hedgehog gradients, and the downstream signal transduction and transcriptional networks, regulate the development of this tissue. In September 2018, James will become the new Editor-in-Chief of Development. We met with James to discuss his career and research interests, the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in developmental biology, and his views on the current state and future opportunities in scientific publishing.
Substratum stiffness tunes proliferation downstream of Wnt3a in part by regulating integrin-linked kinase and frizzled-1
Authors: Han Siyang , Pang Mei-Fong , Nelson Celeste M.
Published: March 2018

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway controls a variety of cellular behaviors, aberrant activation of which are associated with tumor progression in several types of cancer. The same cellular behaviors are also affected by the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) substratum, which induces signaling through integrins and integrin-linked kinase (ILK). Here, we examined the role of substratum stiffness in the regulation of cell proliferation downstream of Wnt3a. We found that treatment with Wnt3a increased proliferation of cells cultured on stiff substrata, with compliances characteristic of breast tumors, but not of cells on soft substrata, with compliances comparable to that of normal mammary tissue. Depleting ILK rendered cells unresponsive to Wnt3a on both substrata. Ectopic expression of ILK permitted Wnt3a to induce proliferation of cells on both microenvironments, although proliferation on soft substrata remained lower than that on stiff substrata. We further showed that ILK regulates expression of the Wnt receptor frizzled-1 (Fzd1), suggesting the presence of a positive feedback loop between Wnt3a, ILK and Fzd1. These findings suggest that tissue mechanics regulates the cellular response to Wnt under physiological and pathological microenvironmental conditions.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Efficacy of Testosterone plus NASA Exercise Countermeasures during Head-Down Bed Rest
Authors: DILLON E. LICHAR , SHEFFIELD-MOORE MELINDA , DURHAM WILLIAM J. , PLOUTZ-SNYDER LORI L. , RYDER JEFFREY W. , DANESI CHRISTOPHER P. , RANDOLPH KATHLEEN M. , GILKISON CHARLES R. , URBAN RANDALL J.
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Prolonged confinement to head-down bed rest (HDBR) results in musculoskeletal losses similar to those observed during long-duration space flight. Exercise countermeasures by themselves have not completely prevented the deleterious losses in muscle mass or function in HDBR or space flight.

Purpose

The objective was to investigate the safety and efficacy of intermittent, low-dose testosterone treatment in conjunction with NASA exercise (SPRINT) countermeasures during 70 d of 6° HDBR.

Methods

Healthy men (35 ± 8 yr) were randomized into one of three groups that remained inactive (CON) or performed exercise 6 d·wk−1 in addition to receiving either placebo (PEX) or testosterone treatment (TEX, 100 mg·wk−1). Testosterone/placebo injections were administered once a week for 2 wk, followed by 2 wk off and so on, during HDBR.

Results

Total, leg, and trunk lean body mass (LBM) consistently decreased in CON, increased in TEX, and had little or no changes in PEX. Total, leg, and trunk fat mass consistently increased in CON and PEX and decreased in TEX. Leg strength decreased in CON, whereas PEX and TEX were protected against loss in strength. Changes in leg LBM correlated positively with changes in leg muscle strength.

Conclusions

Addition of a testosterone countermeasure enhanced the preventative actions of exercise against body composition changes during long-term HDBR in healthy eugonadal men. This is the first report to demonstrate that cycled, low-dose testosterone treatment increases LBM under conditions of strict exercise control. These results are clinically relevant to the development of safe and effective therapies against muscle atrophy during long-term bed rest, aging, and disease where loss of muscle mass and strength is a risk. The potential space flight applications of such countermeasure combinations deserve further investigations.
What do we know about grant peer review in the health sciences?
Authors: Guthrie Susan , Ghiga Ioana , Wooding Steven
Published: March 2018

Background: Peer review decisions award an estimated >95% of academic medical research funding, so it is crucial to understand how well they work and if they could be improved.

Methods: This paper summarises evidence from 105 papers identified through a literature search on the effectiveness and burden of peer review for grant funding.

Results: There is a remarkable paucity of evidence about the efficiency of peer review for funding allocation, given its centrality to the modern system of science. From the available evidence, we can identify some conclusions around the effectiveness and burden of peer review.

The strongest evidence around effectiveness indicates a bias against innovative research. There is also fairly clear evidence that peer review is, at best, a weak predictor of future research performance, and that ratings vary considerably between reviewers. There is some evidence of age bias and cronyism.

Good evidence shows that the burden of peer review is high and that around 75% of it falls on applicants. By contrast, many of the efforts to reduce burden are focused on funders and reviewers/panel members.

Conclusions: We suggest funders should acknowledge, assess and analyse the uncertainty around peer review, even using reviewers’ uncertainty as an input to funding decisions. Funders could consider a lottery element in some parts of their funding allocation process, to reduce both burden and bias, and allow better evaluation of decision processes. Alternatively, the distribution of scores from different reviewers could be better utilised as a possible way to identify novel, innovative research. Above all, there is a need for open, transparent experimentation and evaluation of different ways to fund research. This also requires more openness across the wider scientific community to support such investigations, acknowledging the lack of evidence about the primacy of the current system and the impossibility of achieving perfection.