bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Axonal Guidance Signaling Pathway Is Suppressed in Human Nasal Polyps
Authors: Wu Dawei , Mueller Sarina K. , Nocera Angela L. , Finn Kristen , Libermann Towia A. , Bleier Benjamin S.
Published: June 2018

Background

Dysfunctional innervation might contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), but the state of the axonal outgrowth signaling in CRSwNP is unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the axonal outgrowth pathway-related protein expression in CRSwNP.

Methods

Institutional review board approved study in which tissue proteomes were compared between control and CRSwNP patients (n = 10/group) using an aptamer-based proteomic array and confirmed by whole transcriptomic analysis.

Results

Compared with controls, proteins associated with axonal guidance signaling pathway such as beta-nerve growth factor, semaphorin 3A, Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1, Bcl-2, protein kinase C delta type, and Fyn were significantly decreased in patients with CRSwNP (fold change [FC] = −1.17, P = .002; FC = −1.09, P < .001; FC = −1.33, P < .001; FC = −1.31, P < .001; FC = −1.31, P = .004; and FC = −1.20, P = 0.012, respectively). In contrast, reticulon-4 receptor, an inhibitory factor, was significantly increased in patients with CRSwNP (FC = 1.25, P < .001). Furthermore, neuronal growth-associated proteins such as ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor subunit alpha, neuronal growth regulator 1, neuronal cell adhesion molecule, neural cell adhesion molecule L1, platelet-derived growth factor subunit A, and netrin-4 were all significantly decreased in patients with CRSwNP (FC = −1.25, P < .001; FC = −1.27, P = .002; FC = −1.65, P = .013; FC = −4.20, P < .001; FC = −1.28, P < .001; and FC = −2.31, P < .001, respectively). In contrast, tissue eosinophil count ( P < .001) and allergic inflammation factors such as IgE, periostin, and galectin-10 were all significantly increased in patients with CRSwNP (FC = 12.28, P < .001; FC = 3.95, P < .001; and FC = 2.44, P < .001, respectively). Furthermore, the log FC of the studied proteins expression significantly and positively correlated with log FC of their mRNA expression ( P < .001, r = .88).

Conclusions

Axonal guidance signaling and neural growth factors pathways proteins are significantly suppressed in eosinophilic CRSwNP.
Hypertonic Saline Versus Isotonic Saline Nasal Irrigation: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Kanjanawasee Dichapong , Seresirikachorn Kachorn , Chitsuthipakorn Wirach , Snidvongs Kornkiat
Published: June 2018

Background

Saline nasal lavage is one of the treatments of sinonasal diseases. Evidence from basic research favors hypertonic saline (HS) over isotonic saline (IS) for mucociliary clearance, but evidence from clinical studies is controversial. Conversely, HS may carry greater side effects.

Objective

To compare the effects of HS and IS nasal irrigation in treating sinonasal diseases.

Methods

Systematic search with Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Manual additional sources was conducted. Randomized controlled trials comparing HS with IS nasal irrigation in treating any sinonasal diseases, including rhinitis and rhinosinusitis, were included. Data were pooled for meta-analyses. Outcomes were symptom scores, sinonasal outcome test (SNOT), and adverse events. Heterogeneity was explored by subgroup analyses.

Results

Nine studies (740 patients) were included. HS nasal irrigation brought greater benefits over IS in symptom reduction (standardized mean difference (SMD) −0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.76, −0.40); however, no difference was shown in SNOT-20 improvement (mean difference 1.81; 95% CI: −0.68, 4.30). In subgroup analyses, effects favoring HS on symptoms were larger in 4 subgroups. These were (1) patients with rhinitis (SMD −1.09; 95% CI: −1.42, −0.76) compared with rhinosinusitis (SMD −0.37; 95% CI: −0.58, −0.15), P < .01; (2) patients under the age of 18 years (SMD −1.22; 95% CI: −1.53, −0.91) compared with patients over the age of 18 years (SMD −0.26; 95% CI: −0.49, −0.04), P < .01; (3) saline irrigation using high volume (SMD −0.89; 95% CI: −1.18, −0.60) compared with low volume (SMD −0.39; 95% CI: −0.62, −0.16), P < .01; and (4) saline irrigation with hypertonicity of <3% (SMD −1.09; 95% CI: −1.42, −0.76) and hypertonicity of 3%–5% (SMD −1.20; 95% CI: −1.61, −0.78) compared with hypertonicity of >5% (SMD 0.20; 95% CI: −0.15, 0.55), P < .01. Buffered saline and operative status did not have impact. HS brought greater minor adverse effects. No major adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion

HS improves symptoms over IS nasal irrigation in treating sinonasal diseases. There is no difference in disease-specific quality of life. However, HS brings greater minor side effects than IS.
Nasal Endoscopy Billing Patterns: A Survey of the American Rhinologic Society
Authors: Tabaee Abtin , Riley Charles A. , Brown Seth M. , McCoul Edward D.
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Nasal endoscopy (NE) is an essential element of office-based clinical rhinology, including the evaluation of chronic rhinosinusitis. Despite the presence of guidelines, variability exists regarding coding and billing for NE especially with regard to inclusion of evaluation and management (E&M) codes and use of the 25 modifier. The goal of this survey was to assess the billing patterns for NE among American Rhinologic Society (ARS) members.

Methods

An invitation to participate in a web-based survey was electronically sent to all ARS members. Survey participants were queried regarding demographics and billing patterns for NE in several different clinical scenarios using a 5-point Likert-type scale, with a score of 5 representing “always” and a score of 1 representing “never” for billing E&M.

Results

A total of 93 respondents successfully completed the survey with a range of the number of years since completing training, practice type (50.5% private, 44.1% academic) and completion of a rhinology fellowship (40.9%). Variable responses for billing patterns for distinct clinical scenarios were noted. Higher scores for billing both E&M and NE for the queried clinical scenarios were noted for new patients (mean 4.50) compared to established patients (mean 3.81) and postoperative patients (mean 3.04). Inclusion of a septoplasty as part of the surgery impacted billing an E&M code 28% of the time. Practice type and history of performing a fellowship did not significantly influence billing patterns for NE.

Conclusions

Significant variability exists among ARS respondents with regard to billing patterns for NE, despite the presence of coding guidelines. Additional teaching of standard coding practices for NE may limit variability among otolaryngologists.
Medical Therapy Versus Balloon Sinus Dilation in Adults With Chronic Rhinosinusitis (MERLOT): 12-Month Follow-up
Authors: Stolovitzky J. Pablo , Mehendale Neelesh , Matheny Keith E. , Brown William J. , Rieder Anthony A. , Liepert Douglas R. , Tseng Ewen , Gould Andrew
Published: June 2018

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a devastating disease affecting nearly 30 million people in the United States. An interim analysis of data from the present study suggested that, in patients who had previously failed medical therapy, balloon sinus dilation (BSD) plus medical management (MM) provides a significant improvement in the quality of life (QOL) at 24 weeks postprocedure compared to MM alone.

Objective

The primary objective of this final analysis was to evaluate the durability of treatment effects through the 52-week follow-up.

Methods

Adults aged 19 and older with CRS who had failed MM elected either BSD plus MM or continued MM. Patients were evaluated at 2 (BSD arm only), 12, 24, and 52 weeks posttreatment. Balloon dilations were performed either as an office-based procedure under local anesthesia or in the operating room per physicians’ and patients’ discretion. The primary end point was change in patient-reported QOL as measured by Chronic Sinusitis Survey (CSS) total score from baseline to the 24-week follow-up. Secondary outcomes including changes in CSS, Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI), and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT) total and subscores, sinus medication usage, missed days of work/school, number of medical care visits, and sinus infections from baseline to the 52-week follow-up are reported here within.

Results

BSD led to sustained greater improvements in self-reported QOL using the CSS and RSDI total scores with a trend toward improvement in the SNOT-20 total score from baseline to the 52-week follow-up compared to continued MM. There were no changes in medication usage apart from nasal steroid usage for which the MM cohort had an increase in usage. There were no device-related serious adverse events.

Conclusion

The current analysis highlights the safety, effectiveness, and durability of BSD in CRS patients aged 19 and older who had previously failed MM.
Use of Autologous Fat Grafts for the Endoscopic Reconstruction of Skull Base Defects: Indications, Outcomes, and Complications
Authors: Lam Kent , Luong Amber U. , Yao William C. , Citardi Martin J.
Published: June 2018

Background

The use of abdominal free fat is a traditional surgical method for the repair and reconstruction of the anterior skull base. Our objective is to assess the outcomes associated with the autologous fat graft to endoscopically repair anterior skull base defects at a single tertiary care center.

Methods

All patients, who underwent endoscopic skull base repair utilizing abdominal free fat from September 2009 to June 2016, were included for retrospective chart review. Evaluated outcome measurements included (1) the successful closure of preoperative and intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and (2) complications at both donor and recipient graft sites during the postoperative periods. Four representative clinical cases have additionally been selected to highlight the common indications for which the fat graft may be effective in skull base reconstruction.

Results

Of the 27 patients who were identified for inclusion in this review, 25 (92.6%) demonstrated successful repair of preoperative or intraoperative CSF leaks following primary skull base repair. Two patients developed recurrent CSF leaks occurring about 1 week after their primary closures, and a secondary closure rate of 96.3% was achieved with use of fat grafts. Other complications included seroma and hematoma formation at the abdominal donor sites, each occurring in 1 patient.

Conclusions

The use of autologous fat remains a viable option for grafting material during endoscopic skull base reconstruction. Despite the wide variety of closure techniques in skull base surgery, autologous fat provides safe and easily accessible material to repair CSF leaks.
Endoscopic-Powered Dacryocystorhinostomy Without Stenting: Long-term Outcomes of 120 Procedures
Authors: Ciğer Ejder , Balci Mustafa K. , Arslanoğlu Seçil , Eren Erdem
Published: June 2018

Background

The necessity of silicone stenting in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) procedures is a controversial subject in the literature.

Objective

The purpose of the present study is to assess the long-term anatomical and functional outcomes of endoscopic-powered DCR (EP-DCR) without stenting or mucosal flaps.

Methods

One hundred twenty EP-DCR procedures were performed in 107 patients. Anatomical success was defined as a patent ostium on irrigation and functional success as free flow of dye from the ostium and resolution of epiphora.

Results

The mean follow-up was 46.5 months (range: 24–87). Of the 120 procedures, 13 were bilateral and 94 were unilateral. Anatomical and functional success rates of 92.5% were obtained.

Conclusion

EP-DCR without stenting is a safe and economic technique that provides satisfactory long-term results and could be considered as the treatment of choice for patients with postsaccal nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Optimizing Protein Harvest From Nasal Brushings for Determining Local Allergy Responses
Authors: Saricilar Erin C. , Hamizan Aneeza , Alvarado Raquel , Rimmer Janet , Sewell William , Tatersall Jessica , Barham Henry P. , Harvey Richard
Published: June 2018

Background

Rhinitis is a highly prevalent yet often misdiagnosed condition. Patients who have local allergic rhinitis are regularly mislabeled as having a nonallergic etiology. Thus, a highly accurate, reproducible, and noninvasive assessment, which can be performed quickly and with minimal discomfort to the patient, is required.

Objective

The aim of this research was to identify the efficiency of various nasal brushes as tools for harvest and collection of epithelial proteins and its suitability for identification of rhinitis.

Methods

Nasal epithelial mucosa samples were taken from patients undergoing turbinate surgery using a cytology brush, a dental brush, and a nasal curette in random order. After washing in phosphate-buffered saline, the suspended cells were sonicated. Total protein content was assessed for all samples by bicinchoninic acid assay measured using a Nanodrop machine. Identification of nasal-specific immunoglobulin E (spIgE) was then assessed using immunoassay and compared to the patient’s allergic status from epicutaneous and serum testing. The lower threshold limit for the spIgE in nasal brushings was determined using the results of serum spIgE tests as the reference. The diagnostic accuracy of this new established cutoff value was determined.

Results

The cytology brush was found to be the optimal tool for maximal nasal mucosa protein collection followed by dental brush and nasal curette (0.75 ± 0.45 mg/mL vs 0.43 ± 0.24 mg/mL vs 0.071 ± 0.55 mg/mL, respectively; P < .01). The optimal cutoff value of nasal spIgE from the cytology nasal brushings was 0.14 kUA/L to predict allergic status from serum testing. This gave a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 86%, positive predictive value of 74%, likelihood ration positive of 5.40, and diagnostic odds ratio of 18.62.

Conclusion

The cytology brush is the optimal tool for protein collection. This is an easy and direct method to sample the nasal mucosa for assessment of nasal allergy or future biomarkers.
Dural venous sinus thrombosis: The combination of noncontrast CT, MRI and PC-MR venography to enhance accuracy
Authors: Ozturk Kerem , Soylu Esra , Parlak Mufit
Published: June 2018

Aim

The aim of this article is to determine whether a combination of noncontrast CT (NCCT), three-dimensional-phase contrast magnetic resonance venography (3D PC-MRV), T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences can help to identify acute and subacute dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST) with greater accuracy.

Methods

A total of 147 patients with DVST ( n = 30) and a control group ( n = 117) underwent NCCT, T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences, and 3D PC-MRV from 2012 to 2016. Two experienced observers interpreted the images retrospectively for the presence of DVST. Nonvisualization of the dural venous sinuses on 3D PC-MRV and signal changes supporting acute or subacute thrombus on T2- and T1-weighted images were considered a direct sign of DVST. Also, using circle region of interest (ROI) techniques, attenuation measurement from each sinus was obtained on NCCT. Sensitivity and specificity were computed for these modalities separately and in combination for diagnosis of DVST using digital subtraction angiography as the reference standard.

Results

Nonvisualization of venous sinuses on 3D PC-MRV (sensitivity 100%, specificity 71%) in combination with both applying Hounsfield unit (HU) threshold values of greater than 60 on NCCT (sensitivity 70%, specificity 94%) and acquiring signal changes supporting DVST on T2- and T1-weighted images (sensitivity 83%, specificity 96%), were found to have 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the identification of acute or subacute DVST.

Conclusion

The combination of NCCT, T1- and T2-weighted MRI and 3D PC-MRV may allow the diagnosis of acute or subacute DVST and may obviate the need for contrast usage in patients with renal impairment or contrast allergies.
Villous adenoma of the urachal remnant: A diagnostic conundrum
Authors: Ugwuoke Obianuju , Hadjipavlou Marios , Pinto Thelma , Arora Ajay , Hammadeh Mohamed Y
Published: June 2018

Villous adenoma is a rare pathology seen in the urinary tract; it is mostly found in the large bowel. When encountered in the urinary tract, it mainly originates from intestinal segments of urinary reconstruction. Villous adenoma is commonly seen in patients more than 50 years and has a male predominance. In the urinary tract, it has been reported in the urachus, bladder dome and trigone. A few cases of villous adenoma have been described in the literature. We report a case of primary villous adenoma in the remnant of the urachus and discuss the pathophysiology, investigation and management.
Ewald Hering’s (1899) On the Limits of Visual Acuity: A Translation and Commentary
Authors: Strasburger Hans , Huber Jörg , Rose David
Published: June 2018

Towards the end of the 19th Century, Hering and Helmholtz were arguing about the fineness of visual acuity. In a talk given in 1899, Hering finally established beyond reasonable doubt that humans can see spatial displacements smaller than the diameter of a foveal cone receptor, an ability we nowadays call ‘hyperacuity’ and still the topic of active research. Hering suggested that this ability is made manifest by averaging across the range of locations stimulated during miniature eye movements. However, this idea was made most clear only in a footnote to this (not well known) publication of his talk and so was missed by many subsequent workers. Accordingly, particularly towards the end of the 20th Century, Hering has commonly been mis-cited as having proposed in this paper that averaging occurs purely along the lengths of the edges in the image. Here, we present in translation what Hering actually said and why. In Supplementary Material, we additionally translate accounts of some background experiments by Volkmann (1863) that were cited by Hering.
Identification of clinical factors predicting warfarin sensitivity after cardiac surgery
Authors: Tyson Karen , Hutchinson Nevil , Williams Sian , Scutt Greg
Published: June 2018

Background:

Warfarin is commonly initiated post-cardiac surgery to reduce the risk of intracardiac thrombus formation. Studies have found that sensitivity is increased after cardiac surgery and anticoagulation is subsequently difficult to manage. This study set out to identify clinical markers of increased warfarin sensitivity in patients after cardiac surgery, and build a model that can predict warfarin sensitivity, and improve safety in this setting.

Methods:

The study was an observational, retrospective cohort design. Clinical parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cross-clamp time, age, serum albumin and C-reactive protein concentrations were collected from consenting patients who had undergone cardiac surgery and were prescribed postoperative warfarin. The warfarin dose index (WDI) was calculated for each patient from their international normalized ratio (INR) and warfarin dose, as a measure of sensitivity.

Results:

A total of 41 patients were recruited to the study. Logarithmically transformed WDI (log WDI) significantly correlated with LVEF, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, cross-clamp time, baseline INR and co-administration of amiodarone ( p < 0.05). When added to a linear regression model, LVEF and cross-clamp time produced a model that accounted for 41% of the variance in log WDI (R2 = 0.41), p = 0.0002). Applying a log WDI cutoff value of −0.349 discriminated between patients who develop an INR > 4 and those who do not, with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 70%.

Conclusions:

This single-centre study has highlighted two risk factors for increased warfarin sensitivity post-cardiac surgery. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in a wider, more diverse population, and to validate this model.
Natural plant products in treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Xiang Lili , Li Ying , Deng Xu , Kosanovic Djuro , Schermuly Ralph Theo , Li Xiaohui
Published: June 2018

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe disease characterized by progressive remodeling of distal pulmonary arteries and persistent elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which leads to right ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, and eventually death. Although treatment responsiveness for this disease is improving, it continues to be a life‐threatening condition. With the clinical efficacy of natural plant products being fully confirmed by years of practice, more and more recognition and attention have been obtained from the international pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, studies over the past decades have demonstrated that drugs derived from natural plants show unique advantages and broad application prospects in PAH treatment, not to mention the historical application of Chinese traditional medicine in cardiopulmonary diseases. In this review, we focus on summarizing natural plant compounds with therapeutic properties in PAH, according to the extracts, fractions, and pure compounds from plants into categories, hoping it to be helpful for basic research and clinical application.
The need for theory-based evaluation of care coordination initiatives: Considerations from the 2017 International Conference on Realist Research, Evaluation and Synthesis
Authors: Vugts Miel , Liu Hueiming , Boumans Joge , Boydell Edward
Published: June 2018

Research in the field of care coordination faces the challenge of providing transferable explanatory insights regarding what principles and initiatives work in practice and why. Such insights are crucial in developing effective solutions for global disease burdens. Realist research approaches have demonstrated potential to deliver stronger theoretical contributions of evaluation studies across fields of research. These were discussed at the International Conference for Realist Research, Evaluation and Synthesis in Brisbane (from 24 to 26 October 2017). This paper provides an overview and reflection on the conference by four participants. It focuses on (1) topical debates and challenges for the application of realistic methodology in health services research, as presented at the conference and (2) implied opportunities and challenges for (realist) evaluation of care coordination initiatives. Based on the reflections, future realist evaluation on evaluating complex care coordination initiatives is recommended.
Debating the African Land Question with Archie Mafeje
Authors: Moyo Sam
Published: June 2018

This article provides a synthesis of Archie Mafeje’s views on the land and agrarian question in Africa, including land tenure and agrarian labour relations, technological change and agricultural productivity, agrarian class formation processes, and the politics of agrarian reform. 1 His enduring argument was that the fundamental land and labour relations of Africa’s pre-capitalist modes of economic and political organization had persisted during and after colonialism and capitalist penetration in the former non-settler territories of Africa. And he also rejected the dominant view that agrarian transformation in Africa was constrained by alleged deficiencies in African land tenure systems. Mafeje’s views had a unique impact on the debates on the land and agrarian questions, in both settler and non-settler Africa, as well as on my own intellectual development.
By Chance or by Plan?: The Academic Success of Nontraditional Students in Higher Education
Authors: Wong Billy
Published: June 2018

In the United Kingdom, a “good” undergraduate degree is understood to be a “first class” or an “upper second class,” which is achieved by three-quarters of students. The need to distinguish oneself from others is ever more important in an increasingly crowded graduate market, although a first-class degree is most likely achieved by privileged students. Informed by Bourdieu’s theory of habitus and capital, this study explores the educational experiences and trajectories of 30 final-year high-achieving nontraditional (HANT) students through in-depth interviews. These include working-class, minority ethnic, and/or mature students at university. We found that prior development in academic study skills and the desire to prove oneself, often in response to previous negative experiences, are key ingredients in academic success. Our HANT students also seem to find inspiration or support from significant others, an educational capital, although these resources are often by chance rather than by plan. Implications for policy and practice are suggested.
Perceived and Functional Balance Control Is Negatively Affected by Diminished Touch and Vibration Sensitivity in Relatively Healthy Older Adults and Elderly
Authors: Hafström Anna
Published: June 2018

Background: Severe diminished foot somatosensation, for example, caused by neuropathies and advanced aging, contributes to balance deficits and increased fall risk. However, little is known about somatosensory impairment and functional and subjective balance problems in relatively healthy elderly. Method: Vibration perception thresholds (VPTs) were assessed with a biothesiometer and tactile pressure sensation thresholds (TPSTs) with 20 monofilaments in 34 relatively healthy community-dwelling older adults ( M = 69.4 years). Balance was evaluated with functional balance tests and questionnaires. A stepwise regression analysis was performed to determine the extent to which VPTs, TPSTs, and age could explain balance impairments. Results: High VPTs had negative effects on Berg Balance Scale and Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores ( p ≤ .011), as did high TPSTs on walking speed and Figure-8 test ( p ≤ .001). With visual information available, one-leg standing time (OLST) was significantly affected by ipsilateral VPTs on solid and TPSTs on compliant surface ( p ≤ .002). Without visual information, age was the only factor with a main effect on OLST ( p < .001). Age had no significant correlations with TPSTs or VPTs. Discussion: Somatosensation appears to be very important for perceived as well as functional balance control in older adults. Our findings have important clinical implications when assessing balance impairment and impending fall risk.
Understanding the Link between Victimization and Alcohol Use among Homeless Youth Using Ecological Momentary Assessment
Authors: Tyler Kimberly A. , Olson Kristen , Ray Colleen M.
Published: June 2018

Most prior research on victimization and alcohol use among homeless youth is retrospective and thus does not allow researchers to determine the sequencing of these events. We address this gap using ecological momentary assessment via short message service surveying with homeless youth during 30 days. Multilevel binary logistic regression results revealed that experiencing physical or sexual victimization on a specific day was positively associated with youth’s drinking alcohol later that day. Because ecological momentary assessment via short message service allows for such specificity, we can link a specific victimization experience with a current drinking episode. Thus, the time ordering of daily events in the current study is a significant improvement over prior research. Understanding the timing between victimization and drinking alcohol is also important for intervention with this underserved population.
Anterior cingulate cortex connectivity is associated with suppression of behaviour in a rat model of chronic pain
Authors: Morris Laurel S. , Sprenger Christian , Koda Ken , de la Mora Daniela M. , Yamada Tomomi , Mano Hiroaki , Kashiwagi Yuto , Yoshioka Yoshichika , Morioka Yasuhide , Seymour Ben
Published: June 2018

A cardinal feature of persistent pain that follows injury is a general suppression of behaviour, in which motivation is inhibited in a way that promotes energy conservation and recuperation. Across species, the anterior cingulate cortex is associated with the motivational aspects of phasic pain, but whether it mediates motivational functions in persistent pain is less clear. Using burrowing behaviour as an marker of non-specific motivated behaviour in rodents, we studied the suppression of burrowing following painful confirmatory factor analysis or control injection into the right knee joint of 30 rats (14 with pain) and examined associated neural connectivity with ultra-high-field resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We found that connectivity between anterior cingulate cortex and subcortical structures including hypothalamic/preoptic nuclei and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis correlated with the reduction in burrowing behaviour observed following the pain manipulation. In summary, the findings implicate anterior cingulate cortex connectivity as a correlate of the motivational aspect of persistent pain in rodents.
The Success of the Link Model Programme in Rural Bangladesh: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Takeda Shutaro , Okui Go , Fujimura Nanao , Abe Hisae , Ohashi Yuka , Oku Yuki , Kiriyama Kyoko , Saeki Naoki , Sasaki Yusuke , Zhu Yingying , Shu Keitou , Takahashi Tomoharu , Noda Shuntaro , Hao Kazuki , Hirao Kazumasa , Kimura Senichi
Published: June 2018

Link Model, a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) programme for micro-infrastructure construction funding aid, has received much attention in Bangladesh over the last few decades. This study aims to contribute to the latest phase of the Link Model project, launched in July 2016 by the Bangladeshi government. To this end, the authors conducted a field survey in Kalihati Upazila, which involved 102 villagers and 153 local representatives. The authors used the survey to examine the efficacy of the programme and to identify the key factors that contribute to its success. Results obtained from the questionnaire survey showed that the programme had high degrees of satisfaction and penetration in the surveyed villages. Moreover, the degree of satisfaction was unaffected by gender, religion, income or education background, which is notably consistent with the ideals of PRA. Villagers who understood the policy better were more satisfied with the micro-infrastructures developed through the Link Model programme. The ratings of union development officers (UDO) strongly correlated with the number of micro-infrastructures. Therefore, this study concludes that the key success factors of Link Model are (a) the understanding of villagers on the programme for quality and (b) the capability of UDO for quantity.
Safety and immunogenicity of conjugate quadrivalent meningococcal vaccination after hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Cheng Matthew P. , Pandit Alisha , Antin Joseph H. , Walsh Stephen R. , Huynh Daisy , Ghobrial Irene M. , Baden Lindsey R. , Marty Francisco M. , Issa Nicolas C.
Published: June 2018

Key Points

One dose of MCV4 was safe and immunogenic after HCT. Serogroup-specific responses varied between 52% and 77% after 1 vaccine dose, suggesting that a second dose may be beneficial after HCT.
Bluegill sunfish use high power outputs from axial muscles to generate powerful suction-feeding strikes
Authors: Camp Ariel L. , Roberts Thomas J. , Brainerd Elizabeth L.
Published: June 2018

Suction-feeding fish rapidly expand the mouth cavity to generate high-velocity fluid flows that accelerate food into the mouth. Such fast and forceful suction expansion poses a challenge, as muscle power is limited by muscle mass and the muscles in fish heads are relatively small. The largemouth bass powers expansion with its large body muscles, with negligible power produced by the head muscles (including the sternohyoideus). However, bluegill sunfish – with powerful strikes but different morphology and feeding behavior – may use a different balance of cranial and axial musculature to power feeding and different power outputs from these muscles. We estimated the power required for suction expansion in sunfish from measurements of intraoral pressure and rate of volume change, and measured muscle length and velocity. Unlike largemouth bass, the sternohyoideus did shorten to generate power, but it and other head muscles were too small to contribute more than 5–10% of peak expansion power in sunfish. We found no evidence of catapult-style power amplification. Instead, sunfish powered suction feeding by generating high power outputs (up to 438 W kg−1) from their axial muscles. These muscles shortened across the cranial half of the body as in bass, but at faster speeds that may be nearer the optimum for power production. Sunfish were able to generate strikes of the same absolute power as bass, but with 30–40% of the axial muscle mass. Thus, species may use the body and head muscles differently to meet the requirements of suction feeding, depending on their morphology and behavior.
Guide-substrate base-pairing requirement for box H/ACA RNA-guided RNA pseudouridylation
Authors: De Zoysa Meemanage D. , Wu Guowei , Katz Raviv , Yu Yi-Tao
Published: June 2018

Box H/ACA RNAs are a group of small RNAs found in abundance in eukaryotes (as well as in archaea). Although their sequences differ, eukaryotic box H/ACA RNAs all share the same unique hairpin-hinge-hairpin-tail structure. Almost all of them function as guides that primarily direct pseudouridylation of rRNAs and spliceosomal snRNAs at specific sites. Although box H/ACA RNA-guided pseudouridylation has been extensively studied, the detailed rules governing this reaction, especially those concerning the guide RNA-substrate RNA base-pairing interactions that determine the specificity and efficiency of pseudouridylation, are still not exactly clear. This is particularly relevant given that the lengths of the guide sequences involved in base-pairing vary from one box H/ACA RNA to another. Here, we carry out a detailed investigation into guide-substrate base-pairing interactions, and identify the minimum number of base pairs (8), required for RNA-guided pseudouridylation. In addition, we find that the pseudouridylation pocket, present in each hairpin of box H/ACA RNA, exhibits flexibility in fitting slightly different substrate sequences. Our results are consistent across three independent pseudouridylation pockets tested, suggesting that our findings are generally applicable to box H/ACA RNA-guided RNA pseudouridylation.
Nondestructive 2-D geoelectrical surveying into a building's basement
Authors: Athanasiou E. , Tsourlos P. , Vargemezis G. , Tsokas G.
Published: June 2018

In this paper the application of flat base electrodes into a building's basement is examined. The aim of this study was to locate ancient walls possibly situated underneath a building, lying on Ag. Dimitriou road in Thessaloniki (Greece). During ERT surveying, an archaeological excavation took place on the roadway outside the building. The excavation revealed ancient walls. A number of resistivity profiles were carried out on the concrete floor of the building. The dipole-dipole array was used in some sections, while in others the Wenner array was undertaken. The spacing "a" between electrodes was Im and the maximum N-separation of Nmax=8. In order to perform resistivity profiles in a nondestructive manner on the concrete floor, flat base electrodes were applied. The resistivity surveying indicated the existence of linear structures identified as resistive bodies. These anomalies may have been derived from various causes, but most likely they may have been derived from the continuation of the ancient walls revealed from the archaeological excavation on the roadway. Finally, it must be noted that flat base electrodes proved to be an efficient tool for measuring indoors.
Structure of the Marathon basin (NE Attica, Greece) based on gravity measurements
Authors: Chailas S. , Tzanis A. , Lagios E.
Published: June 2018

This work presents the results of a high resolution gravity survey conducted in the area of Marathon Basin to asses the structure of the basement. A total of 120 gravity stations were measured. Standard data reduction procedures were followed, albeit based on modern, high precision techniques. The inversion of the Bouguer anomaly map provided a rather detailed image of the basement topography completing the information available from surface geological and morphological surveys. The major structural features of the Marathon Basin appear to be controlled by a system of NE-SW neotectonic faults causing stepwise NW-SE deepening of the basement to a maximum detectable depth of~450m. These faults, together with a system of NW-SE major, and a host of minor faulting features, lend to the Basin characteristics of a Riedel structure formed by a predominantly N-S extensional field effecting clockwise block rotation. This mode of deformation may also have facilitated the formation of local anticlinal/ synclinal structures, which endow the area with its rather complicated morphology. Finally, the multiple intersecting faults appear to form a permeable network, presumably responsible for the salination of the local aquifer system; the NE-SW major normal faults may the most significant contributor to this effect.
Earthquake relocation in the wester termination of the North Aegean Trough
Authors: Karamanos Ch. K. , Karakostas G. V. , Papadimitriou E. E. , Sachpazi M.
Published: June 2018

The area of North Aegean Trough exhibits complex tectonic characteristics as a consequence of the presence of complicated active structures. Exploitation of accurately determined earthquake data considerably contributes in the investigation of these structures and such accuracy is seeking through certain procedures. The determination of focal parameters of earthquakes that occurred in this area during 1964-2003 was performed by collecting all the available data for Ρ and S arrivals. After selecting the best solutions from an initial hypocentral location, 739 earthquakes were found that fulfilled certain criteria for the accuracy and used for further processing. The study area was divided in 16 sub regions and by the use of the HYPOINVERSE computer program, the travel time curves were constructed, and were used to define the velocity models for each one of them. For each sub region the time delays were calculated and used as time corrections in the arrival times of the seismic waves. The Vp/Vs ratio, necessary for S—wave velocity models, was calculated with two different methods and was found equal to 1.76. The velocity models and the time delays were used to relocate the events of the whole data set. The relocation resulted in significant improvement of the accuracy in the focal parameters determination.
Magnitude Scales in Central Greece
Authors: Kaviris G. , Papadimitriou P. , Makropoulos K.
Published: June 2018

The Gulf of Corinth is one of the most active tectonic rifts around the world. Data used in the present study are obtained by the four digital stations of the Cornet Network which was installed in 1995 around the Eastern Gulf of Corinth. A velocity model was calculated, while the majority of local events were located within the Gulf of Corinth. Main scope of the study is the determination of a reliable earthquake magnitude. Concerning the duration magnitude Mo, a multiple linear regression technique was developed for the determination of the constants α, β and γ with very satisfactory values of errors. The coefficient of determination (goodness of fit) R2 was found equal to 0.99. Following, the moment magnitude Mw, which is considered to be the most reliable magnitude scale, was determined. Spectral analysis was applied for the calculation of the seismic moment M0 and a seismic catalogue was created. After the determination of the moment magnitude Mw and of the duration magnitude MD for the same dataset, a relationship between them was obtained, according to which Mw is systematically larger than Mjy Relationships between these magnitudes, the local magnitude ML and the body wave magnitude mb  were also obtained.
Geothermal exploitation in the Sani-Afytos area of the Kassandra peninsula (Chalkidiki peninsula, Northern Greece)
Authors: Kougoulis Ch. , Arvanitis A. , Kolios N. , Koutsinos S. , Kougoulis J. S.
Published: June 2018

The Sani-Afytos area in the Kassandra Peninsula (Chalkidiki) was the area of systematic geothermal exploration. Based on deep oil borehole data, the Paleogene, Neogene and Quaternary sediments show significant thickness reaching 3600 m and cover the metamorphosed Mesozoic, mainly carbonate, basement. The detailed water temperature investigation proved the presence of sub-thermal waters (20-28°C) at depths up to 300 m and the spatial distribution of the isothermal curves at depths of 150 and 200 m according to the main NW-SE and SE-NW tectonic structures of the area. Through the construction of geothermal exploration and production wells at depths of 422-583 m, thermal waters of 31.7-36°C were detected within the Upper Miocene sediments. The average value of the geothermal gradient was calculated to be 3-4°CI 100 m. One production well of 520 m depth provides waters of 34°C while its potential flow rate is approximately 50 m /h. The geothermal waters were classified in Na-HCOi and Na-CI types of waters with TD. S 0.89-2.03 g/l. With the aid of chemical geothermometers the deep temperature was estimated to be 80-100°C. In one exploration well, the presence of gas phase (77% v/v CH4, 21.8% v/v N2) was detected. The geothermal exploration resulted in the characterization of the area as the "geothermal field of Sani-Afytos" and in the prospective development using the geothermal fluids in the tourism and other activities.
Velocity models inferred from p-waves travel time curves in south Aegean
Authors: Nikolintaga I. , Karakostas V. , Papadimitriou E. , Vallianatos F. , Panopoulou G.
Published: June 2018

The seismicity recorded during Ist January to 31st August 2005 from a new telemetry network installed and operating on the island of Crete, is used in an effort to obtain new velocity models for the area of south Aegean. The models are constructed from the P-waves travel time curves and are later used for the events relocation with the HYPOINVERSE algorithm and station delays calculation. Furthermore, results are discussed and compared with the ones derived from other significant previous works presented the last years. We anticipate by combining all the available information from the literature and the analysis of our data set to contribute to the seismotectonic modeling of the study area and to construct a most complete image of the geometry of the subducted plate.
Mislocation vectors for the Tripoli seismic array, Greece, and structural effect implications from backazimuth and slowness residual analysis
Authors: Pirli M. , Pirlis E. , Voulgaris N.
Published: June 2018

Tripoli Seismic Array, Greece, performance in terms of event location is restricted by its very small aperture and limited number of sensors. Detailed investigation of errors in automatic location results suggests structural and local geology effects. In order to investigate the possibility to correct for systematic errors automatically, mis location vectors were calculated for an extended data-set. Theoretical values were calculated based on earthquake catalogues compiled by the National Observatory of Athens and the ISC. Resulting mis location vectors are characterized by significant vector length, consistent with the large observed backazimuth and slowness residuals, the smaller values being met in the area NE of the array and for epicentral distance values less than 200 km. As expected, resulting corrections mostly concern backazimuth values and are not able to sufficiently affect the final epicentre solution, as the largest automatic algorithm errors are observed in epicentral distance determination. However, the possibility to automatically correct for systematic deviations is verified, and future research with an extended array configuration is expected to provide clearer results, due to significantly lower scatter.
Regional and teleseismic event detection capability of the small-aperture Tripoli seismic array, Greece
Authors: Pirli M. , Schweitzer J.
Published: June 2018

The Tripoli Seismic Array (TRISAR) is a small-aperture array designed to monitor and locate the seismicity in the area of Greece. In this study, its detection capabilities are discussed for regional and teleseismic events. A reference event list is compiled, consisting of events ofmb>5.0for regional and teleseismic distances (A>6°), according to the ISC On-line Bulletin. TRISAR automatically detected approximately 25% of these events over the entire investigated distance range. Although TRISAR slowness vector residuals are rather large, as expected for an array of such small aperture, the benefits resulting from the use of such a system for reporting regional and teleseismic activity is obvious.
Toward a joint catalogue of recent seismicity in western Greece: preliminary results
Authors: Roumelioti Z. , Ganas A. , Sokos E. , Petrou P. , Serpetsidaki A. , Drakatos G.
Published: June 2018

Routine catalogue phase data of three Greek permanent seismic networks are merged and jointly used to relocate earthquakes in western Greece. Processed data refer to the time period from 2000 to 2005 and to the geographical area between 35- 42°N and 19-22Έ. After the merging procedure, the number of events in the joint catalogue is increased by more than 3000 compared to the individual pre-existing catalogues. Earthquakes are relocated using the Hypoinverse algorithm and several different combinations of ID velocity models and phase weighting schemes. Among these two tested factors, S-phase weights are found to affect the relocation results more drastically. In fact, minimum mean rms, erh and erz values (0.28 sees, 3.6 km and 5.8 km, respectively) are found when S-phases are neglected. Relocated epicenters appear more clustered and illuminate well-known, as well as obscure, seismotectonic structures of the area
Major tectonic structures in northeastern Greece deduced from geophysical and seismological data
Authors: Stampolidis A. , Tsokas G. , Kiratzi A. , Pavlides S.
Published: June 2018

We apply lineaments analysis on the gravity and magnetic data of NE Greece, and combine seismological and geophysical data in order to delineate the major structural features. These methods are frequently used for extracting the dimensional and physical parameters of the buried structures that stimulate gravity and magnetic fields. These estimates concern the location, local depth, strike, dip and physical quantity contrast, of potential field contacts. We used results from previous studies in order to correct the Bouguer data for the gravity effect of the crust. The isostatic residual gravity anomalies, produced from the subtraction of the effect of the crust, are related to near-surface features. Noise suppression was achieved by slightly upward continuing the data by one cell size. Geologic significance of detected lineaments is confirmed by comparisons with the known geology, active tectonics and seismicity as well as with topographic lineaments