bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Diabetic Patients: Complete Arterial versus Internal Thoracic Artery and Sequential Vein Grafts—A Propensity-Score Matched Analysis
Authors: Kunihara Takashi , Wendler Olaf , Heinrich Kerstin , Nomura Ryota , Schäfers Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2018

Background The optimal choice of conduit and configuration for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in diabetic patients remains somewhat controversial, even though arterial grafts have been proposed as superior. We attempted to clarify the role of complete arterial revascularization using the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) and the radial artery (RA) alone in “T-Graft” configuration on long-term outcome.

Methods and Results From 1994 to 2001, 104 diabetic patients with triple vessel disease underwent CABG using LITA/RA “T-Grafts” (Group-A). Using propensity-score matching, 104 patients with comparable preoperative characteristics who underwent CABG using LITA and one sequential vein graft were identified (Group-V). Freedom from all causes of death, cardiac death, major adverse cardiac event (MACE), major adverse cardiac (and cerebral) event (MACCE), and repeat revascularization at 10 years of Group-A was 60 ± 5%, 67 ± 5%, 48 ± 5%, 37 ± 5%, and 81 ± 4%, respectively, compared with 58 ± 5%, 70 ± 5%, 49 ± 5%, 39 ± 5%, and 93 ± 3% in Group-V. There were no significant differences in these end points between groups regardless of insulin-dependency. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model identified age, left ventricular ejection fraction, renal failure, and hyperlipidemia as independent predictors for all death, age and left ventricular ejection fraction for cardiac death, sinus rhythm for both MACE and MACCE, and prior percutaneous coronary intervention for re-revascularization.

Conclusions In our experience, complete arterial revascularization using LITA/RA “T-Grafts” does not provide superior long-term clinical benefits for diabetic patients compared with a combination of LITA and sequential vein graft.
Wearable Cardioverter–Defibrillators following Cardiac Surgery—A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Heimeshoff Jan , Merz Constanze , Ricklefs Marcel , Kirchhoff Felix , Haverich Axel , Bara Christoph , Kühn Christian
Published: June 2018

Background A wearable cardioverter–defibrillator (WCD) can terminate ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardias via electrical shock and thus give transient protection from sudden cardiac death. We investigated its role after cardiac surgery.

Methods We retrospectively analyzed all patients who were discharged with a WCD from cardiac surgery department. The WCD was prescribed for patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤35% or an explanted implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD).

Results A total of 100 patients were included in this study, the majority (n = 59) had received coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The median wearing time of a WCD patient was 23.5 hours per day. LVEF was 28.9 ± 8% after surgery and improved in the follow-up to 36.7 ± 11% (p < 0.001). Three patients were successfully defibrillated. Ten patients experienced ventricular tachycardias. No inappropriate shocks were given. An ICD was implanted in 25 patients after the WCD wearing period.

Conclusion Ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 13% of the investigated patients. LVEF improved significantly after 3 months, and thus a permanent ICD implantation was avoided in several cases. Sternotomy did not impair wearing time of the WCD. A WCD can effectively protect patients against ventricular tachyarrhythmias after cardiac surgery.
Cervical Cancer Registered in Two Developed Regions from Brazil: Upper Limit of Reachable Results from Opportunistic Screening
Authors: Teixeira Julio Cesar , Maestri Carlos Afonso , Machado Helymar da Costa , Zeferino Luiz Carlos , Carvalho Newton Sérgio de
Published: June 2018

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the time trends and pattern of cervical cancer diagnosed in the period from 2001 to 2012 by means of an opportunistic screening program from two developed regions in Brazil.

Methods An observational study analyzing 3,364 cancer records (n = 1,646 from Campinas and n = 1,718 from Curitiba region) available in hospital-based cancer registries was done. An additional 1,836 records of CIN3/AIS from the region of Campinas was analyzed. The statistical analysis assessed the pooled data and the data by region considering the year of diagnosis, age-group, cancer stage, and histologic type. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was applied and p-values < 0.05 were considered significant.

Results The total annual cervical cancer registered from 2001 to 2012 showed a slight drop (273–244), with an age average of 49.5 y, 13 years over the average for CIN3/AIS (36.8 y). A total of 20.6% of the diagnoses (1.6% under 25 y) were done out of the official screening age-range. The biennial rate of diagnoses by age group for the region of Campinas showed an increase trend for the age groups under 25 y (p = 0.007) and 25 to 44 y (p = 0.003). Stage III was the most recorded for both regions, with an annual average of 43%, without any trend modification. There was an increasing trend for stage I diagnoses in the region of Campinas (p = 0.033). The proportion of glandular histologic types registered had an increased trend over time (p = 0.002), higher for the region of Campinas (21.1% versus 12.5% for the region of Curitiba).

Conclusion The number, pattern and trends of cervical cancer cases registered had mild and slow modifications and reflect the limited effectivity of the opportunistic screening program, even in developed places.
Safety of Drug-Eluting-Beads Transarterial Chemoembolization for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt
Authors: Rief Katherine , Pirasteh Ali , Shenoy-Bhangl Anuradha , Ganguli Suvranu , Kalva Sanjeeva
Published: June 2018

Purpose To assess the safety of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).

Materials and Methods Records of patients with a patent TIPS who underwent DEB-TACE for inoperable HCC from 2005 to 2014 at two institutions were reviewed. Patient demographics, number of procedures, extent of embolization (lobar vs. segmental), 30-day mortality, and postprocedure adverse events classified based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE V4.03) were recorded.

Results From the total of 10 patients included (6 male, average age: 59), 3 were classified as Child A and 7 as B. Tumor Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stage was A in three patients, B in six, and C in one. Patients underwent doxorubicin DEB-TACE with a median dose of 100 mg (range: 50–100). Number of TACE procedures per patient ranged from 1 to 4 (median: 1). Three (30%) patients experienced toxicity grade 2 or higher immediately following the procedure. One patient had grade 3 toxicity of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and bilirubin. Three patients had extended hospital stays beyond 48 hours due to adverse events, including edema, acute pancreatitis, and a hepatic abscess discovered a week after the procedure. All 10 patients were alive and discharged from the hospital at 30 days after the procedure.

Conclusion DEB-TACE can be well tolerated by patients with a patent TIPS, given adequate liver function. Lobar DEB-TACE is associated with higher risk of complications.
“Push–Pull Technique” for the Management of a Selected Superomedial Intraorbital Lesion
Authors: Castelnuovo Paolo , Fiacchini Giacomo , Fiorini Francesca , Dallan Iacopo
Published: June 2018

Orbital lesions are traditionally managed through external approaches when laterally located, and through a transnasal approach or other external approaches when medially located. However, when the lesion is superomedially located, it may determine a technical challenge.

In this study, we present the case of a patient with a superomedial intraconal venous malformation of the left eye. We addressed the mass through a combined approach, using the transnasal route as the main approach, and the superior eyelid approach to push down the lesion to facilitate the excision. We have called this approach “push–pull technique.”

We achieved a complete resection of the lesion and did not observe any intraoperative or postoperative complications. The last follow-up at 6 months postoperatively showed no recurrence, and the patient was satisfied and completely recovered.

According to our experience, the “push–pull” technique seems to be a safe procedure and might be considered a valid alternative to address selected superomedial intraconal lesions.
Verlaufskarrieren und biografische Konstellationen beruflicher Rehabilitanden und deren Einflüsse auf Rückkehr und nachhaltigen Verbleib in Arbeit
Authors: Klaus Sebastian , Meschnig Alexander , von Kardorff Ernst
Published: June 2018

Ziele der Studie Mit dem Blick auf biografische (Risiko-)Konstellationen für Ge- und Misslingensbedingungen – und damit auf die Wirksamkeit und Nachhaltigkeit von Leistungen zur Teilhabe am Arbeitsleben – begleitet die Studie mit qualitativ-hermeneutischen Verfahren berufliche Rehabilitandinnen und Rehabilitanden über einen Zeitraum von etwa 2 Jahren nach der Umschulung auf dem Weg zurück ins Beschäftigungssystem.

Methode Die Studie folgt einem Mixed-Method-Design. Neben einer Fragebogenerhebung von insgesamt 214 Teilnehmern und 19 Interviews mit Experten aus Wissenschaft und Praxis bilden 30 episodisch-narrative Interviews mit teilnehmenden Rehabilitanden den Schwerpunkt des Forschungsdesigns.

Ergebnisse Insgesamt gelingt etwa 80% der Maßnahmenteilnehmer unseres Samples nach 18 Monaten der Übergang in Erwerbsarbeit. Entscheidende Hemmnisse für das Gelingen zeigen sich in charakteristischen Risikokonstellationen, die durch Umschulungsberufswahl, Umgang mit der Krankheit, Schonraumbedarf, Lebenslauforientierung, Zielorientierung, Akzeptanz einer Übergangsphase mit geringerer Entlohnung, regionaler berufsspezifischer Arbeitsmarkt sowie soziale Einbindung und Unterstützung gekennzeichnet sind.

Schlussfolgerungen Mithilfe qualitativ-hermeneutischer Verfahren wird es möglich über Diagnose(-zuschreibung) und andere aus der Theorie bekannte Aspekte hinausgehend, neue, für die Rehabilitanden wichtige Wirkfaktoren zum Return to Work zu generieren. Diese verweisen auf deren Einbettung in Prozesse, Kontexte, Zusammenhänge und Wechselwirkungen zwischen Biografie und Kontextfaktoren. Aus den Ergebnissen lassen sich konkrete Unterstützungsbedarfe und Handlungsansätze für kritische Risikokonstellationen entwickeln.
Analysing the role of virtualisation and visualisation on interdisciplinary knowledge exchange in stem cell research processes
Authors: Stephens Neil , Khan Imtiaz , Errington Rachel
Published: June 2018

Interdisciplinary work is an increasingly frequent and important aspect of scientific research. However, successful knowledge exchange and collaboration between experts is itself a challenging activity with both technical and social components that require consideration. Here, this article analyses the cultural factors involved in interdisciplinary research, specifically in the context of a software programme designed to improve knowledge exchange. The authors undertook an ethnographic study to understand the impact of virtualisation and visualisation on an interdisciplinary research team, working together to develop novel imaging technologies for investigating stem cells. In this discovery-research environment the challenge was to determine the socio-technical effect of an in-house software tool called ProtocolNavigator, which provided a virtual laboratory environment for the team to simulate and map their ‘real-life laboratory’ activities. This display, together with activity icons and a timeline, could be visually analysed and transferred between multi-institutional researchers in a non-narrative approach. The aim of the work reported here is to provide the first detailed analysis of how software of this type is used in practice, and to analyse this through a robust social science-based perspective. Subsequently this study examines the effectiveness of this virtual laboratory environment on enhancing communication and understanding using a theoretical framework drawing upon three insights from the Sociology of Expertise and Experience: (i) interactional and contributory expertise, (ii) knowledge exchange and interpretative flexibility, and (iii) trading zones. The framework was extended by introducing the notion of material, concept and practice trade at these trading zones with a demonstration of how interactive visualisation of interconnected trading routes can empower interdisciplinary work. The addition of Foucault’s classic account of power found evidence of a panoptical effect due to the augmented visibility of each other’s work. In summary, the article offers a theoretical framework together with novel analysis to determine the influence of introducing tools and approaches designed to enhance interdisciplinary working—particularly in the context of knowledge sharing and trust.
The making of responsive innovation policies: varieties of evidence and their contestation in the Basque Country
Authors: Kleibrink Alexander , Magro Edurne
Published: June 2018

In the European Union (EU) multiple levels of governance interact in the design of public policies. Multi-level policies require a variety of evidence to define problems appropriately, set the right objectives and create suitable instruments to achieve them. How such a variety of evidence is used in practice, however, remains largely elusive. In 2013, the reformed EU Cohesion Policy brought about a sea change in the way governments must justify their investment priorities to support innovation and economic development. One of many new 'ex-ante conditionalities' sought to improve the design of regional innovation policies by putting strong emphasis on the underlying evidence base of policy strategies. A multitude of data sources had to be combined to meet this novel requirement in 120 regional and national strategy documents. Combining various data sources meaningfully was a necessary first step to engage with stakeholders from relevant business and research communities to jointly develop and decide on priorities for public investments. Stakeholder organisations had the opportunity to contest insights coming from official statistics. But how do governments reconcile insights from socio-economic analyses with differing views from stakeholders? We illustrate how such contestation of evidence has unfolded in the Basque Country. In this region, socio-economic analysis and broader stakeholder consultation rapidly confirmed three investment priorities that had been already quite established. Stakeholders from local governments, universities and other government departments contested this choice as not fully representative of the local potential and societal needs. Through their participation in a multi-stakeholder body advising the government they succeeded in adding four priorities that address local societal issues: sustainable food, urban living, culture and environmental protection. Our findings underline that rational planning using statistics gets governments only so far in meeting pressing societal challenges. Stakeholders contesting and complementing statistical insights make policies more responsive to local needs.
Effects of organosolv pretreatment conditions for lignocellulosic biomass in biorefinery applications: A review
Authors: Borand Merve Nazlı , Karaosmanoğlu Filiz
Published: June 2018

The concept of a biorefinery that provides valuable bioproducts from biomass conversion instead of fossil based products is presented. One of the main biorefinery products, bioethanol, can be produced from sugar, starch, or lignocellulosic-based biomass. Lignocellulosic-based bioethanol could be a good alternative to sugar- or starch-based bioethanol. While sugar- and starch-based biomass includes mainly glucose or starch, lignocellulosic biomass contains cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. While the cellulose is essential for the biomass-to-bioethanol conversion process, hemicellulose and lignin are undesirable in this context, and therefore pretreatment is necessary to break down the lignocellulose structure and separate hemicellulose and lignin from cellulose. Organosolv pretreatment is an attractive method for separating both cellulose and nearly pure lignin from the lignocellulosic material. In a biorefinery, organosolv pretreatment is one of the best options for producing more than one valuable product (bioethanol and lignin) in the same process. For effective bioethanol production, the delignification rate and enzymatic glucose conversion are fundamental parameters. This paper presents a detailed literature review of organosolv pretreatment, focusing on the effects of each of the pretreatment conditions for biorefinery applications. The organosolv pretreatment method is first described in detail and then each of the pretreatment conditions is explored individually. A number of technical studies are reviewed, and the effects of the various conditions on the delignification rate and on enzymatic glucose conversion for effective bioethanol production are described. The current status of development of organosolv-based biorefineries around the world is discussed. In previous reviews of this topic, only the solvent and catalyst effects have been investigated. This review will contribute to the literature by showing the impacts of all pretreatment conditions on pretreatment efficiency.
External pressure induced liquid crystal defects for optical vortex generation
Authors: Migara L. K. , Lee Heesu , Lee Cheon-Myeong , Kwak Keumcheol , Lee Doyeon , Song Jang-Kun
Published: June 2018

Simple and arbitrary creation of liquid crystal (LC) defects can be highly useful, in particular, for the creation of optical vortex. We report a novel method to create an isolated and stable +1 type concentric LC defect by combing an external pressure on a vertically aligned liquid crystal cell (VALC) and the application of electric fields. The method does not require special material in alignment layer, nor patterned electrodes such as in spatial light modulator, but it can produce stable and rewritable defects in a LC cell. We show that the created +1 defect can be used to generate optical vortices with ±2ℏ orbital angular momentum. The simple and cost-effective process and its tunability for the position of defect make the method useful in various applications such as advanced optical communication and quantum computation using tunable optical vortices.
The pascal gets a quantum-based makeover
Authors: Agner Mary Alexandra
Published: June 2018

Recent initiatives at the National Institute of Standards and Technology redefine the pascal unit of pressure in terms of quantum properties.
A Novel Composite Li3V2(PO4)3∥Li2NaV2(PO4)3/C as Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Lingfang , Fan Changling , Yang Jiaxing
Published: June 2018

A novel composite cathode for lithium ion batteries, Li3V2(PO4)3‖Li2NaV2(PO4)3/C, was synthesized by a sol-gel method. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was used as a surfactant while polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) was the carbon source. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman results showed that the components of this composite are monoclinic Li3V2(PO4)3, rhombohedral Li2NaV2(PO4)3 and an amorphous carbon-coating. Four potential plateaus occur at the charge/discharge curves and the longest plateau is observed at a potential of 3.8/3.7 V. Therefore, the alkali metal ion intercalation and deintercalation mostly occur at this potential, which is different to that observed for Li3V2(PO4)3. In addition to the stable working potential, this composite also possesses an outstanding electrochemical performance. The sample containing 8.32 % carbon content delivers a capacity of 119 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C rate and 87 mAh g−1 at 12 C. After 50 charge/discharge cycles at 1 C, a coulombic efficiency of 98.4 % is maintained. This enhancement of the electrochemical performance could be attributed to the synergistic effect between monoclinic Li3V2(PO4)3 and rhombohedral Li2NaV2(PO4)3.
Transfer of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), decabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-209) and Dechlorane Plus (DP) from biosolid-amended soils to leachate and runoff water
Authors: Navarro Irene , de la Torre Adrián , Sanz Paloma , Porcel Miguel Ángel , Carbonell Gregoria , Martínez María de los Ángeles
Published: June 2018

Environmental contextThe potential of pollutants to migrate from biosolids must be considered when assessing the environmental risk associated with the application of biosolids in agriculture. We conducted semi-field tests simulating natural conditions to determine the leaching and runoff capacity of emerging organic contaminants following fortification and application of municipal biosolids. We demonstrate the transfer of pollutants from biosolid-amended soil to leachate and runoff water generated by natural rainfall.
AbstractAnthropogenic perfluoroalkyl substances, PFASs, and halogenated flame retardants, HFRs, have been detected in different environmental compartments. In order to determine the fate of these compounds in the soil–water system, a semi-field simulated runoff experiment was conducted following the application of municipal organic waste. Therefore, the application of four biosolids was carried out. The biosolids were fortified with perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS; ~1 mg PFOS per kg biosolid), decabromodiphenyl ether (c-decaBDE; ~10 mg kg−1) and Dechlorane Plus (DP; ~0.26 mg kg−1) commercial mixtures and were applied to soil packed in 15 runoff-leaching trays (2.5 × 2 × 0.05 m). These trays were designed to collect the leachate and runoff water generated by natural rainfall. PFASs and HFRs were detected in leachate and runoff water from several rainfall events from November 2011 to May 2012 (a first rainfall event of 10.5 × 10−3 m, a second event of 16.0 × 10−3 m and a third pool event with a cumulative amount of 113.1 × 10−3 m) occurring after the initial biosolid application. The total mass distribution calculated in water samples showed a higher content in runoff samples (PFOS, 91 ± 2 %; BDE-209, 76 ± 17 %; DP, 83 ± 14 %). The order of the loamy sand soil affinity for PFOS, BDE-209 and DP was as follows: PFOS < BDE-209 ≤ DP, which was predicted, either from the compounds’ water solubility, the octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) or the organic carbon-water partition coefficient (Koc). The calculated leaching potential (Lp) index or the Groundwater Ubiquity Score (GUS), which are based on these Kocs, revealed the reverse order of potential transport to surface and groundwater respectively.
Identifying individual cougars (Puma concolor) in remote camera images – implications for population estimates
Authors: Alexander Peter D. , Gese Eric M.
Published: June 2018

Context
Several studies have estimated cougar (Puma concolor) abundance using remote camera trapping in conjunction with capture–mark–recapture (CMR) type analyses. However, this methodology (photo-CMR) requires that photo-captured individuals are individually recognisable (photo identification). Photo identification is generally achieved using naturally occurring marks (e.g. stripes or spots) that are unique to each individual. Cougars, however, are uniformly pelaged, and photo identification must be based on subtler attributes such as scars, ear nicks or body morphology. There is some debate as to whether these types of features are sufficient for photo-CMR, but there is little research directly evaluating its feasibility with cougars.

Aim
We aimed to examine researchers’ ability to reliably identify individual cougars in photographs taken from a camera-trapping survey, in order to evaluate the appropriateness of photo-CMR for estimating cougar abundance or CMR-derived parameters.

Methods
We collected cougar photo detections using a grid of 55 remote camera traps in north-west Wyoming, USA. The photo detections were distributed to professional biologists working in cougar research, who independently attempted to identify individuals in a pairwise matching process. We assessed the level to which their results agreed, using simple percentage agreement and Fleiss’s kappa. We also generated and compared spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) density estimates using their resultant detection histories.

Key results
There were no cases where participants were in full agreement on a cougar’s ID. Agreement in photo identification among participants was low (n = 7; simple agreement = 46.7%; Fleiss’s kappa = 0.183). The resultant SECR density estimates ranged from 0.7 to 13.5 cougars per 100 km2 (n = 4; s.d. = 6.11).

Conclusion
We were unable to produce reliable estimates of cougar density using photo-CMR, due to our inability to accurately photo-tag detected individuals. Abundance estimators that do not require complete photo-tagging (i.e. mark–resight) were also infeasible, given the lack of agreement on any single cougar’s ID.

Implications
This research suggested that there are substantial problems with the application of photo-CMR to estimate the size of cougar populations. Although improvements in camera technology or field methods may resolve these issues, researchers attempting to use this method on cougars should be cautious.
Two Short Essays by Árni Magnússon on the Origins of the Icelandic Language
Authors: Verri Giovanni , Tarsi Matteo
Published: June 2018

This article presents two essays by the renowned Icelandic manuscript collector Árni Magnússon (1663‒1730): De gothicæ lingvæ nomine [On the expression ‘the Gothic language’] and Annotationes aliqvot de lingvis et migrationibus gentium septentrionalium [Some notes on the languages and migrations of the northern peoples]. The two essays are here edited and published in their original language, Latin. Moreover, an English translation is also presented for ease of access. After a short introduction (§ 1), a historical overview of the academic strife between Denmark and Sweden is given (§ 2). Subsequently (§ 3), Árni Magnússon’s life and work are presented. In the following Section (§ 4), the manuscript containing the two essays, AM 436 4to, is described. The two essays are then edited and translated in Section 5. In the last Section (§ 6), the two works are commented and Árni Magnússon’s scholarly thought evaluated.
5. The past is in the present
Authors: Rush James R.
Published: June 2018

What remains today of Southeast Asia’s former kingdoms and colonies and its first-draft nations? “The past is in the present” suggests the answer is quite a lot. The extraordinary heterogeneity of Southeast Asia has not changed. Beneath the skin of the region’s national identities, thousands of separate ethnicities and languages and dialects remain, playing a role in local power struggles and sometimes in national ones. The impressive survival of the new states since independence, and their formal incorporation into a web of international organizations, suggest that Southeast Asia’s nations are here to stay. And yet, Southeast Asia remains rife with conflict. Often, the sleeping mandalas provide an explanation.
2. The history of prehistory
Authors: Gosden Chris
Published: June 2018

‘The history of prehistory’ explains how the idea of prehistory arose gradually between the 16th and early 19th centuries in Europe and America, growing large and influential through debates about evolution in the mid-19th century. National and personal identities were problematical, but deeper issues of identity surfaced through 19th-century debates that have never gone away. At the beginning of the 20th century, an alternative set of views emphasized the local specificity and integrity of human cultures. Today, our questions have shifted away from why some people did not ascend to the top rung of the ladder of progress and towards how people created worlds for themselves that made internal sense.
7. Final thoughts
Authors: Gosden Chris
Published: June 2018

Rethinking our deep past is underway. An older scheme emphasizing progress has been challenged by both empirical evidence and new thoughts on what it means to be human. Prehistory as progress saw humans as attempting to exert control over the world and increasing their ability to do so. ‘Final thoughts’ suggests many now reject the notion of progress and the assumption behind it of increasing rational human control. Rather, people are seen as part of the world, enmeshed in a great network of relations needed to sustain life, which unfolds through working as much with other entities as against them. Areas for new research and thought are identified and discussed.
SOPanG: online text searching over a pan-genome
Authors: Cisłak Aleksander , Grabowski Szymon , Holub Jan
Published: June 2018

Motivation

The many thousands of high-quality genomes available now-a-days imply a shift from single genome to pan-genomic analyses. A basic algorithmic building brick for such a scenario is online search over a collection of similar texts, a problem with surprisingly few solutions presented so far.

Results

We present SOPanG, a simple tool for exact pattern matching over an elastic-degenerate string, a recently proposed simplified model for the pan-genome. Thanks to bit-parallelism, it achieves pattern matching speeds above 400 MB/s, more than an order of magnitude higher than of other software.

Availability and implementation

SOPanG is available for free from: https://github.com/MrAlexSee/sopang.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Empirical Bayes shrinkage and false discovery rate estimation, allowing for unwanted variation
Authors: Gerard David , Stephens Matthew
Published: June 2018

We combine two important ideas in the analysis of large-scale genomics experiments (e.g. experiments that aim to identify genes that are differentially expressed between two conditions). The first is use of Empirical Bayes (EB) methods to handle the large number of potentially-sparse effects, and estimate false discovery rates and related quantities. The second is use of factor analysis methods to deal with sources of unwanted variation such as batch effects and unmeasured confounders. We describe a simple modular fitting procedure that combines key ideas from both these lines of research. This yields new, powerful EB methods for analyzing genomics experiments that account for both sparse effects and unwanted variation. In realistic simulations, these new methods provide significant gains in power and calibration over competing methods. In real data analysis, we find that different methods, while often conceptually similar, can vary widely in their assessments of statistical significance. This highlights the need for care in both choice of methods and interpretation of results.
Gravitational waves from ultra-short period exoplanets
Authors: Cunha J V , Silva F E , Lima J A S
Published: June 2018

In the last two decades, thousands of extrasolar planets were discovered based on different observational techniques, and their number must increase substantially in virtue of the ongoing and near-future approved missions and facilities. It is shown that interesting signatures of binary systems from nearby exoplanets and their parent stars can also be obtained measuring the pattern of gravitational waves (GWs) that will be made available by the new generation of detectors including the space-based LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) observatory. As an example, a subset of exoplanets with extremely short periods (less than 80 min) is discussed. All of them have gravitational luminosity, LGW ∼ 1030 erg s−1, strain h ∼ 10−22, frequencies fGW > 10−4 Hz, and, as such, are within the standard sensitivity curve of LISA. Our analysis suggests that the emitted GW pattern may also provide an efficient tool to discover ultra-short period exoplanets.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy
Authors: Keller Sara C , Williams Deborah , Levering Mayo , Cosgrove Sara E
Published: June 2018

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has not been well characterized in the United States. In an OPAT cohort, the short-form-12’s median physical component score and mental component score were 40.3 and 54.4, respectively. HRQoL measures could be helpful in studies of OPAT cost-effectiveness.
Deficient neurotrophic factors of CSPG4‐type neural cell exosomes in Alzheimer disease
Authors: Goetzl Edward J. , Nogueras-Ortiz Carlos , Mustapic Maja , Mullins Roger J. , Abner Erin L. , Schwartz Janice B. , Kapogiannis Dimitrios
Published: June 2018

Exosomes derived from chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) 4 type neural precursor cells (CSPG4Es) were purified from human plasma by sequential immunoabsorption with anti‐CSPG4 and anti‐platelet growth factor receptor α mAb to characterize the potential in vivo roles of CSPG4 cells in neuronal repair. Hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs)‐2 and ‐13, and type 1 insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1), which enhance neuronal survival and functions, were quantified in CSPG4E extracts. For CSPG4Es of 24 healthy control subjects, mean levels of hepatocyte growth factor, FGF‐13, and IGF‐1, but not FGF‐2, were significantly higher by up to 7‐fold than in their neuronal‐derived exosomes, and mean levels of all 4 growth factors were significantly higher by up to 8‐fold than in their astrocyte‐derived exosomes. Mean CSPG4E levels of all growth factors were significantly lower in patients with mild Alzheimer disease (AD) (n = 24) than in age‐ and sex‐matched cognitively normal control subjects (n = 24). Mean CSPG4E levels of all growth factors were also significantly lower in 15 patients at the stage of moderate dementia from AD (AD2) and at their preclinical stage 3 to 8 yr earlier (AD1), with no differences between values at stages AD1 and AD2. Current findings suggest that CSPG4 cells export in exosomes higher levels of neurotrophic factors than neurons or astrocytes and that CSPG4E neurotrophic factors are diminished early in AD, with no significant progression of decreases later in the course.—Goetzl, E. J., Nogueras‐Ortiz, C., Mustapic, M., Mullins, R. J., Abner, E. L., Schwartz, J. B., Kapogiannis, D. Deficient neurotrophic factors of CSPG4‐type neural cell exosomes in Alzheimer disease. FASEB J. 33, 231–238 (2019). www.fasebj.org
Ten-year Follow-up After Treating Extended Burn Scar Contracture with an Autologous Cultured Dermal Substitute
Authors: Nuri Takashi , Ueda Koichi , Fujimori Yasushi
Published: June 2018

This is the first case report of long-term follow-up after applying the autologous cultured dermal substitute to establish the wound bed before split skin graft. The results suggest that application of autologous cultured cultured dermal substitute contributes to establish the high-quality wound bed for skin graft. Split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) are the gold standard for the treatment of burn scar contracture. Young patients in particular may require additional skin grafts as they grow, and donor site for skin grafts may be limited. We applied autologous cultured dermal substitutes (CDSs) that are expected to establish a high-quality wound bed to allow thin STSGs. This is the first report of follow-up after application of autologous CDS combined with thin STSG. A male neonate suffered third-degree burns (20% of the total body surface area) on the back. After 2 years, scar contracture of the gluteal regions were released and autologous CDS were applied. Five days after the treatment, a super thin (4–6/1,000 per inch) skin grafting was performed. After 3 years, scar contracture of the back was released and autologous CDS was applied for 2 weeks. Then a split-thick graft was harvested from the same donor site. Ten years after the last operation, the width of the skin graft on his back has extended from 5–8 cm. The contour of the grafted skin is soft, smooth, and can be pinched. This long-term result shows the autologous CDS can be expected to establish the high-quality wound bed that allows thin STSG.
Femoral Osteonecrosis after Medial Femoral Condyle Bone Graft Harvest
Authors: Boretto Jorge G. , Altube Gonzalo , Gallucci Gerardo L. , Narvaez Hector R. , De Carli Pablo
Published: June 2018

The medial femoral condyle vascularized graft has become a useful resource in reconstructive microsurgery due to the rate of bony union, and the low rate of complication. We report osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle in a 65-year-old woman after harvesting a corticocancellous medial femoral condyle graft to treat a tarsometatarsal nonunion. We were not able to define whether a vascular or mechanical disorder could be the ultimate cause. However, because of the severity of the complication, we suggest informing patients who will undergo a medial femoral condyle flap about this infrequent complication.
Reconstruction of the Lacrimal Excretory System in the Medial Canthal Region
Authors: Maeda Shusaku , Motomura Hisashi , Hatano Takaharu , Deguchi Ayaka
Published: June 2018

The resection of malignant tumors in medial canthal region may lead to full-thickness defects including medial canthal ligament and lacrimal duct. There had been reports on various reconstructive methods, but none of those methods succeeded in lacrimal reconstruction with functional lacrimal excretory system. We experienced a case of conjunctival malignant melanoma at the lacrimal caruncle and performed new method of the reconstruction for full-thickness defects of the medial canthal region with the maintenance of the lacrimal drainage function.
Development of a Reference Model for Keratoconus Progression Prediction Based on Characterization of the Course of Nonsurgically Treated Cases
Authors: Martínez-Abad Antonio , Piñero David P. , Chorro Elizabeth , Bataille Laurent , Alió Jorge L.
Published: June 2018

Purpose:

To evaluate and characterize long-term clinical changes in keratoconus cases not requiring surgical treatment because of the absence of clinically significant visual degradation and to design a predictive model for the progression rate.

Methods:

This retrospective longitudinal study enrolled 68 nonsurgically treated keratoconic eyes of 46 patients (age range, 18–66 years), with a follow-up period of 6 years ± 12 months. Visual, refractive, topographic, and aberrometric changes were evaluated, detecting the abnormal levels of longitudinal changes in each clinical variable analyzed (percentiles 10% or 90%). Subsequently, the eyes were stratified into progression and no-progression groups based on the different variables evaluated, analyzing baseline differences between them. A progression index (PI%) was defined, and its relationship with baseline data was modeled using multiple linear regression analysis.

Results:

Significant differences were detected in more quantity of baseline parameters between progression and no-progression groups for changes in sphere, spherical-like and coma-like root mean square, central mean keratometry (KM3mm), corneal asphericity (Q80mm), and central astigmatism (Ast3mm). The progression index (PI%) was defined using these variables, obtaining a mean value of 24.39 ± 51.09% and a median of 1.85%. This parameter was significantly related to the baseline sphere, K23 mm (steepest central keratometry), and Q80 mm (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.429).

Conclusions:

More pronounced progression seems to be present in myopic eyes with central localized steepening but normal mid-periphery flattening. A new index has been defined to characterize and predict the level of progression in nonsurgically treated keratoconus in a medium–long term.
9th World Congress on Itch report
Authors: Sanders Kristen M. , Nattkemper Leigh A.
Published: June 2018

The 9th World Congress on Itch, the biennial meeting of the International Forum for the Study of Itch, was held on October 15–17, 2017, in Wroclaw, Poland. The meeting was hosted by Jacek C. Szepietowski and attended by 303 basic researchers, clinicians, and others interested in the science and treatment of itch, making it the best-attended World Congress on Itch yet. Over the 3 days of the conference, there were 86 oral presentations and 80 posters. The meeting program, abstracts, and other information about the congress are available at http://itch2017.syskonf.pl/.
The Perceived Facilitators and Challenges of Translating a Lung Cancer Palliative Care Intervention Into Community-Based Settings
Authors: Siler Shaunna , Mamier Iris , Winslow Betty
Published: June 2018

Despite significant progress in implementing palliative care interventions for patients with cancer, few intervention studies seek health care clinicians’ input before implementation of these into the community. The purpose of this study was to explore palliative care and oncology clinicians’ perspectives on the perceived facilitators and challenges in meeting the quality-of-life needs of patients with lung cancer and family caregivers in community-based settings. The Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance model for implementation research was used as a framework. This was a multisite qualitative study using focus group and key informant interviews. Nineteen clinicians addressed useful practices and challenges in the following areas: (a) early palliative care, (b) interdisciplinary care planning, (c) symptom management, (d) addressing psychological and social needs, and (e) providing culturally respectful care, including spiritual care. In preparation for the intervention, specific education needs and organizational challenges were revealed. Challenges included timing and staffing constraints, the need for clinician education on palliative care services to increase organizational buy-in, and education in providing spiritual support for patients and family caregivers. This research allowed investigators to understand perceptions of clinicians as they prepared to integrate palliative care in their settings. Hospice and palliative care nurses can be instrumental in implementing palliative care into community practice.
Comparison of Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality in Classic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Events Using Video Review*
Authors: Taeb Mahsheed , Levin Amanda B. , Spaeder Michael C. , Schwartz Jamie M.
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

To assess differences in cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality in classic cardiopulmonary resuscitation versus extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation events using video recordings of actual pediatric cardiac arrest events.

Design:

Single-center, prospective, observational trial.

Setting:

Tertiary-care pediatric teaching hospital, cardiac ICU.

Patients:

All patients admitted to the pediatric cardiac ICU with cardiopulmonary resuscitation events lasting greater than 2 minutes captured on video.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Seventeen events comprising 264.5 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation were included: 11 classic cardiopulmonary resuscitation events (87.5 min) and six extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation events (177 min). Events were divided into 30-second epochs, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality markers were assessed using video and telemetry data review of goal endpoints: end-tidal carbon dioxide greater than or equal to 15 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 30 mm Hg, chest compression fraction greater than 80% per epoch, and chest compression rate between 100 and 120 chest compression per minute. Additionally, each chest compression pause (hands-off event) was recorded and timed. When compared with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, classic cardiopulmonary resuscitation epochs were more likely to have end-tidal carbon dioxide greater than or equal to 15 mm Hg (56% vs 6.2%; p = 0.01) and provide chest compression between 100 and 120 times per minute (112 vs 134 chest compression per minute; p < 0.001). No difference was found between classic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in compliance with diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 30 mm Hg (38% classic cardiopulmonary resuscitation vs 30% extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation). There were 135 hands-off events: 52 in classic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and 83 in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p = 0.12).

Conclusions:

Classic cardiopulmonary resuscitation had superior adherence to end-tidal carbon dioxide goals and chest compression rate guidelines than extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Effects of Suit-Orthosis on Postural Adjustments During Seated Reaching Task in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Pavão Sílvia Leticia , Visicato Livia Pessarelli , da Costa Carolina Souza Neves , de Campos Ana Carolina , Rocha Nelci Adriana C. F.
Published: June 2018

Aim:

To investigate suit-orthosis effects on postural sway during anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments (APA and CPA, respectively) in a seated reaching task performed by children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods:

Twenty-nine children were divided according to Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) I and II-III. Participants were instructed to reach forward toward an object both in a no-suit condition and in a suit-orthosis condition.

Results:

Using the suit-orthosis, children at MACS II-III decreased velocity of center-of-pressure (CoP) sway during APA, whereas children at MACS I increased the anterior-posterior CoP displacement during CPA.

Conclusion:

Suit-orthosis improved postural stability in children at MACS II-III during APA. The suit may assist with arm function control during postural sway when preparing to reach for objects.

Clinical Implications:

Suit-orthoses in therapy should be individually prescribed considering the intended activity and person's motor impairment.
A Decade's Experience: A Sound Framework as the Foundation to Nasal Reconstruction
Authors: Lu Xiaona , Wang Huan , You Jianjun , Zhang Bo , Xu Yihao , Zheng Ruobing , Tian Le , Fan Fei
Published: June 2018

The goal of nasal reconstruction surgery is to restore normal nasal shape and function, and its success begins with creating a stable framework. In this article the authors discuss the most advantageous materials for building such a framework and how to design this element to achieve better and more durable outcomes. This is a retrospective study including patients who underwent nasal reconstruction in our rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction center at a tertiary referral hospital between 2006 and 2016. Data included patient characteristics, defect location, the reason for defect, use of supporting structure, flap, lining, and complications were recorded. The minimum postoperative follow-up was at least 6 months after the last operation. This study included 455 patients. Nasal defects treated most commonly involved zone 2 and an average defect of 4.2 subunits. Expanded forehead flap for cover with costal cartilage as a framework and turn-over flap combined with distal end of the flap for lining was the most common reconstruction method used in this study. The complication rate was 4.39% and nearly half of these complications were related to usage of an expander during reconstruction. Regardless of flap used, the supporting structure was the most critical element for the 3-dimensional shape of the reconstructed nose. As 1 of the 3 elements of nasal reconstruction, framework deserves adequate attention during such reconstruction.