bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Vitality in Skin Wounds in the Ligature Marks Resulting From Suicide Hanging
Authors: Legaz Pérez Isabel , Falcón Maria , Gimenez M. , Diaz F. Martínez , Pérez-Cárceles M.D. , Osuna E. , Nuno-Vieira D. , Luna A.
Published: July 2017

Ascertaining the vital origin of skin wounds is one of the most challenging problems in forensic pathology. The forensic literature describes biomarkers and methods for differentiating vital and postmortem wounds, although no clear conclusions have been reached. The aim of this study was to characterize human vital wounds by analyzing the concentrations of metallic ions and the expression of P-selectin and cathepsin D in skin wounds in the ligature marks in a cohort of suicidal hangings for which vitality was previously demonstrated.

A total of 71 skin wounds were analyzed within a postmortem interval of 19 to 36 hours. The concentration of Fe, Zn, Mg, and Ca and the expression of P-selectin and cathepsin D were analyzed together and separately. The majority of autopsied suicidal hangings were men (86%) with complete hanging mode (60.7%) in which there was a high frequency of subcutaneous injuries (78.3%). High concentrations of Ca and Mg compared with Fe and Zn were found. Ca and Zn concentrations decreased, and Fe concentration increased with the seriousness of the injury. A high percentage of moderately negative expression of both proteins was correlated with subcutaneous injury and low or medium concentrations of Fe.

In conclusion, the joint study of metallic ions and proteins allows to characterize and to differentiate an injured vital wound of noninjured skin, especially when the damage in the tissue affects to the majority of the structures of the skin, but these results will need to be complemented with other biomarkers in time-controlled samples to further help in the differentiation of vital and postmortem wounds.
Relationship of Lymph Node Micrometastasis and Micropapillary Component and Their Joint Influence on Prognosis of Patients With Stage I Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Dai Chenyang , Xie Huikang , Kadeer Xiermaimaiti , Su Hang , Xie Dong , Ren Yijiu , She Yunlang , Zhu Erjia , Fan Ziwen , Chen Tao , Qin Linlin , Zheng Hui , Zhang Liping , Jiang Gening , Wu Chunyan , Chen Chang
Published: July 2017

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between lymph node micrometastasis and histologic patterns of adenocarcinoma, with a particular focus on their joint effect on prognosis. We retrospectively reviewed 235 patients with stage I adenocarcinoma from January 2009 to December 2009. Lymph node micrometastasis was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) and thyroid transcription factor-1. A logistic regression model was applied to confirm the predictive factors of micrometastasis. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of micrometastasis on prognosis. Lymph node micrometastasis was observed in 35 patients (15%). Patients with micrometastasis had significantly worse recurrence-free survival (P<0.001) and overall survival (P<0.001) compared with those without micrometastasis. Micropapillary component was confirmed as an independent predictor of increased frequency of micrometastasis (P<0.001). Among 62 patients with adenocarcinoma with a micropapillary component, 23 (37%) had lymph node micrometastasis. Micropapillary-positive/micrometastasis-positive patients had significantly worse survival compared with micropapillary-positive/micrometastasis-negative patients (RFS, P=0.039; OS, P=0.002) and micropapillary-negative patients (recurrence-free survival, P<0.001; overall survival, P<0.001). Moreover, the presence of micrometastasis correlated with a higher risk of locoregional recurrence (P=0.031) rather than distant recurrence (P=0.456) in micropapillary-positive patients. In summary, lymph node micrometastasis was more frequently observed in adenocarcinoma with a micropapillary component. Moreover, lymph node micrometastasis could provide helpful prognostic information in patients with resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma with a micropapillary component; thus, immunohistochemical detection of micrometastatic tumor cells in lymph nodes should be recommended.
A National Survey on the Use of Electronic Directly Observed Therapy for Treatment of Tuberculosis
Authors: Macaraig Michelle , Lobato Mark N. , McGinnis Pilote Kara , Wegener Donna
Published: July 2017

Context:

An increasing number of tuberculosis (TB) programs are adopting electronic directly observed therapy (eDOT), the use of technology to supervise patient adherence remotely. Pilot studies show that treatment adherence and completion were similar with eDOT compared with the standard in-person DOT.

Objective:

In December 2015, the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association administered an online survey to determine the extent to which eDOT is used in the United States.

Participants:

Sixty-eight Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)–funded health department TB programs across the United States and a convenient sample of local health department TB programs.

Results:

Fifty-six (82%) of 68 CDC-funded health department TB programs and an additional 57 local TB programs responded to the survey. Forty-seven (42%) of 113 TB programs are currently using eDOT, 41 (36%) are planning to implement it in the next year, and 25 (22%) have no plans to implement eDOT. Of the 47 TB programs using eDOT, 31 (66%) use synchronous video DOT, 4 (9%) asynchronous video DOT, 11 (23%) a combination of both, and 1 (2%) ingestible sensor to conduct electronic observations. Forty-one (87%) indicated that treatment adherence and 40 (85%) indicated that treatment completion were about the same or higher than in-person DOT. More than 80% indicated that eDOT resulted in program cost savings, and almost all (91%) reported benefits in patient and staff satisfaction. However, 25 (53%) of the 47 TB programs that use eDOT encountered technical challenges and 37 (79%) offer eDOT to less than a third of their patients.

Conclusions:

Results from this survey indicate that eDOT is a promising tool that can be utilized to efficiently and effectively manage TB treatment. Findings will inform other TB programs interested in implementing eDOT. However, further evaluation is needed to assess eDOT acceptability to understand barriers to eDOT implementation from the patient and provider perspectives.
Quantification of Immune Dysregulation by Next-generation Polymerase Chain Reaction to Improve Sepsis Diagnosis in Surgical Patients
Authors: Almansa Raquel , Ortega Alicia , Ávila-Alonso Ana , Heredia-Rodríguez Maria , Martín Silvia , Benavides Diana , Martín-Fernandez Marta , Rico Lucia , Aldecoa César , Rico Jesús , López de Cenarruzabeitia Iñigo , Beltrán de Heredia Juan , Gomez-Sanchez Esther , Aragón Marta , Andrés Cristina , Calvo Dolores , Andaluz-Ojeda David , Liu Pilar , Blanco-Antona Francisco , Blanco Lydia , Gómez-Herreras Jose Ignacio , Tamayo Eduardo , Bermejo-Martin Jesus F.
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

To quantify immunological dysfunction in surgical patients with presence/absence of sepsis using a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) transcriptomic analysis. The study also aims to evaluate this approach for improving identification of sepsis in these patients.

Background:

Immune dysregulation is a central event in sepsis. Quantification of the expression of immunological genes participating in the pathogenesis of sepsis could represent a new avenue to improve its diagnosis.

Methods:

Expression of 6 neutrophil protease genes (MMP8, OLFM4, LCN2/NGAL, LTF, PRTN3, MPO) and also of 5 genes involved in the immunological synapse (HLA-DRA, CD40LG, CD3E, CD28, ICOS) was quantified in blood from 101 surgical patients with sepsis, 53 uninfected surgical patients, and 16 blood donors by using ddPCR. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) and multivariate regression analysis were employed to test individual genes and gene ratios to identify sepsis, in comparison with procalcitonin.

Results:

Sepsis-induced overexpression of neutrophil protease genes and depressed expression of immunological synapse genes. MMP8/HLA-DRA, LCN2/HLA-DRA outperformed procalcitonin in differentiating between patients with sepsis and surgical controls in the AUROC analysis: LCN2/HLA-DRA: 0.90 (0.85–0.96), MMP8/HLA-DRA: 0.89 (0.84–0.95), procalcitonin: 0.80 (0.73–0.88) (AUROC, confidence interval 95%), and also in the multivariate analysis: LCN2/HLA-DRA: 8.57 (2.25–32.62); MMP8/HLA-DRA: 8.03 (2.10–30.76), procalcitonin: 4.20 (1.15–15.43) [odds ratio (confidence interval 95%)]. Gene expression levels of HLA-DRA were an independent marker of hospital mortality.

Conclusions:

Quantifying the transcriptomic ratios MMP8/HLA-DRA, LCN2/HLA-DRA by ddPCR is a promising approach to improve sepsis diagnosis in surgical patients.
Plasma Proenkephalin and Poor Long-Term Outcome in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Kieneker Lyanne M. , Hartmann Oliver , Struck Joachim , Bergmann Andreas , Gansevoort Ron T. , Joosten Michel M. , van den Berg Else , de Boer Rudolf A. , Bakker Stephan J.L.
Published: July 2017

Background

Proenkephalin (pro-ENK), a stable and reliable surrogate marker for unstable enkephalins, was found to be associated with acute kidney injury and chronic renal failure in previous studies. We aimed to investigate whether pro-ENK is linked to chronic kidney injury and poor long-term outcome in renal transplant recipients (RTR).

Methods

We included 664 stable RTR and 95 healthy kidney donors. Pro-ENK was measured in plasma with a double monoclonal sandwich immunoassay. Graft failure was defined as return to dialysis therapy or retransplantation.

Results

Median pro-ENK was 110 pmol/L (interquartile range [IQR], 85-148 pmol/L) in RTR and 48 pmol/L (IQR, 42-55 pmol/L) in kidney donors. Pro-ENK was correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (r
s = −0.80, P < 0.001) in RTR and with measured GFR (r
s = −0.74, P < 0.001) in kidney donors. During a median follow-up of 3.1 years (IQR, 2.7-3.9 years), 45 RTR developed graft failure and 76 died. Pro-ENK was positively associated with risk (hazard ratio [HR] per standard deviation increment of the logarithm of pro-ENK; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of graft failure (HR, 4.80; 95% CI, 3.55-6.48) and mortality (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.22-1.85). After adjustment of age, sex, and estimated GFR, the association of pro-ENK with graft failure remained significant (HR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.37-4.06), whereas no significant association of pro-ENK with risk of all-cause mortality was observed (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.90-2.09).

Conclusions

Plasma pro-ENK is associated with kidney function as reflected by correlations with measured GFR in both RTR and kidney donors. In addition, pro-ENK was independently associated with increased risk of graft failure in RTR. Pro-ENK may aid in identification of RTR at risk for late graft failure.
High Intrapatient Variability of Tacrolimus Levels and Outpatient Clinic Nonattendance Are Associated With Inferior Outcomes in Renal Transplant Patients
Authors: Goodall Dawn L. , Willicombe Michelle , McLean Adam G. , Taube David
Published: July 2017

Background

Nonadherence to immunosuppressants is associated with rejection and allograft loss. Intrapatient variability (IPV) of immunosuppression levels is a marker of nonadherence. This study describes the impact of IPV of tacrolimus levels in patients receiving a tacrolimus monotherapy immunosuppression protocol.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the outpatient tacrolimus levels of kidney-only transplant patients taken between 6 and 12 months posttransplant. IPV was determined using the coefficient of variance.

Results

Six hundred twenty-eight patients with a mean number of 8.98 ± 3.81 tacrolimus levels and a mean follow-up of 4.72 ± 2.19 years were included. Multivariate analysis showed death was associated with increasing age (1.04 [1.01-1.07], P = 0.0055), diabetes at time of transplant (2.79 [1.44-5.41], P = 0.0024), and rejection (2.34 [1.06-5.19], P = 0.036). Variables associated with graft loss included the highest variability group (2.51 [1.01-6.27], P = 0.048), mean tacrolimus level less than 5 ng/mL (4.32 [1.94-9.63], P = 0.0003), a high clinic nonattendance rate (1.10 [1.01-1.20], P = 0.03), and rejection (9.83 [4.62-20.94], P < 0.0001). Independent risk factors for rejection were de novo donor-specific antibody (3.15 [1.84-5.39], P < 0.0001), mean tacrolimus level less than 5 ng/mL (2.57 [1.27-5.19], P = 0.00860, and a high clinic nonattendance rate (1.11 [1.05-1.18], P = 0.0005).

Conclusions

This study shows that high tacrolimus IPV and clinic nonattendance are associated with inferior allograft survival. Interventions to minimize the causes of high variability, particularly nonadherence are essential to improve long-term allograft outcomes.
Divergence times in demosponges (Porifera): first insights from new mitogenomes and the inclusion of fossils in a birth-death clock model
Authors: Schuster Astrid , Vargas Sergio , Knapp Ingrid S. , Pomponi Shirley A. , Toonen Robert J. , Erpenbeck Dirk , Wöerheide Gert
Published: July 2017

Approximately 80% of all recent sponge species belong to the class Demospongiae. Yet, despite their diversity and importance, accurate divergence times are still unknown for most demosponge clades. The estimation of demosponge divergence time is key to answering fundamental questions like e.g. the origin of Demospongiae, their diversification and historical biogeography. Molecular sequence data alone is not informative on an absolute time scale, and therefore needs to be “calibrated” with additional data such as fossils. Here, we apply the fossilized birth-death model (FBD), which has the advantage, compared to strict node dating with the oldest fossil occurrences, that it allows for the inclusion of young and old fossils in the analysis of divergence time. We use desma-bearing sponges, a diverse group of demosponges that form rigid skeletons and have a rich and continuous fossil record dating back to the Cambrian (∼500 Ma), aiming to date the demosponge radiation and constrain the timing of key evolutionary events, like the transition from marine to freshwater habitats. To do so, we assembled mitochondrial genomes of six desma-bearing demosponges from size-selected reduced-representation genomic libraries and apply a fossilized birth-death model including 30 fossils and 33 complete demosponge mitochondrial genomes to infer a dated phylogeny of Demospongiae. Our study supports a Neoproterozoic origin of Demospongiae. Novel age estimates for the split of freshwater and marine sponges dating back to the Carboniferous and the previously assumed Recent (∼18 Ma) diversification of freshwater sponges is supported. Moreover, we provide detailed age estimates for a possible diversification of Tetractinellidae (∼315 Ma), the Astrophorina (∼240 Ma), the Spirophorina (∼120 Ma) and the family Corallistidae (∼188 Ma) all of which are considered as key groups for dating the Demospongiae, due to their extraordinary rich and continuous fossil history.
NMDA-receptor antibodies alter cortical microcircuit dynamics
Authors: Rosch RE , Wright S , Cooray G , Papadopoulou M , Goyal S , Lim M , Vincent A , Upton AL , Baldeweg T , Friston KJ
Published: July 2017

NMDA-receptor antibodies (NMDAR-Ab) cause an autoimmune encephalitis with a diverse range of electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities. NMDAR-Ab are believed to disrupt receptor function, but how blocking this excitatory neurotransmitter can lead to paroxysmal EEG abnormalities – or even seizures – is poorly understood. Here, we show that NMDAR-Ab change intrinsic cortical connections and neuronal population dynamics to alter the spectral composition of spontaneous EEG activity, and predispose to paroxysmal EEG abnormalities. Based on local field potential recordings in a mouse model, we first validate a dynamic causal model of NMDAR-Ab effects on cortical microcircuitry. Using this model, we then identify the key synaptic parameters that best explain EEG paroxysms in paediatric patients with NMDAR-Ab encephalitis. Finally, we use the mouse model to show that NMDAR-Ab- related changes render microcircuitry critically susceptible to overt EEG paroxysms, when these key parameters are changed. These findings offer mechanistic insights into circuit-level dysfunction induced by NMDAR-Ab.
Whole Genome Sequencing in Psychiatric Disorders: the WGSPD Consortium
Authors: Sanders Stephan J. , Neale Benjamin M. , Huang Hailiang , Werling Donna M. , An Joon-Yong , Dong Shan ,   Whole Genome Sequencing for Psychiatric Disorders, Abecasis Goncalo , Arguello P. Alexander , Blangero John , Boehnke Michael , Daly Mark J. , Eggan Kevin , Geschwind Daniel H. , Glahn David C. , Goldstein David B. , Gur Raquel E. , Handsaker Robert E. , McCarroll Steven A. , Ophoff Roel A. , Palotie Aarno , Pato Carlos N. , Sabatti Chiara , State Matthew W. , Willsey A. Jeremy , Hyman Steven E. , Addington Anjene M. , Lehner Thomas , Freimer Nelson B.
Published: July 2017

As technology advances, whole genome sequencing (WGS) is likely to supersede other genotyping technologies. The rate of this change depends on its relative cost and utility. Variants identified uniquely through WGS may reveal novel biological pathways underlying complex disorders and provide high-resolution insight into when, where, and in which cell type these pathways are affected. Alternatively, cheaper and less computationally intensive approaches may yield equivalent insights. Understanding the role of rare variants in the noncoding gene-regulating genome, through pilot WGS projects, will be critical to determine which of these two extremes best represents reality. With large cohorts, well-defined risk loci, and a compelling need to understand the underlying biology, psychiatric disorders have a role to play in this preliminary WGS assessment. The WGSPD consortium will integrate data for 18,000 individuals with psychiatric disorders, beginning with autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, along with over 150,000 controls.
Solution structure of sperm lysin yields novel insights into molecular dynamics of rapid protein evolution
Authors: Wilburn Damien B. , Tuttle Lisa M. , Klevit Rachel E. , Swanson Willie J.
Published: July 2017

Protein evolution is driven by the sum of different physiochemical and genetic processes that usually results in strong purifying selection to maintain biochemical functions. However, proteins that are part of systems under arms race dynamics often evolve at unparalleled rates that can produce atypical biochemical properties. In the marine mollusk abalone, lysin and VERL are a pair of rapidly coevolving proteins that are essential for species-specific interactions between sperm and egg. Despite extensive biochemical characterization of lysin, including crystal structures of multiple orthologs, it was unclear how sites under positive selection may facilitate recognition of VERL. Using a combination of targeted mutagenesis and multidimensional NMR, we present a high-definition solution structure of sperm lysin from red abalone (Haliotis rufescens). Unapparent from the crystallography data, multiple NMR-based analyses conducted in solution reveal clustering of the N-and C-termini to form a nexus of 13 positively selected sites that constitute a VERL binding interface. Evolutionary rate was found to be a significant predictor of backbone flexibility, which may be critical for lysin bioactivity and / or accelerated evolution. These flexible, rapidly evolving segments that constitute the VERL binding interface were also the most distorted regions of the crystal structure relative to what was observed in solution. While lysin has been the subject of extensive biochemical and evolutionary analyses for more than 30 years, this study highlights the enhanced insights gained from applying NMR approaches to rapidly evolving proteins.

Significance

The fertilization of eggs by sperm is a critical biological process for nearly all sexually reproducing organisms to propagate their genetic information. Despite the importance of fertilization, the molecules that mediate egg-sperm interactions have been characterized for only a few species, and the biochemical mechanisms underlying these interactions are even less well understood. In the marine mollusk abalone, sperm lysin interacts with egg VERL in a species-specific manner to facilitate fertilization. In this report, we characterized the solution structure and molecular evolution of sperm lysin from red abalone (Haliotis rufescens), and identified the VERL binding interface as well as important lysin dimer interactions that have emerged as part of an incessant sexual arms race.
Effects of fragmentation on the seed predation and dispersal by rodents differ among species with different seed size
Authors: CHEN Qiong , TOMLINSON Kyle W. , CAO Lin , WANG Bo
Published: July 2017

Fragmentation influences the population dynamics and community composition of vertebrate animals. Fragmentation effects on rodent species in forests may, in turn, affect seed predation and dispersal of many plant species. Previous studies have usually addressed this question by monitoring a single species, and their results are contradictory. Very few studies have discussed the fragmentation effect on rodent–seed interaction among tree species with different seed sizes, which can significantly influence rodent foraging preference and seed fate. Given that fruiting periods for many coexisting plant species overlap, the changing foraging preference of rodents may substantially alter plant communities. In this study, we monitored the dispersal and predation by rodents of 9600 seeds, belonging to 4 Fagaceae species with great variation in seed size, in both the edge and interior areas of 12 tropical forest fragments ranging in area from 6.3 to 13872.9 ha in Southwest China. The results showed that forest fragmentation altered the seed fates of all the species, but the intensity and even the direction of fragmentation effect differed between species with large versus small seeds. For the seeds harvested, fragment size showed negative effects in forest interiors but positive effects at edges for the 2 large‐seeded species, but showed little effect for the 2 small‐seeded species. For the seeds removed, negative effects of fragment size only existed among the small‐seeded species. The different fragmentation effect on seed dispersal and predation among plant species may, in turn, translate into the composition differences of the regeneration of the whole fragmented forest.
Conflicts of Interest in Emergency Medicine
Authors: Geiderman Joel Martin , Iserson Kenneth V. , Marco Catherine A. , Jesus John , Venkat Arvind
Published: July 2017

Conflicts of interest (COIs) are common in the practice of emergency medicine and may be present in the areas of clinical practice, relations with industry, expert witness testimony, medical education, research, and organizations. A COI occurs when there is dissonance between a primary interest and another interest. The concept of professionalism in medicine places the patient as the primary interest in any interaction with a physician. We contend that patient welfare is the ultimate interest in the entire enterprise of medicine. Recognition and management of potential, real, and perceived COIs is essential to the ethical practice of emergency medicine. This paper discusses how to recognize, address, and manage them.
Holocene Brahmaputra River path selection and variable sediment bypass as indicators of fluctuating hydrologic and climate conditions in Sylhet Basin, Bangladesh
Authors: Sincavage Ryan , Goodbred Steven , Pickering Jennifer
Published: July 2017

The Holocene stratigraphy of Sylhet basin, a tectonically influenced sub‐basin within the Ganges‐Brahmaputra‐Meghna delta (GMBD), provides evidence for autogenic and allogenic controls on fluvial system behaviour. Using Holocene lithology and stratigraphic architecture from a dense borehole network, patterns of bypass‐dominated and extraction‐enhanced modes of sediment transport and deposition have been reconstructed. During a ~3‐kyr mid‐Holocene occupation of Sylhet basin by the Brahmaputra River, water and sediment were initially (~7.5–6.0 ka) routed along the basin's western margin, where limited downstream facies changes reflect minimal mass extraction and bypass‐dominated transport to the basin outlet. Sediment‐dispersal patterns became increasingly depositional ~6.0–5.5 ka with the activation of a large (~2250 km2) splay that prograded towards the basin centre while maintaining continued bypass along the western pathway. Beginning ~5.0 ka, a second splay system constructed an even larger (~3800 km2) lobe into the most distal portions of the basin along the Shillong foredeep. This evolution from a bypass‐dominated system to one of enhanced mass extraction is well reflected in (i) the rapid downstream fining of deposited sand and (ii) a change in facies from amalgamated channel deposits to mixed sands and muds within discrete depositional lobes. The persistence of sediment bypass suggests that seasonal flooding of the basin by local runoff exerts a hydrologic barrier to overbank flow and is thus a principal control on river path selection. This control is evidenced by (i) repeated, long‐term preference for occupying a course along the basin margin rather than a steeper path to the basin centre and (ii) the persistence of an under‐filled, topographically low basin despite sediment load sufficient to fill the basin within a few hundred years. The progradation of two 10–20‐m thick, sandy mega‐splays into the basin interior reflects an alternative mode of sediment dispersal that appears to have operated only in the mid‐Holocene (~6.0–4.0 ka) during a regional weakening of the summer monsoon. The reduced water budget at that time would have lowered seasonal water levels in the basin, temporarily lessening the hydrologic barrier effect and facilitating splay development into the basin interior. Overall, these results place basin hydrology as a first‐order control on fluvial system behaviour, strongly modifying the perceived dominance of tectonic subsidence. Such coupling of subsidence, fluvial dynamics and local hydrology have been explored through tank experiments and modelling; this field study demonstrates that complex, emergent behaviours can also scale to the world's largest fluvial system.
Integrated ecological–economic fisheries models—Evaluation, review and challenges for implementation
Authors: Nielsen J Rasmus , Thunberg Eric , Holland Daniel S , Schmidt Jorn O , Fulton Elizabeth A , Bastardie Francois , Punt Andre E , Allen Icarus , Bartelings Heleen , Bertignac Michel , Bethke Eckhard , Bossier Sieme , Buckworth Rik , Carpenter Griffin , Christensen Asbjørn , Christensen Villy , Da‐Rocha José M , Deng Roy , Dichmont Catherine , Doering Ralf , Esteban Aniol , Fernandes Jose A. , Frost Hans , Garcia Dorleta , Gasche Loic , Gascuel Didier , Gourguet Sophie , Groeneveld Rolf A , Guillén Jordi , Guyader Olivier , Hamon Katell G , Hoff Ayoe , Horbowy Jan , Hutton Trevor , Lehuta Sigrid , Little L Richard , Lleonart Jordi , Macher Claire , Mackinson Steven , Mahevas Stephanie , Marchal Paul , Mato‐Amboage Rosa , Mapstone Bruce , Maynou Francesc , Merzéréaud Mathieu , Palacz Artur , Pascoe Sean , Paulrud Anton , Plaganyi Eva , Prellezo Raul , van Putten Elizabeth I , Quaas Martin , Ravn‐Jonsen Lars , Sanchez Sonia , Simons Sarah , Thébaud Olivier , Tomczak Maciej T , Ulrich Clara , van Dijk Diana , Vermard Youen , Voss Rudi , Waldo Staffan
Published: July 2017

Marine ecosystems evolve under many interconnected and area‐specific pressures. To fulfil society's intensifying and diversifying needs while ensuring ecologically sustainable development, more effective marine spatial planning and broader‐scope management of marine resources is necessary. Integrated ecological–economic fisheries models (IEEFMs) of marine systems are needed to evaluate impacts and sustainability of potential management actions and understand, and anticipate ecological, economic and social dynamics at a range of scales from local to national and regional. To make these models most effective, it is important to determine how model characteristics and methods of communicating results influence the model implementation, the nature of the advice that can be provided and the impact on decisions taken by managers. This article presents a global review and comparative evaluation of 35 IEEFMs applied to marine fisheries and marine ecosystem resources to identify the characteristics that determine their usefulness, effectiveness and implementation. The focus is on fully integrated models that allow for feedbacks between ecological and human processes although not all the models reviewed achieve that. Modellers must invest more time to make models user friendly and to participate in management fora where models and model results can be explained and discussed. Such involvement is beneficial to all parties, leading to improvement of mo‐dels and more effective implementation of advice, but demands substantial resources which must be built into the governance process. It takes time to develop effective processes for using IEEFMs requiring a long‐term commitment to integrating multidisciplinary modelling advice into management decision‐making.
Deformation behavior of nanocrystalline titania particles accessed by complementary in situ electron microscopy techniques
Authors: Herre Patrick , Romeis Stefan , Mačković Mirza , Przybilla Thomas , Paul Jonas , Schwenger Jan , Torun Boray , Grundmeier Guido , Spiecker Erdmann , Peukert Wolfgang
Published: July 2017

The mechanical behavior of nanostructured spherical submicrometer titania particles was studied by in situ uniaxial compression experiments in the scanning and transmission electron microscope (SEM and TEM). Mesoporous and amorphous titania particles were prepared by a wet chemical sol‐gel approach. To obtain nanocrystalline (nc) single‐phase anatase and rutile particles the amorphous particles were crystallized by high‐temperature annealing. For each sample the deformation behavior of at least 50 particles was investigated by in situ compression experiments in the SEM. In all cases an elastic – predominantly plastic deformation behavior accompanied by crack initiation at exceptionally high engineering strain values of several percent were observed. Crack propagation presumably along grain boundaries and a Weibull distributed fracture stress was shown for all nc particles. Complementary in situ TEM experiments and ex situ analysis of focused ion beam prepared particle cross‐sections were carried out to identify the underlying deformation mechanisms. Grain rotations and grain sliding are observed for nc anatase particles during in situ compression and are further identified to be linked to a densification of the mesoporous particle structure. Our dedicated preparation and quantitative in situ characterization methodology provides an excellent basis for a better understanding of the mechanical behavior of advanced ceramics.
Octahedral distortion, phase structural stability, and microwave dielectric properties in equivalently substituted LaTiNbO6 ceramics
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zuo Ruzhong
Published: July 2017

The room‐temperature phase composition, microstructural characteristic, and microwave dielectric properties of equivalently substituted LaTiNbO6 ceramics were investigated by means of the Rietveld structural refinement, scanning electron microscopy, and network analyzer. A special interest was focused on the influence of the variation in bond length and octahedral distortion on the phase structural stability. A monoclinic (M) aeschynite phase was obtained in B‐site ions (Ta5+ and [W0.5Ti0.5]5+) substituted LaTiNbO6 ceramics while an orthorhombic (O) aeschynite structure appeared in B‐site ions (Zr4+) or A‐site ions (Ce3+ and Sm3+) substituted LaTiNbO6 ceramics, which owned typical polygonal and short rod‐like grain morphologies, respectively. Compared with the octahedral bond length, a straightforward relation between the phase structural stability and the octahedral distortion was established, in which a reduced octahedral distortion was directly correlated with the destabilization of O or M phases or vice versa, irrespective of the substitution ionic radius. The experimentally observed giant difference in dielectric performance of LaTiNbO6 based ceramics was believed to mainly originate from their distinct phase structure and grain morphology.
Unilateral vocal cord paralysis after surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus in extremely preterm infants
Authors: Pharande Pramod , Karthigeyan Sathiyapriya , Walker Karen , D'Cruz Daphne , Badawi Nadia , Luig Melissa , Winlaw David , Popat Himanshu
Published: July 2017

Aim

Left vocal cord paralysis (LVCP) is variably reported post ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Our objective was to determine the incidence of LVCP and identify predictive factors and associated morbidities in preterm infants post PDA ligation.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of infants less than 29 weeks gestational age from 2006 to 2014 who underwent PDA ligation. Infants with laryngeal symptoms underwent flexible fibreoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy to evaluate vocal cord function. We compared short‐ and long‐term morbidities among infants with and without symptomatic LVCP.

Results

A total of 35 infants underwent PDA ligation in the study period, of which 11 infants (31%) developed symptomatic LVCP. Dysphonia was the presenting symptom in all neonates with LVCP and stridor was present in 46% (5/11) of them. The median (interquartile range) gestation (25 weeks (24–27) vs. 25 weeks (23–28)), birthweight (810 g (550–1180) vs. 825 g (550–1220)) and age at surgery (19 days (9–27) vs. 20 (5–69)) were similar in infants with and without LVCP, respectively. Infants with LVCP took significantly longer to reach suck feeds (128 vs. 90 days, P = <0.001), stayed longer in hospital (119 vs. 95 days, P = 0.01) and were more likely to go home on oxygen (73 vs. 27%; P = 0.024). Neurodevelopmental outcomes were similar in the two groups.

Conclusions

LVCP was noted in 31% of infants post PDA ligation and was associated with prolonged hospital stay, a longer time to reach suck feeds and a need for home oxygen. No predictive factors for development of LVCP were identified.
Long‐term native liver survival in infants with biliary atresia and use of a stool color card: Case–control study
Authors: Gu Yan‐Hong , Matsui Akira
Published: July 2017

Background

So far, there has been no epidemiological study on whether long‐term native liver survival (NLS) in infants with biliary atresia (BA) is associated with use of a stool color card (SCC).

Methods

A case–control study was performed, involving two associations for patients with BA in Japan. Participants were patients with BA who were born and underwent their first open Kasai procedures (KP) between August 1994 and March 2011, and who were also members of either of two associations for patients with BA in Japan. SCC users were classified as cases and SCC non‐users as controls.

Results

Mean age at the time of the first open KP was 59.7 and 68.2 days in SCC users and non‐users, respectively (P < 0.05). According to Kaplan–Meier analysis, the probability of NLS at 12.5 years was 48.5% and 36.6% in SCC users and non‐users (P < 0.05), respectively. On Cox proportional hazard modeling, not using an SCC was harmful to long‐term NLS (hazard ratio, 2.61; 95% CI: 1.20–5.70; P = 0.016), adjusted for sex, age of timing of KP and type of BA.

Conclusions

Long‐term NLS is associated with SCC for early detection, but not associated with age or a threshold of age at KP (<90 days) in patients with BA.
Processing Time Ambiguity and Port Competitiveness
Authors: Cheon SangHyun , Lee Chung‐Yee , Wang Yimin
Published: July 2017

Container seaports play an important role in cross‐border logistics as firms increasingly expand their global footprint in sourcing, manufacturing and distribution. Besides convenience of access to hinterland regions, a key metric for a port's attractiveness is its processing time, that is, its ability to clear goods within a consistent, predictable time frame. Due to differences in infrastructure, government regulations, and operating procedures, ports may exhibit different degrees of predictability in processing times: some are more predictable while others are more ambiguous. We study how ambiguity in processing times affects a port's attractiveness under various circumstances. We find that even if a port maintains a consistent expected processing time, increased ambiguity can still affect its attractiveness to firms, although not always negatively. The effect of ambiguity depends on its nature, whether the shipments are time‐sensitive, attitudes toward ambiguity, and trade terms surrounding shipments.
The application of 3‐dimensional printing for preoperative planning in oral and maxillofacial surgery in dogs and cats
Authors: Winer Jenna N. , Verstraete Frank J. M. , Cissell Derek D. , Lucero Steven , Athanasiou Kyriacos A. , Arzi Boaz
Published: July 2017

Objective

To describe the application of 3‐dimensional (3D) printing in advanced oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) and to discuss the benefits of this modality in surgical planning, student and resident training, and client education.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs (n = 28) and cats (n = 4) with 3D printing models of the skulls.

Methods

The medical records of 32 cases with 3D printing prior to major OMFS were reviewed.

Results

Indications for 3D printing included preoperative planning for mandibular reconstruction after mandibulectomy (n = 12 dogs) or defect nonunion fracture (n = 6 dogs, 2 cats), mapping of ostectomy location for temporomandibular joint ankylosis or pseudoankylosis (n = 4 dogs), assessment of palatal defects (n = 2 dogs, 1 cat), improved understanding of complex anatomy in cases of neoplasia located in challenging locations (n = 2 dogs, 1 cat), and in cases of altered anatomy secondary to trauma (n = 2 dogs).

Conclusion

In the authors' experience, 3D printed models serve as excellent tools for OMFS planning and resident training. Furthermore, 3D printed models are a valuable resource to improve clients' understanding of the pet's disorder and the recommended treatment.

Clinical relevance

Three‐dimensional printed models should be considered viable tools for surgical planning, resident training, and client education in candidates for complex OMFS.
Serologic evidence of West Nile virus and Usutu virus infections in Eurasian coots in the Netherlands
Authors: Lim S. M. , Geervliet M. , Verhagen J. H. , Müskens G. J. D. M. , Majoor F. A. , Osterhaus A. D. M. E. , Martina B. E. E.
Published: July 2017

West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are arboviruses that are maintained in enzootic transmission cycles between mosquitoes and birds and are occasionally transmitted to mammals. As arboviruses are currently expanding their geographic range and emerging in often unpredictable locations, surveillance is considered an important element of preparedness. To determine whether sera collected from resident and migratory birds in the Netherlands as part of avian influenza surveillance would also represent an effective source for proactive arbovirus surveillance, a random selection of such sera was screened for WNV antibodies using a commercial ELISA. In addition, sera of jackdaws and carrion crows captured for previous experimental infection studies were added to the selection. Of the 265 screened serum samples, 27 were found to be WNV–antibody‐positive, and subsequent cross‐neutralization experiments using WNV and USUV confirmed that five serum samples were positive for only WNV‐neutralizing antibodies and seven for only USUV. The positive birds consisted of four Eurasian coots (Fulica atra) and one carrion crow (Corvus corone) for WNV, of which the latter may suggest local presence of the virus, and only Eurasian coots for USUV. As a result, the screening of a small selection of serum samples originally collected for avian influenza surveillance demonstrated a seroprevalence of 1.6% for WNV and 2.8% for USUV, suggesting that this sustained infrastructure could serve as a useful source for future surveillance of arboviruses such as WNV and USUV in the Netherlands.
Transcriptomic analysis identifies a role of PI3K–Akt signalling in the responses of skeletal muscle to acute hypoxia in vivo
Authors: Gan Zhuohui , Powell Frank L. , Zambon Alexander C. , Buchholz Kyle S. , Fu Zhenxing , Ocorr Karen , Bodmer Rolf , Moya Esteban A. , Stowe Jennifer C. , Haddad Gabriel G. , McCulloch Andrew D.
Published: July 2017

Key points

Changes in gene expression that occur within hours of exposure to hypoxia in in vivo skeletal muscles remain unexplored.

Two hours of hypoxia caused significant down‐regulation of extracellular matrix genes followed by a shift at 6 h to altered expression of genes associated with the nuclear lumen while respiratory and blood gases were stabilized.

Enrichment analysis of mRNAs classified by stability rates suggests an attenuation of post‐transcriptional regulation within hours of hypoxic exposure, where PI3K–Akt signalling was suggested to have a nodal role by pathway analysis.

Experimental measurements and bioinformatic analyses suggested that the dephosphorylation of Akt after 2 h of hypoxic exposure might deactivate RNA‐binding protein BRF1, hence resulting in the selective degradation of mRNAs.

The effects of acute hypoxia have been widely studied, but there are few studies of transcriptional responses to hours of hypoxia in vivo, especially in hypoxia‐tolerant tissues like skeletal muscles. We used RNA‐seq to analyse gene expression in plantaris muscles while monitoring respiration, arterial blood gases, and blood glucose in mice exposed to 8% O2 for 2 or 6 h. Rapid decreases in blood gases and a slower reduction in blood glucose suggest stress, which was accompanied by widespread changes in gene expression. Early down‐regulation of genes associated with the extracellular matrix was followed by a shift to genes associated with the nuclear lumen. Most of the early down‐regulated genes had mRNA half‐lives longer than 2 h, suggesting a role for post‐transcriptional regulation. These transcriptional changes were enriched in signalling pathways in which the PI3K–Akt signalling pathway was identified as a hub. Our analyses indicated that gene targets of PI3K–Akt but not HIF were enriched in early transcriptional responses to hypoxia. Among the PI3K–Akt targets, 75% could be explained by a deactivation of adenylate–uridylate‐rich element (ARE)‐binding protein BRF1, a target of PI3K–Akt. Consistent decreases in the phosphorylation of Akt and BRF1 were experimentally confirmed following 2 h of hypoxia. These results suggest that the PI3K–Akt signalling pathway might play a role in responses induced by acute hypoxia in skeletal muscles, partially through the dephosphorylation of ARE‐binding protein BRF1.
On Social Value of Risk Information in Risk Communication
Authors: Wang Yan
Published: July 2017

The conventional research of risk communication centers on how scientific community can improve trust and credibility in public perception, enhance public understanding of risks, and change public behaviors to conform to technocratic values. More recently, the emphasis of risk communication has evolved from conveying scientific data and risk information to establishing effective information flows. It has been recognized that establishing two-way communication channels among experts, governments, corporate, and general public is important to build trust relationship. With conflicting interests and coordination motive among stakeholders, the societal aspects of risk communication need to be considered. In this paper, a mathematical model of social value of risk information is proposed to explicitly incorporate factors such as public and private information, personal bias, knowledge, and social behavior in risk communication. Uncertainties associated with the perceived risks due to both the lack of knowledge and individual differences in population are considered in the proposed model. The impacts of precision and accuracy of risk information as well as subjective bias on social welfare are characterized. Some of the model predictions on the effectiveness of communication are verified with the observations in other's survey studies. The proposed model could potentially be used to help devise risk communication strategies and policies. Its use is demonstrated in a case study of Fukushima nuclear accident.
Experimental Investigations on the Coefficient of Restitution for Sphere–Thin Plate Elastoplastic Impact
Authors: Patil Deepak , Fred Higgs C.
Published: July 2017

In multiparticle simulations of industrial granular systems such as hoppers, tumblers, and mixers, the particle energy dissipation is governed by an important input parameter called the coefficient of restitution (COR). Oftentimes, the wall thickness in these systems is on the order of a particles diameter or less. However, the COR value implemented in event-driven simulations is either constant or a monotonically decreasing function of the impact velocity. The present work experimentally investigates the effect of wall thickness on the COR through sphere–thin plate elastoplastic impacts and elucidates the underlying impact phenomena. Experiments were performed on 0.635 cm and 0.476 cm diameter (d) spheres of various materials impacting aluminum 6061 plates of different thicknesses (t) with the low impact velocities up to 3.1 m/s. Besides COR, indentation measurements and numerical simulations are performed to gain a detailed understanding of the contact process and energy dissipation mechanism. As the “t/d” ratio decreases, a considerable amount of energy is dissipated into flexural vibrations leading to a significantly lower COR value. Based on the results, it can be concluded that using a constant COR input value in particle simulations may not always be an appropriate choice, especially, in the case of thin plates. However, these new COR results validate that when the wall thickness is more than twice the sphere diameter (i.e., t/d > 2), a constant COR value obtained for an impact with semi-infinite plate can be reasonably used.
Optimization of Smart Water Chemical Composition for Carbonate Rocks Through Comparison of Active Cations Performance
Authors: Jalilian Malek , Pourafshary Peyman , Sola Behnam Sedaee , Kamari Mosayyeb
Published: July 2017

Designing smart water (SW) by optimizing the chemical composition of injected brine is a promising low-cost technique that has been developed for both sandstone and carbonate reservoirs for several decades. In this study, the impact of SW flooding during tertiary oil recovery phase was investigated by core flooding analysis of pure limestone carbonate rocks. Increasing the sulfate ion concentration by using CaSO4 and MgSO4 of NaCl concentration and finally reducing the total salinity were the main manipulations performed to optimize SW. The main objective of this research is to compare active cations including Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the presence of sulfate ions (SO42−) with regard to their efficiency in the enhancement of oil production during SW flooding of carbonate cores. The results revealed a 14.5% increase in the recovery factor by CaSO4 proving its greater effectiveness compared to MgSO4, which led to an 11.5% production enhancement. It was also realized that low-salinity water flooding (LSWF) did not lead to a significant positive effect as it contributed less than 2% in the tertiary stage.
Detection of a dynamic topography signal in last interglacial sea-level records
Authors: Austermann Jacqueline , Mitrovica Jerry X. , Huybers Peter , Rovere Alessio
Published: July 2017

Topographic changes due to mantle convection affected the elevation of last interglacial sea-level records across the globe.