bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using angling and electric fishing to estimate smallmouth bass abundance in a river
Authors: Mycko S. A. , Kanno Y. , Bettinger J. M.
Published: December 2017

Estimating abundance is fundamental to effective fishery management but can be challenging in a river where spatial and temporal heterogeneity may preclude the consistent use of a single sampling gear and different gears have differing size selectivity and capture probabilities of fish. In this study, the number of smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, was estimated based on mark–recapture data from angling and boat electric fishing in a 4.2‐km regulated section (mean width = 115 m) of the Broad River, South Carolina, USA. Closed‐population capture–mark–recapture models were fit in the Bayesian hierarchical modelling framework with an estimated number of 2,380 fish (95% credible interval: 1,578–3,693) over 200 mm TL, although simulations indicated that abundance would be slightly overestimated (<20%) when two gears selected for different individuals. Integrating two gear types into a mark–recapture study can provide a method for assessing abundance in spatially or temporally heterogeneous habitats.
Correlation of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor expression in patients with alopecia areata: a clinical paradigm
Authors: Daroach Manju , Narang Tarun , Saikia Uma N. , Sachdeva Naresh , Sendhil Kumaran Muthu
Published: December 2017

Background

Vitamin D (Vit.D) deficiency has been reported in alopecia areata (AA). Downregulation of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) on hair follicles is associated with reduced hair growth.

Objective

To correlate serum Vit.D levels with severity, pattern, and duration of AA, and density of VDR expression over hair follicles in AA patients.

Methods

Prospective study including 30 AA patients and 30 healthy controls. Clinical details and serum Vit.D measurement and scalp biopsy for histopathology and VDR expression was performed in patients and controls at baseline and after 6 months of treatment of AA.

Results

Mean age of patients and controls was 28.9 ± 9.96 and 31.17 ± 9.43 years, respectively. Mean SALT score in patients was 35.8 ± 27.5 with a median disease duration of 48 weeks. Mean serum Vit.D levels was 7.65 ± 4.50 ng/ml and 15.8 ± 11.47 ng/ml in patients and controls, respectively. Twenty‐nine (96.7%) patients were Vit.D deficient (<20 ng/ml), compared to 22 (73.3%) controls (P = 0.001). Serum Vit.D levels inversely correlated with severity of the disease (r = ‐256), P = 0.17, and duration of disease but did not correlate with pattern of AA and VDR expression in tissue samples. VDR expression was reduced in all patients and was normal in controls. Inverse correlation of VDR was noted with presence of inflammation on histology (P = 0.02). VDR upregulation post treatment was seen only in 13% of patients and demonstrated no correlation with response to treatment.

Conclusion

Vit.D deficiency in AA correlates inversely with disease severity and duration. VDR expression is reduced in AA and inversely correlate with inflammation histologically but does not correlates with serum Vit.D levels, severity, pattern, or duration of illness.
Notalgia paresthetica: a review for dermatologists
Authors: Howard Matthew , Sahhar Lukas , Andrews Frank , Bergman Ralph , Gin Douglas
Published: December 2017

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is an underdiagnosed condition that presents with unilateral pruritus medial to the scapula on the midback with or without an associated hyperpigmented or hypopigmented macule. There is a paucity of recent reviews on this chronic cutaneous neuropathy in peer‐reviewed journals. Current theories propose the condition is likely multifactorial, including spinal entrapment and muscular compressive neuropathy. An extensive literature review was performed by searching the MEDLINE database to review all published works on notalgia paresthetica. This review will provide a useful update for clinicians on the pathogenesis, clinical features, biopsy features, risk factors, and management options for this condition including pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods detailing published treatment options to date for this difficult to treat condition.
Regulating social welfare services: Between compliance and learning
Authors: Benish Avishai , Halevy Dana , Spiro Shimon
Published: December 2017

With the ongoing privatisation and marketisation of social welfare, the regulatory functions of governments have become much more important, necessitating careful attention. Yet there is little scholarly work on the goals and nature of regulating privatised social welfare services. To fill this gap, this study examined the regulatory process used by the Israeli Youth Protection Authority (YPA) to regulate homes for at‐risk youth. Based on 24 semi‐structured interviews with inspectors and staff, the article highlights the YPA's distinctive learning‐based and collaborative approach to regulating social welfare services. This approach puts the capacity‐building of professional skills, rather than compliance, at the centre of the regulatory mission and leaves room for professional discretion to the homes and the inspectors. The article outlines the distinctive features of this approach, considering its advantages and shortcomings in comparison with the more legalistic and audit‐based approaches currently dominating the field of social care inspection.
National burden of hospitalized and non‐hospitalized influenza‐associated severe acute respiratory illness in Kenya, 2012‐2014
Authors: Dawa Jeanette A. , Chaves Sandra S. , Nyawanda Bryan , Njuguna Henry N. , Makokha Carolyne , Otieno Nancy A. , Anzala Omu , Widdowson Marc‐Alain , Emukule Gideon O.
Published: December 2017

Background

Influenza‐associated respiratory illness was substantial during the emergence of the 2009 influenza pandemic. Estimates of influenza burden in the post‐pandemic period are unavailable to guide Kenyan vaccine policy.

Objectives

To update estimates of hospitalized and non‐hospitalized influenza‐associated severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) during a post‐pandemic period (2012‐2014) and describe the incidence of disease by narrow age categories.

Methods

We used data from Siaya County Referral Hospital to estimate age‐specific base rates of SARI. We extrapolated these base rates to other regions within the country by adjusting for regional risk factors for acute respiratory illness (ARI), regional healthcare utilization for acute respiratory illness, and the proportion of influenza‐positive SARI cases in each region, so as to obtain region‐specific rates.

Results

The mean annual rate of hospitalized influenza‐associated SARI among all ages was 21 (95% CI 19‐23) per 100 000 persons. Rates of non‐hospitalized influenza‐associated SARI were approximately 4 times higher at 82 (95% CI 74‐90) per 100 000 persons. Mean annual rates of influenza‐associated SARI were highest in children <2 years of age with annual hospitalization rates of 147 (95% CI of 134‐160) per 100 000 persons and non‐hospitalization rates of 469 (95% CI 426‐517) per 100 000 persons. For the period 2012‐2014, there were between 8153 and 9751 cases of hospitalized influenza‐associated SARI and 31 785‐38 546 cases of non‐hospitalized influenza‐associated SARI per year.

Conclusions

The highest burden of disease was observed among children <2 years of age. This highlights the need for strategies to prevent influenza infections in this age group.
Effect of K2SO4 additions on properties of porous fibrous alumina ceramics prepared by DCC and lost‐mold method
Authors: Liu Yu‐Xuan , Chen An‐Nan , Wu Jia‐Min , Liu Rong‐Zhen , Cheng Li‐Jin , Huo Wen‐Long , Li Chen‐Hui , Shi Yu‐Sheng
Published: December 2017

Flawless porous fibrous alumina ceramics with high performance were fabricated via a novel approach involving direct coagulation casting and lost‐mold method. Stable alumina suspensions were prepared by adding sodium tri‐polyphosphate as dispersant using alumina fibers as raw material and K2SO4 as sintering aid. Resin‐coated sand molds with designed shapes for suspension casting were fabricated through 3D printing with subsequent post‐treatments. Alumina green bodies were obtained by in situ coagulation of the suspension after treating at 90°C within 40 minutes. Porous alumina ceramics were obtained after direct furnace sintering of green bodies without demolding, in which the molds would collapse automatically at around 650°C with less exhaust emission. The effect of various K2SO4 contents and sintering temperatures on mechanical properties of porous ceramics was investigated. The SEM results showed that the fibers interconnected with obvious interfacial bondings on junctions when sintered at 1450°C. The XRD patterns showed that the sample sintered with various K2SO4 additions consisted of different phases, mainly including aluminosilicates. Porosity of ceramic samples increased slightly whereas the compressive strength enhanced significantly with increasing K2SO4 addition. The density of sintered samples with different K2SO4 contents was in accord with the porosity variation tendency. The ceramic samples had uniform pore size distribution with average size from 3.18 to 7.24 μm as increasing K2SO4 addition to 40 wt%. This approach may provide a convenient and general route to fabricate various dense and porous advanced ceramics with complex shapes and good composition homogeneity.
In situ synthesis mechanism of 15R–SiAlON reinforced Al2O3 refractories by Fe–Si liquid phase sintering
Authors: Qin Haixia , Li Yong , Long Menglong , Nie Xi , Jiang Peng , Xue Wendong
Published: December 2017

15R–SiAlON bonded Al2O3 refractories were successfully synthesized using ferrosilicon nitride and alumina by liquid phase sintering. The phase composition and morphology were analyzed by means of X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that 15R–SiAlON reinforcement can be in situ obtained in the specimens with 5 wt% ferrosilicon nitride at 1500°C to 1700°C in flowing N2 of 0.1 MPa. The morphology of 15R–SiAlON is strongly dependent on the morphology of intermediate AlON phases formed at different temperatures. Fe–Si alloys from ferrosilicon nitride form liquid phase and accelerate the formation of 15R‐SiAlON, in which process the wettability of Fe–Si alloys is improved by the increase in Si content, carbon coating on particle, solution process and reactions. The 15R–SiAlON reinforced Al2O3 refractory materials possess high cold crushing strength of 138‐171 MPa.
Metabolic responses of Eucalyptus species to different temperature regimes
Authors: Mokochinski Joao Benhur , Mazzafera Paulo , Sawaya Alexandra Christine Helena Frankland , Mumm Roland , de Vos Ric Cornelis Hendricus , Hall Robert David
Published: December 2017

Species and hybrids of Eucalyptus are the world's most widely planted hardwood trees. They are cultivated across a wide range of latitudes and therefore environmental conditions. In this context, comprehensive metabolomics approaches have been used to assess how different temperature regimes may affect the metabolism of three species of Eucalyptus, E. dunnii, E. grandis and E. pellita. Young plants were grown for 53 d in the greenhouse and then transferred to growth chambers at 10°C, 20°C or 30°C for another 7 d. In all three species the leaf chlorophyll content was positively correlated to temperature, and in E. pellita the highest temperature also resulted in a significant increase in stem biomass. Comprehensive metabolomics was performed using untargeted gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and liquid chromatography (LC)‐MS. This approach enabled the comparison of the relative abundance of 88 polar primary metabolites from GC‐MS and 625 semi‐polar secondary metabolites from LC‐MS. Using principal components analysis, a major effect of temperature was observed in each species which was larger than that resulting from the genetic background. Compounds mostly affected by temperature treatment were subsequently selected using partial least squares discriminant analysis and were further identified. These putative annotations indicated that soluble sugars and several polyphenols, including tannins, triterpenes and alkaloids were mostly influenced.
Occipital blood‐brain barrier permeability is an independent predictor of visual outcome in type 2 diabetes, irrespective of the retinal barrier: A longitudinal study
Authors: Abuhaiba S. I. , Cordeiro M. , Amorim A. , Cruz Â. , Quendera B. , Ferreira C. , Ribeiro L. , Bernardes R. , Castelo‐Branco M.
Published: December 2017

Blood‐brain barrier (BBB) permeability in type 2 diabetic patients has been previously shown to be altered in certain brain regions such as the basal ganglia and the hippocampus. Because of the histological and functional similarities between the BBB) and the blood‐retinal barrier (BRB), we aimed to investigate how the permeability of both barriers predicts visual outcome. We included 2 control groups (acute unilateral stroke patients, n = 9; type 2 diabetics without BRB leakage n = 10) and a case study group of type 2 diabetics with established BRB leakage (n = 17). We evaluated sex, age, disease duration, metabolic impairment, retinopathy grade and BBB permeability as predictors of visual acuity at baseline, 12  and 24 months in the type 2 diabetics without BRB leakage group and the case study group. We have also explored differences in BBB permeability in the occipital lobe and frontal lobe in the 3 different groups. Ktrans (volume transfer coefficient) and Vp (fractional plasma volume) were estimated. The BBB permeability parameter Vp was higher in the case study group compared to the unaffected hemisphere of the stroke patient control group, suggesting vascular dynamics were changed in the occipital lobe of type 2 diabetics with established BRB leakage. These patients showed a significant correlation between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels and occipital and frontal Ktrans. We report for the first time that occipital BBB permeability is an independent predictor of visual acuity at baseline, as well as at 12 and 24 months, in type 2 diabetics with established BRB leakage. Our results suggest that occipital BBB permeability might be an independent biomarker for visual impairment in patients with established BRB leakage.
Evaluation of the Live Biotherapeutic Product, Asymptomatic BacteriuriaEscherichia coli2‐12, in Healthy Dogs and Dogs with Clinical RecurrentUTI
Authors: Segev G. , Sykes J.E. , Klumpp D.J. , Schaeffer A.J. , Antaki E.M. , Byrne B.A. , Yaggie R.E. , Westropp J.L.
Published: December 2017

Background

Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging problem.

Hypothesis/Objective

To investigate the safety and efficacy of a live biotherapeutic product,ASBE. coli2‐12 forUTItreatment.

Animals

Six healthy research dogs; nine client‐owned dogs with recurrentUTI.

Methods

Prospective noncontrolled clinical trial. For safety data, research dogs were sedated, a urinary catheter was inserted into the bladder; 1010CFU/mLofASBE. coli2‐12 was instilled. Urine was cultured on days 1, 3, and 8 post‐instillation and dogs were observed for lower urinary tract signs (LUTS). For client‐owned dogs,ASBE. coli2‐12 was instilled similarly and urine cultures analyzed on days 1, 7, and 14 days postinstillation.

Results

NoLUTSwere noted in any of the 6 research dogs afterASBE. coli2‐12 infusion. Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) studies confirmed the bacterial strains isolated matched thatASBE. coli2‐12 strain. Four of the nine client‐owned dogs had complete or nearly complete clinical cures by day 14. Of these four dogs, 3 also had microbiologic cures at day 14; one of these dogs had subclinical bacteriuria (in addition toASBE. coli2‐12). Three of these four dogs hadASBE. coli2‐12 isolated from their urine at day 14. With the exception of mild, temporary, self‐limiting, hyporexia in two dogs on the day of biotherapeutic administration, there were no major adverse effects.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

These results suggestASBE. coli2‐12 is safe and should be investigated in a larger controlled study evaluating clinicalUTIin dogs.
ApoplastP: prediction of effectors and plant proteins in the apoplast using machine learning
Authors: Sperschneider Jana , Dodds Peter N. , Singh Karam B. , Taylor Jennifer M.
Published: December 2017

The plant apoplast is integral to intercellular signalling, transport and plant–pathogen interactions. Plant pathogens deliver effectors both into the apoplast and inside host cells, but no computational method currently exists to discriminate between these localizations.

We present ApoplastP, the first method for predicting whether an effector or plant protein localizes to the apoplast.

ApoplastP uncovers features of apoplastic localization common to both effectors and plant proteins, namely depletion in glutamic acid, acidic amino acids and charged amino acids and enrichment in small amino acids. ApoplastP predicts apoplastic localization in effectors with a sensitivity of 75% and a false positive rate of 5%, improving the accuracy of cysteine‐rich classifiers by > 13%. ApoplastP does not depend on the presence of a signal peptide and correctly predicts the localization of unconventionally secreted proteins. The secretomes of fungal saprophytes as well as necrotrophic, hemibiotrophic and extracellular fungal pathogens are enriched for predicted apoplastic proteins. Rust pathogens have low proportions of predicted apoplastic proteins, but these are highly enriched for predicted effectors.

ApoplastP pioneers apoplastic localization prediction using machine learning. It will facilitate functional studies and will be valuable for predicting if an effector localizes to the apoplast or if it enters plant cells.
Therapeutic patient education in children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis: A multicenter randomized controlled trial in China
Authors: Liang Yuan , Tian Jing , Shen Chun Ping , Xu Feng , Wang Hua , Li Ping , Guo Yan Ping , Wei Feng Lei , Ma Lin
Published: December 2017

Background

Therapeutic patient education is a continuous, systematic, patient‐centered learning process to help patients and their families acquire and maintain the skills they need to manage their lives with a chronic disease. It has been proven effective in increasing treatment adherence and improving quality of life for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) in Western countries. We introduce the first multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial of therapeutic patient education in Chinese children with AD.

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of therapeutic patient education on the severity of AD, quality of life, and understanding and successful use of emollients in Chinese children with eczema.

Methods

We recruited 580 children, ages 2‐14 years, with moderate to severe AD from six hospitals in China. Participants were randomized (1:1) to an intervention (n = 293) or control (n = 249) group. In addition to the severity of AD, data on quality of life and a questionnaire on family and patient knowledge of emollients were evaluated at the 6‐month follow‐up.

Results

On study completion, we found that the intervention group showed a significantly greater reduction in mean SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (P < .001) and Infant's Dermatology Life Quality Index (P = .030) scores than the control group. In addition, knowledge about the use of emollients improved significantly in the intervention group. There was no significant difference between groups in Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index scores.

Conclusions

The first randomized controlled trial of a therapeutic patient education program in China had positive long‐term effects on decreasing eczema severity and improvement of quality of life in children 2‐4 years of age with AD, as well as in promoting greater understanding of the use of emollients.
Porphyry Copper Deposit Prognosis in the Middle Region of the Bangonghu–Nujiang Metallogenic Belt, Tibet, Using ASTER Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Dai Jingjing , Qu Xiaoming , Song Yang
Published: December 2017

The Bangonghu–Nujiang metallogenic belt is considered to be Tibet’s third copper belt after the Yulong and Gangdese copper belts. The Duolong gold‐rich porphyry copper deposit, located in the western part of the Bangonghu–Nujiang belt was recently recognized as a superlarge prospect. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) was used to characterize the Duolong porphyry deposit alteration area, and three methods, color enhancement, band ratio transformation, and spectral angle mapping, were utilized to extract the phyllic and argillic alteration zones, which are typically considered the most important predictors of porphyry copper. Seven prospecting areas, which match mapped alteration zones, were delineated in the Duolong deposit. In addition, an ASTER image of the eastern region of the Bangonghu–Nujiang belt in the Xiongmei area was used to extract alteration information, and an area with image characteristics similar to the Duobuza and Bolong ore deposits was identified as a prospecting area. Numerous malachite outcrops were identified in the field, and both laboratory analysis and isotopic dating confirmed that the deposit had formed concurrently with the Duobuza deposit (119 Ma). Geologic mapping at the 1:5000 scale was conducted in the area, and three types of ore‐bearing rocks were identified, indicating that this area has significant potential to host ore deposits. The discovery of the Xiongmei copper mining area is significant for the Bangonghu–Nujiang belt.
Information about expert decision and post‐decision distortion of facts of own decision
Authors: Svenson Ola , Gonzalez Nichel , Memon Amina , Lindholm Torun
Published: December 2017

Cognitive representations of decision problems are dynamic. During and after a decision, evaluations and representations of facts change to support the decision made by a decision maker her‐ or himself (Svenson, 2003). We investigated post‐decision distortion of facts (consolidation). Participants were given vignettes with facts about two terminally ill patients, only one of whom could be given lifesaving surgery. In Study 1, contrary to the prediction, the results showed that facts were distorted after a decision both by participants who were responsible for the decisions themselves and when doctors had made the decision. In Study 2 we investigated the influence of knowledge about expert decisions on a participant's own decision and post‐decisional distortion of facts. Facts were significantly more distorted when the participant's decision agreed with an expert's decision than when the participant and expert decisions disagreed. The findings imply that knowledge about experts' decisions can distort memories of facts and therefore may obstruct rational analyses of earlier decisions. This is particularly important when a decision made by a person, who is assumed to be an expert, makes a decision that is biased or wrong.
Parent–child interactions during traditional and interactive media settings: A pilot randomized control study
Authors: Skaug Silje , Englund Kjellrun T. , Saksvik‐Lehouillier Ingvild , Lydersen Stian , Wichstrøm Lars
Published: December 2017

Parent–child interactions are pivotal for children's socioemotional development, yet might suffer with increased attention to screen media, as research has suggested. In response, we hypothesized that parent–child play on a tablet computer, as representative of interactive media, would generate higher‐quality parent–child interactions than toy play or watching TV. We examined the emotional availability of mothers and their 2‐year‐old child during the previous three contexts using a randomized crossover design (n = 22) in a laboratory room. Among other results, mothers were more sensitive and structuring during joint gaming on a tablet than when engaged in toy play or watching TV. In addition, mothers were more hostile toward their children during play with traditional toys than during joint tablet gaming and television co‐viewing. Such findings provide new insights into the impact of new media on parent–child interactions, chiefly by demonstrating that interactive media devices such as tablets can afford growth‐enhancing parent–child interactions.
String‐Vacuous Head Movement in Japanese: New Evidence from Verb‐Echo Answers
Authors: Sato Yosuke , Hayashi Shintaro
Published: December 2017

Whether Japanese has verb raising or not has been one of the most contentious issues in the literature for more than 20 years. This Remark presents novel evidence for string‐vacuous head movement from the previously unexplored perspective of verb‐echo answers. We propose that such an answer form in Japanese is derived through V–T–C movement in overt syntax, followed byTPellipsis at Phonological Form (PF), rejecting the alternativepro‐drop analysis. Our analysis is supported by a wide range of new facts on verb‐echo answers, including the indefinitepro‐drop restriction, the impossibility of voice mismatches, and adverb‐inclusive interpretations. Because our theory presupposes head movement as its central analytical premise, the results of this article indicate that Japanese grammar is equipped with string‐vacuous verb raising. We will also briefly explore some curious behaviors of verb raising in Japanese relating to the scope of negation under ellipsis and intervention effects. We will argue that this phenomenon differs fundamentally from its counterpart in European languages such as French in that the former is an optional operation in narrow syntax that only occurs if it yields new outcomes atPFand/or Logical Form (LF).
Global value chain and its impact on the linkage between exchange rate and export: Cases of China, Japan and Korea
Authors: Bang Hokyung , Park Misook
Published: December 2017

The link between exchange rate and trade has been studied for a long time, but there is no consensus about their relation. This paper tests the old argument, whether depreciation of real effective exchange rates (REERs) raises exports. We differentiate the test with earlier studies by employing a new measurement of REER and incorporating the effect of GVCs. We measured REER at industry level with value‐added trade weights. We analysed the topic with LSDV and system GMM for China, Japan and Korea since these counties are known to participate actively in GVCs. Our main finding is that exchange rate has significant impact on trade for three countries. However, the movement of elasticity of export to REER varies by country. While the elasticity in China decreased over time, Korea and Japan experienced increasing patterns between mid‐1990s and mid‐2000s and decreasing trends afterwards. This study also tests whether the level of incorporation in GVCs causes a change in elasticity. The results show that growing participation in GVCs lowers the elasticity of export to REER in absolute value. However, this result is only statistically significant in Korea.
Impact of high‐intensity interval training and moderate‐intensity continuous training on resting and postexercise cardiac troponin T concentration
Authors: Nie Jinlei , Zhang Haifeng , Kong Zhaowei , George Keith , Little Jonathan P. , Tong Tomas K. , Li Feifei , Shi Qingde
Published: December 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does exercise training impact resting and postexercise cardiac troponin T (cTnT) concentration?

What is the main finding and its importance?

This randomized controlled intervention study demonstrated that 12 weeks of either high‐intensity interval training or moderate‐intensity continuous training largely abolished the exercise‐induced elevation in cTnT when exercise was performed at the same absolute intensity. There was no impact of training on resting cTnT or postexercise appearance of cTnT when exercise was performed at the same relative intensity. These findings provide new information that might help clinicians with decision‐making in relationship to basal and postexercise values of cTnT in individuals with different training status.

We evaluated the influence of 12 weeks of high‐intensity interval training [HIIT; repeated 4 min cycling at 90% of maximal oxygen uptake () interspersed with 3 min rest, 200–300 kJ per session, 3 or 4 days each week] and work‐equivalent moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT; continuous cycling at 60% ) on resting cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and the appearance of exercise‐induced cTnT. Forty‐eight sedentary obese young women were randomly assigned to HIIT, MICT or a control group. The and body composition were measured before and after training. At baseline, cTnT was assessed using a high‐sensitivity assay at rest and immediately, 2 and 4 h after 45 min cycling at 60% . After a 12 week training period, cTnT was assessed before and after 45 min cycling at the same relative and absolute intensities as before training. Training led to higher and lower fat mass in both HIIT and MICT groups (all P < 0.05). Before training, cTnT was significantly elevated in all three groups (by 35–118%, all P < 0.05) with acute exercise. After training, both resting and postexercise cTnT concentrations (same relative intensity) were similar to pretraining values. In contrast, postexercise cTnT (same absolute intensity, which represented a smaller exercise stimulus) was not elevated from rest in both HIIT and MICT groups. In conclusion, 12 weeks of either HIIT or MICT largely abolished the postexercise elevation of cTnT concentration when exercise was performed at the same absolute intensity. There was, however, no impact of training on resting cTnT or postexercise appearance of cTnT for exercise performed at the same relative intensity.
Improving communication between obstetric and neonatology teams for high-risk deliveries: a quality improvement project
Authors: Sundgren Nathan C , Kelly Frances C , Weber Emily M , Moore Merle L , Gokulakrishnan Ganga , Hagan Joseph L , Brand M Colleen , Gallegos Jennifer O , Levy Barbara E , Fortunov Regine M
Published: December 2017

Summoning is a key component of communication between obstetrics and neonatal resuscitation team (NRT) in advance of deliveries. A paging system is a commonly used summoning tool. The timeliness and information contained in the page help NRT to optimally prepare for postdelivery infant care. Our aim was to increase the frequency that summoning pages contained gestational age and reason for NRT attendance to >90%. At baseline, 8% of pages contained gestational age and 33% of pages contained a reason for NRT attendance. Sequential Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were used as our model for quality improvement. During the 8-month improvement period, the per cent of pages increased to 97% for gestational age and 97% for reason for NRT attendance. Measures of page timeliness, our balancing measure, did not change. Summoning communication between obstetric and NRT is crucial for optimal perinatal outcomes. The active involvement of all stakeholders throughout the project resulted in the development of a standardised paging tool and a more informative paging process, which is a key communication tool used in many centres.
An integrated tool for determining the primary origin site of metastatic tumours
Authors: Santos Marcos Tadeu dos , Souza Bruno Feres de , Cárcano Flavio Mavignier , Vidal Ramon de Oliveira , Scapulatempo-Neto Cristovam , Viana Cristiano Ribeiro , Carvalho Andre Lopes
Published: December 2017

Aims

Cancers of unknown primary sites account for 3%–5% of all malignant neoplasms. Current diagnostic workflows based on immunohistochemistry and imaging tests have low accuracy and are highly subjective. We aim to develop and validate a gene-expression classifier to identify potential primary sites for metastatic cancers more accurately.

Methods

We built the largest Reference Database (RefDB) reported to date, composed of microarray data from 4429 known tumour samples obtained from 100 different sources and divided into 25 cancer superclasses formed by 58 cancer subclass. Based on specific profiles generated by 95 genes, we developed a gene-expression classifier which was first trained and tested by a cross-validation. Then, we performed a double-blinded retrospective validation study using a real-time PCR-based assay on a set of 105 metastatic formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. A histopathological review performed by two independent pathologists served as a reference diagnosis.

Results

The gene-expression classifier correctly identified, by a cross-validation, 86.6% of the expected cancer superclasses of 4429 samples from the RefDB, with a specificity of 99.43%. Next, the performance of the algorithm for classifying the validation set of metastatic FFPE samples was 83.81%, with 99.04% specificity. The overall reproducibility of our gene-expression-classifier system was 97.22% of precision, with a coefficient of variation for inter-assays and intra-assays and intra-lots <4.1%.

Conclusion

We developed a complete integrated workflow for the classification of metastatic tumour samples which may help on tumour primary site definition.
A BET Bromodomain Inhibitor Suppresses Adiposity-Associated Malignant Transformation
Authors: Chakraborty Debrup , Benham Vanessa , Jdanov Vladislav , Bullard Blair , Leal Ana S. , Liby Karen T. , Bernard Jamie J.
Published: December 2017

Almost half a million of all new cancers have been attributed to obesity and epidemiologic evidence implicates visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and high-fat diets (HFD) in increasing cancer risk. We demonstrated that VAT-derived fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) from mice fed an HFD or obese individuals stimulates the malignant transformation of epithelial cells. Mechanism-based strategies to prevent this VAT-enhanced tumorigenesis have not been explored. Clinical studies have indicated that bromodomain inhibitors have considerable potential as therapeutic agents for cancer by inhibiting the activity of several oncogenes, including c-Myc; however, their chemopreventive activity is unknown. We show herein that mice with visceral adiposity have elevated nuclear c-Myc expression in their epidermis. We hypothesized that the bromodomain inhibitor I-BET-762 (I-BET) would have efficacy in the prevention of malignant transformation by VAT and FGF2. We tested this hypothesis using our novel models of VAT-stimulated transformation in vitro and FGF2- stimulated tumor formation in vivo. We found that I-BET significantly attenuates VAT and FGF2-stimulated transformation and inhibits VAT-induced c-Myc protein expression in several skin and breast epithelial cell lines. Moreover, I-BET attenuated tumor growth significantly in FGF2-treated nude mice. Work is ongoing to determine the role of visceral adiposity in c-Myc activity in several tissues and determine the inhibitory effect of I-BET on VAT-promoted tumors in vivo. Cancer Prev Res; 11(3); 129–42. ©2017 AACR.

See related editorial by Berger and Scacheri, p. 125
The current state of CO2 flux chamber studies in the Arctic tundra
Authors: Virkkala Anna-Maria , Virtanen Tarmo , Lehtonen Aleksi , Rinne Janne , Luoto Miska
Published: December 2017

The Arctic tundra plays an important role in the carbon cycle as it stores 50% of global soil organic carbon reservoirs. The processes (fluxes) regulating these stocks are predicted to change due to direct and indirect effects of climate change. Understanding the current and future carbon balance calls for a summary of the level of knowledge regarding chamber-derived carbon dioxide (CO2) flux studies. Here, we describe progress from recently (2000–2016) published studies of growing-season CO2 flux chamber measurements, namely GPP (gross primary production), ER (ecosystem respiration), and NEE (net ecosystem exchange), in the tundra region. We review the study areas and designs along with the explanatory environmental drivers used. Most of the studies were conducted in Alaska and Fennoscandia, and we stress the need for measuring fluxes in other tundra regions, particularly in more extreme climatic, productivity, and soil conditions. Soil respiration and other greenhouse gas measurements were seldom included in the studies. Although most of the environmental drivers of CO2 fluxes have been relatively well investigated (such as the effect of vegetation type and soil microclimate on fluxes), soil nutrients, other greenhouse gases and disturbance regimes require more research as they might define the future carbon balance. Particular attention should be paid to the effects of shrubification, geomorphology, and other disturbance effects such as fire events, and disease and herbivore outbreaks. An improved conceptual framework and understanding of underlying processes of biosphere–atmosphere CO2 exchange will provide more information on carbon cycling in the tundra.
A cluster randomized controlled trial of lay health worker support for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) in South Africa
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Weiss Stephen M. , Soni Manasi , Lee Tae Kyoung , Rodriguez Violeta J. , Cook Ryan , Alcaide Maria Luisa , Setswe Geoffrey , Jones Deborah L.
Published: December 2017

Background

We evaluate the impact of clinic-based PMTCT community support by trained lay health workers in addition to standard clinical care on PMTCT infant outcomes.

Methods

In a cluster randomized controlled trial, twelve community health centers (CHCs) in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, were randomized to have pregnant women living with HIV receive either: a standard care (SC) condition plus time-equivalent attention-control on disease prevention (SC; 6 CHCs; n  = 357), or an enhanced intervention (EI) condition of SC PMTCT plus the “Protect Your Family” intervention (EI; 6 CHCs; n  = 342). HIV-infected pregnant women in the SC attended four antenatal and two postnatal video sessions and those in the EI, four antenatal and two postnatal PMTCT plus “Protect Your Family” sessions led by trained lay health workers. Maternal PMTCT and HIV knowledge were assessed. Infant HIV status at 6 weeks postnatal was drawn from clinic PCR records; at 12 months, HIV status was assessed by study administered DNA PCR. Maternal adherence was assessed by dried blood spot at 32 weeks, and infant adherence was assessed by maternal report at 6 weeks. The impact of the EI was ascertained on primary outcomes (infant HIV status at 6 weeks and 12 months and ART adherence for mothers and infants), and secondary outcomes (HIV and PMTCT knowledge and HIV transmission related behaviours). A series of logistic regression and latent growth curve models were developed to test the impact of the intervention on study outcomes.

Results

In all, 699 women living with HIV were recruited during pregnancy (8–24 weeks), and assessments were completed at baseline, at 32 weeks pregnant (61.7%), and at 6 weeks (47.6%), 6 months (50.6%) and 12 months (59.5%) postnatally. Infants were tested for HIV at 6 weeks and 12 months, 73.5% living infants were tested at 6 weeks and 56.7% at 12 months. There were no significant differences between SC and EI on infant HIV status at 6 weeks and at 12 months, and no differences in maternal adherence at 32 weeks, reported infant adherence at 6 weeks, or PMTCT and HIV knowledge by study condition over time.

Conclusion

The enhanced intervention administered by trained lay health workers did not have any salutary impact on HIV infant status, ART adherence, HIV and PMTCT knowledge.

Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov: number NCT02085356
Accelerated 3D blind separation of convolved mixtures based on the fast iterative shrinkage thresholding algorithm for adaptive multiple subtraction
Authors: Li Zhong-Xiao , Li Zhen-Chun
Published: December 2017

After multiple prediction, adaptive multiple subtraction is essential for the success of multiple removal. The 3D blind separation of convolved mixtures (3D BSCM) method, which is effective in conducting adaptive multiple subtraction, needs to solve an optimization problem containing L1-norm minimization constraints on primaries by the iterative reweighted least-squares (IRLS) algorithm. The 3D BSCM method can better separate primaries and multiples than the 1D/2D BSCM method and the method with energy minimization constraints on primaries. However, the 3D BSCM method has high computational cost because the IRLS algorithm achieves nonquadratic optimization with an LS optimization problem solved in each iteration. In general, it is good to have a faster 3D BSCM method. To improve the adaptability of field data processing, the fast iterative shrinkage thresholding algorithm (FISTA) is introduced into the 3D BSCM method. The proximity operator of FISTA can solve the L1-norm minimization problem efficiently. We demonstrate that our FISTA-based 3D BSCM method achieves similar accuracy of estimating primaries as that of the reference IRLS-based 3D BSCM method. Furthermore, our FISTA-based 3D BSCM method reduces computation time by approximately 60% compared with the reference IRLS-based 3D BSCM method in the synthetic and field data examples.
Therapeutic heat and cryotherapy increases knee range of movement on hamstring muscles of healthy volunteers
Authors: Ananias Bethânia Minussi , Braghiroli Fernanda Lega , Prudêncio Diego Ailton , da Silveira Carolina Buzzi , Sanada Luciana Sayuri , Okubo Rodrigo
Published: December 2017

Purpose:

To investigate the effects of heat (surface and deep) and cold on the range of motion of the knee.

Methods:

A total of 40 volunteers were randomly allocated into four groups, with 10 participants in each group. The control group had no intervention, the infrared group received an application of surface heat conducted through an infrared device, the shortwave group received deep heating through a shortwave device, and the cryotherapy group had ice packs placed on them. A blind measurer performed the flexibility evaluation using a goniometer coupled to a board that evaluated range of movement of the knee. Data were statistically analysed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's comparison (for comparison between groups) and paired t-student tests (for before and after comparisons) to determine differences between groups, with a significance level of p<0.05.

Findings:

The infrared, cryotherapy and shortwave groups showed an increase in the range of motion compared with the control group. It was observed that the control and infrared groups showed no significant differences before and after application (p>0.05). However, the cryotherapy and shortwave groups demonstrated an effective increase (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

The three heating and cooling techniques caused a favourable increase of range of movement compared with no intervention. However, the shortwave and cryotherapy interventions were more effective in increasing the knee joint's range of motion.
Innovations in nutritional therapy for cats with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Ograin Vicky
Published: December 2017

Kidney disease is the second most common cause of death in cats. The management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has evolved with nutrition playing a prominent role in the management. A new test has been developed that can detect kidney disease sooner than traditional tests: SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine). Earlier diagnosis using SDMA and the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) guidelines may allow earlier nutritional intervention in cats with CKD. The goal for a cat is to provide adequate nutrition, which will lead to improved quality and length of life. The overarching goals of CKD management are to: control clinical signs of uraemia; maintain adequate fluid, electrolyte, and acid–base balance; provide adequate nutrition; and minimise progression of kidney disease. Nutritional management plays a role in each goal and is the cornerstone of treatment for cats with CKD.
Optimal and efficient production of rose coco beans through the twenty-four points second order rotatable design
Authors: Tum Isaac , Koske Joseph , Mutiso John
Published: December 2017

The yield results of the twenty four points response surface methodology (RSM) design permitted a response surface to be fitted easily and provided spherical information contours besides the realizations of an optimum combination of the fertilizers in rose coco beans, which resulted in economic use of scarce resources for optimal production of rose coco beans. In this study an existing A-optimum and D-efficient second order rotatable design in three dimensions was used to produce rose coco beans optimally and efficiently. The general objective of the study was to produce rose coco beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) optimally and efficiently using an existing A-optimum and D-efficient twenty four points second order rotatable design in three dimensions in a greenhouse setting using three inorganic fertilizers, namely, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Thus the study was accomplished using the calculus optimum value of the free/letter parameter f=1.1072569. The specific objectives were to estimate the linear parameters, thereby making available for the yield response of rose coco beans at calculus optimum value design for the first time, fitted and tested the model adequacy via lack of fit test, and then found the setting of the experimental factors that produces optimal response using contour plots to assist visualizes the response surfaces. This study demonstrated the importance of statistical methods in the optimal and efficient production of rose coco beans. The results showed that the three factors: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contributed significantly on the yield of rose coco beans (p<0.05). The regression coefficients were determined by employing least square's techniques to predict quadratic polynomial model for group 3 greenhouse (GP3G) for the three fertilizer combinations. In GP3G, the second-order model was adequate at 1% level of significance with a p-value of 0.0034. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of response surface for rose coco yield showed that this design was adequate due to satisfactory level of a coefficient of determination, R2, 0.8066 (GP3G) and coefficient variation, CV was 10.30. The canonical analysis showed that there was the saddle point for GP3G, meaning there was no unique optimum; therefore, ridge analysis was used to overcome the saddle problem. The result from ridge analysis provided the maximum yield of 70.25grams for the three fertilizer combinations at radii of one. We, therefore, recommend the use of GP3G design since it gave the required coefficient of determination (R2=80.66) and the maximum yield (70. 25grams) was achieved.