bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clostridium difficile co-infection in inflammatory bowel disease is associated with significantly increased in-hospital mortality
Authors: Rezapour Mona , Galoosian Artin , Liu Benny , Bhuket Taft , Wong Robert J.
Published: June 2018

Objective

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with Clostridium difficile co-infection (CDCI) have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. We aim to evaluate the impact of CDCI on in-hospital outcomes among adults with IBD hospitalized in the USA.

Patients and methods

Using the 2007–2013 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, hospitalizations among US adults with Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and CDCI were identified using ICD-9 coding. Hospital charges, hospital length of stay (LOS), and in-hospital mortality was stratified by CD and UC and compared using χ
2-testing and Student’s t-test. Predictors of hospital charges, LOS, and in-hospital mortality were evaluated with multivariate regression models and were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, year, insurance status, hospital characteristics, and CDCI.

Results

Among 224 500 IBD hospitalizations (174 629 CD and 49 871 UC), overall prevalence of CDCI was 1.22% in CD and 3.41% in UC. On multivariate linear regression, CDCI was associated with longer LOS among CD [coefficient: 5.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.61–5.99, P<0.001] and UC (coefficient 4.08, 95% CI: 3.54–4.62, P<0.001). Higher hospital charges associated with CDCI were seen among CD (coefficient: $35 720, 95% CI: $30 041–$41 399, P<0.001) and UC (coefficient: $26 009, 95% CI: $20 970–$31 046, P<0.001). On multivariate logistic regression, CDCI was associated with greater risk of in-hospital mortality (CD: odds ratio: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.94–3.87, P<0.001; UC: OR: 5.50, 95% CI: 3.83–7.89, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Among US adults with CD and UC related hospitalizations, CDCI is associated with significantly greater in-hospital mortality and greater healthcare utilization.
The Accuracy of Pancreatic Perfusion Computed Tomography and Angiography in Predicting Necrotizing Pancreatitis
Authors: Smeets Xavier J.N.M. , Litjens Geke , Gijsbers Kim , Prokop Mathias , Drenth Joost P.H. , Hermans John , van Geenen Erwin J.M.
Published: June 2018

Early prediction of necrotizing pancreatitis is important for tailoring treatment, but current scoring systems have moderate accuracy and can be calculated only 24 to 48 hours after disease onset. Evaluation of (micro)circulatory changes in acute pancreatitis at admission by perfusion computed tomography (PCT) or angiography could predict necrosis earlier. Our aim was to systematically review the evidence for angiographic and PCT prediction of necrotizing pancreatitis. We performed a systematic review and searched MEDLINE and Embase. We included cohort studies addressing pancreatic perfusion for prognostication of severity of acute pancreatitis and assessed study quality with a tool specific for diagnostic accuracy studies. Six prospective cohorts with 334 patients were included. Sensitivity of PCT for predicting necrosis ranged from 71% to 100% and specificity from 74% to 100%. The only study directly comparing PCT and angiography found a similar sensitivity (100%) but higher specificity for PCT (90% vs 72%). The included studies had moderate quality. Current studies consistently demonstrate excellent sensitivity and specificity of PCT for early prediction of necrosis. The performance found in our review should be confirmed in larger prospective cohorts as published studies have moderate quality. Furthermore, it should be investigated whether early PCT improves disease course.
An Array of Bioactive Compounds From Australian Eucalypts and Their Relevance in Pancreatic Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Bhuyan Deep Jyoti , Vuong Quan V. , Chalmers Anita C. , Bowyer Michael C. , Scarlett Christopher J.
Published: June 2018

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most devastating human cancers, and despite the significant advances in the current therapeutic options, the overall survival rate for PC has remained static for the past 50 years. Plant-derived bioactive compounds play a vital role in cancer therapeutics by providing new lead compounds for future drug development. Therefore, the isolation, characterization, and identification of new bioactive compounds for the prevention and treatment of cancer continue to be an important aspect of natural product research. Many in vitro and in vivo studies published in the last few decades have established strong links between the phytochemical profile of eucalypts and anticancer activity. However, only a small number of these reports have attempted to demonstrate a relationship between the biological activity of eucalypt extracts and PC. This review focuses on potential anti-PC effects of an array of bioactive compounds present in various species of eucalypts. It also highlights the necessity for further in vitro and in vivo studies to develop a complete understanding of the potential this group of plants has for the development of potent and specific chemotherapeutic drugs for PC.
Improving Disaster Preparedness of Families With a Parenteral Nutrition–dependent Child
Authors: Toor Khadija T. , Burke Rita V. , Demeter Natalie E. , Upperman Jeffrey S. , Merritt Russell J. , Wee Choo Phei , Goodhue Catherine J.
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

Disruption in the care of special healthcare needs children may lead to life‐threatening situations or preventable secondary conditions. California averages more than 100 earthquakes per week. Subsequent power outages, damage to utility systems, and road damage after an earthquake can have grave consequences for families with parenteral nutrition (PN)‐dependent children. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate that we could improve disaster preparedness of families with PN‐dependent children utilizing individualized family education and distribution of personalized disaster survival toolkits.

Methods:

We administered a baseline survey to assess disaster preparedness of our families with PN‐dependent children followed by individualized disaster survival toolkit distribution and education. We followed up with these families with phone call surveys at 2 and 4 months. A generalized estimating equation with both logistic and linear regression was used to analyze data over the follow‐up period.

Results:

We found statistically significant improvements in developing a family emergency plan (P < 0.0001), having a basic emergency supply kit (P < 0.0001), having a completed emergency information form from the child's provider (P < 0.0001), and the confidence level or readiness for a disaster (P < 0.0001). All participants had extra batteries for PN infusion pumps. Having alternative power sources, such as a generator, did not significantly change over time.

Conclusions:

Individualized disaster education helped families with PN‐dependent children not only to prepare for a possible earthquake, but also to feel more confident in their ability to handle a natural disaster.
Association Between Infliximab Drug and Antibody Levels and Therapy Outcome in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Ungar Bella , Glidai Yoav , Yavzori Miri , Picard Orit , Fudim Ella , Lahad Avishay , Haberman Yael , Shouval Dror S. , Weintraub Ilana , Eliakim Rami , Ben‐Horin Shomron , Weiss Batia
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

While infliximab pharmacokinetics are associated with therapy outcome in adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population, limited data are available in pediatric patients. We aimed to define the relationship between infliximab trough and antibodies’ levels (IFX‐TL, ATI) and clinical, biomarker remission.

Methods:

IFX‐TL and ATI were routinely obtained between 2011 and 2017. Associations with clinical and inflammatory (C‐reactive protein, CRP) end‐points were studied throughout the first year of infliximab therapy.

Results:

A total of 63 patients (50 Crohn disease, 13 ulcerative colitis, median follow‐up 16 months, median 8 samples/patient) were included, and 773 sera‐samples were analyzed. Sera of patients in clinical remission had higher median IFX‐TLs than sera of those with active disease (4 vs 2.25 μg/mL, P < 0.0001). In addition, patients with normal CRP had a higher median IFX‐TL than those with elevated CRP (P = 0.02). Moreover, IFX‐TL > 9.2 μg/mL at week 2 predicted clinical remission by week 14 (sensitivity 71.4%, specificity 81.2%, area under curve (AUC) = 0.73, P = 0.02) and IFX‐TL > 2.2 μg/mL at week 6 predicted infliximab retention beyond 1 year of treatment (sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 100.0%, AUC = 0.974, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

A significant association between IFX‐TL and ATI and clinical and biomarker remission status in pediatric IBD patients was demonstrated, including a temporal association between week 2, 6 levels and outcome of induction and between week 6 and 14 levels and remission at 1 year of therapy. These findings suggest that therapeutic drug monitoring may be considered for management guidance among pediatric IBD patients.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Clinical and Translational Research in Pediatric Gastroenterology From 1970 to 2017
Authors: Schwimmer Melanie H. , Sawh Mary C. , Heskett Karen M. , Goyal Nidhi P. , Newton Kimberly P. , Schwimmer Jeffrey B.
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

Pediatric gastroenterology is a clinical and research discipline principally developed over the past 50 years. Bibliometric methods provide quantitative analysis and identify research trends. Study aims were to characterize the growth and trends in pediatric gastroenterology clinical and translational research using citation analysis.

Methods:

Using citations analysis software, a search strategy specific for pediatric gastroenterology was implemented for the years 1970 to 2017. The 50 most‐cited research articles per decade were identified. These 250 articles were coded for topic and study attribute. Analysis included authors, affiliations, journals, countries, and funding sources.

Results:

Overall average annual growth rate for pediatric gastroenterology publications was significantly higher than that for general pediatrics (51.7% vs 6.2%; P < 0.05). Among the top 250 cited articles, the distribution of study focus was epidemiology (43%), pathophysiology (18%), treatment (16%), diagnosis (8%), prevention (8%), and comorbidities of gastrointestinal diseases (7%).

There were 38 different topics represented and there was a notable shift in topic focus over time. Cholestasis, biliary atresia, and total parenteral nutrition were common topics from 1970 to 1989 and obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and eosinophilic esophagitis were common topics after 1990. Notably, 2.3% of the authors accounted for 30% of the top 250 articles.

Conclusions:

Pediatric gastroenterology research has undergone rapid growth yielding advancements in the management of gastrointestinal conditions in children. The emergence of new diseases in need of better diagnostics and therapeutics led to a temporal shift in research focus. Further advancements will require multidisciplinary collaborations and continued funding for pediatric gastroenterology research.
Clinicopathologic Features of a Series of Primary Renal CIC-rearranged Sarcomas With Comprehensive Molecular Analysis
Authors: Mangray Shamlal , Kelly David R. , LeGuellec Sophie , Fridman Eddie , Aggarwal Sangeeta , Shago Mary , Matoso Andres , Madison Russell , Pramanik Sharmila , Zhong Shan , Li Rong , Lombardo Kara A. , Cramer Stuart , Pressey Joseph , Ross Jeffrey S. , Corona Robert J. , Bratslavsky Gennady , Argani Pedram , Coindre Jean-Michel , Somers Gino R. , Ali Siraj M. , Yakirevich Evgeny
Published: June 2018

CIC-rearranged sarcomas rarely occur in visceral organs including the kidney. The most common fusion partner with CIC is the DUX4 gene, but variant fusion partners have also been reported. Herein, we describe the clinicopathologic features and comprehensive molecular profiling of 4 cases of primary renal CIC-rearranged sarcomas. All cases occurred in females, age range 13 to 82 years and included 3 resections and 1 needle biopsy specimen. There was a tendency for development of metastatic disease predominantly to the lungs and poor disease outcome despite different treatment strategies. Histologically, variable round cell (20% to 100%), spindle cell (0% to 80%), and rhabdoid morphologies (0% to 20%) were seen. By immunohistochemistry diffuse WT1 nuclear (2 to 3+, ∼90%) labeling was present in 1 case, with cytoplasmic staining in the others (3+, 40% to 75%). CD99 was focally positive in all 4 cases (≤10%); 1 case each was diffusely positive for c-myc (2 to 3+, ∼90%) and ETV4 (3+, ∼90%); 1 case was focally positive for c-myc (2+, ∼5%) and calretinin (2+, ∼5%); and all cases were negative for cytokeratin and NKX2.2. CIC rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization was present in the 3 cases tested. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of 3 cases revealed a CIC-DUX4 fusion in 2 cases, and 1 CIC-NUTM1 fusion. All 4 CIC-rearranged renal sarcomas had low mutation burden, and except HLA-A and MLL mutations lacked genomic alterations in other oncogenic drivers. Material from the needle biopsy was insufficient for CGP but that case was positive with the DUX4 immunohistochemical stain as were the 2 CIC-DUX4 tumors. In conclusion, CIC-rearranged sarcomas rarely occur in the kidney with a tendency for poor outcome and in this series we illustrate an example with CIC-NUTM1 fusion, an emerging variant, at a visceral site. Testing by fluorescence in situ hybridization or CGP is optimal to avoid missing cases that harbor variant fusion partners.
Indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Volaric Ashley , Gentzler Ryan , Hall Richard , Mehaffey James H. , Stelow Edward B. , Bullock Timothy N. , Martin Linda W. , Mills Anne M.
Published: June 2018

The immune regulatory enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO-1) suppresses T cell responses and may reduce efficacy of therapies targeting immune checkpoints such as programmed death receptor-1/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1). Early phase clinical trials combining IDO-1 and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have shown some promise in non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). However, the coexpression of IDO-1 and PD-L1 has not been thoroughly investigated, and the potential for IDO-1 immunohistochemical expression as a therapeutic biomarker is unknown. One hundred two cases of NSCLC (51 adenocarcinomas, 9 adenosquamous carcinomas, and 42 squamous cell carcinomas) were evaluated for IDO-1 and PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry. IDO-1 expression was identified in 43% of NSCLC (42% of adenocarcinomas, 44% of adenosquamous carcinomas, and 43% of squamous cell carcinomas). Coexpression with PD-L1 (≥1%) was common (27% overall; 27% of adenocarcinomas, 33% of adenosquamous carcinomas, and 26% of squamous cell carcinomas). A smaller population of tumors showed isolated PD-L1 (25% overall; 16% of adenocarcinomas, 44% of adenosquamous carcinomas, and 33% of squamous cell carcinomas) or IDO-1 expression (15% overall; 14% of adenocarcinomas, 11% of adenosquamous carcinomas, and 17% of squamous cell carcinomas). In summary, IDO-1 is commonly expressed by NSCLC, and its frequent coexpression with PD-L1 may account for the increased efficacy seen with dual blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 and IDO in clinical studies. IDO-1 immunohistochemistry may be a useful biomarker for selection of patients who could benefit from dual-agent therapy and should be evaluated in prospective clinical trials using PD-1/PD-L1 and IDO inhibitors.
Skene’s Glands Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tregnago Aline C. , Epstein Jonathan I.
Published: June 2018

Skene’s (periurethral) gland adenocarcinoma is very rare, with only 7 cases reported in the literature. This is the first series of cases on this entity. We describe the histologic, immunohistochemical, and clinical findings of 4 patients with Skene’s gland adenocarcinoma retrieved from the Johns Hopkins Urologic Pathology Consult Service from 1984 to 2017. The average age at diagnosis of the 4 women was 74.5 years (range, 61 to 87 y). Tumors were treated by limited resections with negative margins. Tumor size ranged from 1.0 to 2.0 cm (mean, 1.5 cm). Average follow-up time was 40.7 months (range, 4 to 132 mo). Three of our cases were morphologically consistent with prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma with variable cribriform, fused, and poorly formed glands, analogous to Gleason score 4+4=8. Of these, one had mixed ductal features with neoplastic cells showing papillary carcinoma with columnar cytology. These 3 lesions were positive for PSA, P501S, NKX3.1, and AMACR. Focal goblet cells positive for CK20 and negative for prostatic markers were seen in one of these cases, suggesting intestinal differentiation (although negative for CDX2 and SATB2). A fourth case had glandular and papillary formations with pseudostratified columnar epithelium and mucin secretion, showing positivity for CK7, ER, and P16, and negativity for prostatic markers, suggesting serous differentiation (although negative for PAX8 and WT1). PIN4 cocktail confirmed the origin in preexisting paraurethral glands in 3 of the cases. All patients were alive and free of recurrence or metastatic disease at the time of last follow-up. Because of the rarity of Skene’s gland adenocarcinomas, there is no consensus regarding their treatment. Our findings demonstrate that Skene’s gland adenocarcinomas recapitulate morphologies and immunohistochemical markers seen in prostatic adenocarcinoma. However, it is unknown whether applying the same grading criteria for prostatic adenocarcinomas to Skene’s gland adenocarcinoma is valid given the small number of cases with variable treatment and limited follow-up.
Parental Presence at the Bedside of Critically Ill Children in a Unit With Unrestricted Visitation*
Authors: Foster Jennifer R. , AlOthmani Farhana I. , Seabrook Jamie A. , AlOfisan Tariq , AlGarni Yasser M. , Sarpal Amrita
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

To determine the percentage of time that critically ill children have a parent at the bedside and to identify extrinsic factors that are associated with percent of time with parental presence at the bedside.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

PICU in a single tertiary care children’s hospital.

Subjects:

Primary two parents of all children admitted to the PICU on 12 preselected days during a 1-year period from 2014 to 2015.

Interventions:

None.

Measurement and Main Results:

A total of 111 observations of 108 unique PICU admissions and families were performed. Children had at least one parent present a mean of 58.2% (sd, 34.6%) of the time. Mothers spent more time at the bedside (56.3% [sd, 31.0%]) than fathers (37.3% [sd, 29.5%]) (p = 0.0001). Percent of time with parental presence at the bedside was positively correlated with age (r

s
= 0.23; p = 0.02) and negatively associated with Pediatric Risk of Mortality III score (r

s
= –0.26; p = 0.01). Percent of time with parental presence at the bedside was lower for children who were mechanically ventilated (42.8% [sd, 35.5%]) than not (64.5% [sd, 32.2%]) (p = 0.01) and whose parent(s) were single (45.5% [sd, 27.5%]) or cohabitating/common-law (35.7% [sd, 26.4%]) compared with parents who were married (64.2% [sd, 34.2%]) or separated/divorced (68.3% [sd, 28.8%]) (p = 0.02). Percent of time with parental presence at the bedside was higher for children with chronic illnesses (63.4% [sd, 32.9%] vs 50.1% [sd, 35.8%] without; p = 0.04), when there was a bed in the patient room (61.4% [sd, 34.0%] vs 32.5% [sd, 28.3%] without; p = 0.01), and when parents slept in the patient room (90.3% [sd, 11.2%]) compared with their own home (37.6% [sd, 34.4%]) (p < 0.0001). Percent of time with parental presence at the bedside was not correlated with day of PICU stay, number of siblings, previous PICU admission, isolation status, or nursing ratio.

Conclusions:

Children had a parent present at the bedside approximately 60% of the time. The parents of younger, sicker children may benefit from supportive interventions during PICU admission. Further research is needed to examine both extrinsic and intrinsic factors affecting parental presence at the bedside.
Corrected QT Interval Prolongation in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients Receiving Methadone
Authors: Schwinghammer Amy J. , Wilson Machelle D. , Hall Brent A.
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

Methadone is often used in pediatric patients to prevent or treat opioid withdrawal after prolonged sedation. Prolonged corrected QT interval is an important adverse effect of methadone because it can progress to torsades de pointes, a potentially fatal dysrhythmia. The prevalence of corrected QT interval prolongation and contributing risk factors are not well defined in hospitalized pediatric patients receiving methadone. The study purpose was to identify the frequency and risk factors of corrected QT interval prolongation in hospitalized pediatric patients receiving methadone.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Tertiary academic pediatric hospital, University of California Davis Children’s Hospital, Sacramento, CA.

Patients:

Cohort of 89 pediatric patients (birth to 18 yr) who received at least one dose of methadone while hospitalized.

Interventions:

Retrospective data over 7.5 years were obtained from the electronic health record.

Measurements and Main Results:

From the cohort, 45 patients (50.6%) had documented corrected QT interval prolongation (≥ 450 ms) during the study period. No episodes of torsades de pointes were identified. In univariate analyses, higher maximum methadone doses were associated with a prolonged corrected QT interval (0.98 vs 0.59 mg/kg/d; odds ratio, 2.56; 1.15–5.70). Corrected QT interval prolongation occurred more frequently in patients with cardiac disease (63% vs 41%; p = 0.10). No factors were statistically significant in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

In hospitalized pediatric patients receiving methadone, corrected QT interval prolongation was common, but no episodes of torsades de pointes were documented. Risk factors that have been identified in adults were not associated with prolongation in our study population.
Brain Metastasis of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Without Macroscopic Calcification Detected First on 68Ga-Dotatate and Then on 18F-Fluoride PET/CT
Authors: Duarte Paulo Schiavom , Marin José Flávio Gomes , De Carvalho José Willegaignon De Amorim , Sapienza Marcelo Tatit , Buchpiguel Carlos Alberto
Published: June 2018

We report a case of a medullary thyroid carcinoma noncalcified brain metastasis characterized on 68Ga-dotatate PET/CT but not on an 18F-fluoride PET/CT performed 1 month later. Subsequent 18F-fluoride PET/CT studies performed 7 and 19 months after the 68Ga-dotatate PET/CT study demonstrated focal uptake in the metastasis. The CT images of the last PET/CT study also depicted a small focus of calcification beginning in the metastatic site.
Lateral Lower Lip Cleft: A Report of a Rare Craniofacial Cleft in a Child
Authors: Hassanpour Seyed Esmail , Shirazi Fatemeh Hosseinizadegan , Karim Ferial
Published: June 2018

Introduction:

Craniofacial clefts are unusual. Perioral clefts that are discussed in the literature include cleft lip and cleft palate is more common. Midline mandibular and lower lip clefts are rare. Lateral lower lip cleft with only soft tissue involvement is so rare that it has not been reported until now.

Clinical Report:

A 44-month-old girl with a 1-cm-length cleft on the lateral side of the lower lip 8 mm medial to the commissure in lateral one-third of the lower lip referred to the authors’ clinic. Repair of the lip consisted of excision of excess mucosa, muscle repair, and 2 z plasties at the level of skin and mucosal layer.

Conclusion:

This is the first report of a new foreseen type of Tessier clefts which may be classified as one of the clefts 15 to 29. Repair of this cleft can be done by soft tissue considerations when there are no underlying hard structure defects.
Risk Factors and Clinical Course for Liver Steatosis or Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis After Living Donor Liver Transplantation
Authors: Miyaaki Hisamitsu , Miuma Satoshi , Taura Naota , Shibata Hidetaka , Sasaki Ryu , Soyama Akihiko , Hidaka Masaaki , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa , Eguchi Susumu , Nakao Kazuhiko
Published: June 2018

Background

Posttransplant liver steatosis occurs frequently and can affect patient outcome. Our aim was to clarify the risk factors for steatosis or steatohepatitis after living donor liver transplantation (LT) through a retrospective examination of recent 100 living donor LT recipients and their liver donors.

Methods

Liver biopsy was performed at 1 year after LT and each year, thereafter, or as needed due to abnormal liver enzyme levels, with a median follow-up of 4 years (2-10 years).

Results

Liver steatosis (≥5%) was identified in 33 cases, with steatohepatitis identified in 9 of 33 patients with liver steatosis. Recipients with liver steatosis were younger than those without steatosis (53.4 ± 9.5 years vs 57.6 ± 9.9 years, respectively; P = 0.045). Of note, the prevalence of steatosis was significantly higher among LT recipients who received a graft from a donor with steatosis than without (60% vs 23%, respectively; P = 0.001). Donor steatosis was also associated with steatohepatitis in recipients after LT (steatohepatitis/simple steatosis, 88%:50%). On multivariate analysis, younger recipient age (P = 0.023) and donor steatosis (P = 0.005) were independent risk factors of liver steatosis after LT. Among the 33 recipients in our study group, 26 were assessed by serial liver biopsies, with 6 showing progression of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score. An increase in body weight was predictive of steatosis progression after LT (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

Age and donor steatosis influence the risk of liver steatosis and steatohepatitis in recipients after LT. The clinical course of steatosis is relatively benign, with only 19% developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score and 7.6% significant fibrosis.
Modafinil Reduces Parasympathetic Activity but Does Not Influence Autonomic Reactivity to Orthostatic Load in Narcolepsy Type 1
Authors: Bušek Petr , Bušková Jitka , Miletínová Eva , Mladá Karolína , Nevšímalová Soňa , Šonka Karel
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Modafinil may affect autonomic functions in healthy subjects. The aim of the study was to assess the long-term modafinil administration influence on the cardiac autonomic reactivity to orthostatic load in patients with narcolepsy type 1.

Methods

In 15 patients (4 male; 11 female; median age, 47 years; range, 18–70 years) with narcolepsy type 1 treated with modafinil in daily dose of 100 to 300 mg, the short-term spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) in supine-standing-supine test was performed before and after 72 hours of modafinil discontinuation.

Results

The sympathovagal reactivity to orthostatic load was not modified by modafinil treatment; nevertheless, the parasympathetic activity expressed by length of R-R interval and high-frequency component of HRV is reduced in supine position in patients taking modafinil.

Conclusions

We conclude that long-term use of modafinil does not influence the cardiac autonomic reactivity to orthostatic load expressed by the HRV changes in supine-standing-supine test in narcolepsy type 1 patients, but the parasympathetic cardiac activity may be reduced in quiet supine position in patients with narcolepsy taking modafinil.
Logistic Regression Analysis of Multiple Interosseous Hand-Muscle Activities using Surface Electromyography during Finger-Oriented Tasks
Authors: Yokoyama Masayuki , Yanagisawa Masao
Published: June 2018

Intrinsic hand muscles are densely located in the hand, and the myoelectric observation from the surface is sometimes unreliable because of some outside influences that may interfere with the signals. In the present study, we evaluated the activities of multiple interosseous hand-muscles which densely located in the hand, through analyzing the surface electromyographic signals during finger-oriented tasks using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Ten healthy subjects participated in our experiment, and isometrically exercised each finger one by one in flexed form. The result of a univariate analysis with the power and amplitude domain predictor variables of the surface electromyographic signals showed significant consistency between the activated finger and the inserted finger of the dorsal interosseous muscles to the proximal phalanx (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the results of a multivariate analysis showed a higher correlation of the regression model of the fourth dorsal interosseous muscle during the action of the ring finger using frequency-domain variables (the Nagelkerke R2 = 0.716 when the median frequency was used), compared to the model without the frequency-domain variables (the Nagelkerke R2 = 0.583). Our result showed that the logistic regression models have a particular possibility for the analysis of the surface electromyographic signals of densely located hand-muscle activities related to the finger-oriented tasks.
Sex differences in brain structure: An autism twin study on restricted and repetitive behaviors
Authors: van’t Westeinde Annelies , Cauvet Élodie , Toro Roberto , Kuja-Halkola Ralf , Neufeld Janina , Mevel Katell , Bölte Sven
Published: June 2018

Females with autism spectrum disorder have been reported to exhibit fewer and less severe restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests compared to males. This difference might indicate sex specific alterations of brain networks involved in autism symptom domains, especially within cortico-striatal and sensory integration networks. This study used a well-controlled twin design to examine sex differences in brain anatomy in relation to repetitive behaviors. In 75 twin pairs (n=150, 62 females, 88 males) enriched for autism spectrum disorder (n=32), and other neurodevelopmental disorders (n =32), we explored the association of restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests – operationalized by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (C domain) and the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behavior subscale), with cortical volume, surface area and thickness of neocortical, sub-cortical and cerebellar networks. Cotwin control analyses revealed within-pair associations between RRBI symptoms and the right intraparietal sulcus and right orbital gyrus in females only. These findings endorse the importance of investigating sex differences in the neurobiology of autism symptoms, and indicate different etiological pathways underlying restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests in females and males.
Molecular characterization of beast’s maguey (Agave antillarum Descourt), in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Núñez José R. , Hoda Ineko
Published: June 2018

Background

This research project was proposed to determine the genetic variability (if any) of beast maguey (Agave antillanarum Decourt) populations, by means of molecular markers of the AFLPs (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) type. For the determination of genetic variability, samples were collected from wild populations of maguey growing in some regions of the Dominican Republic, mainly the north, northwest, south and southwest regions, using statistical techniques already established for these cases. These samples were processed and analyzed in the plant molecular biology laboratory of the Centtro de Biotecnología Vegetal (CEBIVE) of Instituto de Innovación en Biotecnología e Industria (IIBI) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Results

As for the genetic diversity is concerned, it was found that several of the populations studied differ from each other without taking into account the geographic distance where they grow. We concluded that there is a possibility that more than one species of Agave antillarun could be found in the wild in the Dominican Republic.
Eight new genomes of organohalide-respiring Dehalococcoides mccartyi reveal evolutionary trends in reductive dehalogenase enzymes
Authors: Molenda Olivia , Tang Shuiquan , Lomheim Line , Edwards Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2018

Background

Bioaugmentation is now a well-established approach for attenuating toxic groundwater and soil contaminants, particularly for chlorinated ethenes and ethanes. The KB-1 and WBC-2 consortia are cultures used for this purpose. These consortia contain organisms belonging to the Dehalococcoidia, including strains of Dehalococcoides mccartyi in KB-1 and of both D. mccartyi and Dehalogenimonas in WBC-2. These tiny anaerobic bacteria couple respiratory reductive dechlorination to growth and harbour multiple reductive dehalogenase genes (rdhA) in their genomes, the majority of which have yet to be characterized.

Results

Using a combination of Illumina mate-pair and paired-end sequencing we closed the genomes of eight new strains of Dehalococcoides mccartyi found in three related KB-1 sub-cultures that were enriched on trichloroethene (TCE), 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) and vinyl chloride (VC), bringing the total number of genomes available in NCBI to 24. A pangenome analysis was conducted on 24 Dehalococcoides genomes and five Dehalogenimonas genomes (2 in draft) currently available in NCBI. This Dehalococcoidia pangenome generated 2875 protein families comprising of 623 core, 2203 accessory, and 49 unique protein families. In Dehalococcoides mccartyi the complement of reductive dehalogenase genes varies by strain, but what was most surprising was how the majority of rdhA sequences actually exhibit a remarkable degree of synteny across all D. mccartyi genomes. Several homologous sequences are also shared with Dehalogenimonas genomes. Nucleotide and predicted protein sequences for all reductive dehalogenases were aligned to begin to decode the evolutionary history of reductive dehalogenases in the Dehalococcoidia.

Conclusions

The conserved synteny of the rdhA genes observed across Dehalococcoides genomes indicates that the major differences between strain rdhA gene complement has resulted from gene loss rather than recombination. These rdhA have a long evolutionary history and trace their origin in the Dehalococcoidia prior to the speciation of Dehalococcoides and Dehalogenimonas. The only rdhA genes suspected to have been acquired by lateral gene transfer are protein-coding rdhA that have been identified to catalyze dehalogenation of industrial pollutants. Sequence analysis suggests that evolutionary pressures resulting in new rdhA genes involve adaptation of existing dehalogenases to new substrates, mobilization of rdhA between genomes or within a genome, and to a lesser degree manipulation of regulatory regions to alter expression.
Accurate lattice-parameter determination from electron diffraction tomography data using two-dimensional diffraction vectors
Authors: Ångström Jonas , Chen Hong , Wan Wei
Published: June 2018

Electron diffraction tomography (EDT) has emerged as a successful tool forab initioatomic structure determination of nanometre-sized crystals. However, lattice parameters obtained from EDT data are often of lower accuracy than those from powder X-ray data, owing to experimental errors and data-processing methods. This work describes a lattice-parameter refinement method for EDT data using two-dimensional diffraction vectors and shows that the accuracy of lattice-parameter determination can be improved significantly. It is also shown that the method is tolerant to sample displacement during data collection and to geometric distortions in the electron diffraction patterns due to lens imperfections. For the data sets tested, the method reduces the 95% confidence interval of the worst errors in angles from ±1.98 to ±0.82° and the worst relative errors of the unit-cell lengths from ±1.8% to ±1.3%, compared with the conventional method using clustering of three-dimensional diffraction vectors. The improvement is attributed to the fact that the new method makes use of the positions of two-dimensional diffraction spots, which can be determined with high accuracy, and disregards the position of the central beam, the orientation of the rotation axis and the angles of the diffraction frames, whose errors all contribute to the errors for lattice-parameter determination using the three-dimensional method.
Intertemporal consumption behaviour in OIC countries
Authors: Shaikh Salman Ahmed , Ismail Mohd Adib , Ismail Abdul Ghafar , Shahimi Shahida , Mohd Shafiai Muhammad Hakimi
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the consumption behaviour in Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using time series and panel data, this study estimates rational expectations permanent income hypothesis model and the intertemporal elasticity of substitution, and examines the response in consumption to expected and unexpected changes in income.

Findings

The evidence supports the phenomenon of loss aversion. The response of consumption to unexpected income changes is statistically significant in only one-third of the countries in the sample. Conversely, the response of consumption to expected income changes is statistically as well as economically significant in one-fourth of the countries in the sample. The intertemporal elasticity of substitution is also statistically insignificant in majority of OIC countries in the sample.

Practical implications

The evidence in support of loss aversion in preferences could help in explaining the low penetration of equity-based risk sharing instruments in Islamic finance.

Social implications

The excess sensitivity of consumption to income suggests that redistribution efforts to enhance incomes of poor households could help in enhancing their consumption levels.

Originality/value

The study takes a comprehensive sample across time and space for OIC countries as compared to previous studies and also adjusts the budget constraint for Zakat.
Stretched backboneless continuum manipulator driven by cannula tendons
Authors: Gao GuoHua , Ren Han , Xia QiXiao , Wang Hao , Li LianShi
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a stretched backboneless continuum manipulator, which aims to provide sufficient inner room for potential transportation of objects or fixture of necessary devices, and to reduce the number of motors for reduction of the weight of the system.

Design/methodology/approach

A mathematical model of the presented manipulator is established in this paper. To verify the presented theory, the position of the free end was recorded by a high-resolution digital camera in experiment. According to the comparison of experimental values and theoretical values, the error is less than 2.5 per cent. It shows that the mathematical model and theoretical analysis are reasonable; the presented continuum manipulator can reach to desired postures and positions.

Findings

This paper presents a new stretched backboneless continuum manipulator supported and driven by cannula tendons. The cannula tendons are composed of rubber tubes and glass fibers. The upper section and the lower section of the presented manipulator are driven by same motors. For steering the manipulator, switched driving strategy is developed based on the presented kinematics model. The presented manipulator possesses six degrees of freedom (DOFs) and has good performance in dealing with complex working environment. The experiment verifies the presented driving strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The presented backboneless continuum manipulator has only two sections and is supported by cannula tendons. Extending this structure to further more sections is a challenge and is left for future research.

Originality/value

The value of this study is to propose a stretched backboneless continuum manipulator, which can provide inner room as large as possible for potential usage and halve the number of motors, for which a switched driving strategy is put forward. As a result, the weight and complexity of the manipulator are decreased. The presented manipulator is able to move in potential complex environments and approach its objects in different postures in virtue of its high flexibility and its six DOFs.
Performance-verbal discrepancies and facets of psychopathy: assessing the relationship between WAIS–R/III summary IQs/index scores and PCL–R facet scores
Authors: Walters Glenn D. , Duncan Scott A.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between differences in performance and verbal intelligence quotients (PIQ and VIQ) and the four facet scores from the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL–R) (Hare, 2003).

Design/methodology/approach

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and PCL–R facet scores provided by 181 male federal inmates as part of a forensic evaluation were analyzed with multiple regression, paired t-tests, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Findings

Of the four PCL–R facet scores, only elevations on Facet 4 (antisocial) produced a significant WAIS-Revised (Wechsler, 1981) PIQ over VIQ (PIQ>VIQ) effect. In addition, only Facet 4 achieved significant ROC accuracy and correlated with the PIQ>VIQ discrepancy after other potentially important variables were controlled. In a follow-up study of 46 male inmates, Facet 4 correlated negatively with the Verbal Comprehension and Working Memory indices of the WAIS–Third Edition (Wechsler, 1997) and accurately classified a significant portion of Perceptual Organization Index (POI)>WMI cases but not a significant portion of POI>VCI cases.

Practical implications

Verbal comprehension and executive function deficits are examined as possible explanations for the relationships observed in this study.

Originality/value

These results have potentially important implications for forensic assessment in that they suggest that only certain specific features of the psychopathy construct are related to the well-known PIQ>VIQ discrepancy.
The effect of students’ performance in introductory accounting on college duration
Authors: Alanzi Khalid A. , Alfraih Mishari M.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of accounting students’ performance in the first part of introductory accounting on duration to successfully complete accounting program.

Design/methodology/approach

Linear regression (ordinary least squares) with a sample of 127 accounting students, who were graduated during the 2015/2016 academic year from a business college in Kuwait, was used to test the study’s hypothesis.

Findings

The results indicate that there was a statistically significant association between the grade earned in the first part of introductory accounting and the college duration, which explained the significant influence of the grade earned in the first part of introductory accounting on the college duration, with and without controls for other factors.

Practical implications

The findings provide administrators, accounting educators and academic researchers with a useful benchmark for improving accounting programs and guidelines for future academic research.

Originality/value

The value of this study would be twofold; it provided a foundation for future comparative studies, potentially leading to the harmonization of international accounting education, and it addressed some of the gaps in the existing regional accounting education literature resulting from the scarcity of prior studies. In addition, the college where data were collected has been recently approved to enter the candidacy for accreditation at the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Given the accrediting bodies emphasis on academic performance and graduation on time, the study’s findings would help the college in enhancing its students’ performance and maximizing the chances of its accreditation application being successful.
Downtown management and homelessness: the versatile roles of business improvement districts
Authors: Lee Wonhyung
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Homelessness in the public place presents a complex issue to downtown redevelopment and management efforts. Although business communities are commonly perceived to take hostile, often punitive, approaches to deal with homelessness, such perception does not reflect recent alternative approaches. This paper aims to examine versatile approaches that district management organizations take to address homelessness, focusing on the role of business improvement districts (BIDs) in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a mixed method of data collection and analysis that combines a nationwide survey of BIDs and in-depth interviews with people who work at or in collaboration with BIDs in Washington, DC.

Findings

The findings suggest that BIDs, as one of the major organizations that serve the interests of property and business owners in commercial areas, have the potential to balance their traditional roles as a district manager with their alternative roles as advocates, mediators and service providers to address homelessness.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the small number of BIDs reflected in the survey and interviews, the research results may lack generalizability. Further research on the outcomes of the BID-homeless intervention efforts will benefit the future practice.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that BIDs can implement a more cooperative approach to addressing homelessness in partnership with the public and human service sectors.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the versatile roles of BIDs in dealing with homelessness.
SMEs capital structure: trade-off or pecking order theory: a systematic review
Authors: Martinez Lisana B. , Scherger Valeria , Guercio M. Belén
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to organize and present the literature related to firm’s capital structure across the years and find the most relevant publications and authors in the research area. Moreover, the authors pretend to fill the gap in the literature by studying different works and their compatibility with the main theories.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic literature review is conducted by using the Scopus database. The methodology applied is through a concise searching considering keywords, the most cited papers, the latest publications and theories that explain small and medium enterprises (SMEs) capital structure.

Findings

Some key aspects about the capital structure of firms and SMEs are identified, such as documents per year, type of publications, the most used languages, the top journals, the most cited papers, the most productive and influential authors and the latest published papers.

Research limitations/implications

The information presented is only informative from the Scopus database. Hence, this work only gives a general orientation of the most relevant research and its tendency of this database. More exhaustive works could be done using different keywords and analyzing other firms’ characteristics.

Practical implications

This kind of study is effective in evaluating the scientific production and to find the most important contributions of the subject. Furthermore, this information is useful for researchers’ studies on SME capital structure to underline the research direction and to be acquainted with the literature tendency.

Originality/value

There are not similar works that delve into the literature respect to SME capital structure and compare the main theories in relation to empirical works. Therefore, a synthesized evolution of previous works related to the capital structure of firms and SMEs is presented.