bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Placenta Accreta: A Spectrum of Predictable Risk, Diagnosis, and Morbidity
Authors: Duzyj Christina M. , Cooper Anne , Mhatre Mohak , Han Christina S. , Paidas Michael J. , Illuzzi Jessica L. , Sfakianaki Anna K.
Published: November 2018

Objective Placenta accreta is a feared pathology, in part, because prenatal diagnosis is imperfect. It is not known whether clinical risk factors or sonographic features equally predict the entire graded pathological spectrum of placental overinvasion disease nor whether clinical outcomes differ along the spectrum.

Study Design We conducted a mixed methods retrospective study of a cohort of women screened sonographically for placenta accreta, cross-referenced against cases identified by pathological diagnosis (N = 416). Demographic, diagnostic, and outcome information were compared across the spectrum of invasive placentation: percreta, increta, accreta, and focal accreta not requiring hysterectomy. The t-test, chi-square, Mann–Whitney, and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis across groups.

Results As the depth of invasion decreased, risk factors for placental overinvasion were less common, especially placenta previa and previous cesarean. There was also reduced anticipation by sonographic examination of the placenta. Rates of adverse outcomes were lower among women with focal accreta compared with those with deeper invasion.

Conclusion As the depth of invasion decreases, clinical risk factors and sonographic evaluation are less reliable in the antenatal prediction of placenta accreta. The potential for unanticipated morbidity underscores the need for improved diagnostic tools for placenta accreta spectrum.
Interdelivery Interval and Diabetes Mellitus in a Subsequent Pregnancy
Authors: Dude Annie M. , Battarbee Ashley , Yee Lynn M.
Published: November 2018

Objective We determined whether time between deliveries is associated with developing diabetes at the time of a subsequent delivery.

Study Design This is a case–control study of women who had two consecutive singleton births at the same institution with no pregestational diabetes in the baseline pregnancy. Cases were defined as women who were diagnosed with any type of diabetes at the time of the subsequent delivery. Controls were defined as women who had no diagnosis of diabetes at the time of the subsequent delivery. Interdelivery interval (IDI) was categorized as < 18, 18 to 60, or > 60 months.

Results Of 12,263 women, 4.1% (N = 501) were diagnosed with diabetes at the subsequent delivery. Women with diabetes were more likely to have an IDI of >60 months than women without diabetes (9.0 vs. 4.2%, p < 0.001). After controlling for confounding factors, an IDI > 60 months remained associated with development of pregestational or gestational diabetes by the conclusion of the subsequent pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio = 2.13 compared with an IDI of 18–60 months, 95% confidence interval 1.44–3.15).

Conclusion A longer IDI is an independent risk factor for the development of diabetes at the time of a subsequent delivery.
Difference in Outcome Following Surgery for Native Aortic and Mitral Valve Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Kaartama Tuukka , Nozohoor Shahab , Johansson Malin , Sjögren Johan , Timane Pedro , Ragnarsson Sigurdur
Published: November 2018

Background We investigated differences in clinical presentation, microbiology, and short- and long-term results according to the affected valve in patients who underwent surgery for left-sided native valve infective endocarditis (IE).

Methods This was a single-center retrospective study of 117 patients with isolated mitral valve IE (group M) and 140 patients with isolated aortic valve IE (group A) who underwent surgery between 1998 and 2015.

Results The mean age of patients in group M was 62 ± 14 years, whereas in group A the patients were 56 ± 14 years old (p = 0.001). There were 61 females (52% of patients) in group M and 31 females (22% of patients) in group A (p < 0.001). Abscesses were more common in group A than in group B. Staphylococcus aureus was more frequent in group M (47%, n = 55) than in group A (21%, n = 30; p < 0.001). The length of time from symptom onset to surgery was longer in group A than in group M, but the time from diagnosis to surgery was shorter in group A than in group M. Ninety-day mortality was similar in group M and group A in patients operated within 48 hours after diagnosis, but in patients who were operated more than 48 hours after diagnosis the 90-day mortality was 15% in group M and 3% in group A (p = 0.006).

Conclusion There were considerable differences in preoperative characteristics, microbiology, timing of surgery, and outcomes between patients who underwent surgery for isolated aortic valve IE and those who were operated for isolated mitral valve IE.
Immigrating into the Occupation: Russian-Speaking Women in Palestinian Societies
Authors: Michaeli Inna
Published: November 2018

Social researchers have extensively addressed the immigration of one million Russian speakers to Israel/Palestine over the past twenty-five years. However, the immigrants’ incorporation into the Israeli occupation regime and the ongoing colonisation of Palestine have rarely been questioned as such. In the interviews informing this article, Russian-speaking immigrant women living in Arab-Palestinian communities discuss their complex relations with Palestinian, Jewish-Israeli and Russian-Israeli communities. Sharing a background with Russian-speaking Jewish Israelis on the one hand, and marital kinship ties to Palestinians on the other, these women encounter multiple boundaries of territory and identity in their everyday lives. Drawing on feminist border thinking, I explore these encounters as a navigation through geopolitical and epistemic borderlands in a dense colonial reality. I am particularly interested in the potential of such an exploration to question essentialism and destabilise binary ethno-national categories of identity, such as Arab/Jew and Israeli/Palestinian, that dominate not only hegemonic but also emancipatory discourses. These binary divisions are not a straightforward outcome of political regimes but rather the result of ongoing border-making processes, which are vulnerable to disorder and disruption. This perspective aims to enrich understandings of the roles that gendered ethno-national identities play in sustaining the colonial relations of power in Israel/Palestine.
Highly-resonant two-polarization transmission guided-mode resonance filter
Authors: Macé Léopold , Gauthier-Lafaye Olivier , Monmayrant Antoine , Calvez Stéphane , Camon Henri , Leplan Hervé
Published: November 2018

We theoretically demonstrate a mid-infrared polarization-independent guided-mode-resonance transmission filter. We designed a structure based on a deeply-etched 2D grating above a thin slab of the same material respectively supporting transverse magnetic and transverse electric fundamental modes with identical effective index, which propagate along orthogonal directions. This device relates to multi-resonant guided-mode-resonance filters, and more particularly to the concept of zero-contrast gratings (ZCG), which can operate either as wideband reflectors [R. Magnusson, Optics Letters 39, 4337 (2014)] or bandpass filters [M. Niraula, J. W. Yoon, and R. Magnusson, Optics Letters 40, 5062 (2015)]. However, contrary to the latter, this new generation of filters is not bound by stringent material requirements inherent to conventional ZCGs. In particular, ZCGs are demonstrated with high to low refractive index ratio below 2, using germanium as high-index material over a low-index zinc sulfide substrate. These filters exhibit a transmission peak with a full-width at half-maximum of about 30 pm, and a maximum transmission close to 100 % lying in a 46-nm-wide rejection window.
The effect of alternating current on the current states of a quantum interferometer shunted by a superconducting inductance
Authors: Link S. I. , Koverya V. P. , Krevsun A. V. , Bondarenko S. I.
Published: November 2018

The patterns of reversible changes in the critical current and discrete current states of a structure in the form of a superconducting quantum interferometer shunted by superconducting inductance, as a result of passing an alternating transport current through the structure and applying an external alternating magnetic field simultaneously with a direct transport current, was established. A new type of discrete stationary state was discovered during the transition of the interferometer to the resistive state caused by the combined action of direct and alternating transport currents.
Tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance of pressed nanopowders of chromium dioxide
Authors: Dalakova N. V. , Belyaev E. Yu. , Bludov O. M. , Gorelyi V. A. , Osmolovskaya O. M. , Osmolovskiy M. G.
Published: November 2018

Resistive, magnetoresistive, and magnetic properties of chromium dioxide CrO2 nanopowders were studied. The powders consisted of either spherical or needle-shaped nanoparticles that were covered with dielectric shells of varying composition and thickness. Anisotropy of the tunnel magnetoresistance for all the powders was found. It was shown that the anisotropy of the tunnel magnetoresistance of CrO2 powders is associated with the formation of an induced magnetic texture, and is determined by the difference in the sample magnetization rate along and perpendicular to the plane of pressing of powders.
Experimental observation elucidates vortex ring life cycle in non-Newtonian fluids
Authors: DeJarnette Drew
Published: November 2018

Vortex rings were created in non-Newtonian shear-thinning fluids and their generation, evolution and dissipation were observed for a variety of flow conditions.
Political Shades of ‘we’: sociotropic uncertainty and multiple political identification in Europe
Authors: Steenvoorden Eefje H. , Wright Matthew
Published: November 2018

Identity complexity in the sense of people holding multiple, concurrent affiliations, is taken for granted in modern societies. Yet we know very little about what factors stimulate or instead mitigate identification with multiple political communities. It is usually assumed to go hand-in-hand with globalization and other macro-level trends, but empirical research on this issue is scarce. In this article, we examine how sociotropic uncertainty mitigates multiple political identification. We investigate multiple identification with respect to three political communities: the city, the country and the EU. We show, using Eurobarometer data from 25 EU countries, that political distrust, negative economic expectations and societal pessimism all lead individuals to identify with less political communities concurrently. The implication is that the kinds of multiple, cross-cutting identities often invoked by theorists of globalization are hindered by uncertainty and pessimism about the enterprise.
On-site comparison of Quantum Hall Effect resistance standards of the NRC-CNRC and the BIPM: ongoing key comparison BIPM.EM-K12
Authors: Gournay Pierre , Rolland Benjamin , Sanchez Carlos
Published: November 2018

The ongoing on-site comparison BIPM.EM-K12 is part of the BIPM programme implemented to verify the international coherence of the primary resistance standards. It allows National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) to validate their implementations of the Quantum Hall Effect (QHE) for dc resistance traceability by comparison to the reference maintained at the BIPM.

In this comparison, the realization of the ohm from the QHE-based standard of the NMIs at 100 Ω is compared with that realized by the BIPM from its own transportable quantum Hall resistance standard. This comparison is completed by scaling measurements from 100 Ω to 1 Ω and 10 kΩ through the measurement of the resistance ratios 100 Ω/1 Ω and 10 kΩ/100 Ω, respectively.

In June 2018 a new BIPM.EM-K12 on-site comparison was carried out at the National Research Council Canada (NRC-CNRC). It was the first time the NRC-CNRC participated in this comparison program.

Measurements of the 100 Ω transfer standard in terms of the conventional value of the von Klitzing constant, RK-90, agreed to 5 parts in 1010 with a relative combined standard uncertainty u
c = 23 × 10-10. Measurements of 10 kΩ/100 Ω and 100 Ω/1 Ω ratios agreed to 13 parts in 1010 with u
c = 21 × 10-10 and to 1 part in 1010 with u
c = 40 × 10-10, respectively.

KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH

Quantum Hall Effect, key comparison, resistance standard, resistance ratio

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
When Office Blood Pressure Is Not Enough: The Case of Masked Hypertension
Authors: Cuspidi Cesare , Sala Carla , Tadic Marijana , Grassi Guido
Published: November 2018

An increasing attention has been devoted in the last two decades to masked hypertension (MH), a condition characterized by the fact that classification of a normal blood pressure (BP) status by office measurements is not confirmed by home and/or ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). MH definition (i.e., normal office BP, but high out-of-office BP) should be restricted to untreated subjects (true MH) whereas masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) reserved to treated patients previously classified as hypertensives, presenting normal office BP and high ABPM or home values. Both MH and MUCH are associated with metabolic alterations, comorbidities, and hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD). Furthermore, the risk of cardiovascular events related to these conditions has been shown to be close or greater than that of sustained hypertension. This review discusses available evidence about MH and MUCH by focusing on its prevalence, clinical correlates, association with HMOD, prognostic significance, and their therapeutic implications.
From a cosmic fine-tuner to a perfect being
Authors: Mooney Justin
Published: November 2018

Byerly has proposed a novel solution to the gap problem for cosmological arguments. I contend that his strategy can be used to strengthen a wide range of other theistic arguments as well, and also to stitch them together into a cumulative case for theism. I illustrate these points by applying Byerly’s idea about cosmological arguments to teleological arguments.
Structure-based prediction of post-translational modification cross-talk within proteins using complementary residue- and residue pair-based features
Authors: Liu Hui-Fang , Liu Rong
Published: November 2018

Post-translational modification (PTM)-based regulation can be mediated not only by the modification of a single residue but also by the interplay of different modifications. Accurate prediction of PTM cross-talk is a highly challenging issue and is in its infant stage. Especially, less attention has been paid to the structural preferences (except intrinsic disorder and spatial proximity) of cross-talk pairs and the characteristics of individual residues involved in cross-talk, which may restrict the improvement of the prediction accuracy. Here we report a structure-based algorithm called PCTpred to improve the PTM cross-talk prediction. The comprehensive residue- and residue pair-based features were designed for paired PTM sites at the sequence and structural levels. Through feature selection, we reserved 23 newly introduced descriptors and 3 traditional descriptors to develop a sequence-based predictor PCTseq and a structure-based predictor PCTstr, both of which were integrated to construct our final prediction model. According to pair- and protein-based evaluations, PCTpred yielded area under the curve values of approximately 0.9 and 0.8, respectively. Even when removing the distance preference of samples or using the input of modeled structures, our prediction performance was maintained or moderately reduced. PCTpred displayed stable and reliable improvements over the state-of-the-art methods based on various evaluations. The source code and data set are freely available at https://github.com/Liulab-HZAU/PCTpred or http://liulab.hzau.edu.cn/PCTpred/.
Empirical comparison and analysis of web-based cell-penetrating peptide prediction tools
Authors: Su Ran , Hu Jie , Zou Quan , Manavalan Balachandran , Wei Leyi
Published: November 2018

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) facilitate the delivery of therapeutically relevant molecules, including DNA, proteins and oligonucleotides, into cells both in vitro and in vivo. This unique ability explores the possibility of CPPs as therapeutic delivery and its potential applications in clinical therapy. Over the last few decades, a number of machine learning (ML)-based prediction tools have been developed, and some of them are freely available as web portals. However, the predictions produced by various tools are difficult to quantify and compare. In particular, there is no systematic comparison of the web-based prediction tools in performance, especially in practical applications. In this work, we provide a comprehensive review on the biological importance of CPPs, CPP database and existing ML-based methods for CPP prediction. To evaluate current prediction tools, we conducted a comparative study and analyzed a total of 12 models from 6 publicly available CPP prediction tools on 2 benchmark validation sets of CPPs and non-CPPs. Our benchmarking results demonstrated that a model from the KELM-CPPpred, namely KELM-hybrid-AAC, showed a significant improvement in overall performance, when compared to the other 11 prediction models. Moreover, through a length-dependency analysis, we find that existing prediction tools tend to more accurately predict CPPs and non-CPPs with the length of 20–25 residues long than peptides in other length ranges.
GWASpro: a high-performance genome-wide association analysis server
Authors: Kim Bongsong , Dai Xinbin , Zhang Wenchao , Zhuang Zhaohong , Sanchez Darlene L , Lübberstedt Thomas , Kang Yun , Udvardi Michael K , Beavis William D , Xu Shizhong , Zhao Patrick X
Published: November 2018

We present GWASpro, a high-performance web server for the analyses of large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS). GWASpro was developed to provide data analyses for large-scale molecular genetic data, coupled with complex replicated experimental designs such as found in plant science investigations and to overcome the steep learning curves of existing GWAS software tools. GWASpro supports building complex design matrices, by which complex experimental designs that may include replications, treatments, locations and times, can be accounted for in the linear mixed model. GWASpro is optimized to handle GWAS data that may consist of up to 10 million markers and 10 000 samples from replicable lines or hybrids. GWASpro provides an interface that significantly reduces the learning curve for new GWAS investigators.

Availability and implementation

GWASpro is freely available at https://bioinfo.noble.org/GWASPRO.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
An evaluation of a multifaceted, local Quality Improvement Framework for long-term conditions in UK primary care
Authors: Gabel Frank , Chambers Ruth , Cox Tracey , Listl Stefan , Maskrey Neal
Published: November 2018

Background

The evidence that large pay-for-performance schemes improve the health of populations is mixed—evidence regarding locally implemented schemes is limited.

Objective

This study evaluates the effects in Stoke-on-Trent of a local, multifaceted Quality Improvement Framework including pay for performance in general practice introduced in 2009 in the context of the national Quality and Outcomes Framework that operated from 2004.

Methods

We compared age-standardized mortality data from all 326 local authorities in England with the rates in Stoke-on-Trent using Difference-in-Differences, estimating a fixed-effects linear regression model with an interaction effect.

Results

In addition to the existing downward trend in cardiovascular deaths, we find an additional annual reduction of 36 deaths compared with the national mean for coronary heart disease and 13 deaths per 100000 from stroke in Stoke-on-Trent. Compared with the national mean, there was an additional reduction of 9 deaths per 100000 people per annum for coronary heart disease and 14 deaths per 100000 people per annum for stroke following the introduction of the 2009 Stoke-on-Trent Quality Improvement Framework.

Conclusion

There are concerns about the unintended consequences of large pay-for-performance schemes in health care, but in a population with a high prevalence of disease, they may at least initially be beneficial. This study also provides evidence that a local, additional scheme may further improve the health of populations. Such schemes, whether national or local, require periodic review to evaluate the balance of their benefits and risks.
Brexit’s Shades of Green—(Missing) the Opportunity to Transform Farming in England?
Authors: Howe Helena R , Ross Malcolm
Published: November 2018

The UK Government’s ‘green Brexit’ includes fundamental reform of agriculture. We use resilience thinking to examine the complex relationship between farming policy and environmental sustainability. Farming is a social ecological system that will be disturbed by leaving the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. Reforms could reinforce persistence of the status quo or shape transformation to ‘better’ sustainability. We argue Brexit is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the hegemony of sustainable intensification to be challenged by enhanced agroecological farming practices. The interdependency of social and ecological factors is a critical threshold for transformative change, which we explore through three key sites of struggle: farmers’ cultural identity, connection to land, and security. We suggest transformative law and governance measures built upon Wild Law jurisprudence and resilience principles of diversity, scale, flexibility, relationality, education and participatory decision-making. We conclude that the Government’s approach falls short of the transformation needed for a resilient, sustainable farming system.
Association of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Expression With Survival in Oropharyngeal Cancer Following Chemoradiation Therapy
Authors: Koenigs Maria B , Lefranc-Torres Armida , Bonilla-Velez Juliana , Patel Krupal B , Hayes D Neil , Glomski Krzysztof , Busse Paul M , Chan Annie W , Clark John R , Deschler Daniel G , Emerick Kevin S , Hammon Rebecca J , Wirth Lori J , Lin Derrick T , Mroz Edmund A , Faquin William C , Rocco James W
Published: November 2018

Background

Oropharyngeal squamous carcinoma (OPSC) continues to increase in incidence secondary to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Despite the good overall prognosis for these patients, treatment with chemoradiation is associated with morbidity and treatment failure. Better predictors for disease outcome are needed to guide de-intensification regimens. We hypothesized that estrogen receptor α (ERα), a prognostic biomarker in oncology with therapeutic implications, might have similar utility in OPSC.

Methods

To investigate associations among ERα and demographics, HPV status, and survival, we analyzed ERα mRNA expression of head and neck squamous carcinomas (HNSC) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of pretreatment biopsy specimens from an independent group of 215 OPSC patients subsequently treated with primary chemoradiation (OPSC-CR). Associations among variables were evaluated with Fisher exact tests and logistic regression; associations with survival were evaluated with log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Among 515 patients in TCGA, ERα mRNA expression was highest in HPV-positive OPSC. High ERα mRNA expression was associated with improved survival among those receiving chemoradiation (hazard ratio adjusted for HPV status = 0.44, 95% confidence interval = 0.21 to 0.92). In OPSC-CR, ERα was positive by IHC in 51.6% of tumors and was associated with improved overall, disease-specific, progression-free, and relapse-free survival (log-rank tests: P < .001, P < .001, P = .002, P = .003, respectively); statistically significant associations of ERα positivity with improved survival were maintained after adjusting for clinical risk factors including HPV status.

Conclusion

In two independent cohorts, ERα is a potential biomarker for improved survival that also may represent a therapeutic target in OPSC.
Noninvasive, Targeted Creation of Neuromyelitis Optica Pathology in AQP4-IgG Seropositive Rats by Pulsed Focused Ultrasound
Authors: Yao Xiaoming , Adams Matthew S , Jones Peter D , Diederich Chris J , Verkman Alan S
Published: November 2018

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (herein called NMO) is an autoimmune disease of the CNS characterized by astrocyte injury, inflammation, and demyelination. In seropositive NMO, immunoglobulin G autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG) cause primary astrocyte injury. A passive transfer model of NMO was developed in which spatially targeted access of AQP4-IgG into the CNS of seropositive rats was accomplished by pulsed focused ultrasound through intact skin. Following intravenous administration of microbubbles, pulsed ultrasound at 0.5 MPa peak acoustic pressure was applied using a 1 MHz transducer with 6-cm focal length. In brain, the transient opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in an approximately prolate ellipsoidal volume of diameter ∼3.5 mm and length ∼44 mm allowed entry of IgG-size molecules for up to 3–6 hours. The ultrasound treatment did not cause erythrocyte extravasation or inflammation. Ultrasound treatment in AQP4-IgG seropositive rats produced localized NMO pathology in brain, with characteristic astrocyte injury, inflammation, and demyelination after 5 days. Pathology was not seen when complement was inhibited, when non-NMO human IgG was administered instead of AQP4-IgG, or in AQP4-IgG seropositive AQP4 knockout rats. NMO pathology was similarly created in cervical spinal cord in seropositive rats. These results establish a noninvasive, spatially targeted model of NMO in rats, and demonstrate that BBB permeabilization, without underlying injury or inflammation, is sufficient to create NMO pathology in AQP4-IgG seropositive rats.
MGMT: Immunohistochemical Detection in High-Grade Astrocytomas
Authors: Lipp Eric S , Healy Patrick , Austin Alan , Clark Alysha , Dalton Tara , Perkinson Kathryn , Herndon James E , Friedman Henry S , Friedman Allan H , Bigner Darell D , McLendon Roger E
Published: November 2018

Glioma therapeutic resistance to alkylating chemotherapy is mediated via O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). We hypothesized that a CD45/HAM56/MGMT double-stained cocktail would improve MGMT discrimination in tumor cells versus inflammatory and endothelial cells (IEC). Total MGMT protein was quantified by IHC on 982 glioblastomas (GBM) and 199 anaplastic astrocytomas. Correcting for IEC was done by a CD45/HAM56/MGMT 2-color cocktail. Lowest IEC infiltrates (IEC “cold spots”) were identified to quantitate MGMT as well as the percentage of IEC% in the IEC cold spots. MGMT promoter methylation (PM) was also determined. Among the GBM biopsies, mean uncorrected and corrected MGMT% were 19.87 (range 0–90) and 16.67; mean IEC% was 18.65 (range 1–80). Four hundred and fifty one (45.9%) GBM biopsies were positive MGMT PM. Both uncorrected and corrected MGMT% positivity correlated with PM. All 3 MGMT scores correlated with overall survival (OS) in GBM’s. Cold spot IEC% was also positively associated with OS. These effects remained in a multivariate model after adjusting for age and disease status. Prognosis determined by correcting MGMT% score for IEC% is not improved in this analysis. However, IEC COLD SPOT score does provide additional prognostic information that can be gained from this correction method.
The Paradox of the Alien Citizen? Access, Control and Entitlements of Belgian Refugees in Birmingham during the First World War
Authors: De Vuyst Jolien , Myers Kevin , Van Gorp Angelo
Published: November 2018

Britain’s liberal policy towards refugees has been their proud boast. However, from the 1880s to the 1920s, this developed into a restrictive and selective migration policy. During the First World War, 250,000 Belgian refugees arrived in Britain. Inquiring into the archives of the War Refugees Committee Birmingham and District on traces of these developments, a tension linked to the discussion on the allocation of social benefits could be established. This tension, which is referred to as the paradox of the ‘alien citizen’, is explored through the analysis of the access to Britain, the control on British territory and the entitlements of Belgian refugees to social benefits. It is argued that this seeming paradox was the outcome of process of state formation. It reveals how the presence of refugees challenged the British state with the question as to what extent one was responsible to provide for non-citizens, which is still a topical issue.
How to increase kidney transplant activity throughout Europe—an advocacy review by the European Kidney Health Alliance
Authors: Vanholder Raymond , Stel Vianda S , Jager Kitty J , Lameire Norbert , Loud Fiona , Oberbauer Rainer , de Jong Rianne W , Zoccali Carmine
Published: November 2018

Kidney transplantation offers better outcomes and quality of life at lower societal costs compared with other options of renal replacement therapy. In this review of the European Kidney Health Alliance, the current status of kidney transplantation throughout Europe and suggestions for improvement of transplantation rates are reported. Although the European Union (EU) has made considerable efforts in the previous decade to stimulate transplantation activity, the discrepancies among European countries suggest that there is still room for improvement. The EU efforts have partially been neutralized by external factors such as economic crises or legal issues, especially the illicit manipulation of waiting lists. Hence, growth in the application of transplantation throughout Europe virtually remained unchanged over the last few years. Continued efforts are warranted to further stimulate transplantation rates, along with the current registration and data analysis efforts supported by the EU in the Effect of Differing Kidney Disease Treatment Modalities and Organ Donation and Transplantation Practices on Health Expenditure and Patient Outcomes project. Future actions should concentrate on organization, harmonization and improvement of the legal consent framework, population education and financial stimuli.
Role of IL-35 in sublingual allergen immunotherapy
Authors: Layhadi Janice A. , Eguiluz-Gracia Ibon , Shamji Mohamed H.
Published: November 2018

Purpose of review

Sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT), a disease-modifying treatment for allergic rhinitis, can induce long-term clinical benefits which are mediated by immune responses that include generation of regulatory B (Breg) and T (Treg) cells. The newest member of the IL-12 superfamily, IL-35, is an anti-inflammatory cytokine known to be produced by Breg and Treg cells. Limited studies are available on the role of IL-35 on allergic rhinitis and during SLIT. This review summarizes recent findings relevant to the topic of IL-35 and their role in SLIT.

Recent findings

Recombinant IL-35 protein can induce the generation of IL-35-producing Breg and Treg cells with immunosuppressive capacity. Levels of IL-35 and IL-35-inducible Treg (iTR35) cells are dysregulated in allergic rhinitis patients, which can be restored with SLIT. Mechanism of IL-35-mediated tolerance to allergens includes suppressions of T cell proliferation, Th2 cytokine production, and B cell production of IgE antibodies.

Emerging evidence supports a potential role for IL-35 and iTR35 cells in tolerance maintenance during SLIT. A better understanding for the role of IL-35 and iTR35 cells could provide new avenues for the development of clinical biomarker to assess efficacy of allergen immunotherapy and novel therapeutic strategies for allergic rhinitis.
The Psychological Predictors of Acute and Chronic Pain in Women Following Breast Cancer Surgery
Authors: McCowat Monica , Fleming Leanne , Vibholm Julie , Dixon Diane
Published: November 2018

Objectives:

Numerous psychological factors have been found to be associated with acute and chronic pain following breast cancer surgery. However, individual studies tend to be limited to a small number of predictors and many fail to employ prospective designs. This study aimed to identify a broader range of psychological predictors of acute and chronic pain following breast cancer surgery through a systematic review of relevant prospective studies.

Methods:

Web of Science, psychINFO, PubMed, and MEDLINE databases were searched to identify relevant prospective cohort studies. Studies were included if women were to undergo mastectomy or wide local excision, if psychological factors were assessed before surgery, and pain assessed after surgery.

Results:

Twelve studies (representing 11 independent cohorts) met the inclusion criteria and described 10 psychological predictors. Anxiety and depression were the most frequently assessed psychological factors, and were measured in 9 of the 12 studies. Anxiety and psychological robustness emerged as significant predictors of acute pain. Distress was the strongest predictor of chronic pain. The relationship between depression and chronic postsurgical pain was, at best, mixed.

Discussion:

This review has identified a range of psychological predictors of acute and chronic pain following breast cancer surgery; however, the evidence was conflicting and limited. Future studies should demonstrate adequate power and take account of known confounders.
Leg Muscle Strength After Lateral Interbody Fusion Surgery Recovers Over Time After Temporary Muscle Weakness
Authors: Takatori Ryota , Ogura Taku , Narita Wataru , Hayashida Tatsuro , Tonomura Hitoshi , Mikami Yasuo , Nagae Masateru , Ikoma Kazuya , Kubo Toshikazu
Published: November 2018

Study Design:

Case-control study.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to reveal the changes of leg muscle strength after lateral interbody fusion (LIF).

Summary of Background Data:

Muscle trauma and damage to intermuscular nerves due to dissection of the psoas are recognized perioperative complications of LIF. Although reduced leg strength is temporary in many cases, the underlying changes have not been studied in detail.

Methods:

Leg muscle strength was measured quantitatively before LIF surgery and 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after surgery (n=38). Reduced muscle strength was defined as <80% of the preoperative measurement. The psoas position (PP%) was calculated from axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance images and compared with the degree of psoas and quadriceps muscle strength reduction at 1 week after surgery on the approach side. Twenty cases that underwent a posterior lumbar approach (posterior group) acted as controls.

Results:

The proportion of patients with reduced psoas muscle strength 1 week after LIF was 60.5% on the approach side and 39.5% on the healthy side, versus 30.0% in the posterior group. The corresponding results for the quadriceps were 34.2%, 39.5%, and 25.0%, respectively. All cases had strength improvement on the approach side by 12 weeks postsurgery in the psoas and by 4 weeks postsurgery for the quadriceps. Psoas muscle strength and quadriceps strength at 1 week after surgery were correlated (ρ=0.57, P<0.001). There was a low inverse correlation between PP% and quadriceps strength at 1 week (ρ=−0.31, P<0.001).

Conclusions:

Muscle strength declined in both the psoas and quadriceps muscle groups after LIF; however, the effect was temporary and strength recovered over time. Reduced postoperative quadriceps muscle strength may relate the position of the psoas muscle via increased irritation of the lumbar plexus during the splitting maneuver.
How Much Surface Registration Accuracy is Required Using Ct-based Navigation System in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery?
Authors: Uehara Masashi , Takahashi Jun , Ikegami Shota , Kuraishi Shugo , Futatsugi Toshimasa , Oba Hiroki , Takizawa Takashi , Munakata Ryo , Koseki Michihiko , Kato Hiroyuki
Published: November 2018

Study Design:

Retrospective, single-center, single-surgeon study.

Objective:

This study investigated screw perforation rate according to surface registration accuracy in pedicle screw fixation using a CT-based navigation system for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary of Background data:

Posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis correction using pedicle screws is widely adopted but carries a risk of serious neurovascular or visceral structure events. To attempt to avoid these complications, we have been using a computed tomography (CT)-based navigation system during screw insertion, although insufficient surface registration accuracy may be a reason for some screw perforations.

Methods:

We evaluated 116 AIS patients (9 male and 107 females; mean±standard deviation age: 15.2±2.3 y) who had received pedicle screw fixation guided by a CT-based navigation system between August 2007 and December 2017. Screw perforation rate was evaluated in relation to surface registration accuracy and cut-off values were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results:

A total of 1553 pedicle screws were inserted into T2-L4 vertebrae using CT-based navigation system. The respective overall perforation rates for grade 2 or 3 and grade 3 perforations by surface registration accuracy were 0.2 mm: 0% and 0%; 0.3 mm: 3.5% and 0%; 0.4 mm: 3.5% and 0.8%; 0.5 mm: 8.0% and 3.5%; 0.6 mm: 6.7% and 2.7%; 0.7 mm: 8.9% and 3.8%; 0.8 mm: 9.3% and 6.7%; and 0.9 mm: 9.3% and 4.7%. ROC curve analysis revealed a cut-off surface registration accuracy of 0.5 mm. The major screw perforation rate for a surface registration accuracy of ≥0.5 mm was significantly higher than that for <0.5 mm (P<0.01).

Conclusions:

Analysis of screw perforation rate according to surface registration accuracy demonstrated a clinical cut-off of 0.5 mm. Thus, surface registration accuracy should optimally be <0.5 mm for scoliosis surgery with CT-based navigation system.
Recognition, Assessment, and Pharmacotherapeutic Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Foertsch Madeline J. , Winter Jessica B. , Rhoades Abigail G. , Martin Lukas T. , Droege Christopher A. , Ernst Neil E.
Published: November 2018

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a complex neurologic disorder that develops after an acute reduction in or cessation of chronic alcohol consumption that alters neurotransmitter conduction. The incidence of AWS in the intensive care unit varies, but has been associated with poor outcomes. This is primarily driven by downregulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) leading to autonomic excitability and psychomotor agitation. No clinical assessment tools have been validated to assess for AWS in the intensive care unit, particularly for patients requiring mechanical ventilation. The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale, Revised, may be considered to gauge the extent of withdrawal, but is not particular with acute presentations in this population. Symptom-triggered use of GABA agonist such as benzodiazepines remains the mainstay of pharmacotherapeutic intervention. Nonbenzodiazepine GABA agonists such as barbiturates and propofol as well as non-GABA adjunctive agents such as dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and antipsychotic agents may help reduce the need for symptom-triggered benzodiazepine dosing, but lack robust data. Agent selection should be based on patient-specific factors such as renal and hepatic metabolism, duration of action, and clearance. Institution-specific protocols directing GABA-acting medications and adjunctive medications for excitatory, adrenergic, and delirium assessments could be considered to improve patient outcomes and caregiver satisfaction.
Teaching Critical Care Nursing Online for RNs
Authors: Warren Nancy A. , Spiegel Harriette L.
Published: November 2018

Registered nurses are choosing to further their educational careers by seeking a bachelor's of science degree online (RN-to-BSN). The impetus for choosing the online delivery method is related to the ability to sign into a Learning Management System during times that are advantageous to their hospital work schedules, family, and daily living activities. The RN-to-BSN online option degree requires a Critical Care/Advanced Health Care Course as part of their curriculum plan; therefore, the article presents an overall view of the critical care course, the theoretical underpinnings for progression to the online delivery method, and examples of a module required by the critical care course.
Effect of Intensive Care Unit Nurses' Empowerment Program on Ability in Visual Differential Diagnosis of Pressure Ulcer Classification
Authors: Okhovati Shahrbano , Esmaeili Maryam , Shariat Esmaeil
Published: November 2018

Nurses play a vital role in preventing and detecting pressure ulcers within an intensive care unit. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of an empowerment program on nurses' ability to visually determine the stage of a pressure ulcer. This study was a nonrandomized clinical trial involving an intervention group and a control group. Prior to the empowerment program, data indicated that there was a significant deficit in the ability of nurses in both groups to accurately determine the stage of a pressure ulcer. Following the empowerment program, the mean scores of nurses in the intervention group were significantly higher than the mean score of nurses in the control group (P ≤ .001). This study indicates that the implementation of an empowerment program can increase the ability of nurses to detect pressure ulcers and to accurately determine staging.
Prevention of Pressure Injury by Using Silicone Foam Dressings
Authors: Kuen Lee Michelle Wai , Keung Lai Peter Chi , Boo Man Shan , Chan Wai Kit , Hui Yuk Chun , Sze Wan Winnie Wai , Kwong Wai Fung
Published: November 2018

Pressure injury is a serious problem and is common in critical care units. Over the last decade, there is new evidence suggesting that the use of multilayered silicone foam dressing as preventive measures can decrease the incidence and prevalence rate of hospital-acquired pressure injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of this dressing in reducing sacral and coccygeal pressure injury incidence rate as compared with standard preventive interventions in critical care settings.
Associations Between Household Chores and Childhood Self-Competency
Authors: White Elizabeth M. , DeBoer Mark D. , Scharf Rebecca J.
Published: November 2018

Objective:

The development of self-competence and self-efficacy is important to achieving academic, social, and career success. Examining whether performing chores in early elementary school contributes to later self-competence is needed.

Methods:

We analyzed data from 9971 children participating in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten 2011 cohort entering kindergarten in the United States in 2010 to 2011. During kindergarten, parents reported the frequency with which their child performed chores. In the third grade, children responded to a questionnaire regarding their perceived interest or competence in academics, peer relationships, prosocial behavior, and life satisfaction. Children also completed direct academic assessments for reading, math, and science. Data were analyzed using linear and logistical regressions, adjusting for possible confounders.

Results:

The frequency of chores in kindergarten was positively associated with a child's perception of social, academic, and life satisfaction competencies in the third grade, independent of sex, family income, and parent education (all P < 0.001). Compared with children who regularly performed chores, children who rarely performed chores had greater odds of scoring in the bottom quintile on self-reported prosocial, academic ability, peer relationship, and life satisfaction scores (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17, 1.25, 1.24, and 1.27, respectively). Performing chores with any frequency in kindergarten was associated with improved math scores in the third grade (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

In this longitudinal cohort study, performing chores in early elementary school was associated with later development of self-competence, prosocial behavior, and self-efficacy.
A Method for Direct Monitoring of Atorvastatin Adherence in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Quantification of the Total Exposure to Parent Drug and Major Metabolites Using 2-Channel Chromatography and Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Vethe Nils Tore , Munkhaugen John , Andersen Anders M. , Husebye Einar , Bergan Stein
Published: November 2018

Background:

Low adherence to statin therapy remains a public health concern associated with poor prognosis in cardiovascular disease patients. A feasible method for statin adherence monitoring in clinical practice has yet to be developed. In this article, we describe a novel method designed for the direct monitoring of atorvastatin adherence based on the sum of parent drug and major metabolites in blood samples.

Methods:

Acid and lactone forms of atorvastatin, 2-OH-atorvastatin, and 4-OH-atorvastatin were assayed. Plasma proteins were precipitated with an acidified mixture of methanol, acetonitrile, and aqueous zinc sulfate, and the supernatant was analyzed with 2-channel reversed-phase chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Assay validation was performed according to the guidelines provided by the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration.

Results:

The effective run time was 1 minute and 45 seconds per sample. Mean accuracy ranged from 92% to 110%, and coefficients of variation were ≤8.1% over the measurement ranges for individual compounds. The sum of acids and corresponding lactones was stable in clinical plasma samples kept at ambient temperature for up to 6 days after blood sampling (mean sum within 96.6%–101% of baseline).

Conclusions

A fast and reliable assay for the quantification of atorvastatin and its 5 major metabolites in clinical blood samples is reported. Limitations of preanalytical stability were solved using the sum of the acid and lactone forms. The assay is feasible for implementation in clinical practice, and the sum of parent drug and metabolites may be used for direct monitoring of atorvastatin adherence.