bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psoriasis Area and Severity Index response in moderate‐severe psoriatic patients switched to adalimumab: results from the OPPSA study
Authors: Talamonti M. , Galluzzo M. , Bernardini N. , Caldarola G. , Persechino S. , Cantoresi F. , Egan C.G. , Potenza C. , Peris K. , Bianchi L.
Published: May 2018

Background

Few studies have compared the efficacy of switching to adalimumab in the real‐life setting in plaque psoriasis patients.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of adalimumab in psoriasis patients previously treated with other biologics.

Methods

In this multicentre study, psoriasis patients (N = 262) treated with an anti‐TNF‐alpha agent, ustekinumab or naïve to biologics then switched to adalimumab were included. Disease severity was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) at baseline and after 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. The association between clinical risk factors and achievement of PASI response was evaluated by logistic regression.

Results

Adalimumab treatment resulted in a decrease in PASI (15.1 ± 6.2 at baseline vs. 2.7 ± 4.8 at 6 months, P < 0.0001), regardless of previous biologic treatment. Furthermore, adalimumab allowed 92.5%, 79% and 56% of patients to achieve PASI response (PASI 50, 75 and 90, respectively) and complete remission (PASI 100 response) in 48.4% of patients, by 6 months and maintained over 3 years, independent of prior biologic treatment. The absence of metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, hypertension and lower PASI and lower age at baseline was associated with achievement of PASI response at 3, 6 and 12 months, whereas at later time points (24 and 36 months), PASI 90 and PASI 100 response was associated with diagnosis of psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis.

Conclusion

Adalimumab was effective at reducing PASI score over 3 years, irrespective of whether patients were biologic naïve or previously treated with a TNF‐alpha or IL‐12/23 inhibitor.
The Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction in syphilis: could molecular typing help to understand it better?
Authors: Arando M. , Fernandez‐Naval C. , Mota‐Foix M. , Alvarez A. , Armegol P. , Barberá M.J. , Esperalba J. , Vall‐Mayans M.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction (JHR) is a febrile inflammatory reaction that may occur in patients after treatment of syphilis. The overall rate is estimated to be 10–25% with broad variations over time. It appears to be related to factors like stage of the disease or reagin titres. In this study, we aimed to describe the incidence of and risk factors including strain typing for JHR among patients with syphilis.

Methods

From January through October 2015, 224 consecutive patients (82 of them with HIV) who were diagnosed with early syphilis were enrolled in this prospective observational study in a referral STI clinic in Barcelona. An appointment was offered to them after 10–14 days of treatment to inquire about the reaction with the use of a standardized form. Treponema pallidum molecular typing was made to detect a possible strain related to reaction.

Results

Overall, 28% of patients developed JHR. This varied from 56% in secondary, 37% in primary to 7% in early latent syphilis. The most frequent types of reaction were fever (57.5%) and worsening of the lesions (31%). The median time to development of JHR was 6 h [IQR 4–10 h] and lasted a median of 9 h [IQR 4–24 h]. The JHR was less probable in early latent compared to primary/secondary syphilis (P = 0.04) and in patients treated with doxycycline compared to those treated with penicillin (P = 0.01). No differences were seen regarding reagin titres or HIV status, and no association with a specific strain was found.

Conclusions

In this study, JHR occurred in a similar frequency as in other contemporary studies. Symptomatic syphilis and treatment with penicillin were associated with an increased risk of JHR, whereas the previous episode of syphilis was associated with a low risk of it. We could not find associations with specific strains of T. pallidum.
Effects of Monetary and Macroprudential Policies—Evidence from Four Inflation Targeting Economies
Authors: KIM SOYOUNG , MEHROTRA AARON
Published: May 2018

We examine the effects of monetary and macroprudential policies in the Asia‐Pacific region, where many inflation targeting economies have adopted macroprudential policies in order to safeguard financial stability. Using structural panel vector autoregressions that identify both monetary and macroprudential policy actions, we show that tighter macroprudential policies used to contain credit growth also have a significant negative impact on macroeconomic aggregates such as real GDP and the price level. The similar effects of monetary and macroprudential policies may suggest a complementary use of the two policies at normal times. However, they could also create challenges for policymakers, especially during times when low inflation coincides with buoyant credit growth.
The impact of mitral stenosis on outcomes of aortic valve stenosis patient undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Al‐khadra Yasser , Darmoch Fahed , Baibars Motaz , Kaki Amir , Fanari Zaher , Alraies M. Chadi
Published: May 2018

Background

The concomitant presence of mitral stenosis (MS) in the setting of symptomatic aortic stenosis represent a clinical challenge. Little is known regarding the outcome of mitral stenosis (MS) patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Therefore, we sought to study the outcome of MS patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Method

Using weighted data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between 2011 and 2014, we identified patients who were diagnosed with MS. Patients who had undergone TAVR as a primary procedure were identified and compared to patients who had SAVR. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed for the outcomes of in‐hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), blood transfusion, postprocedural hemorrhage, vascular, cardiac and respiratory complications, permanent pacemaker placement (PPM), postprocedural stroke, acute kidney injury (AKI), and discharge to an outside facility.

Results

A total of 4524 patients were diagnosed with MS, of which 552 (12.2%) had TAVR and 3972 (87.8%) had SAVR. TAVR patients were older (79.9 vs 70.0) with more females (67.4% vs 60.0%) and African American patients (7.7% vs 7.1%) (P < 0.001). In addition, the TAVR group had more comorbidities compared to SAVR in term of coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic lung disease, hypertension (HTN), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (P < 0.001 for all). Using Multivariate logistic regression, and after adjusting for potential risk factors, TAVR patients had lower in‐hospital mortality (7.9% vs 8.1% adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR], 0.615; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.392–0.964, P = 0.034), shorter LOS. Also, TAVR patients had lower rates of cardiac and respiratory complications, PPM, AKI, and discharge to an outside facility compared with the SAVR group.

Conclusion

In patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant mitral stenosis, TAVR is a safe and attractive option for patients undergoing AVR with less complications compared with SAVR.
Spatial vision in older adults: perceptual changes and neural bases
Authors: McKendrick Allison M. , Chan Yu Man , Nguyen Bao N.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The number of older adults is rapidly increasing internationally, leading to a significant increase in research on how healthy ageing impacts vision. Most clinical assessments of spatial vision involve simple detection (letter acuity, grating contrast sensitivity, perimetry). However, most natural visual environments are more spatially complicated, requiring contrast discrimination, and the delineation of object boundaries and contours, which are typically present on non‐uniform backgrounds. In this review we discuss recent research that reports on the effects of normal ageing on these more complex visual functions, specifically in the context of recent neurophysiological studies.

Recent findings

Recent research has concentrated on understanding the effects of healthy ageing on neural responses within the visual pathway in animal models. Such neurophysiological research has led to numerous, subsequently tested, hypotheses regarding the likely impact of healthy human ageing on specific aspects of spatial vision.

Healthy normal ageing impacts significantly on spatial visual information processing from the retina through to visual cortex. Some human data validates that obtained from studies of animal physiology, however some findings indicate that rethinking of presumed neural substrates is required. Notably, not all spatial visual processes are altered by age. Healthy normal ageing impacts significantly on some spatial visual processes (in particular centre‐surround tasks), but leaves contrast discrimination, contrast adaptation, and orientation discrimination relatively intact. The study of older adult vision contributes to knowledge of the brain mechanisms altered by the ageing process, can provide practical information regarding visual environments that older adults may find challenging, and may lead to new methods of assessing visual performance in clinical environments.
“I can see fine”: patient knowledge of eye care
Authors: Irving Elizabeth L. , Sivak Alisa M. , Spafford Marlee M.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

To learn more about the perceptions and attitudes toward eye care of members of the public — in particular, their knowledge of the purpose, components and providers of eye examinations, their ability to self‐monitor ocular status and their awareness of major sight threatening eye conditions.

Methods

This study used the qualitative research strategy, grounded theory. Participants were recruited via poster and social media. Two researchers, one with optometric knowledge and one without, moderated seven 60‐ to 90‐min, semi‐structured focus group discussions, which were audiotaped and transcribed. Participants also completed a short demographic questionnaire. Three researchers employed constant comparative coding strategies to identify common themes within the focus group transcripts. The number of participants represented by identified themes were tracked and themes were listed in order of decreasing frequency.

Results

Focus groups included 25 participants (nine male, 16 female), ranging in age from 18 to 71 years (mean: 41.7). Five themes related to eye care awareness were identified: eye examination purpose, test procedure identification, eye care professional roles, asymptomatic eye disease awareness, and significant eye disease awareness. Perceived eye examination purposes were vision/prescription priority with some eye health knowledge, comprehensive evaluation of visual system, and vision/prescription only. Most participants who responded could correctly identify the use of an eye chart and a phoroptor; fewer were able to do the same for a direct ophthalmoscope and slit lamp biomicroscope. Less than a quarter of participants could accurately identify the roles of all three major eye care providers. Trauma was the most commonly mentioned risk for vision loss, followed by diabetes and infection. Participants’ knowledge appeared most often to have been obtained from personal experience rather than as the result of any systematic educational initiative.

Conclusions

This study found notable gaps in knowledge of eye care and sight risks. If these gaps result in fewer eye examinations, they potentially contribute to increased risk of vision loss due to later stage detection. The results provide motivation for further study and development of effective public health education strategies.
Physiological response of tomatoes at drought, heat and their combination followed by recovery
Authors: Zhou Rong , Kong Lingpeng , Wu Zhen , Rosenqvist Eva , Wang Yinlei , Zhao Liping , Zhao Tongmin , Ottosen Carl‐Otto
Published: May 2018

In nature, crops encounter a combination of abiotic stresses that severely limit yield. Our aim was to dynamically expose the changes of tomatoes' physiological parameters to drought, heat and their combination and thereby clarify the relationship between the responses to single and combined stress. We studied the effect of single and combined drought and heat stresses on the shoot and root of two tomato cultivars (Sufen No.14 as CV1; Jinlingmeiyu as CV2). After being exposed to combined stress for 6 days, the dry weight of shoot and root significantly decreased. The Fq′/Fm′ (quantum yield of photosystem II) was significantly lower in CV1 upon drought and combined stress and in CV2 subjected to combined stress (between days 4 and 6) compared to control. The relative water content during combined stress was significantly lower than control from day 4 to recovery day 2. On days 3 and 6, the water loss rate significantly increased under heat stress and decreased at drought and combined stress, respectively. The combined stress caused severe damages on photosystem II and chloroplast ultrastructure. The root activity after stress recovered even though drought significantly increased the activity from day 2 to day 6. Combined stress result in complex responses during tomato growth. The CV1 was more heat tolerant than CV2, but there was no varietal difference at drought and combined stress. This study contributes to the understanding of the underlying physiological response mechanism of plant to combined stress and crop improvement by providing valuable information for abiotic stress‐tolerant tomato breeding.
Osa‐miR164a targets OsNAC60 and negatively regulates rice immunity against the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Wang Zhaoyun , Xia Yeqiang , Lin Siyuan , Wang Yanru , Guo Baohuan , Song Xiaoning , Ding Shaochen , Zheng Liyu , Feng Ruiying , Chen Shulin , Bao Yalin , Sheng Cong , Zhang Xin , Wu Jianguo , Niu Dongdong , Jin Hailing , Zhao Hongwei
Published: May 2018

Exploring the regulatory mechanism played by endogenous rice miRNAs in defense responses against the blast disease is of great significance in both resistant variety breeding and disease control management. We identified rice defense‐related miRNAs by comparing rice miRNA expression patterns before and after Magnaporthe oryzae strain Guy11 infection. We discovered that osa‐miR164a expression reduced upon Guy11 infection at both early and late stages, which was perfectly associated with the induced expression of its target gene, OsNAC60. OsNAC60 encodes a transcription factor, over‐expression of which enhanced defense responses, such as increased programmed cell death, greater ion leakage, more reactive oxygen species accumulation and callose deposition, and upregulation of defense‐related genes. By using transgenic rice over‐expressing osa‐miR164a, and a transposon insertion mutant of OsNAC60, we showed that when the miR164a/OsNAC60 regulatory module was dysfunctional, rice developed significant susceptibility to Guy11 infection. The co‐expression of OsNAC60 and osa‐miR164a abolished the OsNAC60 activity, but not its synonymous mutant. We further validated that this regulatory module is conserved in plant resistance to multiple plant diseases, such as the rice sheath blight, tomato late blight, and soybean root and stem rot diseases. Our results demonstrate that the miR164a/OsNAC60 regulatory module manipulates rice defense responses to M. oryzae infection. This discovery is of great potential for resistant variety breeding and disease control to a broad spectrum of pathogens in the future.
Influence of caudal epidural analgesia on cortisol concentrations and pain‐related behavioral responses in mares during and after ovariectomy via colpotomy
Authors: Rowland Aileen L. , Glass Kati G. , Grady Sicilia T. , Cummings Kevin J. , Hinrichs Katrin , Watts Ashlee E.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To determine the influence of epidural detomidine and morphine on serum corticosteroid concentrations and pain‐related behavioral responses in mares during and after ovariectomy via colpotomy.

Study design

Blinded prospective study.

Animals

Nine university‐owned mares.

Methods

Five of 9 horses received caudal epidural detomidine hydrochloride (0.01 mg/kg) and morphine sulfate (0.1 mg/kg) prior to surgery. All horses received local anesthetic around the ovarian pedicle, 0.02 mg/kg butorphanol IV at the start of the procedure and after first ovary removal, were sedated as required throughout the procedure, and were monitored for leg lifting, grunting, and abdominal tensing. Horses were monitored hourly for pain postoperatively. Heart rate was recorded every 4 hours, and photographs were taken to assess pain according to the horse grimace scale (HGS). Control group horses (n = 4) were treated with butorphanol (0.02 mg/kg IV) every 4 hours for 24 hours postoperatively. All horses received oral phenylbutazone 18 hours postoperatively. Serum cortisol was measured prior to the procedure, after first and second ovary removal, and 8 and 24 hours postoperatively.

Results

No differences were detected between horses receiving caudal epidural detomidine and morphine and those that received systemic opioids. A decrease in HGS score occurred after phenylbutazone administration.

Conclusion

Administration of caudal epidural detomidine and morphine resulted in similar pain‐related behavior and corticosteroid concentrations as did administration of systemic butorphanol every 4 hours for 24 hours postoperatively.

Clinical significance

Caudal epidural detomidine and morphine may mitigate the requirement for frequent systemic opioid administration after a potentially painful procedure.
On Følner sets in topological groups
Authors: Schneider Friedrich Martin , Thom Andreas
Published: May 2018

We extend Følner’s amenability criterion to the realm of general topological groups. Building on this, we show that a topological group $G$ is amenable if and only if its left-translation action can be approximated in a uniform manner by amenable actions on the set $G$. As applications we obtain a topological version of Whyte’s geometric solution to the von Neumann problem and give an affirmative answer to a question posed by Rosendal.
Sympathetic resonance
Authors: Virgin Lawrence N.
Published: May 2018

This short paper describes a useful teaching tool, ideal for demonstration purposes within the classroom or lab setting. It is based on the simple dynamic response of flexible cantilevers and evolves naturally from the underlying principles of a vibrating reed tachometer. Utilizing a 3D-printer, these ideas conveniently encompass the phenomenon of resonance in which all the cantilevers of a similar length respond in harmony when just one of their number is plucked.
The metallic sphere in a uniform ac magnetic field: A simple and precise experiment for exploring eddy currents and non-destructive testing
Authors: Honke Michael L. , Bidinosti Christopher P.
Published: May 2018

We describe a very simple experiment that utilizes standard laboratory equipment to measure the electromagnetic response of a metallic sphere exposed to a uniform ac magnetic field. Measurements were made for a variety of non-magnetic and magnetic metals, and in all cases the results fit very well with theory over the four orders of frequency (25 Hz to 102 kHz) explored here. Precise values of magnetic permeability and electrical conductivity can be extracted from fits to the data given the sphere radius only. The same apparatus is also used to explore the effects of geometry on eddy current generation as well as to demonstrate non-destructive testing through measurements on coins of different composition.
Quantum entanglement with Freedman's inequality
Authors: Brody Jed , Selton Charlotte
Published: May 2018

The assumption of local realism imposes constraints, such as Bell inequalities, on quantities obtained from measurements. In recent years, various tests of local realism have gained popularity in undergraduate laboratories, giving students the exciting opportunity to experimentally contradict this philosophical assumption. The standard test of the CHSH (Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt) Bell inequality requires 16 measurements, whereas a test of Freedman's inequality requires only three measurements. The calculations required to test Freedman's inequality are correspondingly simpler and the theory is less abstract. We suggest that students may benefit from testing Freedman's inequality before proceeding to the CHSH inequality and other more complicated experiments. Our measured data violated Freedman's inequality by more than six standard deviations.
Observation of the quantum valley Hall state in ballistic graphene superlattices
Authors: Komatsu Katsuyosih , Morita Yoshifumi , Watanabe Eiichiro , Tsuya Daiju , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Moriyama Satoshi
Published: May 2018

A new state of matter “quantum valley Hall state” is observed by the nonlocal transport in a massive Dirac fermion.
Conformational ensembles of RNA oligonucleotides from integrating NMR and molecular simulations
Authors: Bottaro Sandro , Bussi Giovanni , Kennedy Scott D. , Turner Douglas H. , Lindorff-Larsen Kresten
Published: May 2018

Combining molecular simulations with NMR spectroscopy enables reconstruction of RNA tetranucleotide conformational ensembles.
Molecular Analysis of a
bla
IMP-1
-Harboring Class 3 Integron in Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas fulva
Authors: Yamamoto Masaki , Matsumura Yasufumi , Gomi Ryota , Matsuda Tomonari , Nakano Satoshi , Nagao Miki , Tanaka Michio , Ichiyama Satoshi
Published: May 2018

A multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Pseudomonas fulva
strain was isolated in 2006 from a urine sample. The isolate harbored the
bla
IMP-1
gene, which was located in a chromosomal Tn
402
-like class 3 integron as a gene cassette array of
aacA31-fosE-bla
IMP-1
. Two mutations in
gyrA
and one mutation in
parC
were detected in quinolone-resistance-determining regions (QRDRs). We report a full-length, novel,
bla
IMP-1
-carrying class 3 integron. This integron, together with mutations in QRDRs, could have influenced the MDR phenotype.
Canine Distemper Virus Spread and Transmission to Naive Ferrets: Selective Pressure on Signaling Lymphocyte Activation Molecule-Dependent Entry
Authors: Sawatsky Bevan , Cattaneo Roberto , von Messling Veronika
Published: May 2018

Morbilliviruses such as measles virus, rinderpest virus, and canine distemper virus (CDV) are highly contagious. Despite extensive knowledge of how morbilliviruses interact with their receptors, little is known about how those interactions influence viral transmission to naive hosts. In a ferret model of CDV contact transmission, we showed that sequential use of the signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) and nectin-4 receptors is essential for transmission. In one animal infected with a SLAM-blind CDV, we documented mild viremia due to the acquisition of three compensatory mutations within or near the SLAM-binding surface. The interaction, however, was not sufficient to cause disease or sustain transmission to naive contacts. This work confirms the sequential roles of SLAM and nectin-4 in morbillivirus transmission and highlights the selective pressure directed toward productive interactions with SLAM.
Behaviour modification interventions to optimise red blood cell transfusion practices: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Soril Lesley J J , Noseworthy Thomas W , Dowsett Laura E , Memedovich Katherine , Holitzki Hannah M , Lorenzetti Diane L , Stelfox Henry Thomas , Zygun David A , Clement Fiona M
Published: May 2018

Objective

To assess the impact of behaviour modification interventions to promote restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practices.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting, participants, interventions

Seven electronic databases were searched to January 2018. Published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomised studies examining an intervention to modify healthcare providers’ RBC transfusion practice in any healthcare setting were included.

Primary and secondary outcomes

The primary outcome was the proportion of patients transfused. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of inappropriate transfusions, RBC units transfused per patient, in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), pretransfusion haemoglobin and healthcare costs. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and meta-regression was performed in cases of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed by Begg’s funnel plot.

Results

Eighty-four low to moderate quality studies were included: 3 were RCTs and 81 were non-randomised studies. Thirty-one studies evaluated a single intervention, 44 examined a multimodal intervention. The comparator in all studies was standard of care or historical control. In 33 non-randomised studies, use of an intervention was associated with reduced odds of transfusion (OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.71)), odds of inappropriate transfusion (OR 0.46 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.59)), RBC units/patient weighted mean difference (WMD: −0.50 units (95% CI −0.85 to −0.16)), LOS (WMD: −1.14 days (95% CI −2.12 to −0.16)) and pretransfusion haemoglobin (−0.28 g/dL (95% CI −0.48 to −0.08)). There was no difference in odds of mortality (OR 0.90 (95% CI 0.80 to 1.02)). Protocol/algorithm and multimodal interventions were associated with the greatest decreases in the primary outcome. There was high heterogeneity among estimates and evidence for publication bias.

Conclusions

The literature examining the impact of interventions on RBC transfusions is extensive, although most studies are non-randomised. Despite this, pooled analysis of 33 studies revealed improvement in the primary outcome. Future work needs to shift from asking, ‘does it work?’ to ‘what works best and at what cost?’

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42015024757.
Prolonged survival with maintenance pemetrexed for a multiple primary malignancy
Authors: Shuayb Md , Reza Md Salim
Published: May 2018

Despite the fact that multiple primary malignancies (MPMs) are not new and have been diagnosed for about a hundred-year time, literatures on lung and colon primaries are scarce. We report a case of a 62-year-old Asian Bangladeshi man with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma who developed a metachronous stage II colon adenocarcinoma approximately 3 years later. A chemotherapy protocol of six cycles of pemetrexed/cisplatin followed by maintenance pemetrexed was used, and surgery was done for the colon primary. With more than 5 years of periodic follow-up, his disease remains stable without any local or metastatic recurrence. Definitive therapeutic protocols are unavailable, but information taken with caution from case reports may be of importance for treatment decisions of MPMs. We believe that management with careful judgement by a multidisciplinary team may result in a good outcome with longer survival.
Rates of infection after colonoscopy and osophagogastroduodenoscopy in ambulatory surgery centres in the USA
Authors: Wang Peiqi , Xu Tim , Ngamruengphong Saowanee , Makary Martin A , Kalloo Anthony , Hutfless Susan
Published: May 2018

Objective

Over 15 million colonoscopies and 7 million osophagogastroduodenoscopies (OGDs) are performed annually in the USA. We aimed to estimate the rates of infections after colonoscopy and OGD performed in ambulatory surgery centres (ASCs).

Design

We identified colonoscopy and OGD procedures performed at ASCs in 2014 all-payer claims data from six states in the USA. Screening mammography, prostate cancer screening, bronchoscopy and cystoscopy procedures were comparators. We tracked infection-related emergency department visits and unplanned in-patient admissions within 7 and 30 days after the procedures, examined infection sites and organisms and analysed predictors of infections. We investigated case-mix adjusted variation in infection rates by ASC.

Results

The rates of postendoscopic infection per 1000 procedures within 7 days were 1.1 for screening colonoscopy, 1.6 for non-screening colonoscopy and 3.0 for OGD; all higher than screening mammography (0.6) but lower than bronchoscopy (15.6) and cystoscopy (4.4) (p<0.0001). Predictors of postendoscopic infection included recent history of hospitalisation or endoscopic procedure; concurrence with another endoscopic procedure; low procedure volume or non-freestanding ASC; younger or older age; black or Native American race and male sex. Rates of 7-day postendoscopic infections varied widely by ASC, ranging from 0 to 115 per 1000 procedures for screening colonoscopy, 0 to 132 for non-screening colonoscopy and 0 to 62 for OGD.

Conclusion

We found that postendoscopic infections are more common than previously thought and vary widely by facility. Although screening colonoscopy is not without risk, the risk is lower than diagnostic endoscopic procedures.
Evolving role of diet in the pathogenesis and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Levine Arie , Sigall Boneh Rotem , Wine Eytan
Published: May 2018

Recent advances in basic and clinical science over the last 3 years have dramatically altered our appreciation of the role of diet in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The marked increase in incidence of these diseases along with the important role of non-genetic susceptibility among patients with IBD has highlighted that these diseases have a strong environmental component. Progress in the field of microbiome and IBD has demonstrated that microbiome appears to play an important role in pathogenesis, and that diet may in turn impact the composition and functionality of the microbiome. Uncontrolled clinical studies have demonstrated that various dietary therapies such as exclusive enteral nutrition and newly developed exclusion diets might be potent tools for induction of remission at disease onset, for patients failing biologic therapy, as a treatment for disease complications and in reducing the need for surgery. We review these advances from bench to bedside, along with the need for better clinical trials to support these interventions.
Definitions and reliability assessment of elementary ultrasound lesions in giant cell arteritis: a study from the OMERACT Large Vessel Vasculitis Ultrasound Working Group
Authors: Chrysidis Stavros , Duftner Christina , Dejaco Christian , Schäfer Valentin S , Ramiro Sofia , Carrara Greta , Scirè Carlo Alberto , Hocevar Alojzija , Diamantopoulos Andreas P , Iagnocco Annamaria , Mukhtyar Chetan , Ponte Cristina , Naredo Esperanza , De Miguel Eugenio , Bruyn George A , Warrington Kenneth J , Terslev Lene , Milchert Marcin , D’Agostino Maria Antonietta , Koster Mattew J , Rastalsky Naina , Hanova Petra , Macchioni Pierluigi , Kermani Tanaz A , Lorenzen Tove , Døhn Uffe Møller , Fredberg Ulrich , Hartung Wolfgang , Dasgupta Bhaskar , Schmidt Wolfgang A
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To define the elementary ultrasound (US) lesions in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to evaluate the reliability of the assessment of US lesions according to these definitions in a web-based reliability exercise.

Methods

Potential definitions of normal and abnormal US findings of temporal and extracranial large arteries were retrieved by a systematic literature review. As a subsequent step, a structured Delphi exercise was conducted involving an expert panel of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) US Large Vessel Vasculitis Group to agree definitions of normal US appearance and key elementary US lesions of vasculitis of temporal and extracranial large arteries. The reliability of these definitions on normal and abnormal blood vessels was tested on 150 still images and videos in a web-based reliability exercise.

Results

Twenty-four experts participated in both Delphi rounds. From originally 25 statements, nine definitions were obtained for normal appearance, vasculitis and arteriosclerosis of cranial and extracranial vessels. The ‘halo’ and ‘compression’ signs were the key US lesions in GCA. The reliability of the definitions for normal temporal and axillary arteries, the ‘halo’ sign and the ‘compression’ sign was excellent with inter-rater agreements of 91–99% and mean kappa values of 0.83–0.98 for both inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities of all 25 experts.

Conclusions

The ‘halo’ and the ‘compression’ signs are regarded as the most important US abnormalities for GCA. The inter-rater and intra-rater agreement of the new OMERACT definitions for US lesions in GCA was excellent.
Acute dietary nitrate supplementation does not attenuate oxidative stress or the hemodynamic response during submaximal exercise in hypobaric hypoxia
Authors: Carriker Colin R. , Rombach Paige , Stevens Brooke M. , Vaughan Roger A. , Gibson Ann L.
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in oxidative stress, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) during exercise in hypobaric hypoxia following acute dietary nitrate supplementation. Nine well-trained (maximal oxygen consumption, 60.8 ± 7.8 mL·kg−1·min−1) males (age, 29 ± 7 years) visited the laboratory on 3 occasions, each separated by 1 week. Visit 1 included a maximal aerobic cycling test and five 5-min increasing-intensity exercise bouts in a normobaric environment (1600 m). A single dose of either a nitrate-depleted placebo (PL) or a nitrate-rich beverage (NR; 12.8 mmol nitrate) was consumed 2.5 h prior to exercise during visits 2 and 3 (3500 m) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study consisting of a 5-min cycling warm-up and 4 bouts, each 5 min in duration, separated by 4-min periods of passive rest. Exercise wattages were determined during visit 1 and corresponded to 25%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% of normobaric maximal oxygen consumption. Catalase and 8-isoprostane were measured before and after exercise (immediately before and 1 h postexercise, respectively). NR increased plasma nitrite (1.53 ± 0.83 μmol·L−1) compared with PL (0.88 ± 0.56 μmol·L−1) (p < 0.05). In both conditions, postexercise (3500 m) 8-isoprostane (PL, 23.49 ± 3.38 to 60.90 ± 14.95 pg·mL−1; NR, 23.23 ± 4.12 to 52.11 ± 19.76 pg·mL−1) and catalase (PL, 63.89 ± 25.69 to 128.15 ± 41.80 mmol·min−1·mL−1; NR, 78.89 ± 30.95 to 109.96 ± 35.05 mmol·min−1·mL−1) were elevated compared with baseline resting values (p < 0.05). However, both 8-isoprostane and catalase were similar in the 2 groups (PL and NR) (p = 0.217 and p = 0.080, respectively). We concluded that an acute, pre-exercise dose of dietary nitrate yielded no beneficial changes in oxidative stress, SaO2, BP, or HR in healthy, aerobically fit men exercising at 3500 m.
Evaluation of lateral response of single piles to adjacent excavation using data from cone penetration tests
Authors: Li Hongjiang , Liu Songyu , Tong Liyuan
Published: May 2018

Excavation inevitably induces stress changes in the surrounding soil, which causes significant lateral movements, additional forces, and bending moments in the existing pile foundations. To prevent or minimize damage to adjacent piles, this paper presents an actual full-scale instrumented study to examine the lateral response of existing piles to an adjacent test pit excavation. Cone penetration tests (CPTs) near the test piles before and after excavation are conducted and compared. A simple p–y evolution model for lateral piles during excavation is proposed. The proposed model is defined by the pre-excavation and post-excavation p–y curves from CPT data, which can provide better predictions by comparison with the field measured results. Additionally, for analysis of the pile behaviour after excavation, the observed lateral bearing capacity of full-scale tests are compared with those computed by the pre-excavation and post-excavation p–y curves. The post-excavation p–y curve can generally give a satisfactory prediction of the residual pile bearing capacity after excavation. The calculated results from the free-field cone parameters have a serious overestimation and are detrimental to the service design of pile foundations.
Recovery of glucose from dried distiller’s grain with solubles, using combinations of solid-state fermentation and insect culture
Authors: Howdeshell Timothy , Tanaka Takuji
Published: May 2018

A bioethanol by-product, dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) contains high levels of cellulose and starch. We hypothesized that combinations of solid-state fermentation (SSF) and digestion by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens) could increase the recovery of glucose from this by-product by concentrating and loosening the cellulose matrix through their activities. DDGS was individually fermented with Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichoderma koningii, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, or Lactobacillus plantarum. The fermented DDGS was fed to BSFL, and glucose recoveries from spent feeds were conducted. SSF increases lipid and protein contents, supporting BSFL growth, and weakens the cellulosic matrix. BSFL use nutrients in SSF–DDGS, further concentrating and weakening the cellulose, i.e., DDGS is halved without changing the cellulose contents. For example, Lactobacillus plantarum SSF with BSFL culture concentrates the cellulose content from 9.7% to 26.5% of spent feed. Glucose recovery was determined using three sequential processes (free glucose determination, weak-acid hydrolysis of amorphous cellulose, and enzymatic hydrolysis of micronized crystalline cellulose). Total glucose obtained from 100 g of DDGS increased from 4.8 to 10.7 g. These results show that the combinations of SSF and BSFL could provide additional fermentable sugars (and insect biomass) from bioethanol by-products, suggesting a high productivity from the same feedstock.
A Low Noise Sub-Gigahertz Fractional-N Frequency Generator with Cascaded FIR
Authors: Meng Xu , Yin Yongsheng , Han Jinzhao
Published: May 2018

This paper proposes a low sub-gigahertz frequency generator with fine frequency resolution. An injection-locked ring oscillator (ILRO) is firstly adopted to obtain multiphase output at integer multiple times crystal oscillator (XO) frequency. Following that, a multiplexer (MUX) selects the output phase according to the output of a delta-sigma modulator ([Formula: see text]M) to achieve high frequency, low in-band noise fractional output. A hybrid type finite impulse response (FIR) filter, which is composed of some MUXs, flip-flops (FFs), digitally-controlled delay units (DCDUs), and a linear multiphase combiner (MPC), is employed in cascading to suppress the quantization noise (Q-noise) at high-frequency offset. An auto-calibration scheme for calibrating the DCDU’s delay has been proposed as well. Simulated in 65[Formula: see text]nm CMOS, the proposed fractional-N frequency generator exhibits a phase noise performance that is well below [Formula: see text]118[Formula: see text]dBc/Hz from 100[Formula: see text]kHz to 100[Formula: see text]MHz offset. The simulation also shows that the power consumption and die area is 10.6[Formula: see text]mW and 0.3[Formula: see text]mm2, respectively, with the FIR filter consuming 4.3[Formula: see text]mW and 0.041[Formula: see text]mm2.
A Sub-1 V Temperature-Insensitive-PSR Bandgap Reference with Complementary Loop Locking
Authors: Huang Guo-Cheng , Yang Hai-Gang , Yin Tao , Xu Xiao-Dong , Zhu Yuan-Ming
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a novel low-voltage bandgap reference with improved power supply rejection (PSR). The proposed circuit adopts a complementary loop locking approach for stabilizing the drain-source voltages of the current mirrors, which gives rise to a boost of the PSR performance by more than 30[Formula: see text]dB over [Formula: see text]–110∘C and at 1-V supply. An analysis shows that the PSR of the proposed bandgap reference is typically characterized with its insensitivity to temperature variations. The circuit is designed with a commercial 0.18-[Formula: see text]m CMOS process. The experiment results of Monte Carlo simulation demonstrate that the average PSR with 1-V supply is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dB at DC and is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dB at 1[Formula: see text]kHz (attained under a room temperature condition of 27∘C). And the temperature coefficient of the DC-based PSR is about 0.83%/∘C at 1-V supply, significantly decreased by three–six folds compared to other conventional designs. The quiescent current consumed is only about 13.5[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A.
Economic Assessment and Policy Analysis on Wind Energy Development in China
Authors: LIU Changyi , ZHU Rong , WANG Yang
Published: May 2018

Considering rapid development and emerging new challenges of China's wind energy development, this paper summarizes and analyzes five critical problems. First, according to an economic potential assessment, if the feed-in tariff is set 0.60 Yuan/kWh, the economic potential of wind electricity of China will reach 6.63[Formula: see text]PWh, it could meet as much as 2/3 of total power demand by 2030, thus the targeted wind power proportion in future high renewable energy penetration can be achieved. Second, wind energy is abundant but little consumed in Northwest, Northeast and North China while it is insufficient in South and East of China, where grid-connection condition is well. Due to this reverse distribution pattern of wind power endowment and consumption in China, grid-connection transmission must be strengthened in the future, particularly the West–East and North–South power transmission projects must be pushed forward. Third, to address the issue of increasing wind energy curtailment in Northeast, Northwest and North China, stimulating local consumption of wind power by multiple ways is a possible solution in the short term, however, in the medium and long run, it is necessary to accelerate the construction of Ultra-High Voltage power grid in order to expand power transmission to other provinces and regions. Fourth, a new electricity market mechanism should be established as the fundamental measure of promoting new energy development, while green certificate trading market and carbon trading market will form the basis for such market mechanism in the long run. Fifth, though wind power development can bring multiple benefits to economy, employment, and environment, large-scale wind power development will, to some extent, affect local and regional climate. As global warming continues, the wind power resource distribution of China and the world may experience significant changes.
History of the oil and gas industry in Romania
Authors: Tulucan Alina Dana , Soveja-Iacob Lucia-Elena , Krezsek Csaba
Published: May 2018

Oil and gas activities in Romania cover a long time interval from antiquity until the present day. Most importantly, the year 1857 represents the starting point for industrial production in Romania when three world oil firsts were achieved:

the first country with a crude oil production formally recorded in domestic and international statistics (275 tons);

the first petroleum industrial refinery, located in Ploiești, with a processing capacity of 7.5 tons/day;

Bucharest became the first city in the world to have public illumination, using lamp oils.

After 1857, the evolution of the oil and gas industry in Romania was controlled by important historical events: World Wars I and II, the communist regime (1945–89), and the post-communist period (1990–today).
Simon Papp, a prominent Hungarian petroleum geologist: how to run exploration projects from a prison cell
Authors: Tari Gábor , Bérczi István
Published: May 2018

Simon Papp (1886–1970) is regarded as the ‘father’ of Hungarian petroleum exploration. He was also considered internationally as an exceptional oil finder, as his exploration career took him from Hungary to Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Turkey, Albania, Canada, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

In 1932, Dr Papp returned to Hungary and became engaged in exploration in western Hungary, working for EUROGASCO (an international consortium headed by Standard Oil of New Jersey). His prospecting work was very successful, resulting in the discovery of four oil fields with reserves totalling about 100 MMbbl (million barrels).

In 1948, after returning from a trip to the USA, Dr Papp was arrested by the communist secret police in Hungary, allegedly because of sabotage and attempting to overthrow the communist government. After being forced to ‘confess’, he was sentenced to death but, probably due to worldwide protest by scientific organizations, the sentence was changed to life in prison.

As his exceptional knowledge of the petroleum industry was a major asset, the communist regime arranged for him to continue his work from his prison cell. He was finally released from prison in 1955 and lived in retirement in Budapest until his death in 1970.
Progress and Perspectives in the Study of Political Selection
Authors: Dal Bó Ernesto , Finan Frederico
Published: May 2018

We provide a model of self-selection by candidates in a probabilistic voting environment to shed light on the forces shaping the quality of politicians from both the supply and demand sides of politics. The model highlights the idea that the patterns of selection and the comparative statics of politician quality depend critically on how the costs of running for office vary for candidates with different qualities. The model offers predictions on how the quality of the political class will vary with key parameters pertaining to both the supply and demand for candidates. We use the model to frame a review of the empirical literature on political selection that has emerged over the past two decades. We contrast areas where significant progress has been made with others where important theoretical predictions remain untested or existing evidence does not allow a consensus, highlighting areas for future research.
The Mouse Heart Attack Research Tool 1.0 database
Authors: DeLeon-Pennell Kristine Y. , Iyer Rugmani Padmanabhan , Ma Yonggang , Yabluchanskiy Andriy , Zamilpa Rogelio , Chiao Ying Ann , Cannon Presley L. , Kaplan Abdullah , Cates Courtney A. , Flynn Elizabeth R. , Halade Ganesh V. , de Castro Brás Lisandra E. , Lindsey Merry L.
Published: May 2018

The generation of big data has enabled systems-level dissections into the mechanisms of cardiovascular pathology. Integration of genetic, proteomic, and pathophysiological variables across platforms and laboratories fosters discoveries through multidisciplinary investigations and minimizes unnecessary redundancy in research efforts. The Mouse Heart Attack Research Tool (mHART) consolidates a large data set of over 10 yr of experiments from a single laboratory for cardiovascular investigators to generate novel hypotheses and identify new predictive markers of progressive left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) in mice. We designed the mHART REDCap database using our own data to integrate cardiovascular community participation. We generated physiological, biochemical, cellular, and proteomic outputs from plasma and left ventricles obtained from post-MI and no-MI (naïve) control groups. We included both male and female mice ranging in age from 3 to 36 mo old. After variable collection, data underwent quality assessment for data curation (e.g., eliminate technical errors, check for completeness, remove duplicates, and define terms). Currently, mHART 1.0 contains >888,000 data points and includes results from >2,100 unique mice. Database performance was tested, and an example is provided to illustrate database utility. This report explains how the first version of the mHART database was established and provides researchers with a standard framework to aid in the integration of their data into our database or in the development of a similar database.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The Mouse Heart Attack Research Tool combines >888,000 cardiovascular data points from >2,100 mice. We provide this large data set as a REDCap database to generate novel hypotheses and identify new predictive markers of adverse left ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction in mice and provide examples of use. The Mouse Heart Attack Research Tool is the first database of this size that integrates data sets across platforms that include genomic, proteomic, histological, and physiological data.