bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successful treatment of multidrug-resistantPseudomonas aeruginosapubic symphysis osteomyelitis with ceftolozane/tazobactam
Authors: Kurtzhalts Kari E , Mergenhagen Kari A , Manohar Akshay , Berenson Charles S
Published: March 2017

New antibiotic options are needed for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR)Pseudomonasinfections. We present a case of a man aged 64 years with a bladder fistula due to radiation, ultimately causing osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis. Repeated antibiotic courses, without correcting the fistula, resulted in infection with MDRPseudomonas aeruginosa.He was successfully treated for his osteomyelitis through cystectomy, aggressive debridement and a prolonged course of antimicrobials directed at the MDRPseudomonasisolate.
Return to play after hamstring injuries in football (soccer): a worldwide Delphi procedure regarding definition, medical criteria and decision-making
Authors: van der Horst Nick , Backx FJG , Goedhart Edwin A , Huisstede Bionka MA
Published: March 2017

There are three major questions about return to play (RTP) after hamstring injuries: How should RTP be defined? Which medical criteria should support the RTP decision? And who should make the RTP decision? The study aimed to provide a clear RTP definition and medical criteria for RTP and to clarify RTP consultation and responsibilities after hamstring injury. The study used the Delphi procedure. The results of a systematic review were used as a starting point for the Delphi procedure. Fifty-eight experts in the field of hamstring injury management selected by 28 FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence worldwide participated. Each Delphi round consisted of a questionnaire, an analysis and an anonymised feedback report. After four Delphi rounds, with more than 83% response for each round, consensus was achieved that RTP should be defined as ‘the moment a player has received criteria-based medical clearance and is mentally ready for full availability for match selection and/or full training’. The experts reached consensus on the following criteria to support the RTP decision: medical staff clearance, absence of pain on palpation, absence of pain during strength and flexibility testing, absence of pain during/after functional testing, similar hamstring flexibility, performance on field testing, and psychological readiness. It was also agreed that RTP decisions should be based on shared decision-making, primarily via consultation with the athlete, sports physician, physiotherapist, fitness trainer and team coach. The consensus regarding aspects of RTP should provide clarity and facilitate the assessment of when RTP is appropriate after hamstring injury, so as to avoid or reduce the risk of injury recurrence because of a premature RTP.
Developing a national dental education research strategy: priorities, barriers and enablers
Authors: Ajjawi Rola , Barton Karen L , Dennis Ashley A , Rees Charlotte E
Published: March 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to identify national dental education research (DER) priorities for the next 3–5 years and to identify barriers and enablers to DER.

Setting

Scotland.

Participants

In this two-stage online questionnaire study, we collected data with multiple dental professions (eg, dentistry, dental nursing and dental hygiene) and stakeholder groups (eg, learners, clinicians, educators, managers, researchers and academics). Eighty-five participants completed the Stage 1 qualitative questionnaire and 649 participants the Stage 2 quantitative questionnaire.

Results

Eight themes were identified at Stage 1. Of the 24 DER priorities identified, the top three were: role of assessments in identifying competence; undergraduate curriculum prepares for practice and promoting teamwork. Following exploratory factor analysis, the 24 items loaded onto four factors: teamwork and professionalism, measuring and enhancing performance, dental workforce issues and curriculum integration and innovation. Barriers and enablers existed at multiple levels: individual, interpersonal, institutional structures and cultures and technology.

Conclusions

This priority setting exercise provides a necessary first step to developing a national DER strategy capturing multiple perspectives. Promoting DER requires improved resourcing alongside efforts to overcome peer stigma and lack of valuing and motivation.
Protocol for validating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ICD-9-CM codes in healthcare administrative databases: the Umbria Data Value Project
Authors: Cozzolino Francesco , Abraha Iosief , Orso Massimiliano , Mengoni Anna , Cerasa Maria Francesca , Eusebi Paolo , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Montedori Alessandro
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Administrative healthcare databases can provide a comprehensive assessment of the burden of diseases in terms of major outcomes, such as mortality, hospital readmissions and use of healthcare resources, thus providing answers to a wide spectrum of research questions. However, a crucial issue is the reliability of information gathered. Aim of this protocol is to validate International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision—Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for major cardiovascular diseases, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke.

Methods and analysis

Data from the centralised administrative database of the entire Umbria Region (910 000 residents, located in Central Italy) will be considered. Patients with a first hospital discharge for AMI, HF, AF or stroke, between 2012 and 2014, will be identified in the administrative database using the following groups of ICD-9-CM codes located in primary position: (1) 410.x for AMI; (2) 427.31 for AF; (3) 428 for HF; (4) 433.x1, 434 (excluding 434.x0), 436 for ischaemic stroke, 430 and 431 for haemorrhagic stroke (subarachnoid haemorrhage and intracerebral haemorrhage). A random sample of cases, and of non-cases, will be selected, and the corresponding medical charts retrieved and reviewed for validation by pairs of trained, independent reviewers. For each condition considered, case adjudication of disease will be based on symptoms, laboratory and diagnostic tests, as available in medical charts. Divergences will be resolved by consensus. Sensitivity and specificity with 95% CIs will be calculated.

Ethics and dissemination

Research protocol has been granted approval by the Regional Ethics Committee. Study results will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
Evidence on health-promoting lifestyle practices and information and communication technologies: scoping review protocol
Authors: Joseph-Shehu Elizabeth M , Ncama Busisiwe P
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a key role in improving health and maintaining health promoting behaviours. ICTs are therefore one potential solution for promoting healthy lifestyles. In addition, they can assist in the reduction and control of the menace of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. This study will map evidence of interventions that demonstrate the effect of ICTs on health-promoting lifestyle practices that can prevent and control diseases. It is anticipated that this study will help identify areas where there is need for primary research.

Methods and analysis

The following electronic databases will be searched: PsycArticle (EBSCO), PsycINFO (EBSCO), Science direct, PubMed, Medline (EBSCO) and Google Scholar. The study will be conducted in two stages: the first stage will map out the studies descriptively while the second stage will map the additional inclusion criteria of quality assessment. Two independent reviewers will undertake the data extraction. Relevant outcomes of the studies will be analysed thematically using NVIvo computer software. The authors will code all evidence independently. Thereafter the authors will critically cross-examine the relationship of the research questions to the emerging themes from the selected articles. The authors hope to find a large number of studies on health-promoting lifestyles that encompass six-subscales of health-promoting activities (nutrition, stress management, interpersonal relation, self-actualisation, health responsibility, physical activity) and ICT.

Dissemination

This study will be presented in conferences related to health promotion and health-promoting lifestyles. It will also be disseminated in print and electronically.

Trial registration number

CRD42016042568.
Transfusion of red blood cells in patients with traumatic brain injuries admitted to Canadian trauma health centres: a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Boutin Amélie , Moore Lynne , Lauzier François , Chassé Michaël , English Shane , Zarychanski Ryan , McIntyre Lauralyn , Griesdale Donald , Fergusson Dean A , Turgeon Alexis F
Published: March 2017

Background

Optimisation of healthcare practices in patients sustaining a traumatic brain injury is of major concern given the high incidence of death and long-term disabilities. Considering the brain's susceptibility to ischaemia, strategies to optimise oxygenation to brain are needed. While red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is one such strategy, specific RBC strategies are debated. We aimed to evaluate RBC transfusion frequency, determinants of transfusions and associated clinical outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective multicentre cohort study using data from the National Trauma Registry of Canada. Patients admitted with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury to participating hospitals between April 2005 and March 2013 were eligible. Patient information on blood products, comorbidities, interventions and complications from the Discharge Abstract Database were linked to the National Trauma Registry data. Relative weights analyses evaluated the contribution of each determinant. We conducted multivariate robust Poisson regression to evaluate the association between potential determinants, mortality, complications, hospital-to-home discharge and RBC transfusion. We also used proportional hazard models to evaluate length of stay for time to discharge from ICU and hospital.

Results

Among the 7062 patients with traumatic brain injury, 1991 patients received at least one RBC transfusion during their hospital stay. Female sex, anaemia, coagulopathy, sepsis, bleeding, hypovolemic shock, other comorbid illnesses, serious extracerebral trauma injuries were all significantly associated with RBC transfusion. Serious extracerebral injuries altogether explained 61% of the observed variation in RBC transfusion. Mortality (risk ratio (RR) 1.23 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.33)), trauma complications (RR 1.38 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.44)) and discharge elsewhere than home (RR 1.88 (95% CI 1.75 to 2.04)) were increased in patients who received RBC transfusion. Discharge from ICU and hospital were also delayed in transfused patients.

Conclusions

RBC transfusion is common in patients with traumatic brain injury and associated with unfavourable outcomes. Trauma severity is an important determinant of RBC transfusion. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate optimal transfusion strategies in traumatic brain injury.
To dialyse or delay: a qualitative study of older New Zealanders’ perceptions and experiences of decision-making, with stage 5 chronic kidney disease
Authors: Lovell Sarah , Walker Robert J , Schollum John B W , Marshall Mark R , McNoe Bronwen M , Derrett Sarah
Published: March 2017

Background

Issues related to renal replacement therapy in elderly people with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) are complex. There is inadequate empirical data related to: decision-making by older populations, treatment experiences, implications of dialysis treatment and treatment modality on quality of life, and how these link to expectations of ageing.

Study population

Participants for this study were selected from a larger quantitative study of dialysis and predialysis patients aged 65 years or older recruited from three nephrology services across New Zealand. All participants had reached chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 and had undergone dialysis education but had not started dialysis or recently started dialysis within the past 6 months.

Methodology

Serial qualitative interviews were undertaken to explore the decision-making processes and subsequent treatment experiences of patients with ESKD.

Analytical approach: A framework method guided the iterative process of analysis. Decision-making codes were generated within NVivo software and then compared with the body of the interviews.

Results

Interviews were undertaken with 17 participants. We observed that decision-making was often a fluid process, rather than occurring at a single point in time, and was heavily influenced by perceptions of oneself as becoming old, social circumstances, life events and health status.

Limitations

This study focuses on participants' experiences of decision-making about treatment and does not include perspectives of their nephrologists or other members of the nephrology team.

Conclusions

Older patients often delay dialysis as an act of self-efficacy. They often do not commit to a dialysis decision following predialysis education. Delaying decision-making and initiating dialysis were common. This was not seen by participants as a final decision about therapy. Predialysis care and education should be different for older patients, who will delay decision-making until the time of facing obvious uraemic symptoms, threatening blood tests or paternalistic guidance from their nephrologist.

Trial registration number

Australasian Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12611000024943; results.
Biobanking strategy and sample preprocessing for integrative research in monoclonal gammopathies
Authors: Ševčíková T , Growková K , Kufová Z , Filipová J , Vrublová P , Jelínek T , Kořístek Z , Kryukov F , Kryukova E , Hájek R
Published: March 2017

Aims

Some types of monoclonal gammopathies are typified by a very limited availability of aberrant cells. Modern research use high throughput technologies and an integrated approach for detailed characterisation of abnormal cells. This strategy requires relatively high amounts of starting material which cannot be obtained from every diagnosis without causing inconvenience to the patient. The aim of this methodological paper is to reflect our long experience with laboratory work and describe the best protocols for sample collection, sorting and further preprocessing in terms of the available number of cells and intended downstream application in monoclonal gammopathies research. Potential pitfalls are also discussed.

Methods

Comparison and optimisation of freezing and sorting protocols for plasma cells in monoclonal gammopathies, followed by testing of various nucleic acid isolation and amplification techniques to establish a guideline for sample processing in haemato-oncology research.

Results

We show the average numbers of aberrant cells that can be obtained from various monoclonal gammopathies (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance/light chain amyloidosis/multiple myeloma (MM)/MM circulating plasma cells/ minimal residual disease MM—10 123/22 846/305 501/68 641/4000 aberrant plasma cells of 48/30/10/16/37×106bone marrow mononuclear cells) and the expected yield of nucleic acids provided from multiple isolation kits (DNA/RNA yield from 1 to 200×103cells was 2.14–427/0.12–123 ng).

Conclusions

Tested kits for parallel isolation deliver outputs comparable with kits specialised for just one type of molecule. We also present our positive experience with the whole genome amplification method, which can serve as a very powerful tool to gain complex information from a very small cell population.
Prevalence and characteristics of gastrointestinal infections in men who have sex with men diagnosed with rectal chlamydia infection in the UK: an ‘unlinked anonymous’ cross-sectional study
Authors: Hughes Gwenda , Silalang Panida , Were John , Patel Hemanti , Childs Tristan , Alexander Sarah , Duffell Stephen , Saxon Cara , Ison Cathy , Mitchell Holly , Field Nigel , Jenkins Claire
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Gastrointestinal infections (GII) can cause serious ill health and morbidity. Although primarily transmitted through faecal contamination of food or water, transmission through sexual activity is well described, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods

We investigated the prevalence of GIIs among a convenience sample of MSM who were consecutively diagnosed with rectal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) at 12 UK genitourinary medicine clinics during 10 weeks in 2012. Residual rectal swabs were coded, anonymised and tested for Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) using a real-time PCR. Results were linked to respective coded and anonymised clinical and demographic data. Associations were investigated using Fisher's exact tests.

Results

Of 444 specimens tested, overall GII prevalence was 8.6% (95% CI 6.3% to 11.6%): 1.8% (0.9% to 3.6%) tested positive for Shigella, 1.8% (0.9% to 3.6%) for Campylobacter and 5.2% (3.5% to 7.7%) for EAEC. No specimens tested positive for Salmonella or other diarrhoeagenic E. coli pathotypes. Among those with any GII, 14/30 were asymptomatic (2/7 with Shigella, 3/6 with Campylobacter and 9/17 with EAEC). Shigella prevalence was higher in MSM who were HIV-positive (4.7% (2.1% to 10.2%) vs 0.5%(0.1% to 3.2%) in HIV-negative MSM; p=0.01).

Conclusions

In this small feasibility study, MSM with rectal CT appeared to be at appreciable risk of GII. Asymptomatic carriage may play a role in sexual transmission of GII.
Local adaptations and phenotypic plasticity may render gypsy moth and nun moth future pests in northern European boreal forests
Authors: Fält-Nardmann Julia J.J. , Klemola Tero , Ruohomäki Kai , Niemelä Pekka , Roth Mechthild , Saikkonen Kari
Published: March 2017

Phenotypic plasticity and local adaptations are important factors in predicting range expansions and shifts of pest insects in a changing climate. We reared two lepidopteran forest pests, Lymantria monacha (Linnaeus) and Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus), at three climatically different field sites from central Germany to northern Finland to investigate differences among populations in plasticity in the timing of pupation and adult emergence (measured as cumulative temperature sums, degree-days >5 °C), pupal mass, and duration of the pupal period. We also compared the phenologies of continental and boreal L. monacha populations feeding on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) to reveal possible local adaptations. Lymantria dispar was reared on different host plants, Quercus robur L., Betula pendula Roth, and Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii (Orl.) Hämet-Ahti, to evaluate the possibilities of a range expansion northwards. There was stronger indication of adaptive phenotypic plasticity, which enables species to cope with changing environmental conditions, in continental L. dispar and boreal L. monacha populations than in the continental L. monacha population. Differences between boreal and continental L. monacha populations may denote adaptation to local conditions. All three host plants used for L. dispar proved suitable for the species, revealing that host plant availability would not limit its range expansion in northern Europe.
Chinese Handwriting Identification Method Based on Keyword Extraction
Authors: Chen Rui , Fang Bin , Wang Patrick Shen-Pei
Published: March 2017

Text-independent handwriting identification methods require that features such as texture are extracted from lengthy document image; while text-dependent handwriting identification methods require that the contents of the documents being compared are identical. In order to overcome these confinements, this paper presents a novel Chinese handwriting identification technique. First, Chinese characters are segmented from handwriting document, then keywords are extracted based on matching and voting of local features of character. Then the same-content keywords are used to build training sets, and these training sets of two documents are compared. Because the keywords are similar to signature, the handwriting identification problem is transformed into signature verification problem. Experiments on HIT-MW, HIT-SW and CASIA show this method outperforms many text-independent handwriting identification methods.
Conservation laws corresponding to the Noether symmetries of the geodetic Lagrangian in spherically symmetric spacetimes
Authors: Jamil Bismah , Feroze Tooba
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we present a complete list of spherically symmetric nonstatic spacetimes along with the generators of all Noether symmetries of the geodetic Lagrangian for such metrics. Moreover, physical and geometrical interpretations of the conserved quantities (conservation laws) corresponding to each Noether symmetry are also given.
WEAK SELF-SIMILAR SETS IN SEPARABLE COMPLETE METRIC SPACES
Authors: ASWATHY R. K. , MATHEW SUNIL
Published: March 2017

Self-similarity is a common tendency in nature and physics. It is wide spread in geo-physical phenomena like diffusion and iteration. Physically, an object is self-similar if it is invariant under a set of scaling transformation. This paper gives a brief outline of the analytical and set theoretical properties of different types of weak self-similar sets. It is proved that weak sub self-similar sets are closed under finite union. Weak sub self-similar property of the topological boundary of a weak self-similar set is also discussed. The denseness of non-weak super self-similar sets in the set of all non-empty compact subsets of a separable complete metric space is established. It is proved that the power of weak self-similar sets are weak super self-similar in the product metric and weak self-similarity is preserved under isometry. A characterization of weak super self-similar sets using weak sub contractions is also presented. Exact weak sub and super self-similar sets are introduced in this paper and some necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of weak condensation IFS are presented. A condition for a set to be both exact weak super and sub self-similar is obtained and the denseness of exact weak super self similar sets in the set of all weak self-similar sets is discussed.
Spacelike surface geometry
Authors: Şenyurt Süleyman , Gur Sümeyye
Published: March 2017

In this paper, by considering [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] parameter curves on spacelike surface [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively, and any spacelike curve [Formula: see text] that passes through the intersection point of these parameter curves, we have found the Darboux instantaneous rotation vectors of Darboux trihedrons of these three curves, as follows: [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and we have obtained the relationship between these vectors as [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the spacelike angles between tangent vectors of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] curves, and of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] curves, respectively. [Formula: see text] is the unit normal vector of the surface. Besides, we have given Euler, Liouville, Bonnet formulas and Gauss curvature of the spacelike surface with new statement.
Alternant Bond Distances in Octaethylporphyrin π-Cation Radicals
Authors: Scheidt W. Robert , Cheng Beisong , Venugopal Reddy K. , Brancato Kristin E.
Published: March 2017

The possible appearance and nature of alternant bond distance patterns in the inner 16-membered ring of several octaethylporphyrin [Formula: see text]-cation radicals has been investigated. This study was made possible by recognizing an unexpected solvent system, namely dichloromethane/chloroform, even though the [Formula: see text]-cation species have extremely limited solubility in chloroform. A total of six [M(OEP[Formula: see text]][Formula: see text] derivatives were studied by single-crystal X-ray structure determinations. Two new zinc derivatives display, quantitatively, the same alternant pattern observed previously. A new nickel complex shows a smaller but now probably significant alternant pattern. However, a copper derivative, independently analyzed twice, shows no evidence for an alternant pattern. The importance of ring–ring interactions on the energy of the top two orbitals is shown by two distinct magnesium derivatives. The derivative with strongly overlapped rings displays an alternant bond distance pattern, whereas the other, with a modestly overlapped ring pair, does not. This suggests the importance of strong ring–ring interactions in leading to a pseudo-Jahn-Teller state; this hypothesis is also supported by other prior results.
A periodic reaction–diffusion system modelling man–environment–man epidemics
Authors: Bai Zhenguo
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this work is to study the spatial dynamics of a periodic reaction–diffusion epidemic model arising from the spread of oral–faecal transmitted diseases. We first show that the disease spreading speed is coincident with the minimal wave speed for monotone periodic travelling waves. Then we obtain a threshold result on the global attractivity of either zero or the positive periodic solution in a bounded spatial domain.
On a non-autonomous reaction–convection diffusion model to study the bacteria distribution in a river
Authors: Mostefaoui Imene Meriem , Moussaoui Ali
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we propose a non-autonomous convection–reaction diffusion system (CDI) with a nonlinear reaction source function. This model refers to the quantification and the distribution of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in a river. The main contributions of this paper are: (i) the determination of the limit set of the system by applying the semigroups theory, it is shown that it is reduced to the solutions of the associated elliptic system (CDI)e, (ii) sufficient conditions for the existence of a positive solution of (CDI)ebased on the Leray–Schauder’s degree theory. Numerical simulations which support our theoretical analysis are also given.
Changes in IP3 Receptor Expression and Function in Aortic Smooth Muscle of Atherosclerotic Mice
Authors: Ewart Marie-Ann , Ugusman Azizah , Vishwanath Anisha , Almabrouk Tarek A.M. , Alganga Husam , Katwan Omar J. , Hubanova Pavlina , Currie Susan , Kennedy Simon
Published: March 2017

Peroxynitrite is an endothelium-independent vasodilator that induces relaxation via membrane hyperpolarization. The activation of IP3 receptors triggers the opening of potassium channels and hyperpolarization. Previously we found that relaxation to peroxynitrite was maintained during the development of atherosclerosis due to changes in the expression of calcium-regulatory proteins. In this study we investigated: (1) the mechanism of peroxynitrite-induced relaxation in the mouse aorta, (2) the effect of atherosclerosis on relaxation to peroxynitrite and other vasodilators, and (3) the effect of atherosclerosis on the expression and function of the IP3 receptor. Aortic function was studied using wire myography, and atherosclerosis was induced by fat-feeding ApoE-/- mice. The expression of IP3 receptors was studied using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Relaxation to peroxynitrite was attenuated by the IP3 antagonists 2-APB and xestospongin C and also the Kv channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Atherosclerosis attenuated vasodilation to cromakalim and the AMPK activator A769662 but not peroxynitrite. Relaxation was attenuated to a greater extent by 2-APB in atherosclerotic aortae despite the reduced expression of IP3 receptors. 4-AP was less effective in ApoE-/- mice fat-fed for 4 months. Peroxynitrite relaxation involves an IP3-induced calcium release and KV channel activation. This mechanism becomes less important as atherosclerosis develops, and relaxation to peroxynitrite may be maintained by increased calcium extrusion.
VEGF-A Regulates Cellular Localization of SR-BI as Well as Transendothelial Transport of HDL but Not LDL
Authors: Velagapudi Srividya , Yalcinkaya Mustafa , Piemontese Antonio , Meier Roger , Nørrelykke Simon Flyvbjerg , Perisa Damir , Rzepiela Andrzej , Stebler Michael , Stoma Szymon , Zanoni Paolo , Rohrer Lucia , von Eckardstein Arnold
Published: March 2017

Objective—

Low- and high-density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL) must pass the endothelial layer to exert pro- and antiatherogenic activities, respectively, within the vascular wall. However, the rate-limiting factors that mediate transendothelial transport of lipoproteins are yet little known. Therefore, we performed a high-throughput screen with kinase drug inhibitors to identify modulators of transendothelial LDL and HDL transport.

Approach and Results—

Microscopy-based high-content screening was performed by incubating human aortic endothelial cells with 141 kinase-inhibiting drugs and fluorescent-labeled LDL or HDL. Inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (VEGFR) significantly decreased the uptake of HDL but not LDL. Silencing of VEGF receptor 2 significantly decreased cellular binding, association, and transendothelial transport of
125
I-HDL but not
125
I-LDL. RNA interference with VEGF receptor 1 or VEGF receptor 3 had no effect. Binding, uptake, and transport of HDL but not LDL were strongly reduced in the absence of VEGF-A from the cell culture medium and were restored by the addition of VEGF-A. The restoring effect of VEGF-A on endothelial binding, uptake, and transport of HDL was abrogated by pharmacological inhibition of phosphatidyl-inositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, as well as silencing of scavenger receptor BI. Moreover, the presence of VEGF-A was found to be a prerequisite for the localization of scavenger receptor BI in the plasma membrane of endothelial cells.

Conclusions—

The identification of VEGF as a regulatory factor of transendothelial transport of HDL but not LDL supports the concept that the endothelium is a specific and, hence, druggable barrier for the entry of lipoproteins into the vascular wall.
NASA in Chile: Technology and Branding of a Satellite-Tracking Station
Authors: Alonso Pedro Ignacio , Palmarola Hugo
Published: March 2017

In 1957 as part of the Minitrack Network, the U.S. Army installed a satellite-tracking station in Peldehue, Chile, intended to track radio signals from what was then the United States’ Vanguard project. With the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958, the station came under its new administration, becoming the subject of a process of rebranding that included the monumental installation of the agency insignia, a rounded slab made in concrete and tiles. By examining this object from a design and archaeological perspective - as it nowadays lays abandoned nearby its original location - this paper attempts to advance our understanding of the Chilean station in terms of its place within a much larger global network by analyzing it within the intersection of design, military economies, technologies, ideologies, and cultural and geospatial considerations.
The Emergence of the Ṣadrian Paradigm: A Historical Account of the Reception of Mullā Ṣadrā’s School of Thought in Later Islamic Philosophy
Authors: Golparvar-Roozbahani Mahdi
Published: March 2017

Despite forming a long-standing, distinct tradition, later Islamic philosophy has received relatively little serious attention within the existing scholarly historical literature. To partially fill the gap, this article provides the framework for a critical historiography of this enterprise in the post-Mullā Ṣadrā era, focusing primarily on identifying different attitudes taken to the philosophical system of this pivotal figure. In order to attain a novel picture of how Mullā Ṣadrā’s philosophy became established, historical evidence for the status of this philosophy is discussed with regard to each of the successive periods following Mullā Ṣadrā’s death. The main thesis is that Ṣadrian thought can be considered as functioning like a paradigm of recent Islamic philosophy, though this has become the case only after three preceding periods, each of which lasted roughly one century: first, practitioners of Islamic philosophy either ignored Ṣadrian philosophy in toto or at most rejected its doctrines as a plethora of misconceptions; second, philosophers gradually found it appealing for consideration and study; and third, it prevailed among them as an admirable philosophical system.
Orchidantha yunnanensis (Lowiaceae), a new species from China, and notes on the identity of Orchidantha laotica
Authors: ZOU PU , XIAO CHUN-FEN , LUO SHI-XIAO , CUI CHANG-JIE , XU KAI , YE YU-SHI , LIAO JING-PING , LEONG-ŠKORNIČKOVÁ JANA
Published: March 2017

Orchidantha yunnanensis, a new species from Malipo county in Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. The identity of Orchidantha laotica, originally described from herbarium material, is discussed here, and a colour plate of this species based on recent collections from Laos is included.
A comparison of strain-rate enhancement approaches for concrete material subjected to high strain-rate
Authors: Kong Xiangzhen , Fang Qin , Wu Hao , Hong Jian
Published: March 2017

High strain-rate induced from intense dynamic loadings will cause an obvious enhancement of concrete material frequently used in civil and defense engineering, which plays an important role in correct numerical simulations of concrete members subjected to intense dynamic loadings. In this article, the existing three strain-rate enhancement approaches for concrete material are compared by three aspects, that is, flexibility of fitting data, consistency condition, and time-dependent behavior. The so-called “overstress approach” is found to be not flexible for fitting high strain-rate data and unable to well predict the strain-softening behavior but can capture the inherent viscidity of concrete material. The “consistency approach” can describe the strain-softening behavior and the inherent viscidity but may be inconvenient and time-consuming when fitting high strain-rate data. The “simplified approach” widely used in commercial concrete material models can describe the strain-softening behavior and fit high strain-rate data by a more convenient and direct way but cannot capture the inherent viscidity of concrete material. Examples of uniaxial stress including loading and unloading under constant and varying strain-rates are presented to demonstrate the above-mentioned findings, in which the updating algorithm of dynamic stress is presented in detail.
A scoring system for the evaluation of the mutated Crb1/rd8-derived retinal lesions in C57BL/6N mice
Authors: Concas Danilo , Cater Heather , Wells Sara
Published: March 2017

As part of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) programme, the MRC Harwell is conducting a large eye morphology phenotyping screen on genetically modified mice compared to the baseline phenotype observed in the background strain of C57BL/6NTac. The C57BL/6NTac strain is known to carry a spontaneous mutation in the Crb1 gene that causes retinal degeneration characterized by the presence of white spots (flecks) in the fundus. These flecks potentially represent a confounding factor, masking similar retinal phenotype abnormalities that may be detected in mutants. Therefore we investigated the frequency, position and extent of the flecks in a large population of C57BL/6NTac mice to provide the basis for evaluating the presence of flecks in mutant mice with the same genetic background. We found that in our facility males were more severely affected than females and that in both males and females the most common localisation of the flecks was in the inferior hemicycle of the fundus.
ESTUDO DA ESTRUTURA COGNITIVA DOS ALUNOS DOS 9.º (14-15 ANOS DE IDADE) E 12.º ANOS (17-18 ANOS DE IDADE) DE ESCOLARIDADE SOBRE O CONCEITO DE PROBABILIDADE: O CONTRIBUTO DAS TEORIAS DOS CONCEITOS NUCLEARES E DOS CONCEITOS THRESHOLD
Authors: Almeida Cesário , Casas García Luis , Luengo González Ricardo
Published: March 2017

Con base en las Teorías de los Conceptos Nucleares y de los Conceptos Threshold, se pretende, con este artículo, presentar los  resultados obtenidos sobre la estructura cognitiva, referida a la noción de Probabilidad, de alumnos de 9º (14-15 años de edad) y 12º  (17-18 años de edad) curso de escolaridad, en Portugal. Tras ser impartida la enseñanza sobre este tema, en primer lugar  fueron encuestados 344 alumnos y en un segundo  momento 325. Los datos recogidos, de las Redes Asociativas Pathfinder (PFNET),  permitieron identificar los conceptos que asumen un mayor relieve, su correspondiente organización y la relación entre las Teorías  de los Conceptos Nucleares y de los Conceptos Threshold. Los resultados muestran que ambas teorías constituyen una destacada  herramienta didáctica para la organización de la práctica docente y un referente pedagógico importante en el proceso de  enseñanza y aprendizaje de la Probabilidad.
Conglomerate Industry Choice and Product Language
Authors: Hoberg Gerard , Phillips Gordon
Published: March 2017

We analyze the words that firms use to describe their products so we can examine the determinants of which industries conglomerate firms operate within. Our central finding is that multiple-industry firms operate across industries with higher product language overlap. Multiple-industry firms also avoid industries with more distinct language boundaries and those with more specialized within-industry language. We also find evidence linking these results to specific synergies such as potential entry into new markets and realized synergies in the form of higher 10-K product description growth. These findings are consistent with multiple-product firms operating primarily in industries that lack language specialization. Our findings show that most conglomerates are not true diversified conglomerates with little overlap in their lines of business, as most firms that operate across multiple industries choose industries with high language overlap and potential synergies. Our results support theories of firm organization and organizational language.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016.2693 .

This paper was accepted by Amit Seru, finance.
Signs of the times
Authors: Bond Emma
Published: March 2017

Why are tattoos considered taboo within a dental environment? Here, dental nurse Emma Bond argues that ink does not always spell ‘unprofessional’ when it comes to body art and dentistry
‘I am just a dental nurse’
Authors: Sharma Priya
Published: March 2017

Priya Sharma suggests that we can all break down the stereotypes – by becoming ambassadors
Why you should shout about a quiet success
Authors: Thurston Nicola
Published: March 2017

Using infection prevention to help market your practice really is a ‘thing’. Nicola Thurston reveals why
How to set up your own businessHow to set up your own business
Authors: Lindsey Charlotte
Published: March 2017

Variety is the spice of life for dental nurse Charlotte Lindsey. A fairly new recruit to the profession, her expansive experience has inspired her to to set up as a locum – an exciting next step in her career
‘I struck gold’
Authors: Norton Rachael
Published: March 2017

Rachael Norton is head dental nurse in a high-end cosmetic clinic in the heart of London. Here she reveals how a dental nurse can be the jewel in the crown of any successful practice
A fresh look at fear
Authors: MacLeavy Christine
Published: March 2017

In the second of a two-part look at dental anxiety, fear and phobia, dental therapist Christine Macleavy considers complementary therapies as adjuncts
The anxieties of expectation
Authors: Dawson Trudie
Published: March 2017

Trudie Dawson explores safeguarding and what this means for you
Radiographic signs of bone mineral density in panoramic radiographs from pre and postmenopausal patients.
Authors: De Faria Paula Cristina , Villaça-Carvalho Maria Fernanda Lima , Lopes Sérgio Lúcio Pereira de Castro , De Moraes Mari Eli Leonelli , Manhães Júnior Luiz Roberto Coutinho
Published: March 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of panoramic radiographs (PR) and their radiomorphometric indices as an auxiliary method for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Material and Methods: Twenty five women were selected, who had been prescribed PR for different purposes. The PR were analysed according to the MCI, which evaluates the mandibular cortex below the mental foramen, and then divided into two groups: normal and bone mineral loss. Bone densitometry scans were obtained (DXA) from the lumbar spine and neck of the femur/whole femur, which were used as the gold standard for comparison against the MCI. Kappa test (p<0.05) was used to determine the association between the MCI and bone densitometry readings. Results: Regarding the DXA, 7 patients were normal at the lumbar spine or femur, 24 subjects showed osteopenia at the lumbar spine or femur and 9 subjects had osteoporosis at the lumbar spine or femur. Regarding the association between DXA and MCI, 18 subjects showed some degree of bone loss at the spine detected by both DXA and the Klemetti index. Conclusions: PR may be useful to assess the risk of such diseases being present.
Stafne bone defect: a report of two cases and diagnostic considerations
Authors: Mafra Rodrigo Porpino , Vasconcelos Marcelo Gadelha , Vasconcelos Rodrigo Gadelha , Lima Emeline das Neves de Araújo , Iglesias Déborah Pitta Paraíso , Queiroz Lélia Maria Guedes
Published: March 2017

Stafne bone defects are asymptomatic lingual bone depressions of the lower jaw, frequently caused by soft tissue inclusion. The common variant of this entity affects the third molar region, below mandibular canal, and is mostly diagnosed incidentally during routine radiographic examination. The uncommon anterior variant is relatively rare and located in the premolar region of the mandible. Sublingual salivary glands are thought to be responsible for the development of this variant. The aim of this report was to describe a case of Stafne bone defect in the anterior region of mandible and a case in posterior mandible, with emphasis on clinical and radiographic findings. Dental clinicians should be aware of this entity, aiming to avoid unnecessary biopsies. In most cases, clinical and radiographic follow-up is the recommended conduct.
Influence of angulation and vertical misfit in the evaluation of micro-deformations around implants
Authors: Rodrigues Vinícius Anéas , Tribst João Paulo Mendes , Santis Leandro Ruivo de , Lima Dimas Renó de , Nishioka Renato Sussumu
Published: March 2017

Objective: This in vitro study was to evaluate micro-strains around of implant, under the influence of angulations and vertical misfit in three-element implant-supported fixed partial dentures during axial loading by using strain gauge analysis. Materials and Methods: Three external hexagon implants with straight configuration and three external hexagon implants with angled (17°) configuration were inserted into two polyurethane blocks. To measure micro-strain, four strain gauges were bonded onto the surface of each block. Plastic copings were adapted to a standard wax pattern and cast. An axial load of 30 kgf was applied on the center of each implant for 10 seconds, using a load application device. The vertical misfit was measured at six different points by using a stereo microscope with 100-X magnification. Results: The results showed that the values for different implant angulations were significant (P= 0.0086). The Pearson’s correlation test between micro-strain and vertical misfit revealed no correlation between angled configuration (P= 0.891) and straight configuration (P= 0.568). Conclusion: The micro strain was higher for angled implants; no correlation was found between the vertical misfit and the micro strain values.
Regeneração in vitro de Passiflora miniata Mast
Authors: Carvalho Paula Pinheiro , Antoniazzi Camila Aparecida , Silva Nayara Tayane , Mikovski Andréia Izabel , Silva Maurecilne Lemes , Carvalho Ilio Fealho
Published: March 2017

Passiflora miniata is a wild species native to the Southern Amazon, with ornamental potential due to the beauty of its flowers of intense red coloration. Reports in the literature about the species are still insipid. The aim of the present study was to induce the regeneration of P. miniata by the de novo organogenesis from mature zygotic embryos. The zygotic embryos were isolated and cultivated into the MS medium with the addition of 6-Benzyladenine (BA), Thidiazuron (TDZ) and Kinetin (KIN) growth regulators. The de novo regeneration from the zygotic embryos occurred directly and indirectly. A percentage of 80% of the explants cultivated in the presence of BA had direct organogenesis and 20% by the indirect way, with TDZ 60% were regenerated by the direct and 40% by the indirect way. Regarding the treatments with KIN, 58% of the explants had regeneration by direct and 42% by the indirect organogenesis. The development of shoot primordia initiated with the formation of organogenic structures that later differentiated into multi-shoots. The highest mean number of shoots (40.0 shoots per explants) was obtained on 0.75 mg L-1BA. Conversely, using 0.50 mg L-1 TDZ or KIN, the highest number of shoots were 7.2 and 3.6, respectively.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR PENGARUH KINERJA PERMUKIMAN SEBAGAI ANTISIPASI PERWUJUDAN KAMPUNG WISATA BAHARI
Authors: Purwanto Edi , Setioko Bambang , Olivia Deasy
Published: March 2017

Tambaklorok is a fishermen kampong located in Tanjungmas, North Semarang. This settlement is known for its fish landing base where people daily come to buy marine products. The population of the kampong which was purely consisted of traditional fishermen at first is recently turning into mixed population with its problems like poverty and bad infrastructures that make this place unhealthy to live. However, behind these problems, this area also has a potency to be a maritime tourist object. The purpose of this research is to find influence factors of fishermen settlement performance as the implementation of the plan to create a maritime tourism kampong that was made by Semarang Municipality in 2015. This research used positivistic research paradigm with quantitative approach, and for processing data, it used statistical test with factor analysis. Based on statistical test and analysis, there are 6 influence factors of fishermen settlement performance that potentially support the development of the maritime tourism kampong.
Antioxidant enzymes in canine mammary tumors
Authors: Andreani Giulia , Avallone Giancarlo , Ferlizza Enea , Isani Gloria
Published: March 2017

Spontaneous mammary tumors are very common in bitches. The involvement of oxidative stress and the function of antioxidant enzymes in cancerogenesis have been studied in depth in human medicine, while data in veterinary medicine are still fragmentary. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and the expression of superoxide dismutases (Cu-ZnSOD and MnSOD) and the activity of catalase (CAT) in canine mammary tumors in comparison with the adjacent healthy tissue. Six female dogs (mean age 10.4 years) were included in this study. After surgery, fresh tumor and healthy tissue samples were immediately frozen in dry ice and stored at −80°C for biochemical analyses, while the remaining parts were used for histopathological analysis. Enzyme activity was measured by spectrophotometric assays and protein expression by western blotting. In canine mammary tumors, Cu-ZnSOD activity and expression increased significantly compared with healthy control tissues (p=0.03). MnSOD showed a significantly lower activity in tumoral tissues at stage 2 (p<0.05), while a significant increase of expression was measured in tumors. CAT activity was significantly higher in healthy tissues respect to tumors (p=0.015). These variations of antioxidant enzymes activities and expression could be related to an increase of oxidative stress in breast cancer tissues and could be considered as biomarker candidates for neoplastic transformation.