bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Mills Jonathan , Elwood Peter
Published: September 2017

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective, if somewhat controversial, treatment for a number of psychiatric disorders, particularly depression. Although use has declined, this is not due to lack of evidence to support the use of ECT, but because other treatments for psychiatric disorders, not always grounded in evidence, are being chosen. GPs are likely to have patients who have received ECT, or for whom ECT may well be considered following a referral to secondary care. This article considers the origins of ECT, the indications for use and side effects.
Editor’s Choice- Heparin pre-treatment in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and the risk of intracoronary thrombus and total vessel occlusion. Insights from the TASTE trial
Authors: Karlsson Sofia , Andell Pontus , Mohammad Moman A , Koul Sasha , Olivecrona Göran K , James Stefan K , Fröbert Ole , Erlinge David
Published: September 2017

Background:

Pre-treatment with unfractionated heparin is common in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) protocols, but the effect on intracoronary thrombus burden is unknown. We studied the effect of heparin pre-treatment on intracoronary thrombus burden and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow prior to percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI.

Methods:

The Thrombus Aspiration in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Scandinavia (TASTE) trial angiographically assessed intracoronary thrombus burden and TIMI flow, prior to percutaneous coronary intervention, in patients with STEMI. In this observational sub-study, patients pre-treated with heparin were compared with patients not pre-treated with heparin. Primary end points were a visible intracoronary thrombus and total vessel occlusion prior to percutaneous coronary intervention. Secondary end points were in-hospital bleeding, in-hospital stroke and 30-day all-cause mortality.

Results:

Heparin pre-treatment was administered in 2898 out of 7144 patients (41.0%). Patients pre-treated with heparin less often presented with an intracoronary thrombus (61.3% vs. 66.0%, p<0.001) and total vessel occlusion (62.9% vs. 71.6%, p<0.001). After adjustments, heparin pre-treatment was independently associated with a reduced risk of intracoronary thrombus (odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.65–0.83) and total vessel occlusion (OR 0.64, 95% CI=0.56–0.73), prior to percutaneous coronary intervention. There were no significant differences in secondary end points of in-hospital bleeding (OR 0.84, 95% CI=0.55–1.27), in-hospital stroke (OR 1.17, 95% CI=0.48–2.82) or 30-day all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.88, 95% CI=0.60–1.30).

Conclusions:

Heparin pre-treatment was independently associated with a lower risk of intracoronary thrombus and total vessel occlusion before percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI, without evident safety concerns, in this large multi-centre observational study.
Pornography Use and Depressive Symptoms: Examining the Role of Moral Incongruence
Authors: Perry Samuel L.
Published: September 2017

While studies have consistently observed an association between pornography use and depressive symptoms, data limitations have precluded understanding the nature of this relationship. Drawing on data from a representative panel study of American adults and building on insights from stress process theory, this article demonstrates that the connection between pornography use and depressive symptoms hinges on the (1) (in)congruence between Americans’ moral beliefs about pornography and their viewing practices and (2) gender. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses reveal that American men (not women) who believe viewing pornography is always immoral but watch it anyway are more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to others who do not report this incongruence. Results also suggest the connection between viewing pornography and depressive symptoms is bidirectional, contingent on men’s moral evaluation of its use. For male porn users who morally reject it, pornography use predicts depressive symptoms at low frequencies, likely stemming from cognitive stress or dissonance. For those who do not morally reject porn, however, only viewing it at the highest frequencies is associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, which suggests reverse causation—depressed men likely view higher levels of pornography as a coping aid, especially when they do not view it as immoral.
Lumbar Selective Nerve Root Block: Comparative Study Using Two Pharmacological Formulae
Authors: Guyot Juan Pablo
Published: September 2017

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives:

The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 different pharmacological formulae in selective nerve root injections.

Methods:

We studied a series of 298 patients who received a selective nerve root injection and made a comparative study dividing them into 2 groups according to the drugs used. In group A, we used betamethasone 6 mg and lidocaine, while in group B, triamcinolone 60 mg and bupivacaine were used for the procedure. We evaluated the patients for a period of at least 8 months, assuming the need for surgical therapy as the failure of the procedure.

Results:

Both groups had 149 patients with similar etiological characteristics. Forty-seven patients (16%) required surgery to relieve pain with a similar distribution between groups (24 from group A and 23 from group B). Time between nerve root injection and surgery was 86.79 (14-360) days on average in group A and 75.76 (2-180) days in group B with no statistical difference ( P = .67). Only one complication was documented, an anaphylactic shock in a patient in group B.

Conclusions:

Based on these results, we found no difference in the type of steroid or local anesthetic used for selective nerve root injections.
Arthroscopy-assisted versus standard intramedullary nail fixation in diaphyseal fractures of the humerus
Authors: Dedeoğlu Süleyman Semih , İmren Yunus , Çabuk Haluk , Tekin Ali Çağrı , Kır Mustafa Çağlar , Gürbüz Hakan
Published: September 2017

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to assess applicability of arthroscopic technique in intramedullary nail fixation of humerus shaft fractures and to compare with conventional nailing in terms of its effects on perioperative and postoperative intra-articular complication rates as well as on clinical and functional outcomes.

Methods:

This prospective randomized controlled clinical trial included 40 patients (12 females and 28 males) indicated for surgery between either undergo arthroscopy-assisted (Arthroscopy-assisted intramedullary nailing [AIMN]; n = 20) or conventional (Intramedullary nailing [IMN]; n = 20) anterograde intramedullary nailing. Two groups were compared in terms of mean number of fluoroscopic shootings until the guide wire was inserted, time for union, length of hospital stay, and complication rates. Shoulder functions were assessed by Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score.

Results:

Groups did not significantly differ in terms of age, gender, and mechanism of injury, length of hospital stay, union rate, and mean union time ( p > 0.05). Mean ASES and Constant scores were found to be statistically significantly higher in AIMN group than that in IMN group ( p = 0.000 and p = 0.002, respectively). Mean number of fluoroscopic shootings until the guide wire was inserted was 2.15 in AIMN group, which was significantly lower compared to 4.2 of IMN group ( p = 0.000).

Conclusions:

Arthroscopy-assisted technique may be an applicable and safe method owing to its cosmetic advantages and more satisfactory postoperative shoulder functions subsequent to less injury to deltoid, rotator cuff, and other soft tissue, as compared to conventional anterograde approach.
Efficient use of a limited resource: A comparison of femoral head allograft preparation methods
Authors: Marshall Timothy , Chow Jason , Sivakumar Brahman , Ahmed Nushin , Smith Paul
Published: September 2017

Purpose:

The purpose of the study was to compare the yield and compressed volume of femoral head allograft prepared by either hand morselization or a bone mill.

Methods:

Twenty human femoral head allografts were donated from a bone bank and morselized by two different methods. The heads were divided in half and split into two sample groups. One group underwent hand morselization with large bone nibblers, while the other was prepared using a bone mill. The volume of graft produced was measured. Ten-gram aliquots of each sample then underwent 30 impactions in a contained cavity, with the volume of graft compression measured.

Results:

Bone milling yielded approximately 31% more usable graft than hand morselization (81% to 50%; p = 0.0001). There was no difference between the compressed volume of graft prepared by either method ( p = 0.14).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the efficacy of preparation of allograft with a bone mill and assists the clinician in determining the yield of graft by the weight of femoral head, thereby potentially minimizing excessive ordering and wastage.
The Latarjet Procedure at the National Football League Scouting Combine: An Imaging and Performance Analysis
Authors: LeBus George F. , Chahla Jorge , Sanchez George , Akamefula Ramesses , Moatshe Gilbert , Phocas Alexandra , Price Mark D. , Whalen James M. , LaPrade Robert F. , Provencher Matthew T.
Published: September 2017

Background:

The Latarjet procedure is commonly performed in the setting of glenoid bone loss for treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder instability; however, little is known regarding the outcomes of this procedure in elite American football players.

Purpose:

(1) Determine the prevalence, clinical features, and imaging findings of elite college football athletes who present to the National Football League (NFL) Combine with a previous Latarjet procedure and (2) describe these athletes’ performance in the NFL in terms of draft status and initial playing time.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

After review of all football players who participated in the NFL Combine from 2009 to 2016, any player with a previous Latarjet procedure was included in this study. Medical records, position on the field, and draft position were recorded for each player. In addition, imaging studies were reviewed to determine fixation type, hardware complications, and status of the bone block. For those players who were ultimately drafted, performance was assessed based on games played and started, total snaps, and percentage of eligible snaps in which the player participated during his rookie season.

Results:

Overall, 13 of 2617 (<1%) players at the combine were identified with a previous Latarjet procedure. Radiographically, 8 of 13 (61%) showed 2-screw fixation, while 5 of 13 (39%) had 1 screw. Of the 13 players, 6 (46%) players demonstrated hardware complications. All players had evidence of degenerative changes on plain radiographs, with 10 (77%) graded as mild, 1 (8%) as moderate, and 2 (15%) as severe according to the Samilson Prieto classification. Six of the 13 (46%) players went undrafted, while the remaining 7 (54%) were drafted; however, no player participated in more than half of the plays for which he was eligible during his rookie season.

Conclusion:

Only a small percentage of players at the NFL Combine (<1%) had undergone a Latarjet procedure. High rates of postoperative complications and radiographically confirmed degenerative change were observed. Athletes who had undergone a Latarjet procedure demonstrated a variable amount of playing time, but none participated in more than half of their eligible plays during their rookie season.
Official ERS/ATS clinical practice guidelines: noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure
Authors: Rochwerg Bram , Brochard Laurent , Elliott Mark W. , Hess Dean , Hill Nicholas S. , Nava Stefano , Navalesi Paolo , Antonelli Massimo , Brozek Jan , Conti Giorgio , Ferrer Miquel , Guntupalli Kalpalatha , Jaber Samir , Keenan Sean , Mancebo Jordi , Mehta Sangeeta , Raoof Suhail
Published: September 2017

Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) is widely used in the acute care setting for acute respiratory failure (ARF) across a variety of aetiologies. This document provides European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society recommendations for the clinical application of NIV based on the most current literature.

The guideline committee was composed of clinicians, methodologists and experts in the field of NIV. The committee developed recommendations based on the GRADE (Grading, Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology for each actionable question. The GRADE Evidence to Decision framework in the guideline development tool was used to generate recommendations. A number of topics were addressed using technical summaries without recommendations and these are discussed in the supplementary material.

This guideline committee developed recommendations for 11 actionable questions in a PICO (population–intervention–comparison–outcome) format, all addressing the use of NIV for various aetiologies of ARF. The specific conditions where recommendations were made include exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiogenic pulmonary oedema,de novohypoxaemic respiratory failure, immunocompromised patients, chest trauma, palliation, post-operative care, weaning and post-extubation.

This document summarises the current state of knowledge regarding the role of NIV in ARF. Evidence-based recommendations provide guidance to relevant stakeholders.
Schizophrenia is not a kind of PTSD
Authors: Matthews Paul R. L.
Published: September 2017

Coughlan & Cannon's article provides a helpful review of the current state of evidence regarding the connection between childhood trauma and psychotic-like symptoms. This commentary focuses on the clinical implications by noting that much of the data comes from studies in non-patient populations and to some extent depends on the underlying assumption of the continuum model of psychosis. I reconsider the presented data focusing purely on clinical diagnoses of psychosis, and consider the implications of the association between trauma and psychosis by looking at the evidence base for specific trauma-focused therapies in psychosis.
Randomized Phase II Study of R-CHOP With or Without Bortezomib in Previously Untreated Patients With Non–Germinal Center B-Cell–Like Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Leonard John P. , Kolibaba Kathryn S. , Reeves James A. , Tulpule Anil , Flinn Ian W. , Kolevska Tatjana , Robles Robert , Flowers Christopher R. , Collins Robert , DiBella Nicholas J. , Papish Steven W. , Venugopal Parameswaran , Horodner Andrew , Tabatabai Amir , Hajdenberg Julio , Park Jaehong , Neuwirth Rachel , Mulligan George , Suryanarayan Kaveri , Esseltine Dixie-Lee , de Vos Sven
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of the addition of bortezomib to rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) on outcomes in previously untreated patients with non–germinal center B-cell–like (non-GCB) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Patients and Methods

After real-time determination of non-GCB DLBCL using the Hans immunohistochemistry algorithm, 206 patients were randomly assigned (1:1; stratified by International Prognostic Index [IPI] score) to six 21-day cycles of standard R-CHOP alone or R-CHOP plus bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2intravenously on days 1 and 4 (VR-CHOP). The primary end point, progression-free survival (PFS), was evaluated in 183 patients with centrally confirmed non-GCB DLBCL who received one or more doses of study drug (91 R-CHOP, 92 VR-CHOP).

Results

After a median follow-up of 34 months, with 25% (R-CHOP) and 18% (VR-CHOP) of patients having had PFS events, the hazard ratio (HR) for PFS was 0.73 (90% CI, 0.43 to 1.24) with VR-CHOP ( P = .611). Two-year PFS rates were 77.6% with R-CHOP and 82.0% with VR-CHOP; they were 65.1% versus 72.4% in patients with high-intermediate/high IPI (HR, 0.67; 90% CI, 0.34 to 1.29), and 90.0% versus 88.9% (HR, 0.85; 90% CI, 0.35 to 2.10) in patients with low/low-intermediate IPI. Overall response rate with R-CHOP and VR-CHOP was 98% and 96%, respectively. The overall survival HR was 0.75 (90% CI, 0.38 to 1.45); 2-year survival rates were 88.4% and 93.0%, respectively. In the safety population (100 R-CHOP and 101 VR-CHOP patients), grade ≥ 3 adverse events included neutropenia (53% v 49%), thrombocytopenia (13% v 29%), anemia (7% v 15%), leukopenia (26% v 25%), and neuropathy (1% v 5%).

Conclusion

Outcomes for newly diagnosed, prospectively enrolled patients with non-GCB DLBCL were more favorable than expected with R-CHOP and were not significantly improved by adding bortezomib.
Neurologic Injury With Severe Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Klinzing Stephanie , Wenger Urs , Stretti Federica , Steiger Peter , Rushing Elisabeth J. , Schwarz Urs , Maggiorini Marco
Published: September 2017

This retrospective single-center study investigated the incidence of neurologic injury as determined by autopsy or cerebral imaging in 74 patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Seventy-three percent of patients were treated with venovenous and 27% with venoarterial ECMO. ECMO-associated intracerebral hemorrhage was diagnosed in 10.8% of patients. There were no cases of ischemic stroke. Clinical characteristics did not differ between patients with and without neurologic injury. Six-month survival was 13% (Wilson confidence interval, 2%–47%) in patients with severe intracerebral hemorrhage compared to an overall survival rate of 57% (Wilson confidence interval, 45%–67%).
Introduction: Coherent Mixtures
Authors: Perl Jeffrey M. , Halevy Noa , Bruder Edith , Gilham Jamie
Published: September 2017

In his introduction to part 2 of the Common Knowledge symposium on xenophilia, the journal's editor tours the reader through two private apartments (T. S. Eliot's in London and the anthropologist Jeannette Mirsky's in Princeton) and through two public art collections (the Michael Rockefeller Wing of the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Ménil Collection in Houston) in an effort to establish that aesthetically coherent mixtures of apparently immiscible objects from widely divergent cultures are possible and also morally glamorous. Xenophobia at its least reprehensible, he argues, is a fear of ecumenism and its consequences, as well as a fear of one's own conversion — of “turning Turk.” Xenophilia at its most admirable is a pursuit of coherent mixtures where others cannot imagine their possibility. Bits lifted from reputedly pure and organic wholes may be transformed by means of overlap and mediated juxtaposition into a novel milieu that has a wholeness, authenticity, and charisma of its own. Such coherence depends on minds (a) that are capable of loving what does not satisfy their narcissism and (b) that can sense in the products of their own culture elements or signs of enervation, anomie, lack, derangement, waywardness, rigidity, preciousness, or warping. The author concludes that xenophilia neither signals nor facilitates the adulteration that xenophobes so fear.
How does oestradiol influence the AVT/IT system in female round gobies during different reproductive phases?
Authors: Kalamarz-Kubiak Hanna , Gozdowska Magdalena , Guellard Tatiana , Kulczykowska Ewa
Published: September 2017

In this in vitro gradient perfusion study, we determined whether there is a functional relationship between oestradiol and the arginine vasotocin/isotocin (AVT/IT) system in the female round goby (Neogobius melanostomus). Brain explants were perfused in medium supplemented with 17β-oestradiol (E2) at doses mimicking the plasma levels of this hormone in nature during the spawning-capable phase and regressing phase. We aimed to establish which pathway, genomic or non-genomic, is involved in this mechanism in different reproductive phases. For this purpose, brain explants were perfused in medium supplemented with Fulvestrant (ICI 182.780) or Actinomycin D (Act D) separately or in combination with E2. The contents of AVT and IT in the perfusion media were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence and UV detection. During the spawning-capable phase, the effect of E2 on AVT release is mediated through oestrogen receptors (ERs) via both genomic and non-genomic pathways, while IT release is mediated through ERs via a genomic pathway only. In the regressing phase, release of both nonapeptides is mediated through ERs via a genomic pathway. These are the first studies presenting a feasible mechanism of oestradiol action on the AVT/IT system in female fish during different phases of the reproductive cycle.
CLASP1 regulates endothelial cell branching morphology and directed migration
Authors: Myer Nicole M. , Myers Kenneth A.
Published: September 2017

Endothelial cell (EC) branching is critically dependent upon the dynamic nature of the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton. Extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanosensing is a prominent mechanism by which cytoskeletal reorganization is achieved; yet how ECM-induced signaling is able to target cytoskeletal reorganization intracellularly to facilitate productive EC branching morphogenesis is not known. Here, we set out to test the hypothesis that the composition and density of the ECM drive the regulation of MT growth dynamics in ECs by targeting the MT stabilizing protein, CLASP1. High-resolution fluorescent microscopy coupled with computational image analysis reveal that CLASP1 promotes slow MT growth on glass ECMs and promotes short-lived MT growth on high-density collagen-I and fibronectin ECMs. Within EC branches, engagement of either high-density collagen or high-density fibronectin ECMs results in reduced MT growth speeds, while CLASP1-dependent effects on MT dynamics promotes elevated numbers of short, branched protrusions that guide persistent and directional EC migration.
Notum coordinates synapse development via extracellular regulation of Wnt Wingless trans-synaptic signaling
Authors: Kopke Danielle L. , Lima Sofia C. , Alexandre Cyrille , Broadie Kendal
Published: September 2017

Synaptogenesis requires orchestrated communication between pre- and postsynaptic cells via coordinated trans-synaptic signaling across the extracellular synaptomatrix. The first discovered Wnt signaling ligand Drosophila Wingless (Wg; Wnt-1 in mammals) plays critical roles in synaptic development, regulating synapse architecture as well as functional differentiation. Here, we investigate synaptogenic functions of the secreted extracellular deacylase Notum, which restricts Wg signaling by cleaving an essential palmitoleate moiety. At the glutamatergic neuromuscular junction (NMJ) synapse, we find Notum secreted from the postsynaptic muscle acts to strongly modulate synapse growth, structural architecture, ultrastructural development and functional differentiation. In notum nulls, we find upregulated extracellular Wg ligand and nuclear trans-synaptic signal transduction, as well as downstream misregulation of both pre- and postsynaptic molecular assembly. Structural, functional and molecular synaptogenic defects are all phenocopied by Wg over-expression, suggesting Notum acts solely through inhibiting Wg trans-synaptic signaling. Moreover, these synaptic development phenotypes are suppressed by genetically correcting Wg levels in notum null mutants, indicating that Notum normally functions to coordinate synaptic structural and functional differentiation via negative regulation of Wg trans-synaptic signaling in the extracellular synaptomatrix.
Developing renal tubules orient cell division via Afadin to position the tubule lumen
Authors: Gao Lei , Yang Zhufeng , Hiremath Chitkale , Zimmerman Susan E. , Long Blake , Brakeman Paul R. , Mostov Keith E. , Bryant David M. , Luby-Phelps Katherine , Marciano Denise K.
Published: September 2017

In many types of tubules, continuity of the lumen is paramount to tubular function, yet how tubules generate lumen continuity in vivo is not known. We recently found the F-actin binding protein Afadin is required for lumen continuity in developing renal tubules, though its mechanism of action remains unknown. Here we demonstrate Afadin is required for lumen continuity by orienting the mitotic spindle during cell division. Using an in vitro 3D cyst model, we find Afadin localizes to the cell cortex adjacent to the spindle poles and orients the mitotic spindle. In tubules, cell division may be oriented relative to two axes, longitudinal and apical-basal. Unexpectedly, in vivo examination of early stage developing nephron tubules reveals cell division is not oriented in the longitudinal (or planar polarized) axis. However, cell division is oriented perpendicular to the apical-basal axis. Absence of Afadin in vivo leads to misorientation of apical-basal cell division in nephron tubules. Together these results support a model whereby Afadin determines lumen placement by directing apical-basal spindle orientation, which generates a continuous lumen and normal tubule morphogenesis.
Drosophila Atlastin in motor neurons is required for locomotion and presynaptic function
Authors: De Gregorio Cristian , Delgado Ricardo , Ibacache Andrés , Sierralta Jimena , Couve Andrés
Published: September 2017

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are characterized by spasticity and weakness of the lower limbs, resulting from length-dependent axonopathy of the corticospinal tracts. In humans, the HSP-related atlastin genes ATL1–ATL3 catalyze homotypic membrane fusion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tubules. How defects in neuronal Atlastin contribute to axonal degeneration has not been explained satisfactorily. Using Drosophila, we demonstrate that downregulation or overexpression of Atlastin in motor neurons results in decreased crawling speed and contraction frequency in larvae, while adult flies show progressive decline in climbing ability. Broad expression in the nervous system is required to rescue the atlastin-null Drosophila mutant (atl2) phenotype. Importantly, both spontaneous release and the reserve pool of synaptic vesicles are affected. Additionally, axonal secretory organelles are abnormally distributed, whereas presynaptic proteins diminish at terminals and accumulate in distal axons, possibly in lysosomes. Our findings suggest that trafficking defects produced by Atlastin dysfunction in motor neurons result in redistribution of presynaptic components and aberrant mobilization of synaptic vesicles, stressing the importance of ER-shaping proteins and the susceptibility of motor neurons to their mutations or depletion.
Early gametogenesis in the Pacific oyster: new insights using stem cell and mitotic markers
Authors: Cavelier Patricia , Cau Julien , Morin Nathalie , Delsert Claude
Published: September 2017

While our knowledge of bivalve gametogenesis recently progressed, more molecular markers are needed in order to develop tissue imaging. Here, we identified stem cell and mitotic markers to further characterize the oyster early gametogenesis, mainly through immunofluorescence microscopy.

Intense alkaline phosphatase activity, a nonspecific marker for stem cells, was detected on the outer edge of the gonad ducts at the post-spawning stage, suggesting the abundance of undifferentiated cells very early during the sexual cycle. This observation was confirmed using Sox2, a transcription factor specific for stem or germline cells, which decorated cells in the gonad duct inner mass and ciliated epithelium, early during the initial oyster sexual cycle. Moreover, Vasa, a cytoplasmic marker for germline cells was also detected in the gonad acini and duct cells, thus confirming that germline cells were already abundant early on.

In addition, the binding of the Minichromosome maintenance MCM6 protein to chromatin indicated the gonad acini and duct cells were engaged in cell cycle. DNA replication was indeed confirmed by an abundant in vivo incorporation of BrdU in the duct cell chromatin. Finally, proliferation of acini and duct cells was demonstrated by the chromatin-bound Ser10-phosphorylated histone H3, a mitotic marker.

The markers for cell cycle and mitosis used here thus indicate that acini and duct cells were already actively dividing early during the oyster sexual cycle. In addition, altogether with the stem cell markers, these data revealed that the epithelium delimiting the duct outer edge contains a dynamic population of undifferentiated cells.
Multiple miRNAs jointly regulate the biosynthesis of ecdysteroid in the holometabolous insects, Chilo suppressalis
Authors: He Kang , Sun Yang , Xiao Huamei , Ge Chang , Li Fei , Han Zhaojun
Published: September 2017

The accurate rise and fall of active hormones is important for insect development. The ecdysteroids must be cleared in a timely manner. However, the mechanism of suppressing the ecdysteroid biosynthesis at the right time remains unclear. Here, we sequenced a small RNA library of Chilo suppressalis and identified 300 miRNAs in this notorious rice insect pest. Microarray analysis yielded 54 differentially expressed miRNAs during metamorphosis development. Target prediction and in vitro dual-luciferase assays confirmed that seven miRNAs (two conserved and five novel miRNAs) jointly targeted three Halloween genes in the ecdysteroid biosynthesis pathway. Overexpression of these seven miRNAs reduced the titer of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), induced mortality, and retarded development, which could be rescued by treatment with 20E. Comparative analysis indicated that the miRNA regulation of metamorphosis development is a conserved process but that the miRNAs involved are highly divergent. In all, we present evidence that both conserved and lineage-specific miRNAs have crucial roles in regulating development in insects by controlling ecdysteroid biosynthesis, which is important for ensuring developmental convergence and evolutionary diversity.
Conservation of tRNA mimicry in the 5′-untranslated region of distinct HIV-1 subtypes
Authors: Comandur Roopa , Olson Erik D. , Musier-Forsyth Karin
Published: September 2017

Human tRNALys3 serves as the primer for reverse transcription in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and anneals to the complementary primer binding site (PBS) in the genome. All tRNALys isoacceptors interact with human lysyl-tRNA synthetase (hLysRS) and are selectively packaged into virions. tRNALys3 must be released from hLysRS in order to anneal to the PBS, and this process is proposed to be facilitated by the interaction of hLysRS with a tRNA-like element (TLE) first identified in the HIV-1 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of the subtype B NL4-3 virus. However, a significant subset of HIV-1 strains represented by the MAL isolate possess a different secondary structure in this region of the genome. Thus, to establish the conservation of this mechanism for primer targeting and release, we investigated the subtype A-like 5′-UTR of the MAL isolate. hLysRS bound to a 229-nt MAL RNA containing the PBS domain with high affinity (Kd = 47 nM), and to a 98-nt truncated construct with ∼10-fold reduced affinity. These results resemble previous studies using analogous NL4-3-derived RNAs. However, in contrast to studies with NL4-3, no binding was observed to smaller stem–loop elements within the MAL PBS domain. The tertiary structure of the 98-nt construct was analyzed using small-angle X-ray scattering, revealing remarkable global structural similarity to the corresponding NL4-3 PBS/TLE region. These results suggest that the tRNA-like structure within the 5′-UTR is conserved across distinct HIV-1 subtypes and that hLysRS recognition of the MAL isolate is likely not conferred by specific sequence elements but by 3D structure.
Origins and pathogenesis of Middle East respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus: recent advances
Authors: Goldstein Stephen A. , Weiss Susan R.
Published: September 2017

Middle East respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has been a significant research focus since its discovery in 2012. Since 2012, 2,040 cases and 712 deaths have been recorded (as of August 11, 2017), representing a strikingly high case fatality rate of 36%. Over the last several years, MERS-CoV research has progressed in several parallel and complementary directions. This review will focus on three particular areas: the origins and evolution of MERS-CoV, the challenges and achievements in the development of MERS-CoV animal models, and our understanding of how novel proteins unique to MERS-CoV counter the host immune response. The origins of MERS-CoV, likely in African bats, are increasingly clear, although important questions remain about the establishment of dromedary camels as a reservoir seeding human outbreaks. Likewise, there have been important advances in the development of animal models, and both non-human primate and mouse models that seem to recapitulate human disease are now available. How MERS-CoV evades and inhibits the host innate immune response remains less clear. Although several studies have identified MERS-CoV proteins as innate immune antagonists, little of this work has been conducted using live virus under conditions of actual infection, but rather with ectopically expressed proteins. Accordingly, considerable space remains for major contributions to understanding unique ways in which MERS-CoV interacts with and modulates the host response. Collectively, these areas have seen significant advances over the last several years but continue to offer exciting opportunities for discovery.
Nocturia: consequences, classification, and management
Authors: Fine Noam D. , Weiss Jeffrey P. , Wein Alan J.
Published: September 2017

Nocturia is a widespread condition that can negatively impact quality of sleep and overall health. This condition is multifactorial in nature and is best approached through the analysis of frequency volume charts. Through these charts, clinicians may classify each individual case of nocturia into one of four distinct categories: global polyuria, nocturnal polyuria, reduced bladder capacity, and mixed. Treatments should then be tailored to each individual based upon the category of their nocturia. In some cases, appropriate therapy will consist of behavioral modification techniques or addressing underlying systemic diseases. In other cases, medical therapy may be necessary, but, to date, medications have shown limited efficacy at treating nocturia.
What are community nurses experiences of assessing frailty and assisting in planning subsequent interventions?
Authors: Britton Hannah
Published: September 2017

With an ageing population and increasing focus on community care, this study aimed to explore the experiences of community nurses in assessing frailty and planning interventions around frailty. Six community nurses were recruited for face-to-face semi-structured interviews as part of this qualitative study which was underpinned by a competence framework ( Royal College of Nursing, 2009 ). Thematic analysis was used and frailty was identified as an emerging topic within practice. Participants discussed several aspects associated with frailty; however, some uncertainty around the concept of frailty and its definition was noted, particularly for staff who had received limited frailty training. Participants had a growing awareness of frailty in practice, but challenges—including time constraints and staffing within some roles, a perception of limited services to support older people, and for some a lack of confidence and training—presented barriers to frailty assessment. The Rockwood frailty scale was used by participants within practice, but evidence suggested it was felt to lack validity within the community setting.
How to prevent and avoid common mistakes in skin tear management in the home setting
Authors: Vanzi Valentina , Toma Elena
Published: September 2017

Skin tears are acute wounds, often mismanaged and misdiagnosed that can convert to chronic wounds, representing a common but relevant burden to both the individual and the health care system. The implementation of prevention protocols and training programs is essential to manage these wounds in the community. Managing a skin tear-related problem at home represents a challenge, due to some critical issues and specific conditions. A multifaceted prevention programme should consider the involvement of relatives, caregivers and personal care aides in order to promote patients' safety, to minimise the risk of trauma and to improve patients' outcomes following a skin injury.
Strategies for intracanal separated instrument removal: a review
Authors: Karimi Zakaria , Chala Sanaa , Sakout Majid , Abdallaoui Faiza
Published: September 2017

The successful removal of a separated instrument from the root canal depends on various factors. The location of the broken fragment must be determined because that is commonly the most important factor in determining successful retrieval of the fragment. A variety of different methods for removing obstructions have been described in the literature. However, guidelines for the removal of a separated instrument have not been established. This review aims to describe the methodological approaches to adopt for removing an intracanal separated instrument, depending on the clinical situation, both when the fragment extends into the pulp chamber and two-thirds of the way down the root canal.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This paper aims to describe the methodological approaches to adopt for removing an intracanal separated instrument, depending on the clinical situation.
Expanding Stakeholder Knowledge of the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule
Authors: Friedman Carli
Published: September 2017

The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) settings rule (CMS 2249-F/2296-F) strictly enforces meaningful community-based settings for those receiving Medicaid HCBS funding. Stakeholders have the opportunity to impact states' setting rule plans and hold states accountable to ensure rules are truly community based. Yet, the complex rule can be inaccessible for the very people it will impact most. This exploratory study evaluates the HCBS Advocates Creating Transformation (ACT) program's ability to educate 86 stakeholders about the rule. Our findings suggest that the HCBS ACT program pilot was a useful intervention that can be replicated for education and outreach programs. Doing so can actively engage people with disabilities, their families, and their support staff in the policy process.
CHARACTERIZATION OF SELECTED PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITES OF WASTE PAPER WITH UNTREATED BAMBOO STEM FIBRE AND RICE HUSK
Authors: Yusuf Taofeek Ayotunde
Published: September 2017

Composite technology is an excellent approach to utilizing natural fibres and agricultural wastes, which constitute an environmental nuisance. Efforts are being made to characterize the properties of composites produced from different sources of these wastes and fibres to facilitate a choice and selection for different applications. In this study, selected properties of composite samples, produced from waste paper in equal mix-ratio with rice husk and bamboo stem fibres (BSF) separately without chemical pre-treatment using cassava starch as a binder, were characterized. Composites from rice husk are better in terms of their higher compressive strength (71–202N/mm2), lower water absorption, at a rate of 1.97–5.19 and 1.09–3.02%/min, and a lower thickness swelling, at a rate of 0.74–1.23 and 0.52–0.70 %/min at 30 min and 1 h immersion time respectively, while that from the BSF is superior for its lower density 0.321–0.358 g/cm3 and specific weight 3.15–3.51 kN/m3. The material composition (percentage fibre volume fraction) appears to have no significant effect on the impact strength 26.0–26.4 kJ/m2 as well as other selected properties of the composites (p > 0.05). However, all the samples have properties that meet the requirement for composites except that the water absorption and thickness swelling are relatively high. The composites have considerably low density, which makes them suitable in light weight applications. Their compressive and impact strength make them appear specifically relevant for the production of construction blocks and industrial helmets respectively. Meanwhile, the properties are liable to modification with a chemical pre-treatment of the fibres.
Author the red-med railway project a serious competitor to the suez canal for cargo containers?
Authors: Lakhal Salem Y. , H’Mida Souad
Published: September 2017

Israel and China have finalized a project plan initiated in 2012. This project received the green light from Israeli cabinet in March 2014. With this venture, China will build a cargo railway line connecting the port of Eilat in the Red Sea to the ports of Ashdod and Haifa on the Mediterranean coast in Israel. This project will be a shipping alternative to the Suez Canal. This statement is the corner stone of this paper and considered an hypothesis to be verified within this paper. The methodology used is based on the concept of “market position.” The main conclusion, theoretically, the Red-Med railway could be an alternative to the Suez Canal for in the 4,000 TFE Vessels containers transportation as far as costs are concerned. However, other concerns, such as the security in the Suez Canal and the risk of its shutdown, must be considered too.
Toyota production system - one example to shipbuilding industry
Authors: Moura Delmo Alves de , Botter Rui Carlos
Published: September 2017

The shipbuilding system can use the techniques used in the Toyota Production System as an example for its production process. Production should be lean, minimize defects, stop production and reduce or eliminate inventories. Lean production is regarded by many as simply an enhancement of mass production methods, whereas agility implies breaking out of the mass production mould and producing much more highly customized products - where the customer wants them in any quantity. In a product line context, it amounts to striving for economies of scope, rather than economies of scale ideally serving ever smaller niche markets, even quantities of one, without the high cost traditionally associated with customization. A lean company may be thought of as a very productive and cost efficient producer of goods or services.
Ulam–Hyers stability of hexadecic functional equations in multi-Banach spaces
Authors: Ramdoss Murali , Pinelas Sandra , Ardulass Antony Raj
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we compute the general solution and determine the Ulam–Hyers stability for a new form of hexadecic functional equations in multi-Banach spaces.
s-convex functions on discrete time domains
Authors: Yaldız Hatice , Agarwal Praveen
Published: September 2017

In the present work, we give the definition of an
Vertical Contract and Competition Intensity in Hotelling’s Model
Authors: Wang Xingtang , Li Jie , Wang Leonard F.S.
Published: September 2017

This paper explores the impact of intensity of rivalry in downstream market on the equilibrium locations of the downstream firms under a vertical market structure á la Hotelling. We find that: (i) the presence of upstream firms softens the spatial competition in downstream market; (ii) minimum differentiation cannot be achieved as the equilibrium outcome and the equilibrium product differentiation is insufficient relative to socially optimum; (iii) social welfare is higher with a higher weight attached to intensity of rivalry, which is different from the non-monotonic relationship under the horizontal market case; (iv) the equilibrium product differentiation is independent of bargaining power under the two-part tariff contracts, which is different from Brekke and Straume (2004) under linear pricing.
Effects of the genetic variants of organic cation transporters 1 and 3 on the pharmacokinetics of metformin in Jordanians
Authors: Hakooz Nancy , Jarrar Yazun Bashir , Zihlif Malik , Imraish Amer , Hamed Saja , Arafat Tawfiq
Published: September 2017

Background:

Human response to the antidiabetic metformin is influenced by some factors, such as genetic variants in the

Patients and methods:

The

Results:

Results showed that volunteers with

Conclusions:

The
The association of NOV/CCN3 with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): preliminary evidence of a novel biomarker in OSA
Authors: Weingarten Jeremy A. , Bellner Lars , Peterson Stephen J. , Zaw Moe , Chadha Puja , Singh Shailendra P. , Abraham Nader G.
Published: September 2017

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has a strong association with cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities, although the mechanism driving this association is not well established. NOV/CCN3, a multifunctional extracellular matrix protein, may play a mechanistic and/or prognostic role in these associations. We hypothesized that patients with OSA, which primarily affects obese individuals, will have increased levels of NOV, and that NOV can serve as a biomarker in patients to predict OSA as well as metabolic and cardiac risk. Ten morbidly obese and 10 healthy lean subjects underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) and clinical evaluation. Blood samples were analyzed for NOV levels, adiponectin and IL-6. OSA was found in nine obese subjects and three lean subjects. NOV levels were significantly higher in the OSA vs. no OSA group (2.1 ± 0.9 vs. 1.3 ± 0.8, p < 0.03). NOV levels were significantly higher in the obese vs. lean group (2.2 ± 0.3 vs. 1.4 ± 0.2-fold change, p < 0.03). Among lean subjects, NOV levels were significantly higher in the OSA vs. no OSA group (2.1 ± 0.9 vs. 1.0 ± 0.4, p < 0.05). NOV and AHI were positively correlated (ρ = 0.49, p = 0.033). IL-6 and adiponectin differences in obese vs. lean and OSA vs. no OSA were consistent with an inflammatory phenotype in obese subjects and OSA subjects. NOV is a novel biomarker of the presence and severity of OSA and a potential marker of future cardiovascular and metabolic disease in OSA patients.
Critical review of beige adipocyte thermogenic activation and contribution to whole-body energy expenditure
Authors: Castro Érique , Silva Tiago E. Oliveira , Festuccia William T.
Published: September 2017

Beige (or brite, “brown in white”) adipocytes are uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-positive cells residing in white adipose depots that, depending on the conditions, behave either as classic white adipocytes, storing energy as lipids, or as brown adipocytes, dissipating energy from oxidative metabolism as heat through non-shivering thermogenesis. Because of their thermogenic potential and, therefore, possible usage to treat metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, beige cells have attracted the attention of many scientists worldwide aiming to develop strategies to safely recruit and activate their thermogenic activity. Indeed, in recent years, a large variety of conditions, molecules (including nutrients) and signaling pathways were reported to promote the recruitment of beige adipocytes. Despite of those advances, the true contribution of beige adipocyte thermogenesis to whole-body energy expenditure is still not completely defined. Herein, we discuss some important aspects that should be considered when studying beige adipocyte biology and the contribution to energy balance and whole-body metabolism.