bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SGLT‐2 inhibitors and ketoacidosis: a disproportionality analysis in the World Health Organization's adverse drug reactions database
Authors: Ado Moumouni Abdel Nasser , Robin Perrine , Hillaire‐Buys Dominique , Faillie Jean‐Luc
Published: November 2017

SGLT‐2 inhibitors, also called gliflozins, are a new class of drugs used in type 2 diabetes. Since their marketing, several cases of ketoacidosis, including life‐threatening conditions, were reported with their use. The objective of this study was to investigate the disproportionality of pharmacovigilance reports of ketoacidosis between gliflozins and other drugs used for type 2 diabetes. We performed a case–noncase study within the World Health Organization's pharmacovigilance database, VigiBase. We selected all reports of serious adverse drug reaction associated with a glucose‐lowering drug in patients aged 40 years and older, from January 2013 to March 2016. Cases were the reports of ketoacidosis and noncases were all other serious adverse drug reactions reported. We studied the disproportionality of reports of ketoacidosis for gliflozins by calculating reporting odds ratios (ROR) with their 95% confidence interval (95% CI). We also measured the disproportionality before the warnings issued by the US and European medicines agencies. A total of 68 555 notifications were selected. We identified 487 cases of ketoacidosis exposed to gliflozins. Ketoacidosis was significantly more frequently reported with gliflozins than with other glucose‐lowering drugs (adjusted ROR 15.5; 95% CI: 12.8–18.7). The disproportionality of gliflozin reports was also found before the alerts of the medicines agencies. Our study shows a significant and early pharmacovigilance signal which suggests an increased risk of ketoacidosis associated with the use of gliflozins in patients with diabetes. Further studies are needed to confirm this potential risk.
Exploring tropical fisheries through fishers’ perceptions: Fishing down the food web in the Tonlé Sap, Cambodia
Authors: KC K. B. , Bond N. , Fraser E. D. G. , Elliott V. , Farrell T. , McCann K. , Rooney N. , Bieg C.
Published: November 2017

Tropical fisheries are among the most productive fisheries in the world, often providing the primary source of protein for the local population. Despite their importance, data on these systems are relatively limited, thus hampering management and policy development. Here, the implications of increasing fishing pressure are explored by critically evaluating the perceptions of the fishers who rely on these ecosystems to survive. A total of 169 fishers in 26 different fish‐dependent communities in the Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia, were surveyed to understand their perceptions of the impact that fishing has had on the ecosystem. The Tonlé Sap is one of the largest, yet poorest studied, freshwater fisheries in the world. Consistent with “fishing down the food web” theory of fisheries, survey data revealed that although fishers observed the total size of fish catch remaining consistent over recent years there has been a drastic decline in the size of individual fish, as well as a reduction in the diversity of species caught. These perceptions are examined with reference to food web theories that explore how fishing pressure leads to ecosystem change, including the more recent “indiscriminate fisheries” theory.
Combining fishers’ knowledge and cost‐effective monitoring tools in the management of marine recreational fisheries: A case study of the squid and cuttlefish fishery of the Ría of Vigo (NW Spain)
Authors: Palas S. , Villasante S. , Pita P.
Published: November 2017

A new methodology based in the use of fishers’ knowledge and cost‐effective tools to obtain information about marine recreational fisheries (MRF) is presented. The squid and cuttlefish fishery of the Ría of Vigo (NW Spain) was selected because it is managed in a data‐poor environment. In‐depth interviews (57) were conducted with fishers, collecting ecological and socio‐economic information. A cartography of fishing grounds based on their knowledge was obtained, while the intensity of effort and catches was mapped by the monitoring of two vessels with low‐cost GPS data loggers. The 102 shore anglers and 248 recreational boats catch 8 t/year of European squid Loligo vulgaris and 11 t/year of common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (11% of total catches on these species in the area). Shore anglers fish from 11 ports, while boat fishers use 14 fishing grounds (covering 30 km2). Most of the catches (86%) are landed by boats, and their CPUE is higher in the outer part of the Ría of Vigo. The use of fishers’ knowledge and cost‐effective monitoring is encouraged to obtain information for the management of MRF. Given the economic contribution of MRF (260,000 €/year in direct expenses), this activity should be considered in the regulations.
Rapid salinity changes affect the survival and physiology of a penaeid prawn: Implications of flood events on recruitment to the fishery
Authors: Tyler K. J. , Becker A. , Moltschaniwskyj N. A. , Taylor M. D.
Published: November 2017

Estuaries act as nurseries for many penaeid prawns, but these habitats are highly susceptible to salinity decline through flooding. The rate of salinity decline and duration of exposure to non‐optimal salinity may affect survival and subsequent recruitment of prawns to the fishery. This study aimed to determine the effect of salinity fluctuations observed in local estuaries during flood events using a novel dilution approach. Mortality of juvenile Melicertus plebejus (Hess) was assessed after 24 hr exposure to 24 rates of salinity decline ranging from 0.01% to 20% per hr. After the salinity decline, prawns were held at the final salinities for five days before again assessing mortality as well as aerobic metabolic rate and prawn water content. Salinity decline from 36 to ~0.8 led to 50% mortality, but continued exposure to low salinity for five days increased mortality at this salinity to 99% and shifted the 50% mortality point to salinity ~5. Aerobic metabolic rate and water content data suggested the cause of mortality due to exposure to salinities < 5 was osmoregulatory failure. Rapid salinity declines over 24 hr and sustained low salinity due to flooding could compromise the survival of juvenile prawns, potentially reducing recruitment to the fishery.
The randomised response technique: A valuable approach to monitor pathways of aquatic biological invasions
Authors: Cerri J. , Ciappelli A. , Lenuzza A. , Nocita A. , Zaccaroni M.
Published: November 2017

Anglers can be significant vectors for non‐native species (NNS) in freshwater ecosystems, and monitoring their behaviour can be a useful way to counteract biological invasions. However, anglers may be unwilling to reveal their real behaviour in conventional surveys. In this study, the Randomised Response Technique (RRT) and the Bean Method (BM) survey technique were compared using direct questions to obtain frequency estimates of four angler behaviours that may affect NNS management in freshwater ecosystems: angling without a license, release of macroinvertebrates in the environment, use of fish bait and unauthorised fish restocking. Higher estimates were obtained from responses to RRT than BM questions, and BM provided contradictory results. Use of the RRT is recommended in those human dimension studies that explore angler behaviour as a vector for aquatic invasions.
Can Antarctic lichens acclimatize to changes in temperature?
Authors: Colesie Claudia , Büdel Burkhard , Hurry Vaughan , Green Thomas George Allan
Published: November 2017

The Antarctic Peninsula, a tundra biome dominated by lichens and bryophytes, is an ecozone undergoing rapid temperature shifts. Such changes may demand a high physiological plasticity of the local lichen species to maintain their role as key drivers in this pristine habitat. This study examines the response of net photosynthesis and respiration to increasing temperatures for three Antarctic lichen species with different ecological response amplitudes. We hypothesize that negative effects caused by increased temperatures can be mitigated by thermal acclimation of respiration and/or photosynthesis. The fully controlled growth chamber experiment simulated intermediate and extreme temperature increases over the time course of 6 weeks. Results showed that, in contrast to our hypothesis, none of the species was able to down‐regulate temperature‐driven respiratory losses through thermal acclimation of respiration. Instead, severe effects on photobiont vitality demonstrated that temperatures around 15°C mark the upper limit for the two species restricted to the Antarctic, and when mycobiont demands exceeded the photobiont capacity they could not survive within the lichen thallus. In contrast, the widespread lichen species was able to recover its homoeostasis by rapidly increasing net photosynthesis. We conclude that to understand the complete lichen response, acclimation processes of both symbionts, the photo‐ and the mycobiont, have to be evaluated separately. As a result, we postulate that any acclimation processes in lichen are species‐specific. This, together with the high degree of response variability and sensitivity to temperature in different species that co‐occur spatially close, complicates any predictions regarding future community composition in the Antarctic. Nevertheless, our results suggest that species with a broad ecological amplitude may be favoured with on‐going changes in temperature.
Penile warty mucoepidermoid carcinoma with features of stratified mucin‐producing intra‐epithelial lesion and invasive stratified mucin‐producing carcinoma
Authors: Yorita Kenji , Kuroda Naoto , Naroda Takushi , Tamura Masato , Ohe Chisato , Divatia Mukul , Amin Mahul B , Cubilla Antonio L , Kazakov Dimitry V , Hes Ondrej , Michal Michael , Michal Michal
Published: November 2017

Aims

Stratified mucin‐producing intra‐epithelial lesion (SMILE) and invasive stratified mucin‐producing carcinoma (ISMC) are recently described cervical and penile lesions. We report an unusual case of mixed variant of penile squamous cell carcinomas with warty, usual and mucoepidermoid SMILE/ISMC features.

Methods and results

A 62‐year‐old Japanese man had a glans penis lesion of one‐and‐a‐half years’ duration, suggesting malignancy. Partial penectomy and left inguinal lymphadenectomy were performed. Pathological evaluation revealed a mixed squamous cell carcinoma with warty, mucinous and usual features. The mucinous component resembled mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and SMILE/ISMC. Glandular differentiation was absent. All the diverse tumour components were negative for p16, which was confirmed by negative human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping. The mucinous component was diffusely positive for cytokeratin 7 and largely negative for cytokeratin 5 and p63. Fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation did not detect rearrangement in the MAML2 or EWSR1 genes. The tumour was pathological stage pT2, pN1 (AJCC prognostic stage group IIIA) and was disease‐free 26 months after surgery.

Conclusions

The lack of glands in the mucinous areas suggested that MEC should be separated from adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC). Penile SMILE/ISMC may occur without dependence upon HPV status. Further studies will be necessary to determine the pathogenesis and definition of penile SMILE/ISMC, the presence of true MEC arising from the glans penis and the clinicopathological differences of penile ASC, MEC and SMILE/ISMC. Herein, we refer to the SMILE‐like penile lesion as ‘mucinous penile intra‐epithelial neoplasia’.
RUNX‐2, OPN and OCN expression induced by grey and white mineral trioxide aggregate in normal and hypertensive rats
Authors: Martins C. M. , de Azevedo Queiroz I. O. , Ervolino E. , Cintra L. T. A. , Gomes‐Filho J. E.
Published: November 2017

Aim

To investigate whether hypertension affects mineralization associated with white and grey mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA Angelus®) implanted subcutaneously into rats by assaying osteoblastic biomarkers.

Methodology

Polyethylene tubes containing grey MTA Angelus®, white MTA Angelus®, intermediate restorative material (IRM; positive control) or an empty tube (negative control) were implanted into the dorsal connective tissue of spontaneous hypertensive (n = 12) and Wistar (normotensive; n = 10) rats. Half of the rats in each group were killed after 7 days, and the remaining after 30 days. Tubes with surrounding tissue were removed, and immunostaining was performed to detect RUNX‐2, OPN and OCN proteins. The normality of data was analysed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Comparison of two independent groups was performed using the Mann–Whitney U‐test, to detect a significant difference. A post hoc test accounting for multiple comparisons was performed following Tukey's test (P < 0.05).

Results

Under hypertensive conditions after 30 days, both MTA materials were associated with immunolabelling for RUNX‐2 from low to moderate, which was less than that observed at normal blood pressure and the 7‐day groups (P < 0.05). The expression of OPN and OCN proteins under both MTA conditions was considered low after both 7 and 30 days for the hypertensive condition, and was less than that in animals with normal blood pressure after 30 days (P < 0.05). No immunostaining for any biomarkers in the control and IRM groups was observed (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Hypertension decreased the immunostaining of RUNX‐2, OPN and OCN biomarkers in response to MTA. Thus, hypertension can jeopardize the mineralization ability of MTA and may have a negative impact on endodontic treatment outcomes.
Estimating burden of influenza‐associated influenza‐like illness and severe acute respiratory infection at public healthcare facilities in Romania during the 2011/12‐2015/16 influenza seasons
Authors: Gefenaite Giedre , Pistol Adriana , Popescu Rodica , Popovici Odette , Ciurea Daniel , Dolk Christiaan , Jit Mark , Gross Diane
Published: November 2017

Background

Influenza is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality, but there is limited information on reliable disease burden estimates, especially from middle‐income countries in the WHO European Region.

Objectives

To estimate the incidence of medically attended influenza‐associated influenza‐like illness (ILI) and hospitalizations due to severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) presenting to public healthcare facilities in Romania.

Patients/Methods

Sentinel influenza surveillance data for ILI and SARI from 2011/12‐2015/16, including virological data, were used to estimate influenza‐associated ILI and SARI incidence/100 000 and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

The overall annual incidence of ILI and influenza‐associated ILI per 100 000 persons in Romania varied between 68 (95% CI: 61‐76) and 318 (95% CI: 298‐338) and between 23 (95% CI: 19‐29) and 189 (95% CI: 149‐240), respectively. The highest ILI and influenza incidence was among children aged 0‐4 years. We estimated that SARI incidence per 100 000 persons was 6 (95% CI: 5‐7) to 9 (95% CI: 8‐10), of which 2 (95% CI: 1‐2) to 3 (95% CI: 2‐4) were due to influenza. Up to 0.3% of the Romanian population were annually reported with ILI, and 0.01% was hospitalized with SARI, of which as much as one‐third could be explained by influenza.

Conclusions

This evaluation was the first study estimating influenza burden in Romania. We found that during each influenza season, a substantial number of persons in Romania suffer from influenza‐related ILI or are hospitalized due to influenza‐associated SARI.
Comparison of gene expression in post‐smolt Atlantic salmon challenged by LF‐89‐like and EM‐90‐like Piscirickettsia salmonis isolates reveals differences in the immune response associated with pathogenicity
Authors: Rozas‐Serri M , Peña A , Arriagada G , Enríquez R , Maldonado L
Published: November 2017

Piscirickettsiosis is the main bacterial disease affecting the Chilean salmon farming industry and is responsible for high economic losses. The aim of this study was to describe and comparatively quantify the immune response of post‐smolt Atlantic salmon infected by cohabitation with fish bearing LF‐89‐like and EM‐90‐like Piscirickettsia salmonis. The expression of 17 genes related to the immune response was studied in head kidney from cohabitant fish by RT‐qPCR. Our results at the transcriptomic level suggest that P. salmonis is able to manipulate the kinetics of cytokine production in a way that might constitute a virulence mechanism that promotes intracellular bacterial replication in cells of Atlantic salmon. This strategy involves the creation of an ideal environment for the microorganism based on induction of the inflammatory and IFN‐mediated response, modulation of Th1 polarization, reduced antigen processing and presentation, modulation of the evasion of the immune response mediated by CD8+ T cells and promotion of the CD4+ T‐cell response during the late stage of infection as a mechanism to escape host defences. This response was significantly exacerbated in fish infected by PS‐EM‐90 compared with fish infected by PS‐LF‐89, a finding that is probably associated with the higher pathogenicity of PS‐EM‐90.
Relationship Between Hospital‐Level Percentage of Midwife‐Attended Births and Obstetric Procedure Utilization
Authors: Attanasio Laura , Kozhimannil Katy B.
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Research has shown good outcomes among individual low‐risk women who receive perinatal care from midwives, yet little is known about how hospital‐level variation in midwifery care relates to procedure use and maternal health. This study aimed to document the association between the hospital‐level proportion of midwife‐attended births and obstetric procedure utilization.

Methods

This analysis used 2 data sources: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database data for New York in 2014, and New York State Department of Health data on the percentage of midwife‐attended births at hospitals in the state in 2014. Using logistic regression, we estimated the association between the hospital‐level percentage of midwife‐attended births and 4 outcomes among low‐risk women: labor induction, cesarean birth, episiotomy, and severe maternal morbidity.

Results

Hospital‐level percentage of midwife‐attended births was not associated with reduced odds of labor induction or severe maternal morbidity. Women who gave births at hospitals with more midwife‐attended births had lower odds of giving birth by cesarean (eg, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59‐0.82 at a hospital with 15% to 40% of births attended by midwives, compared to no midwife‐attended births) and lower odds of episiotomy (eg, aOR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23‐0.74 at a hospital with more than 40% of births attended by midwives, compared to no midwife‐attended births).

Discussion

Our results indicate that hospitals with more midwife‐attended births have lower utilization of some obstetric procedures among low‐risk women; this raises the possibility of improving value in maternity care through greater access to midwifery care.
PK/PD modeling of flunixin meglumine in a kaolin‐induced inflammation model in piglets
Authors: Levionnois O. L. , Fosse T. K. , Ranheim B.
Published: November 2017

Flunixin is marketed in several countries for analgesia in adult swine but little is known about its efficacy in piglets. Thirty‐two piglets (6–8 days old) were randomized to receive placebo saline (n = 11, group CONTROL) or flunixin meglumine intravenously at 2.2 (n = 11, group MEDIUM) or 4.4 (n = 10, group HIGH) mg/kg, 10 hr after subcutaneous injection of kaolin in the left metacarpal area. A hand‐held algometer was used to determine each piglet’s mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) from both front feet up to 50 hr after treatment (cut‐off value of 24.5 newton). Serial venous blood samples were obtained to quantify flunixin in plasma using LC‐MS/MS. A PKPD model describing the effect of flunixin on the mechanical nociceptive threshold was obtained based on an inhibitory indirect response model. A two‐compartmental PK model was used. A significant effect of flunixin was observed for both doses compared to control group, with 4.4 mg/kg showing the most relevant (6–10 newton) and long‐lasting effect (34 hr). The median IC50 was 6.78 and 2.63 mg/ml in groups MEDIUM and HIGH, respectively. The ED50 in this model was 6.6 mg/kg. Flunixin exhibited marked antinociceptive effect on kaolin‐induced inflammatory hyperalgesia in piglets.
Power, discourse, and resistance: Poststructuralist influences in nursing
Authors: Holmes Dave , Gagnon Marilou
Published: November 2017

Based on our respective research programs (psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, public health, HIV/AIDS, harm reduction) this article aims to use purposely non‐conventional means to present the substantial contribution of poststructuralist perspectives to knowledge development in nursing science in general and in our current research in particular. More specifically, we call on the work of Michel Foucault and Deleuze & Guattari to politicize nursing science using examples from our empirical research programs with marginal and often highly marginalized populations. We discuss the concepts of power, discourse, and resistance to illustrate the essential contribution of poststructuralism to marginal, even “nomadic”, nursing research.
On the origin of obesity: identifying the biological, environmental and cultural drivers of genetic risk among human populations
Authors: Qasim A. , Turcotte M. , de Souza R. J. , Samaan M. C. , Champredon D. , Dushoff J. , Speakman J. R. , Meyre D.
Published: November 2017

Genetic predisposition to obesity presents a paradox: how do genetic variants with a detrimental impact on human health persist through evolutionary time? Numerous hypotheses, such as the thrifty genotype hypothesis, attempt to explain this phenomenon yet fail to provide a justification for the modern obesity epidemic. In this critical review, we appraise existing theories explaining the evolutionary origins of obesity and explore novel biological and sociocultural agents of evolutionary change to help explain the modern‐day distribution of obesity‐predisposing variants. Genetic drift, acting as a form of ‘blind justice,’ may randomly affect allele frequencies across generations while gene pleiotropy and adaptations to diverse environments may explain the rise and subsequent selection of obesity risk alleles. As an adaptive response, epigenetic regulation of gene expression may impact the manifestation of genetic predisposition to obesity. Finally, exposure to malnutrition and disease epidemics in the wake of oppressive social systems, culturally mediated notions of attractiveness and desirability, and diverse mating systems may play a role in shaping the human genome. As an important first step towards the identification of important drivers of obesity gene evolution, this review may inform empirical research focused on testing evolutionary theories by way of population genetics and mathematical modelling.
Growth rate rather than growth duration drives growth heterosis in maize B104 hybrids
Authors: Feys Kim , Demuynck Kirin , De Block Jolien , Bisht Anchal , De Vliegher Alex , Inzé Dirk , Nelissen Hilde
Published: November 2017

Research in maize is often performed using inbred lines that can be readily transformed, such as B104. However, because the B104 line flowers late, the kernels do not always mature before the end of the growing season, hampering routine seed yield evaluations of biotech traits introduced in B104 at many geographical locations. Therefore, we generated five hybrids by crossing B104 with the early‐flowering inbred lines CML91, F7, H99, Mo17, and W153R and showed in three consecutive years that the hybrid lines proved to be suitable to evaluate seed yield under field conditions in a temperate climate. By assessing the two main processes driving maize leaf growth, being rate of growth (leaf elongation rate or LER) and the duration of growth (leaf elongation duration or LED) in this panel of hybrids, we showed that leaf growth heterosis was mainly the result of increased LER and not or to a lesser extent of LED. Ectopic expression of the transgenes GA20‐oxidase (GA20‐OX) and PLASTOCHRON1 (PLA1), known to stimulate the LER and LED, respectively, in the hybrids showed that leaf length heterosis can be stimulated by increased LER, but not by LED, indicating that LER rather than LED is the target for enhancing leaf growth heterosis.
Patch testing in Israeli children with suspected allergic contact dermatitis: A retrospective study and literature review
Authors: Zafrir Yaron , Trattner Akiva , Hodak Emmillia , Eldar Oren , Lapidoth Moshe , Ben Amitai Dan
Published: November 2017

Background/objectives

Childhood allergic contact dermatitis is recognized as a significant clinical problem. The objective was to evaluate the rate of positive patch tests in Israeli children with clinically suspected allergic contact dermatitis, identify possible sex and age differences, compare results with those in Israeli adults, and review pediatric studies in the literature.

Methods

The study sample included 343 children and adolescents (197 female, 146 male; 1‐18 years of age, mean age 11.8 years) with clinically suspected allergic contact dermatitis who underwent patch testing with a standard pediatric series of 23 allergens at a tertiary medical center from 1999 to 2012. Data on clinical characteristics and test results were collected retrospectively from the medical files.

Results

Ninety‐eight subjects (28.6%) (75 girls [38.1%], 23 boys [15.8%]) had at least one positive reaction. The most frequent reactions were to nickel sulfate, followed by potassium dichromate and cobalt chloride. Nickel sulfate sensitivity was more common in girls, especially those younger than 3 years and older than 12 years. The prevalence of contact sensitization was similar in subjects with and without atopic dermatitis (50% and 51%, respectively).

Conclusion

Nickel is the most common allergen in Israeli children, especially girls. Patch testing should be performed in children with clinically suspected allergic contact dermatitis regardless of atopic background.
Ethnic differences in stratum corneum functions between Chinese and Thai infants residing in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Fujimura Tsutomu , Miyauchi Yuki , Shima Kyoko , Hotta Mitsuyuki , Tsujimura Hisashi , Kitahara Takashi , Takema Yoshinori , Palungwachira Pakhawadee , Laohathai Diane , Chanthothai Jetchawa , Nararatwanchai Thamthiwat
Published: November 2017

Background/Objectives

Ethnic and racial differences in infant skin have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to establish whether there are ethnic differences and similarities in the stratum corneum (SC) functions of Thai and Chinese infants.

Methods

Healthy infants 6 to 24 months of age (N = 60; 30 Thai, 30 Chinese) who resided in Bangkok, Thailand, were enrolled. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and SC hydration (capacitance) on the thigh, buttock, and upper arm were measured. Ceramide content was determined in the SC on the upper arm.

Results

SC hydration was not remarkably different between the two ethnicities at any site measured, but TEWL was significantly higher in Chinese infants than in Thai infants at all sites. Hydration of the SC was not significantly correlated with age in either ethnicity. TEWL had significant but weak correlations with age on the thigh and upper arm in Thai infants. Ceramide content was significantly higher in Chinese SC than in Thai SC. No relationship between ceramide content and TEWL or hydration was observed in either ethnicity.

Conclusion

The significant differences in TEWL and ceramide contents between Chinese and Thai infant skin could prove useful in designing skin care and diapering products that are best suited for each ethnicity.
The impact of flow PRA on outcome in pediatric heart recipients in modern era: An analysis of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study database
Authors: Das B. B. , Pruitt E. , Molina K. , Ravekes W. , Auerbach S. , Savage A. , Knox L. , Kirklin J. K. , Naftel D. C. , Hsu D. ,   the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study Investigators
Published: November 2017

Data from patients in the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study (PHTS) registry transplanted between 2010 and 2014 were analyzed to determine the association between HLA antibody (PRA) determined by SPA using Luminex or flow cytometry with a positive retrospective cross‐match and the post‐transplant outcomes of acute rejection and graft survival. A total of 1459 of 1596 (91%) recipients had a PRA reported pretransplant; 26% had a PRA > 20%. Patients with a PRA > 20% were more likely to have CHD, prior cardiac surgery, ECMO support at listing, and waited longer for transplantation than patients with a PRA <20%. Patients with higher PRA% determined by SPA were predictive of a positive retrospective cross‐match determined by flow cytometric method (P < .001). A PRA > 50% determined by SPA was independently associated with worse overall graft survival after first month of transplant in both unadjusted and adjusted for all other risk factors. In this large multicenter series of pediatric heart transplant recipients, an elevated PRA determined by SPA remains a significant risk factor in the modern era.
Cell Death Pathways Associated with Photodynamic Therapy: An Update
Authors: Kessel David , Oleinick Nancy L.
Published: November 2017

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has the potential to make a significant impact on cancer treatment. PDT can sensitize malignant tissues to light, leading to a highly selective effect if an appropriate light dose can be delivered. Variations in light distribution and drug delivery, along with impaired efficacy in hypoxic regions, can reduce the overall tumor response. There is also evidence that malignant cells surviving PDT may become more aggressive than the initial tumor population. Promotion of more effective direct tumor eradication is therefore an important goal. While a list of properties for the “ideal” photosensitizing agent often includes formulation, pharmacologic and photophysical elements, we propose that subcellular targeting is also an important consideration. Perspectives relating to optimizing PDT efficacy are offered here. These relate to death pathways initiated by photodamage to particular subcellular organelles.
The effect of resveratrol on the developmental competence of porcine oocytes vitrified at germinal vesicle stage
Authors: Santos ECS , Appeltant R , Dang‐Nguyen TQ , Noguchi J , Kaneko H , Kikuchi K , Somfai T
Published: November 2017

Contents

We tested the effects of resveratrol both as a pre‐treatment and as a recovery treatment after warming during in vitro maturation (IVM) on the viability and developmental competence of porcine oocytes vitrified at the germinal vesicle stage. Pre‐treatment before vitrification of oocytes for 3 hr with 2 μM resveratrol did not affect survival, oocyte maturation and embryo developmental competence to the blastocyst stage after parthenogenetic activation. However, supplementation of the medium with resveratrol during subsequent IVM after vitrification and warming significantly improved the ability of surviving oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage, and this effect was observed only on vitrified, but not on non‐vitrified oocytes. The intracellular levels of glutathione and hydrogen peroxide in oocytes were not affected by vitrification and resveratrol treatment. Also, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of apoptosis measured by annexin V binding between vitrified and non‐vitrified oocytes, regardless of the resveratrol treatment. In conclusion, resveratrol did not prevent the cellular damages in immature porcine oocytes during vitrification; however, when added to the IVM medium, it specifically improved the developmental competence of vitrified oocytes. Further research will be necessary to clarify the mechanisms of action of resveratrol on the recovery of vitrified oocytes from vitrification‐related damages.
Emerging role of viral and bacterial co‐infection in early childhood
Authors: King Paul T. , Buttery Jim
Published: November 2017

See related Article
An overview of methods to mitigate artifacts in optical coherence tomography imaging of the skin
Authors: Adabi Saba , Fotouhi Audrey , Xu Qiuyun , Daveluy Steve , Mehregan Darius , Podoleanu Adrian , Nasiriavanaki Mohammadreza
Published: November 2017

Background

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of skin delivers three‐dimensional images of tissue microstructures. Although OCT imaging offers a promising high‐resolution modality, OCT images suffer from some artifacts that lead to misinterpretation of tissue structures. Therefore, an overview of methods to mitigate artifacts in OCT imaging of the skin is of paramount importance. Speckle, intensity decay, and blurring are three major artifacts in OCT images. Speckle is due to the low coherent light source used in the configuration of OCT. Intensity decay is a deterioration of light with respect to depth, and blurring is the consequence of deficiencies of optical components.

Method

Two speckle reduction methods (one based on artificial neural network and one based on spatial compounding), an attenuation compensation algorithm (based on Beer‐Lambert law) and a deblurring procedure (using deconvolution), are described. Moreover, optical properties extraction algorithm based on extended Huygens‐Fresnel (EHF) principle to obtain some additional information from OCT images are discussed.

Results

In this short overview, we summarize some of the image enhancement algorithms for OCT images which address the abovementioned artifacts. The results showed a significant improvement in the visibility of the clinically relevant features in the images. The quality improvement was evaluated using several numerical assessment measures.

Conclusion

Clinical dermatologists benefit from using these image enhancement algorithms to improve OCT diagnosis and essentially function as a noninvasive optical biopsy.
Subjective Externalism
Authors: Sawyer Sarah
Published: November 2017

In this article I argue for a novel theory of representational content, which I call ‘subjective externalism’. The view combines an internal, subjective constraint on the attribution of thought content which traditionally underpins internalist theories of thought, and an external, objective constraint on the attribution of thought content which traditionally underpins externalist theories of thought. While internalism and externalism are mutually inconsistent, the constraints to which each theory is committed are not. It is this realization that opens up the conceptual space for subjective externalism, according to which the correct attribution of thought content to an individual is essentially constrained by her nonrepresentational relations to objective manifest properties in her wider reality.
Severe BK polyomavirus‐induced hemorrhagic cystitis in a kidney transplant recipient with the absence of renal allograft involvement
Authors: Kamal Mahwash , Govil Amit , Anand Manish , Abu Jawdeh Bassam G. , Shah Silvi
Published: November 2017

BK polyomavirus mostly manifests as polyomavirus‐associated nephropathy (PyVAN) in kidney transplant patients and polyoma virus‐associated hemorrhagic cystitis (PyVHC) in bone marrow transplant patients. PyVHC in kidney transplant patients is only reported in four cases in the literature. Our patient had severe hemorrhagic cystitis without renal involvement. We postulate that our patient's exposure to ifosfamide and radiation 8 years prior transplantation might predispose him to this disease.
Comparing dermoscopy and histological examination of normal equine skin
Authors: Tomich Lara M. , Pieper Jason B. , Stern Adam W.
Published: November 2017

Background

Dermoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic technique that allows visualization of structures of the superficial dermis not visible with the naked eye.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To assess the usefulness and applicability of dermoscopy for evaluation of healthy equine skin.

Animals

Twelve healthy horses from a research herd.

Methods

Five regions (cheek, lateral neck, dorsum, flank and abdomen) were examined with contact dermoscopy using both nonpolarized and polarized light at both 17‐fold and 24‐fold magnification. These findings were compared to histological features of skin biopsies cut both longitudinally and transversely.

Results

Using a hand‐held dermatoscope with nonpolarized light, epidermal ridges were observed. Using polarized light, follicular openings and distinctly separate epidermal openings of sweat gland ducts were observed in some but not all individuals. Similarities were noted between histological and dermoscopic results.

Conclusions

Although not ideal for visualizing many structures in the superficial dermis of healthy equine skin, dermoscopy allowed visualization of epidermal ridges, hair shafts in the infundibular portion of the hair follicles and sweat gland duct openings. Dermoscopy could potentially be useful in the evaluation of diseases affecting the sweat glands, epidermis and hair shaft.
Evaluating the potential of Unmanned Aerial Systems for mapping weeds at field scales: a case study with Alopecurus myosuroides
Authors: Lambert J P T , Hicks H L , Childs D Z , Freckleton R P
Published: November 2017

Mapping weed densities within crops has conventionally been achieved either by detailed ecological monitoring or by field walking, both of which are time‐consuming and expensive. Recent advances have resulted in increased interest in using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to map fields, aiming to reduce labour costs and increase the spatial extent of coverage. However, adoption of this technology ideally requires that mapping can be undertaken automatically and without the need for extensive ground‐truthing. This approach has not been validated at large scale using UAS‐derived imagery in combination with extensive ground‐truth data. We tested the capability of UAS for mapping a grass weed, Alopecurus myosuroides, in wheat crops. We addressed two questions: (i) can imagery accurately measure densities of weeds within fields and (ii) can aerial imagery of a field be used to estimate the densities of weeds based on statistical models developed in other locations? We recorded aerial imagery from 26 fields using a UAS. Images were generated using both RGB and Rmod (Rmod 670–750 nm) spectral bands. Ground‐truth data on weed densities were collected simultaneously with the aerial imagery. We combined these data to produce statistical models that (i) correlated ground‐truth weed densities with image intensity and (ii) forecast weed densities in other fields. We show that weed densities correlated with image intensity, particularly Rmod image data. However, results were mixed in terms of out of sample prediction from field‐to‐field. We highlight the difficulties with transferring models and we discuss the challenges for automated weed mapping using UAS technology.
A Study of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Power Cycle for Concentrating Solar Power Applications Using an Isothermal Compressor
Authors: Young Heo Jin , Kwon Jinsu , Ik Lee Jeong
Published: November 2017

For the concentrating solar power (CSP) applications, the supercritical carbon dioxide (s-CO2) power cycle is beneficial in many aspects, including high cycle efficiencies, reduced component sizing, and potential for the dry cooling option. More research is involved in improving this technology to realize the s-CO2 cycle as a candidate to replace the conventional power conversion systems for CSP applications. In this study, an isothermal compressor, a turbomachine which undergoes the compression process at constant temperature to minimize compression work, is applied to the s-CO2 power cycle layout. To investigate the cycle performance changes of adopting the novel technology, a framework for defining the efficiency of the isothermal compressor is revised and suggested. This study demonstrates how the compression work for the isothermal compressor is reduced, up to 50%, compared to that of the conventional compressor under varying compressor inlet conditions. Furthermore, the simple recuperated and recompression Brayton cycle layouts using s-CO2 as a working fluid are evaluated for the CSP applications. Results show that for compressor inlet temperatures (CIT) near the critical point, the recompression Brayton cycle using an isothermal compressor has 0.2–1.0% point higher cycle thermal efficiency compared to its reference cycle. For higher CIT values, the recompression cycle using an isothermal compressor can perform above 50% in thermal efficiency for a wider range of CIT than the reference cycle. Adopting an isothermal compressor in the s-CO2 layout can imply larger heat exchange area for the compressor which requires further development.
Heat Transfer Enhancement in Ferrofluids Flow in Micro and Macro Parallel Plate Channels: A Comparative Numerical Study
Authors: Sengupta Aditi , Ghoshdastidar P. S.
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a comparative numerical study of heat transfer enhancement in steady, laminar, hydrodynamically fully developed flow of water-based ferrofluids under no magnetic field in micro and macro parallel plate channels subjected to constant equal heat fluxes on its top and bottom, considering Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis of ferroparticles in the base fluid. While the microchannel results match very well with the experimental data for water in an equivalent microtube (Kurtoglu et al., 2014, “Experimental Study on Convective Heat Transfer Performance of Iron Oxide Based Ferrofluids in Microtubes,” ASME J. Therm. Sci. Eng. Appl., 6(3), p. 034501.), the numerically predicted enhancement factor in ferrofluids is much below that for the same microtube. A detailed parametric study points to possible inaccuracies in the experimental results of Kurtoglu et al. (2014, “Experimental Study on Convective Heat Transfer Performance of Iron Oxide Based Ferrofluids in Microtubes,” ASME J. Therm. Sci. Eng. Appl., 6(3), p. 034501.) for ferrofluids. The nanoparticle concentration profiles in the microchannel flow reveal that (a) the nanoparticle concentration at the wall increases with axial distance, (b) the wall nanoparticle concentration decreases with increasing heat flux, and (c) the concentration profile of nanoparticles is parabolic at the exit. A comparison of thermally developing flow in microchannel and macrochannel of the same length (0.025 m) indicates that the enhancement factor at the microchannel exit is 1.089 which is only marginally higher than that at the macrochannel exit in the heat flux range of 20–80 kW/m2. On the other hand, for the thermally fully developed flow in both microchannel and macrochannel of the same length (0.54 m) the maximum enhancement factor for the macrochannel is 1.7, as compared to 1.1 for the microchannel, in the heat flux range of 1–4 kW/m2.
Fracture behavior of diamondlike carbon films deposited on polymer substrates
Authors: Yamamoto Go , Okabe Tomonaga , Ikenaga Noriaki
Published: November 2017

The authors investigated the fracture behavior of diamondlike carbon films deposited on polyethylene terephthalate substrates using two types of film synthesized under different sputtering-gas pressure conditions. Specifically, the influence of the hardness, indentation Young's modulus, and scratch toughness on the multiple cracking behavior of the films was explored. Based on microscratch and nanoindentation experiments, it was found that the sputtering-gas pressure conditions played an important role in the chemical composition and concomitant changes in the mechanical properties of the diamondlike carbon films. In particular, higher gas pressure conditions resulted in a lower hardness, indentation Young's modulus, and scratch toughness, which are presumably due to the presence of a large number of C–O bonds in the diamondlike carbon structure. In situ observations during tensile-loading experiments in conjunction with multiple crack analyses showed that the films synthesized under higher gas pressure conditions exhibited a high level of crack resistance to externally applied tensile strain. The estimated crack onset strain, i.e., the strain at which the first crack was generated, was approximately 2%, which is about 1.3 times higher than that for the diamondlike carbon films synthesized under lower gas pressure conditions.
Ambient noise forecasting with a large acoustic array in a complex shallow water environment
Authors: Rogers Jeffrey S. , Wales Stephen C. , Means Steven L.
Published: November 2017

Forecasting ambient noise levels in the ocean can be a useful way of characterizing the detection performance of sonar systems and projecting bounds on performance into the near future. The assertion is that noise forecasting can be improved with a priori knowledge of source positions coupled with the ability to resolve closely separated sources in bearing. One example of such a system is the large aperture research array located at the South Florida Test Facility. Given radar and Automatic Identification System defined source positions and environmental information, transmission loss (TL) is computed from known source positions to the array. Source levels (SLs) of individual ships are then estimated from computed TL and the pre-determined beam response of the array using a non-negative least squares algorithm. Ambient noise forecasts are formed by projecting the estimated SLs along known ship tracks. Ambient noise forecast estimates are compared to measured beam level data and mean-squared error is computed. A mean squared error as low as 3.5 dB is demonstrated in 30 min forecast estimates when compared to ground truth.
What happens when f0 movements and prosodic units were randomly aligned?
Authors: Lai Wei , Rhee Nari , Liberman Mark
Published: November 2017

According to intonation phonology, surface f0 is generated from superimposition of local f0 events associated with hierarchical prosodic units (e.g., Pierrehumbert, 1980). This study conducted two experiments to investigate whether or to what extent the misalignment between f0 patterns and prosodic units would result in awkward-sounding English intonation. In Experiment 1, f0 contours of utterances from Obama Weekly Address were extracted via Praat, interpolated and smoothed using a quadratic spine, and superimposed to another Obama-Weekly-Address stretch by PSOLA algorithm. The perception result, surprisingly, showed that the resynthesized sentence still sounded quite natural in intonation, regardless of the random alignment between f0 patterns and the location of stresses and phrases. In Experiment 2, the Obama-Weekly-Address stretches were superimposed with f0 contours of three different languages that differ in the size of basic prosodic domains: Mandarin (a tone language), Korean (an accent phrase language) and Ukrainian (a stress language). The perception results showed that utterances superimposed with Korean and Ukrainian f0 contours still sounded quite natural and native, while Mandarin f0 contours sounded somehow fluctuational on English segments. These results suggested that f0 movements might not be largely determined by prosody structures, but by language-independent constrains such as physiological plausibility and expediency.
A fast calculation method of travel speed of pulse peak in convergence zone
Authors: Ren Yun , Zhang Renhe , Wang Jun , Guo Yonggang
Published: November 2017

A long-range sound propagation experiment was conducted in the West Pacific Ocean in summer 2013. The signals received by a towed array indicate that the travel speed of pulse peak (TSPP) in the convergence zones is stable. Therefore, an equivalent sound speed can be used at all ranges in the convergence zones. A fast calculation method based on the beam-displacement ray-mode (BDRM) theory and convergence zone theory is proposed to calculate this equivalent sound speed. The computation speed of this proposed method is over 1000 times faster than that of the conventional calculation method based on the normal mode theory, with the computation error less than 0.4% compared with the experimental result. Also, the effect of frequency and sound speed profile on the TSPP is studied with the conventional and fast calculation methods, showing that the TSPP is almost independent of the frequency and sound speed profile in the ocean surface layer.