bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time-scale of twin-peak quasi-periodic oscillations and mass of accreting neutron stars
Authors: Török Gabriel , Goluchová Kateřina , Šrámková Eva , Urbanec Martin , Straub Odele
Published: July 2019

Einstein’s general relativity predicts that orbital motion of accreted gas approaching a neutron star (NS) in a NS low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) system occurs on a time-scale proportional to the NS mass. Radiation of the gas accounts for most of the observed LMXBs variability. In more than a dozen of sources twin-peak quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) have been observed. Inspired by the expected proportionality between periods of orbital motion and NS mass we present a straightforward comparison among these sources. We investigate relations between QPO periods and their ratios and identify characteristic time-scales of QPOs associated with individual sources. These time-scales are likely determined by the relative mass of each NS. We show that the characteristic time-scale of the millisecond pulsar XTE J1807.4−294 is longer than for most other NS LMXBs. Consequently, models of QPOs that consider geodesic orbital frequencies imply that the X-ray pulsars’ mass has to be about $50{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ higher than the average mass of other sources. Consideration of other X-ray pulsars indicates that the exceptionality of XTE J1807.4−294 cannot be related to NS magnetic field in any simple manner. We suggest that QPOs observed in this source can help to discriminate between the proposed versions of the NS equation of state.
Piggyback search for fast radio bursts using Nanshan 26 m and Kunming 40 m radio telescopes – I. Observing and data analysis systems, discovery of a mysterious peryton
Authors: Men Y P , Luo R , Chen M Z , Hao L F , Lee K J , Li J , Li Z X , Liu Z Y , Pei X , Wen Z G , Wu J J , Xu Y H , Xu R X , Yuan J P , Zhang C F
Published: July 2019

We present our piggyback search for fast radio bursts using the Nanshan 26 m Radio Telescope and the Kunming 40 m Radio Telescope. The observations are performed in the L band from 1380 to 1700 MHz at Nanshan and the Sband from 2170 to 2310 MHz at Kunming. We built the roach2-based FFT spectrometer and developed the real-time transient search software. We introduce a new radio interference mitigation technique named zero-DM matched filter and give the formula of the signal-to-noise ratio loss in the transient search. Though we have no positive detection of bursts in about 1600 and 2400 h data at Nanshan and Kunming, respectively, an intriguing peryton was detected at Nanshan, from which hundreds of bursts were recorded. Perytons are terrestrial radio signals that mimic celestial fast radio bursts. They were first reported at Parkes and identified as microwave oven interferences later. The bursts detected at Nanshan show similar frequency swept emission and have double-peaked profiles. They appeared in different sky regions in about tens of minutes observations and the dispersion measure index is not exactly 2, which indicates the terrestrial origin. The peryton differs drastically from the known perytons detected at Parkes, because it appeared in a precise period of p = 1.712 87 ± 0.000 04 s. Its origin remains unknown.
Forecasts of redshift drift constraints on cosmological parameters
Authors: Alves C S , Leite A C O , Martins C J A P , Matos J G B , Silva T A
Published: July 2019

Cosmological observations usually map our present-day past light cone. However, it is also possible to compare different past light cones. This is the concept behind the redshift drift, a model-independent probe of fundamental cosmology. In simple physical terms, this effectively allows us to watch the Universe expand in real time. While current facilities only allow sensitivities several orders of magnitude worse than the expected signal, it should be possible to detect it with forthcoming ones. Here, we discuss the potential impact of measurements by three such facilities: the Extremely Large Telescope (the subject of most existing redshift drift forecasts), but also the Square Kilometre Array and intensity mapping experiments. For each of these we assume the measurement sensitivities estimated respectively in Liske et al. (2008), Klockner et al. (2015), and Yu, Zhang & Pen (2014). We focus on the role of these measurements in constraining dark energy scenarios, highlighting the fact that although on their own they yield comparatively weak constraints, they do probe regions of parameter space that are typically different from those probed by other experiments, as well as being redshift dependent. Specifically, we quantify how combinations of several redshift drift measurements at different redshifts, or combinations of redshift drift measurements with those from other canonical cosmological probes, can constrain some representative dark energy models. Our conclusion is that a model-independent mapping of the expansion of the universe from redshift z = 0 to z = 4 – a challenging but feasible goal for the next generation of astrophysical facilities – can have a significant impact on fundamental cosmology.
Polynucleotide phosphorylase promotes the stability and function of Hfq-binding sRNAs by degrading target mRNA-derived fragments
Authors: Cameron Todd A , Matz Lisa M , Sinha Dhriti , De Lay Nicholas R
Published: July 2019

In many Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria, small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) that bind the RNA chaperone Hfq have a pivotal role in modulating virulence, stress responses, metabolism and biofilm formation. These sRNAs recognize transcripts through base-pairing, and sRNA–mRNA annealing consequently alters the translation and/or stability of transcripts leading to changes in gene expression. We have previously found that the highly conserved 3′-to-5′ exoribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) has an indispensable role in paradoxically stabilizing Hfq-bound sRNAs and promoting their function in gene regulation in Escherichia coli. Here, we report that PNPase contributes to the degradation of specific short mRNA fragments, the majority of which bind Hfq and are derived from targets of sRNAs. Specifically, we found that these mRNA-derived fragments accumulate in the absence of PNPase or its exoribonuclease activity and interact with PNPase. Additionally, we show that mutations in hfq or in the seed pairing region of some sRNAs eliminated the requirement of PNPase for their stability. Altogether, our results are consistent with a model that PNPase degrades mRNA-derived fragments that could otherwise deplete cells of Hfq-binding sRNAs through pairing-mediated decay.
The NRPD1 N-terminus contains a Pol IV-specific motif that is critical for genome surveillance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ferrafiat Laura , Pflieger David , Singh Jasleen , Thieme Michael , Böhrer Marcel , Himber Christophe , Gerbaud Aude , Bucher Etienne , Pikaard Craig S , Blevins Todd
Published: July 2019

RNA-guided surveillance systems constrain the activity of transposable elements (TEs) in host genomes. In plants, RNA polymerase IV (Pol IV) transcribes TEs into primary transcripts from which RDR2 synthesizes double-stranded RNA precursors for small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that guide TE methylation and silencing. How the core subunits of Pol IV, homologs of RNA polymerase II subunits, diverged to support siRNA biogenesis in a TE-rich, repressive chromatin context is not well understood. Here we studied the N-terminus of Pol IV’s largest subunit, NRPD1. Arabidopsis lines harboring missense mutations in this N-terminus produce wild-type (WT) levels of NRPD1, which co-purifies with other Pol IV subunits and RDR2. Our in vitro transcription and genomic analyses reveal that the NRPD1 N-terminus is critical for robust Pol IV-dependent transcription, siRNA production and DNA methylation. However, residual RNA-directed DNA methylation observed in one mutant genotype indicates that Pol IV can operate uncoupled from the high siRNA levels typically observed in WT plants. This mutation disrupts a motif uniquely conserved in Pol IV, crippling the enzyme's ability to inhibit retrotransposon mobilization. We propose that the NRPD1 N-terminus motif evolved to regulate Pol IV function in genome surveillance.
Molecular game theory for a toxin-dominant food chain model
Authors: Li Bowen , Silva Jonathan R , Lu Xiancui , Luo Lei , Wang Yunfei , Xu Lizhen , Aierken Aerziguli , Shynykul Zhanserik , Kamau Peter Muiruri , Luo Anna , Yang Jian , Su Deyuan , Yang Fan , Cui Jianmin , Yang Shilong , Lai Ren
Published: July 2019

Animal toxins that are used to subdue prey and deter predators act as the key drivers in natural food chains and ecosystems. However, the predators of venomous animals may exploit feeding adaptation strategies to overcome toxins their prey produce. Much remains unknown about the genetic and molecular game process in the toxin-dominant food chain model. Here, we show an evolutionary strategy in different trophic levels of scorpion-eating amphibians, scorpions and insects, representing each predation relationship in habitats dominated by the paralytic toxins of scorpions. For scorpions preying on insects, we found that the scorpion α-toxins irreversibly activate the skeletal muscle sodium channel of their prey (insect, BgNaV1) through a membrane delivery mechanism and an efficient binding with the Asp/Lys-Tyr motif of BgNaV1. However, in the predatory game between frogs and scorpions, with a single point mutation (Lys to Glu) in this motif of the frog's skeletal muscle sodium channel (fNaV1.4), fNaV1.4 breaks this interaction and diminishes muscular toxicity to the frog; thus, frogs can regularly prey on scorpions without showing paralysis. Interestingly, this molecular strategy also has been employed by some other scorpion-eating amphibians, especially anurans. In contrast to these amphibians, the Asp/Lys-Tyr motifs are structurally and functionally conserved in other animals that do not prey on scorpions. Together, our findings elucidate the protein-protein interacting mechanism of a toxin-dominant predator-prey system, implying the evolutionary game theory at a molecular level.
Genome-Wide Meta-Analyses of FTND and TTFC Phenotypes
Authors: Chen Jingchun , Loukola Anu , Gillespie Nathan A , Peterson Roseann , Jia Peilin , Riley Brien , Maes Hermine , Dick Daniella M , Kendler Kenneth S , Damaj M Imad , Miles Michael F , Zhao Zhongming , Li Ming D , Vink Jacqueline M , Minica Camelia C , Willemsen Gonneke , Boomsma Dorret I , Qaiser Beenish , Madden Pamela A F , Korhonen Tellervo , Jousilahti Pekka , Hällfors Jenni , Gelernter Joel , Kranzler Henry R , Sherva Richard , Farrer Lindsay , Maher Brion , Vanyukov Michael , Taylor Michelle , Ware Jenifer J , Munafò Marcus R , Lutz Sharon M , Hokanson John E , Gu Fangyi , Landi Maria T , Caporaso Neil E , Hancock Dana B , Gaddis Nathan C , Baker Timothy B , Bierut Laura J , Johnson Eric O , Chenoweth Meghan , Lerman Caryn , Tyndale Rachel , Kaprio Jaakko , Chen Xiangning
Published: July 2019

Introduction

FTND (Fagerstrӧm test for nicotine dependence) and TTFC (time to smoke first cigarette in the morning) are common measures of nicotine dependence (ND). However, genome-wide meta-analysis for these phenotypes has not been reported.

Methods

Genome-wide meta-analyses for FTND (N = 19,431) and TTFC (N = 18,567) phenotypes were conducted for adult smokers of European ancestry from 14 independent cohorts.

Results

We found that SORBS2 on 4q35 (p = 4.05 × 10−8), BG182718 on 11q22 (p = 1.02 × 10−8), and AA333164 on 14q21 (p = 4.11 × 10−9) were associated with TTFC phenotype. We attempted replication of leading candidates with independent samples (FTND, N = 7010 and TTFC, N = 10 061), however, due to limited power of the replication samples, the replication of these new loci did not reach significance. In gene-based analyses, COPB2 was found associated with FTND phenotype, and TFCP2L1, RELN, and INO80C were associated with TTFC phenotype. In pathway and network analyses, we found that the interconnected interactions among the endocytosis, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, axon guidance, MAPK signaling, and chemokine signaling pathways were involved in ND.

Conclusions

Our analyses identified several promising candidates for both FTND and TTFC phenotypes, and further verification of these candidates was necessary. Candidates supported by both FTND and TTFC (CHRNA4, THSD7B, RBFOX1, and ZNF804A) were associated with addiction to alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, and were associated with autism and schizophrenia. We also identified novel pathways involved in cigarette smoking. The pathway interactions highlighted the importance of receptor recycling and internalization in ND.

Implications

Understanding the genetic architecture of cigarette smoking and ND is critical to develop effective prevention and treatment. Our study identified novel candidates and biological pathways involved in FTND and TTFC phenotypes, and this will facilitate further investigation of these candidates and pathways.
A case of Lemierre-like Syndrome: internal jugular vein thrombosis secondary to Staphylococcus aureus sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis
Authors: Er Chaozer , Tey Vanessa Hwee Ting , Kuthiah Navin , Aravamudan Veeraraghavan Meyyur
Published: July 2019

Lemierre syndrome is the internal jugular vein (IJV) suppurative thrombophlebitis, usually secondary to oropharyngeal infection. Staphylococcus aureus is an emerging responsible pathogen. We report a unique case of IJV thrombosis secondary to methicillin-susceptible S. aureus sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis. We review the existing literature on Lemierre syndrome: its various manifestations, causative pathogens, treatment and management.
Permanent Paraplegia as a Complication of Injection of Contrast Media at L2-L3 Vertebral Level
Authors: Shukla Adarsh B , Vu To-Nhu , Vorobeychik Yakov
Published: July 2019

Background

The lumbar intrathecal (subarachnoid) space is accessed for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Occasionally, the needle may unintentionally enter the intrathecal space during lumbar interlaminar epidural steroid injections (LESIs)—one of the most commonly performed medical procedures in the United States. Ordinarily, this merely constitutes a minor complication or even a desired placement (in the case of some diagnostic procedures). However, some patients have a rare condition wherein the spinal cord terminates below the L2 vertebral level (tethered cord). In such cases, injections administered at the lumbar level may potentially result in spinal cord damage and irreversible paraplegia if the physician performing the intervention does not recognize the intramedullary position of the needle.

Objective

The aim of this study is to describe and analyze an unintentional L2-L3 injection of contrast medium into a tethered spinal cord. Many physicians may consider lumbar injections “safe” because the spinal cord usually terminates at or above the L2 vertebral level. However, complacency stemming from this false impression of safety contributes to nonadherence to practice guidelines, which may lead to catastrophic neurological complications. Presented here is the first published occurrence of paraplegia that resulted from contrast medium injection into the spinal cord during a myelography study performed below the L2 vertebral level.

Conclusions

Disregard of the procedural guidelines by the physicians performing an elective diagnostic intervention may cause devastating neurological complications. The described casualty occurred because of failure to review previous imaging studies, injection of the contrast medium despite unsuccessful attempts to aspirate cerebrospinal fluid, and an unwillingness to terminate the procedure immediately when the patient reported an unusual sensation in both of his lower extremities. Consequently, we suggest that not only for cervical and thoracic but also for lumbar interlaminar ESIs, previous imaging studies should be reviewed before the injection.
Therapeutic Exercise in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Carroquino-Garcia Paloma , Jiménez-Rejano José Jesús , Medrano-Sanchez Esther , de la Casa-Almeida Maria , Diaz-Mohedo Esther , Suarez-Serrano Carmen
Published: July 2019

Background

Dysmenorrhea is a health problem with a high impact on health and society. Some drugs have been shown to be effective at treating dysmenorrhea. Therapeutic exercise is another option for reducing the symptomatology of this health problem, with a low cost and the absence of side effects.

Purpose

The purposes of this review were to study the efficacy of physical exercise for pain intensity in primary dysmenorrhea and to assess its effectiveness in decreasing the duration of pain and improving quality of life.

Data Sources

Searches were conducted between February 2017 and May 2017 in the databases Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Dialnet, using the terms dysmenorrhea, exercise therapy, exercise movement technique, exercise, physical therapy, physical therapy speciality, treatment, primary dysmenorrhea, prevention, etiology, epidemiology, and pain.

Study Selection

We included randomized controlled trial studies conducted on women who were 16 to 25 years old and had primary dysmenorrhea, studies that included exercise as a type of therapy, studies that assessed the intensity and duration of pain and quality of life, and studies published in English or Spanish. Studies that included women with irregular cycles, women diagnosed with a gynecological disease, women who had had surgery, women with serious diseases, or women who used intracavitary or oral contraceptives were excluded. We started with 455 studies; 16 were included in the systematic review, and 11 were included in the 3 meta-analyses that were carried out.

Data Extraction

Two authors selected the studies and extracted their characteristics (participants, intervention, comparators, and outcomes) and results. The evaluation of the methodological quality of the studies was carried out by PEDro scale.

Data Synthesis

There was moderate evidence that therapeutic exercise can be considered a useful tool in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in terms of a reduction in pain intensity. Regarding the duration of pain and quality of life, there was low evidence and very low evidence, respectively. In the 3 meta-analyses, the results were significantly positive in favor of exercise for decreases in both the intensity and the duration of pain.

Limitations

Limitations of this study include the great heterogeneity of the interventions applied in the studies in terms of type of exercise, in combination or alone, and dosage. This review includes a small number of studies with risk of bias, so the present findings must be interpreted with caution.

Conclusions

Therapeutic exercise reduces pain intensity in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.
Conceptualizing the societal impact of research in terms of elements of logic models: a survey of researchers in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Boshoff Nelius , de Jong Stefan P L
Published: July 2019

This study addressed the conceptualization of the societal impact of research from the perspective of programme evaluation, by focusing on the three ‘result’ elements of logic models: outputs, outcomes, and impact. In research evaluation, the distinction could resemble a difference between product, use, and benefit. The study established whether researchers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), South Africa excluded, view societal impact as extending across all three elements or as confined to the last element only. A web survey of 485 SSA researchers was conducted, as researchers from this region are not yet bounded by policy definitions of impact. The survey imposed the three elements of logic models onto five hypothetical descriptions of ‘impactful’ research initiatives. Respondents rated each element in terms of how much it reflects the societal impact of research. For any initiative, use was more likely to be considered a strong example of societal impact compared to a product, but less likely so compared to benefit. Between 23% and 43% of respondents rated all three elements as strong examples of the societal impact of research. Responses were analyzed by SSA region and the research domain and years of research experience of survey participants. An open-ended question about own understandings of societal impact was included as well in the survey. The responses portrayed impact as a (generally) positive effect that contributes to change in the daily life of human kind. The expectation that research should have impact at an almost general level of aggregation could be unique to the SSA context.
Continuous Monoculture Shapes Root and Rhizosphere Fungal Communities of Corn and Soybean in Soybean Cyst Nematode-Infested Soil
Authors: Strom Noah , Hu Weiming , Chen Senyu , Bushley Kathryn
Published: July 2019

The rhizosphere effect shapes microbial communities around and within plant roots and may lead to the enrichment of fungi involved in both positive and negative plant-soil feedbacks. We used internal transcribed spacer 1 amplicon sequencing to investigate how continuous monoculture affects the fungal communities in the corn and soybean rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and root endosphere in a long-term crop rotation experiment where soils were infested with a major soybean pathogen, the soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines). Community-level statistical analyses showed evidence of selective filtering and enrichment of fungi in and around corn and soybean roots and in SCN cysts. Patterns of relatedness between fungal communities in various agroecosystem compartments suggested that SCN cysts are colonized by soybean root endophytic fungi and that colonization of roots and cysts may aid proliferation of these fungi in the bulk soil agroecosystem compartment over time. Natural antagonists of the SCN such as nematode-trapping fungi and nematode endoparasites increased in relative abundance in the rhizosphere and root endosphere, respectively, over continuous soybean monoculture. In contrast, arbuscular mycorrhizal and plant-pathogenic fungi, several of which were negatively correlated with corn yield, increased in relative abundance over continuous corn monoculture. These results suggest the possibility of positive plant-soil feedbacks involving nematophagous fungi over continuous soybean monoculture and negative plant-soil feedbacks involving plant pathogens and some nonbeneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi over continuous corn monoculture.
A Matter of Trust
Authors: Hendren Elizabeth M. , Kumagai Arno K.
Published: July 2019

Trust is a fundamental tenet of the patient–physician relationship and is central to providing person-centered care. Because trust is profoundly relational and social, building trust requires navigation around issues of power, perceptions of competence, and the pervasive influence of unconscious bias—processes that are inherently complex and challenging for learners, even under the best of circumstances. The authors examine several of these challenges related to building trust in the patient–physician relationship. They also explore trust in the student–teacher relationship. In an era of competency-based medical education, a learner has the additional duty to be perceived as “entrustable” to 2 parties: the patient and the preceptor. Dialogue, a relational form of communication, can provide a framework for the development of trust. By engaging people as individuals in understanding each other’s perspectives, values, and goals, dialogue ultimately strengthens the patient–physician relationship. In promoting a sense of agency in the learner, dialogue also strengthens the student–teacher relationship by fostering trust in oneself through development of a voice of one’s own.
Fostering Meaning in Residency to Curb the Epidemic of Resident Burnout: Recommendations From Four Chief Medical Residents
Authors: Berg David D. , Divakaran Sanjay , Stern Robert M. , Warner Lindsay N.
Published: July 2019

Burnout has become commonplace in residency training, affecting more than half of residents and having negative implications for both their well-being and their ability to care for patients. During the authors’ year as chief medical residents at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 2017–2018, they became intimately familiar with the burnout epidemic in residency training. The authors argue that addressing resident burnout requires residency programs and teaching hospitals to focus not on the individual contributors to burnout but instead on fostering meaning within residency to help residents find purpose and professional satisfaction in their work. In this Perspective, they highlight 4 important elements of residency that provide meaning: patient care, intellectual engagement, respect, and community. Patient care, intellectual engagement, and community provide residents with a focus that is larger than themselves, while respect is necessary for a resident’s sense of belonging. The authors provide examples from their own experiences and from the literature to suggest ways in which residency programs and teaching hospitals can strengthen each of these elements within residency and curb the epidemic of burnout.
Education Program Regarding Labor Epidurals Increases Utilization by Hispanic Medicaid Beneficiaries
Authors: Togioka Brandon M. , Seligman Katherine M. , Werntz Megan K. , Yanez N. David , Noles Lorna M. , Treggiari Miriam M.
Published: July 2019

Editor’s Perspective

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Background

Hispanic women choose epidural labor analgesia less commonly than non-Hispanic women. This may represent a healthcare disparity related to a language barrier and inadequate opportunities for labor analgesia education. It was hypothesized that a language-concordant, educational program regarding labor epidurals would improve epidural utilization in two independent cohorts of Hispanic and non-Hispanic women.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial, blinded to anesthesia, nursing, and obstetric providers, was completed at an academic hospital (February 2015 to February 2017). Two cohorts of Medicaid beneficiaries of Hispanic (English- and/or Spanish-speaking) and non-Hispanic ethnicity were enrolled concurrently. The patients were randomized to routine care alone or routine care and an additional educational program comprised of three components: a video show, corresponding pamphlet, and in-person counseling. The primary endpoint was use of epidural labor analgesia. The secondary endpoint was change in response before and after delivery on common misconceptions based on a 12-point epidural questionnaire.

Results

Hispanic women randomized to the intervention group were 33% more likely to choose epidural analgesia compared to the routine care group (40 of 50 [80%] vs. 30 of 50 [60%]; risk ratio, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.02 to 1.74]; P = 0.029). For the non-Hispanic cohort, no difference was detected in epidural use between the intervention and routine care groups (41 of 50 [82%] vs. 42 of 49 [86%]; risk ratio, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.80 to 1.14]; P = 0.62), but the study was underpowered to determine a result of no difference. Patients assigned to the intervention had a greater improvement in epidural understanding compared with routine care, among both Hispanic (2.26 vs. 0.74, respectively; difference in change from baseline, 1.52 [95% CI, 0.77 to 2.27]; P < 0.001) and non-Hispanic (1.36 vs. 0.33, respectively; difference in change from baseline, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.23 to 1.75]; P = 0.005) cohorts. There were no adverse events during the trial.

Conclusions

The educational program increased epidural use among Hispanic women. The educational program reduced misconceptions regarding epidural analgesia in both Hispanic and non-Hispanic cohorts.
Continuous Near-infrared Spectroscopy Monitoring in Adult Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mathieu François , Khellaf Abdelhakim , Ku Jerry C. , Donnelly Joseph , Thelin Eric P. , Zeiler Frederick A.
Published: July 2019

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) may provide a noninvasive way to monitor cerebral oxygenation in patients with traumatic brain injury, therein allowing for timely intervention aimed at reversing regional brain tissue hypoxia. We conducted a systematic review of NIRS-based oximetry measurements and their association with (A) patient functional outcome (B) other neurophysiological parameters. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, BIOSIS, GlobalHealth and Cochrane Databases from inception to December 2018 and relevant conference proceedings published over the last 5 years. A total of 42 studies meeting our inclusion criteria were found (37 prospective observational, 5 retrospective designs). Seven studies reporting on the association between NIRS-based cerebral oxygenated hemoglobin measurements, mortality, modified Rankin Scale, Glasgow Outcome Scale, or Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale were identified. Forty-two studies exploring associations with neurophysiological parameters were included. Notwithstanding significant gaps in the currently available literature, our analysis suggests a link between NIRS-detected cerebral hypoxia during the acute phase of traumatic brain injury and poor functional outcome. NIRS measurements appear to reflect changes in intracranial pressure, invasively monitored brain tissue oxygen tension and various cerebrovascular reactivity indices although low quality contradicting data exist. More importantly, our review highlights the need for more prospective work before routine integration of NIRS-based techniques into multimodality monitoring regimen.
GLT8D1 overexpression as a novel prognostic biomarker in human cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Hu Hongyan , Li Zhen , Zhou Yongchun , Zhang Yi , Zhao Liufang , Zhao Wentao , Huang Yunchao , Song Xin
Published: July 2019

Aberrant glycosylation plays a major role in the progression of melanoma, but little is known about glycosyltransferases. Glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing 1 (GLT8D1) is located in the Golgi apparatus and is related to transferase activity in mammals. However, its role in cancer remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of GLT8D1 in human melanoma and explore the relationship between GLT8D1 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of melanoma patients via GEO data analysis combined with clinical patient data. The analysis of 45 malignant melanoma samples and 18 benign nevus samples from the GEO database was performed. Moreover, 67 patients with cutaneous melanoma and 38 patients with mucosal melanoma as well as 40 benign nevus samples were collected for our study. Immunohistochemistry analyses were implemented to evaluate GLT8D1 expression at protein level. The GEO data analysis exhibited that the GLT8D1 mRNA expression was upregulated in the melanoma samples compared with the benign nevus samples. Likewise, GLT8D1 protein expression in the cutaneous melanoma and mucosal melanoma samples was significantly higher than that in the benign nevus tissue samples (P = 0.001 and 0.046, respectively). Furthermore, the GLT8D1 protein expression in cutaneous melanoma was higher than that in mucosal melanoma (P = 0.001). The high GLT8D1 protein expression was remarkably correlated with Clark level (P = 0.027), AJCC stage (P = 0.003), ulceration status (P = 0.041), Ki-67 expression (P = 0.030) and especially with histopathological type (P = 0.001). The results of the Kaplan–Meier survival and Cox regression analyses revealed that cutaneous melanoma patients with high GLT8D1 expression (P = 0.036), Clark level (P = 0.018) and advanced AJCC stage (P = 0.003) encountered poor overall survival. Overall survival (P = 0.040) and progression-free survival (P = 0.019) were worse for the patients with high GLT8D1 expression than for the patients with low expression. These data implied that GLT8D1 could be an independent prognostic factor for an unfavorable prognosis in cutaneous malignant melanoma patients and that GLT8D1 overexpression might serve as a novel prognostic biomarker.
Placebo and nocebo effects on itch: a review of experimental methods
Authors: Blythe Joseph S. , Peerdeman Kaya J. , Veldhuijzen Dieuwke S. , van Laarhoven Antoinette I.M. , Evers Andrea W.M.
Published: July 2019

Itch is a commonly experienced symptom of acute and chronic dermatological and systemic conditions. Placebo and nocebo effects, positive and negative effects experienced after both real and sham interventions, putatively due to positive or negative outcome expectancies, can have a significant impact on the experience of itch and its treatment. Experimental methods to induce and study placebo and nocebo effects on itch have been developed, utilizing various combinations of expectancy-induction methods (eg, conditioning, verbal suggestions) and short-acting itch-evoking stimuli (eg, histamine, electrical, or mechanical stimulation). The aim of this review is to describe the current research methods used to induce placebo and nocebo effects on itch, and the results of these studies. The benefits and drawbacks of different expectancy-induction methods and itch-evoking stimuli are described, and future directions for research and clinical application are discussed.
Positive Side Effects: The Perceived Health and Psychosocial Benefits of Delivering an HIV Self-Management Program for Peer Educators Living With HIV
Authors: Raker Amanda R. , Feldman Matthew B. , Hile Stephen J. , Chandraratna Sahani
Published: July 2019

Although there is evidence that peer-led HIV treatment interventions are effective in improving health outcomes of people living with HIV (PLWH), few studies have assessed the health and psychosocial benefits of being a peer living with HIV. Qualitative interviews were conducted with nine PLWH who were peers of an HIV self-management intervention, to examine how this experience was perceived to impact their health behaviors, social support, and professional development. Peers reported improved HIV self-management and reduced health risk behaviors, which were attributed to increased self-efficacy and the desire to be a role model for participants. Peers described the experience as an opportunity to expand social networks and develop professional skills that could be leveraged for future employment. Our findings suggested that the benefits of being a peer could be enhanced in trainings and supervision by linking the importance of health-promoting behaviors to being a role model for other PLWH.
Development and Validation of the Self-Efficacy of Student Physical Therapist Outcomes Survey
Authors: Stickley Lois A. , Bezner Janet R. , Spivey Steve
Published: July 2019

Introduction.

Self-efficacy is believed to be a link between knowledge and the application of knowledge and skills to specific situations. No previously published survey comprehensively measures the self-efficacy of student physical therapists for the outcomes expected of entry-level physical therapists.

Methods.

The Self-Efficacy of Physical Therapist Student Outcomes (SEPTSO) survey was designed according to the recommended guidelines for tools measuring self-efficacy. Each of the 25 items was linked to published outcomes expected of entry-level physical therapists. Students in 3 cohorts of a 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program completed the online SEPTSO 3 times over the course of 1 academic year.

Results.

There was a statistically significant difference among the 3 cohorts in self-efficacy. 05
F
74 = 51.93, ρ < .0001, with significant differences between self-efficacy scores in the classes of DPT 3 and DPT 1 (ρ < .001) and DPT 2 and DPT 3 (ρ < .001). A 2 × 4 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) examining the effect of age or sex found no significant main effects for age (ρ = .059) or sex (ρ = .113) and no significant interactions (ρ = .843). Cronbach's alpha was .983 for the 25 items, demonstrating excellent and significant internal validity, and the item-to-total correlation was high for each item, ranging from .981 to .983. A factor analysis resulted in a model in which 2 factors explained 71% of the variance within the factors of patient management and professionalism.

Discussion.

The SEPTSO survey possesses excellent content validity without bias for age or sex. The potential uses of the SEPTSO survey include program evaluation, curriculum evaluation to identify program weaknesses, accreditation, and self-reflection in students.
Insomnia disorder diagnosis and treatment patterns in primary care: A cross-sectional analysis of electronic medical records data
Authors: Klingman Karen J. , Sprey John
Published: July 2019

Background and purpose:

About one in every three US adults is estimated to have insomnia disorder. Consequences of untreated insomnia disorder are debilitating and costly, and primary care providers (PCPs) are uniquely positioned to detect and treat insomnia, thus preventing its adverse outcomes. The goal of this study was to explore the utility of analyzing electronic medical record data to identify patterns in diagnosis and management of insomnia disorder by PCPs.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Numbers of medical records containing at least one insomnia disorder diagnosis code, one insomnia-related medication, or both were tabulated. Prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) were determined.

Results:

Insomnia disorder diagnoses were present in 9.4% of the records; 7.4% contained insomnia-related medication(s), and only 3.9% contained both. Diagnoses and medications were higher among women than men (ORs up to 2.87, depending on age range) and in general and increased with age.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of insomnia disorder diagnoses in primary care medical records falls below expectation for the population of interest, and less than half of patients with an insomnia disorder diagnosis are prescribed an insomnia-related medication. Electronic medical records provide an efficient window into insomnia disorder diagnosis and management patterns in the primary care setting.

Implications for practice:

Primary care providers may be missing opportunities to detect and treat insomnia disorder as a way of improving overall patient outcomes. Electronic medical record systems may require modification to facilitate more accurate data extraction.
What is the Role of Hyaluronic Acid Ester in Myringoplasty? Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wong Wai Keat , Luu Eric H.
Published: July 2019

Objective:

To reveal odds of tympanic membrane closure and postoperative hearing outcomes for myringoplasty utilizing hyaluronic acid ester via systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources:

1) Search of English articles in PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases published between January 1, 1998 and March 31, 2018.

Study Selection:

Inclusion criteria: 1) English language; 2) clinical studies; 3) reported posttreatment perforation status, hearing outcomes, or complications. Exclusion criteria: hyaluronic acid used for middle ear packing or topical application of hyaluronic acid solution.

Data Extraction:

Number of patients, surgical technique, mean age, overall rate of tympanic membrane closure, success rate based on size of perforation, mean air-bone gap improvement, and postoperative speech scores and complications.

Data Synthesis:

Ten studies encompassing 531 patients met criteria. Reported success rates for closure of chronic perforation ranged from 70.0 to 92.7% (mean, 85.21%). Smaller perforation predicted success in complete closure. Mean air-bone gap closure was 10.6 dB (4–24 dB). There were five complications reported. Meta-analysis was performed on five studies. No difference was noted in the success rates between hyaluronic acid ester myringoplasty and conventional tympanoplasty using fascia or perichondrium, with an overall closure rates of 89.8 and 89.4%, respectively (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59–1.82, p = 0.896). A higher closure rate was seen in hyaluronic acid ester myringoplasty (87.9%) when compared with fat graft myringoplasty (70.8%), (OR 3.01, 95% CI 1.42–6.35, p = 0.004).

Conclusions:

Hyaluronic acid (HA) ester myringoplasty appears to be safe and effective at attaining complete closure of tympanic membrane perforation, although there exists significant selection bias and inconsistent reporting among existing papers.
Endaural Laser-Assisted Single-Stage Inside-Out Cholesteatoma Surgery (LASIC) to Treat Advanced Congenital Cholesteatoma
Authors: Lee Chang Ho , Kim Mi Kyung , Kim Hyoung-Mi , Won Cheongse , Shin Tae Hyun , Kim So Young
Published: July 2019

Objectives:

Investigation of endaural laser-assisted single-stage inside-out cholesteatoma surgery (LASIC) to treat advanced congenital cholesteatoma (ACC) by a modified staging system based on ossicle status.

Study Design:

A retrospective case review.

Setting:

A university hospital otology referral clinic.

Patients:

Two hundred consecutive pediatric patients with ACC were enrolled.

Interventions:

Endaural LASIC and postoperative temporal bone computed tomography (CT).

Main Outcome Measures:

Residual or recurrent CC and audiological outcomes.

Results:

LASIC was feasible in 98.0% of patients. Single-stage ossiculoplasty was performed in 95.5% of patients. Hearing preservation to less than 20 dB was 59.2% and to the preoperative hearing level was 84.5%. Mastoid invasion did not result in worse recidivism or hearing loss (HL) but further invasion of the stapes superstructure (stage IV) significantly elevated both the recidivism (16.7%) and the risk for HL (to 84.8%) (p = 0.001). Ossicle preservation LASIC was frequently possible in stage III posterior type (75.6%), whereas it was rarely possibly (15.4%) in the anterior type. Incudostapedial joint (ISJ) invasion in the absence of cochleariform process (CP) invasion (III-posterior) did not increase the incidence of HL (6.1%) or recidivism (2.4%). However, simultaneous invasion of the CP and ISJ (III-anterior) elevated the risk of HL by 46.2% by ossicle removal, although recidivism was not increased (3.8%).

Conclusions:

Endaural LASIC for ACC achieved satisfactory recidivism (overall 7.5%, 16.7% in stage IV) comparable to early CC (17.2%). An ossicle status-based staging system was more efficient for correlation with audiologic and surgical outcomes of CC than that of mastoid invasion.
Quantification of Cognitive Dysfunction in Dizzy Patients Using the Neuropsychological Vertigo Inventory
Authors: Liu Yuan F. , Locklear Taylor D. , Sharon Jeffrey D. , Lacroix Emilie , Nguyen Shaun A. , Rizk Habib G.
Published: July 2019

Objective:

Currently available patient reported outcomes questionnaires for dizzy patients give limited insight into the cognitive dysfunction patients often report. Using the newly developed English version of the neuropsychological vertigo inventory (NVI), we aimed to quantify the cognitive impairment of dizzy patients.

Study Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

Tertiary neurotology clinic.

Patients:

Adults with vestibular diagnoses seen between June 2018 and October 2018. Patients with neurologic disorders affecting cognition were excluded.

Interventions:

None.

Main Outcome Measure:

NVI score. Secondary measures: dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) score, cognitive failure questionnaire (CFQ) score, 20-item short form health survey scores (SF20).

Results:

Of 67 subjects, 13 had BPPV, 11 had Menière's disease (MD), and 20 had vestibular migraine (VM). VM patients were significantly younger (43.5 versus 61.1 yrs, p = 0.016), and had significantly higher NVI (67.5 versus 51.0, p = 0.040) scores than BPPV patients. MD patients had significantly higher CFQ scores (44.8 versus 23.4, p = 0.015) than BPPV patients. NVI scores were similar between MD (67.3) and VM (67.5) patients (p = 1.000). DHI scores were similar for all patients (p = 0.102). NVI scores were highly correlated to CFQ scores (r = 0.864, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

VM patients have levels of cognitive dysfunction similar to MD patients, but greater than BPPV patients. A lack of difference in DHI scores among these patients reflects its limitation in assessing the cognitive domain.
Traboulsi syndrome due to ASPH mutation: an under-recognised cause of ectopia lentis
Authors: Kulkarni Nainesha , Lloyd Ian C. , Ashworth Jane , Biswas Susmito , Black Graeme C.M. , Clayton-Smith Jill
Published: July 2019

Traboulsi syndrome is an extremely rare ophthalmological disorder characterised by facial dysmorphism, lens dislocation, anterior segment abnormalities and spontaneous filtering blebs. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the ASPH gene. To date, only 13 individuals with Traboulsi syndrome from three families have been reported in the literature. We report the first UK family with Traboulsi syndrome associated with two novel ASPH variants. This condition, which has some phenotypic overlap with both Marfan syndrome and homocystinuria, is most likely under ascertained, and we further delineate the clinical features to aid its recognition.
Does One Size Fit All With the Effects of Payment Reform? Dialysis Facility Payer Mix and Anemia Management Under the Expanded Medicare Prospective Payment System
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Purna , Pearson Jeffrey , Cogan Chad , Gaber Charley , Gillespie Brenda W. , Turenne Marc
Published: July 2019

Background:

The effects of Medicare payment reforms aiming to improve the efficiency and quality of care by establishing greater financial accountability for providers may vary based on the extent and types of other coverage for their patient populations. Providers who are more resource constrained due to a less favorable payer mix face greater financial risks under such reforms. The impact of the expanded Medicare dialysis prospective payment system (PPS) on quality of care in independent dialysis facilities may vary based on the extent of higher payments from private insurers available for managing increased risks.

Objectives:

To evaluate whether anemia outcomes for dialysis patients in independent facilities differ under the Medicare PPS based on facility payer mix.

Design:

We examined changes in anemia outcomes for 122,641 Medicare dialysis patients in 921 independent facilities during 2009–2014 among facilities with differing levels of employer insurance (EI). We performed similar analyses of facilities affiliated with large dialysis organizations, whose practices were not expected to change based on facility-specific payer mix.

Results:

Among independent facilities, similar modeled trends in low hemoglobin for all 3 facility EI groups in 2009–2010 were followed by increased low hemoglobin during 2012–2014 for facilities with lower EI (P<0.01). Post-PPS standardized blood transfusion ratios were 9% higher for lower EI versus higher EI independent facilities (P
<0.01). Among large dialysis organizations facilities, there was no divergence in low hemoglobin by payer mix under the PPS.

Conclusions:

There is evidence of poorer quality of care for anemia under the PPS in independent facilities with lower versus higher EI. Provider responses to payment reform may vary based on attributes such as payer mix that could have implications for health disparities.