bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in Individuals Aged 80 and Older: A Multicenter Observational Study
Authors: Giannadakis Charalampis , Solheim Ole , Jakola Asgeir S. , Nordseth Trond , Gulati Agnete M. , Nerland Ulf S. , Nygaard Øystein P. , Solberg Tore K. , Gulati Sasha
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To compare clinical outcomes after decompressive surgery for central lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) in individuals aged 80 and older with those of individuals aged 18–79.

Design

Prospective data from the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery.

Setting

Multicenter observational study.

Participants

Individuals with central LSS undergoing surgery at 36 orthopedic or neurosurgical departments (N = 1,503; 1,325 aged <80 (median 66, range 21–79); 178 aged ≥80 (median 82, range 80–95)).

Intervention

Laminectomy or microdecompression.

Measurements

Changes in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol 5D (EQ‐5D), back pain numerical rating scale (NRS), and leg pain NRS at 1 year. Complications and duration of surgical procedures and hospital stays are reported.

Results

For all participants, there was a significant improvement in ODI (difference 16.60 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 15.59–17.61, P < .001). There were no differences between age cohorts in mean changes in ODI (0.2, 95% CI = −3.05–3.39, P = .92), EQ‐5D (0.02, 95% CI = −0.04–0.09, P = .49), back pain NRS (−0.2, 95% CI = −0.7–0.4, P = .56), or leg pain NRS (−0.1, 95% CI = −0.7–0.5), P = .77). There were no differences in perioperative complications between age cohorts (4.9% vs 7.9%, P = .11). Participants aged 80 and older reported more complications occurring within 3 months (11.8% vs 7.5%, P = .02), mainly because of more urinary tract infections (9.6% vs 3.5%, P = .001). Mean duration of hospital stays was 1.3 days longer for participants aged 80 and (4.5 vs 3.2 days, P < .001). There were no differences in duration of single‐level microdecompression (P = .94), two‐level microdecompression (P = .53), single‐level laminectomy (P = .78), or two‐level laminectomy (P = .08).

Conclusion

Individuals aged 80 and older experience improvement in self‐reported outcomes similar to those of younger individuals after decompressive surgery for LSS.
Survival of Elderly Adults Undergoing Incident Home Hemodialysis and Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Molnar Miklos Z. , Ravel Vanessa , Streja Elani , Kovesdy Csaba P. , Rivara Matthew B. , Mehrotra Rajnish , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kamyar
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To compare the mortality of elderly adults with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with home hemodialysis (HD) with that of those receiving a kidney transplant (KTx).

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

Pertinent data for the two groups were obtained from electronic medical records from a large dialysis provider and the U.S. Renal Data System.

Participants

Using data from elderly adults (aged ≥65) who started home HD and underwent KTx in the US between 2007 and 2011, a 1:1 propensity score (PS)‐matched cohort of 960 elderly adults was created, and the association between treatment modality and all‐cause mortality was examined using Cox proportional hazards and competing risk regression survival models using modality failure as a competing event.

Measurements

Modality of renal replacement therapy.

Results

The baseline mean age ± standard deviation of the PS‐matched individuals undergoing home HD was 71 ± 6, and that of KTx recipients was 71 ± 5, 69% of both groups were male, 81% of those undergoing home HD and 79% of KTx recipients were white, and 11% and 12%, respectively, were African American. Median follow‐up time was 205 days (interquartile range (IQR) 78–364 days) for those undergoing home HD and 795 days (IQR 366–1,221 days) for KTx recipients. There were 97 deaths (20%, 253/1,000 patient‐years, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 207–309/1,000 patient‐years) in the home HD group and 48 deaths (10%, 45/1,000 patient‐years, 95% CI = 34–60/1,000 patient‐years) in the KTx group. Elderly adults undergoing home HD had a risk of mortality that was almost five times as high as that of KTx recipients (hazard ratio = 4.74, 95% CI = 3.25–6.91). Similar results were seen in competing risk regression analyses (subhazard ratio = 4.71, 95% CI = 3.27–6.79). Results were consistent across different types of kidney donors and subgroups divided according to various recipient characteristics.

Conclusion

Elderly adults with ESRD who receive a KTx have greater survival than those who undergo home HD. Further studies are needed to assess whether KTx receipt is associated with other benefits such as better quality of life and lower hospitalization rates.
Factors Associated with Transition from Community Settings to Hospital as Place of Death for Adults Aged 75 and Older: A Population‐Based Mortality Follow‐Back Survey
Authors: Bone Anna E. , Gao Wei , Gomes Barbara , Sleeman Katherine E. , Maddocks Matthew , Wright Juliet , Yi Deokhee , Higginson Irene J. , Evans Catherine J. ,   OPTCare Elderly
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To identify factors associated with end‐of‐life (EoL) transition from usual place of care to the hospital as place of death for people aged 75 and older.

Design

Population‐based mortality follow‐back survey.

Setting

Deaths over 6 months in 2012 in two unitary authorities in England covering 800 square miles with more than 1 million residents.

Participants

A random sample of people aged 75 and older who died in a care home or hospital and all those who died at home or in a hospice unit (N = 882). Cases were identified from death registrations. The person who registered the death (a relative for 98.9%) completed the survey.

Measurements

The main outcome was EoL transition to the hospital as place of death versus no EoL transition to the hospital. Multivariable modified Poisson regression was used to examine factors (illness, demographic, environmental) related to EoL transition to the hospital.

Results

Four hundred forty‐three (50.2%) individuals responded, describing the care of the people who died. Most died from nonmalignant conditions (76.3%) at a mean age of 87.4 ± 6.4. One hundred forty‐six (32.3%) transitioned to the hospital and died there. Transition was more likely for individuals with respiratory disease than for those with cancer (prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.42–3.01) and for people with severe breathlessness (PR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.12–3.43). Transition was less likely if EoL preferences had been discussed with a healthcare professional (PR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.42–0.88) and when there was a key healthcare professional (PR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58–0.95).

Conclusion

To reduce EoL transition to the hospital for older people, there needs to be improved management of breathlessness in the community and better access to a key healthcare professional skilled in coordinating care, communication, facilitating complex discussions, and in planning for future care.
Family Instability, Multipartner Fertility, and Behavior in Middle Childhood
Authors: Fomby Paula , Osborne Cynthia
Published: September 2016

Two concepts capture the dynamic and complex nature of contemporary family structure: family instability and multipartner fertility. Although these circumstances are likely to co‐occur, their respective literatures have proceeded largely independently. The authors used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,062) to consider these dimensions of dynamic family structure together, asking whether they independently predict children's behavior problems at age 9. Frequent family instability was consistently predictive of higher predicted levels of behavior problems for children born to mothers who were unmarried, an association largely attenuated by factors related to family stress. Multipartner fertility was robustly related to self‐reported delinquency and teacher‐reported behavior problems among children born to mothers who were married.
Bruxism and dental implant failures: a multilevel mixed effects parametric survival analysis approach
Authors: Chrcanovic B.R. , Kisch J. , Albrektsson T. , Wennerberg A.
Published: September 2016

Recent studies have suggested that the insertion of dental implants in patients being diagnosed with bruxism negatively affected the implant failure rates. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the bruxism and the risk of dental implant failure. This retrospective study is based on 2670 patients who received 10 096 implants at one specialist clinic. Implant‐ and patient‐related data were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the patients and implants. Multilevel mixed effects parametric survival analysis was used to test the association between bruxism and risk of implant failure adjusting for several potential confounders. Criteria from a recent international consensus (Lobbezoo et al., J Oral Rehabil, 40, 2013, 2) and from the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (International classification of sleep disorders, revised: diagnostic and coding manual, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Chicago, 2014) were used to define and diagnose the condition. The number of implants with information available for all variables totalled 3549, placed in 994 patients, with 179 implants reported as failures. The implant failure rates were 13·0% (24/185) for bruxers and 4·6% (155/3364) for non‐bruxers (P < 0·001). The statistical model showed that bruxism was a statistically significantly risk factor to implant failure (HR 3·396; 95% CI 1·314, 8·777; P = 0·012), as well as implant length, implant diameter, implant surface, bone quantity D in relation to quantity A, bone quality 4 in relation to quality 1 (Lekholm and Zarb classification), smoking and the intake of proton pump inhibitors. It is suggested that the bruxism may be associated with an increased risk of dental implant failure.
Tetanus in New Zealand children: Intensive care management of a vaccine preventable disease
Authors: Wen Sophie CH , Webb Catherine , Miles Fiona , Wilson Elizabeth
Published: September 2016

Aim

To review management of children admitted with tetanus to Starship Children's Hospital from 2000 to 2013.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of children aged 0–15 years admitted to Starship Children's Hospital with tetanus from 2000 to 2013. Follow‐up of immunisation status was via the National Immunisation Register and/or phone contact with patient's primary health care provider.

Results

Four cases of tetanus occurred, all in unimmunised children. All four required paediatric intensive care unit admission (length of stay (LOS) 2.5–7 weeks) for ventilatory support; three required tracheostomy. Specific tetanus treatment included metronidazole, tetanus immunoglobulin and antispasmodic medications such as magnesium sulphate and benzodiazepines. Three remain partially or unimmunised following discharge.

Conclusion

Tetanus in children is a rare but preventable life‐threatening disease, requiring costly intensive care management. Immunisation is cheap and effective in preventing tetanus and should be offered to all children, including tetanus cases for their future protection.
Adaptive Estimation in Multiple Time Series With Independent Component Errors
Authors: Robinson P. M. , Taylor L.
Published: September 2016

This article develops statistical methodology for semiparametric models for multiple time series of possibly high dimension N. The objective is to obtain precise estimates of unknown parameters (which characterize autocorrelations and cross‐autocorrelations) without fully parameterizing other distributional features, while imposing a degree of parsimony to mitigate a curse of dimensionality. The innovations vector is modelled as a linear transformation of independent but possibly non‐identically distributed random variables, whose distributions are nonparametric. In such circumstances, Gaussian pseudo‐maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters are typically √n‐consistent, where n denotes series length, but asymptotically inefficient unless the innovations are in fact Gaussian. Our parameter estimates, which we call ‘adaptive,’ are asymptotically as first‐order efficient as maximum likelihood estimates based on correctly specified parametric innovations distributions. The adaptive estimates use nonparametric estimates of score functions (of the elements of the underlying vector of independent random varables) that involve truncated expansions in terms of basis functions; these have advantages over the kernel‐based score function estimates used in most of the adaptive estimation literature. Our parameter estimates are also √n ‐consistent and asymptotically normal. A Monte Carlo study of finite sample performance of the adaptive estimates, employing a variety of parameterizations, distributions and choices of N, is reported.
Calcium to phosphorus ratio, essential elements and vitamin D content of infant foods in the UK: Possible implications for bone health
Authors: Loughrill Emma , Wray David , Christides Tatiana , Zand Nazanin
Published: September 2016

Adequate intake of calcium and phosphorus in the appropriate ratio of 1–2:1 (Ca:P), in addition to magnesium and vitamin D, is vital for bone health and development of infants. In this feasibility study, the ratio of Ca:P in conjunction with vitamin D and other essential elements (Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, and Zn) in a range of commercial infant food products in the UK was investigated. The elemental analysis was carried out using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and vitamin D levels were determined using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The quantitative data were further evaluated, based on a standardised menu, to measure the total daily intake of an infant aged 7–12 months against the Reference Nutrient Intake. The results from the study show that the Ca:P ratio of the infant's total dietary intake was within the recommended range at 1.49:1. However, the level of intake for each of the nutrients analyzed, with the exception of sodium, was found to be above the Reference Nutrient Intake, which warrants further investigation in relation to both micronutrient interactions and in situations where the intake of fortified infant formula milk is compromised. Finally, as the study is the first to include consumption of infant snack products, the level of total calorie intake was also calculated in order to assess the total daily estimated energy intake; the results indicate that energy intakes exceed recommendations by 42%, which may have implications for obesity.
Local adaptation of plant viruses: lessons from experimental evolution
Authors: Elena Santiago F.
Published: September 2016

For multihost pathogens, adaptation to multiple hosts has important implications for both applied and basic research. At the applied level, it is one of the main factors determining the probability and severity of emerging disease outbreaks. At the basic level, it is thought to be a key mechanism for the maintenance of genetic diversity both in host and pathogen species. In recent years, a number of evolution experiments have assessed the fate of plant virus populations replicating within and adapting to one single or to multiple hosts species. A first group of these experiments tackled the existence of trade‐offs in fitness and virulence for viruses evolving either within a single hosts species or alternating between two different host species. A second set of experiments explored the role of genetic variability in susceptibility and resistance to infection among individuals from the same host species in the extent of virus local adaptation and of virulence. In general, when a single host species or genotype is available, these experiments show that local adaptation takes place, often but not always associated with a fitness trade‐off. However, alternating between different host species or infecting resistant host genotypes may select for generalist viruses that experience no fitness cost. Therefore, the expected cost of generalism, arising from antagonistic pleiotropy and other genetic mechanisms generating fitness trade‐offs between hosts, could not be generalized and strongly depend on the characteristics of each particular pathosystem. At the genomic level, these studies show pervasive convergent molecular evolution, suggesting that the number of accessible molecular pathways leading to adaptation to novel hosts is limited.
Correlation between mtDNA complexity and mtDNA replication mode in developing cotyledon mitochondria during mung bean seed germination
Authors: Cheng Ning , Lo Yih‐Shan , Ansari Mohammad Israil , Ho Kuo‐Chieh , Jeng Shih‐Tong , Lin Na‐Sheng , Dai Hwa
Published: September 2016

The currently accepted model of recombination‐dependent replication (RDR) in plant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) does not clearly explain how RDR progresses and how highly complex mtDNA develops. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between RDR and mtDNA complexity during mitochondrial development in mung bean (Vigna radiata) seed, and the initiation and processing of RDR in plant mitochondria.

Flow cytometry, pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis, electron microscopy, real‐time PCR and biochemical studies were used in this study.

The highly dynamic changes in mtDNA complexity correspond to mtDNA RDR activity throughout mitochondrial development. With in vitro freeze–thaw treatment or prolonged in vivo cold incubation, the mtDNA rosette core disappeared and the rosette structure converted to a much longer linear DNA structure. D‐loops, Holliday junctions and putative RDR forks often appeared near the rosette cores.

We hypothesize that the rosette core may consist of condensed mtDNA and a replication starting sequence, and play an initial and central role in RDR. The satellite cores in the rosette structure may represent the re‐initiation sites of mtDNA RDR in the same parental molecule, thereby forming highly complex and giant mitochondrial molecules, representing the RDR intermediates, in vivo.
Divergent evolution of multiple virus‐resistance genes from a progenitor in Capsicum spp.
Authors: Kim Saet‐Byul , Kang Won‐Hee , Huy Hoang Ngoc , Yeom Seon‐In , An Jeong‐Tak , Kim Seungill , Kang Min‐Young , Kim Hyun Jung , Jo Yeong Deuk , Ha Yeaseong , Choi Doil , Kang Byoung‐Cheorl
Published: September 2016

Plants have evolved hundreds of nucleotide‐binding and leucine‐rich domain proteins (NLRs) as potential intracellular immune receptors, but the evolutionary mechanism leading to the ability to recognize specific pathogen effectors is elusive.

Here, we cloned Pvr4 (a Potyvirus resistance gene in Capsicum annuum) and Tsw (a Tomato spotted wilt virus resistance gene in Capsicum chinense) via a genome‐based approach using independent segregating populations.

The genes both encode typical NLRs and are located at the same locus on pepper chromosome 10. Despite the fact that these two genes recognize completely different viral effectors, the genomic structures and coding sequences of the two genes are strikingly similar. Phylogenetic studies revealed that these two immune receptors diverged from a progenitor gene of a common ancestor.

Our results suggest that sequence variations caused by gene duplication and neofunctionalization may underlie the evolution of the ability to specifically recognize different effectors. These findings thereby provide insight into the divergent evolution of plant immune receptors.
Defense traits in the long‐lived Great Basin bristlecone pine and resistance to the native herbivore mountain pine beetle
Authors: Bentz Barbara J. , Hood Sharon M. , Hansen E. Matthew , Vandygriff James C. , Mock Karen E.
Published: September 2016

Mountain pine beetle (MPB,Dendroctonus ponderosae) is a significant mortality agent ofPinus, and climate‐driven range expansion is occurring.Pinusdefenses in recently invaded areas, including high elevations, are predicted to be lower than in areas with longer termMPBpresence.MPBwas recently observed in high‐elevation forests of the Great Basin (GB) region, North America. Defense and susceptibility in two long‐lived species,GBbristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) and foxtail pine (P. balfouriana), are unclear, although they are sympatric with a commonMPBhost, limber pine (P. flexilis).

We surveyed stands with sympatricGBbristlecone–limber pine and foxtail–limber pine to determine relativeMPBattack susceptibility and constitutive defenses.

MPB‐caused mortality was extensive in limber, low in foxtail and absent inGBbristlecone pine. Defense traits, including constitutive monoterpenes, resin ducts and wood density, were higher inGBbristlecone and foxtail than in limber pine.

GBbristlecone and foxtail pines have relatively high levels of constitutive defenses which make them less vulnerable to climate‐drivenMPBrange expansion relative to other high‐elevation pines. Long‐term selective herbivore pressure and exaptation of traits for tree longevity are potential explanations, highlighting the complexity of predicting plant–insect interactions under climate change.
The cost of migratory prey: seasonal changes in semi‐domestic reindeer distribution influences breeding success of Eurasian lynx in northern Norway
Authors: Walton Zea , Mattisson Jenny , Linnell John D. C. , Stien Audun , Odden John
Published: September 2016

Migratory prey is a widespread phenomenon that has implications for predator–prey interactions. By creating large temporal variation in resource availability between seasons it becomes challenging for carnivores to secure a regular year‐round supply of food. Some predators may respond by following their migratory prey, however, most predators are sedentary and experience strong seasonal variation in resource availability. Increased predation on alternative prey may dampen such seasonal resource fluctuations, but reduced reproduction rates in predators is a predicted consequence of migratory primary prey behavior that has received little empirical attention. We used data from 23 GPS collared Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx monitored during 2007–2013 in northern Norway, to examine how spatio‐temporal variation in the migratory behavior of semi‐domestic reindeer Rangifer tarandus influences lynx spatial organization and reproductive success using estimates of seasonal home range overlap and breeding success. We found that lynx of both sexes maintained seasonally stable home ranges and exhibited site fidelity across years, independent of whether they had access to reindeer throughout the year or experienced a scarcity of reindeer in winter due to migration. However, lynx without access to reindeer in winter showed a decreased probability of reproducing and a tendency for lowered kitten survival into their first winter, when compared to female lynx with reindeer available year around. This supports the hypothesis that sedentary predators experience demographic costs in systems with migratory primary prey. Changes in the migratory behavior of ungulates, including disrupted migrations, is therefore likely to have bottom–up effects on the population dynamics of sedentary predators as well as the previously documented consequences for ungulate population dynamics.
A new race of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae of lettuce
Authors: Gilardi G. , Franco Ortega S. , van Rijswick P. C. J. , Ortu G. , Gullino M. L. , Garibaldi A.
Published: September 2016

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, the causal agent of fusarium wilt of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), occurs in most countries in which lettuce is grown and causes serious economic losses. Three races (1, 2 and 3) of the pathogen have previously been identified on the basis of their ability to cause disease on differential lettuce cultivars, as well as by means of molecular tools developed to characterize different races of this pathogen. Only race 1 has been detected in Europe so far. In this study, two isolates of F. oxysporum, obtained from lettuce plants grown in the Netherlands showing symptoms of wilt, have been characterized by combining the study of pathogenicity with differential cultivars of lettuce and molecular assays to determine whether the isolates are different from the known races of F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae. This study reports the presence of F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae for the first time in the Netherlands. The causal pathogen has been identified, using the IRAP‐SCAR technique, as a new race of F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae. Specific primers have been designed to identify this new race.
Big Data in Public Affairs
Authors: Mergel Ines , Rethemeyer R. Karl , Isett Kimberley
Published: September 2016

This article offers an overview of the conceptual, substantive, and practical issues surrounding “big data” to provide one perspective on how the field of public affairs can successfully cope with the big data revolution. Big data in public affairs refers to a combination of administrative data collected through traditional means and large‐scale data sets created by sensors, computer networks, or individuals as they use the Internet. In public affairs, new opportunities for real‐time insights into behavioral patterns are emerging but are bound by safeguards limiting government reach through the restriction of the collection and analysis of these data. To address both the opportunities and challenges of this emerging phenomenon, the authors first review the evolving canon of big data articles across related fields. Second, they derive a working definition of big data in public affairs. Third, they review the methodological and analytic challenges of using big data in public affairs scholarship and practice. The article concludes with implications for public affairs.
Very low rate of patient‐related adverse events associated with the use of intraoperative cell salvage
Authors: DeAndrade Diana , Waters Jonathan H. , Triulzi Darrell J. , Alarcon Louis , Wisniewski Mary Kay , Dyga Robert , Yazer Mark H.
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

The rate of patient‐related clinical adverse events (AEs) associated with the use of intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) was analyzed.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The perfusion service and electronic risk management databases in a nine‐hospital regional health care system were reviewed over an approximately 11‐year period. The number of ICS cases performed during this period and basic patient demographics were also extracted.

RESULTS

There were 43,198 patients for whom ICS was utilized during the study period. Recovered blood was returned to 33,351 (77.2%) patients. Electronic comments on the ICS procedure were found in 2348 of 33,351 (7.0%) cases. The vast majority of comments (2203/2348, 93.8%) described minor events that did not lead to patient‐related AEs such as the surgeon requested higher than normal suction pressure or that no RBCs were returned. Only 144 of 2348 (6.1%) of the comments described procedural or equipment‐related events or potential AEs. From these comments two potential AEs were identified: the first was a post‐Cesarean section patient who became acutely tachycardic, hypertensive, and dyspneic with rigors. The second was a patient with postpartum hemorrhage who experienced acute dyspnea and hypotension. Both patients were rapidly stabilized and discharged from the hospital shortly thereafter without further complications. It is unclear if these events were caused by ICS reinfusion. No air emboli were reported. The overall rate of patient‐related AEs associated with ICS reinfusion was between 0 and 2 per 33,351 (0%‐0.006%).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of ICS is safe with a very low rate of patient‐related AEs.
Self‐reported historic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in a Brazilian blood donor HIV case‐control study
Authors: Bruhn Roberta , Moreno Elizabeth , Sabino Ester C. , Ferreira Naura Aparecida F. , Carneiro‐Proietti Anna Barbara F. , Lopes Maria Esther D. , Sampaio Divaldo , Loureiro Paula , Custer Brian , Goncalez Thelma T. ,   for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study‐II (REDS‐II) International Component
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

There has been increased worldwide emphasis on the many benefits of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus awareness for both infection prevention and improved treatment outcomes. Previous studies indicate that donors may use blood donation to be tested; the objectives of this analysis were to assess, among donors with previously undisclosed risk behavior in the 12 months before donation, the frequency of those who have previously been tested for HIV and the demographic and behavioral factors associated with such testing.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In this secondary analysis from an HIV case‐control study of blood donors in Brazil, we analyzed the response to the question, “Other than blood donation, have you ever been tested for HIV?” Demographic and disclosed risk behaviors associated with previous testing were determined.

RESULTS

The study included 341 HIV‐positive cases and 791 HIV‐negative controls (1:2 case/control ratio). Overall, 31% of blood donors (40% of cases and 26% of controls) reported having been tested for HIV outside of blood donation. History of HIV testing varied according to sex, HIV status, and reported sexual risk behavior.

CONCLUSION

Although it is encouraging that previous testing was more frequent in donors with acknowledged sexual risk behavior in Brazil, 60% still had not been tested for HIV outside of the blood donation setting. Educating donors on the importance of not using blood centers as a means to get tested for HIV in Brazil, especially if they engage in higher risk behaviors, and seeking alternate testing venues instead could improve the safety of donated blood.
Resolving variable maternal D typing using serology and genotyping in selected prenatal patients
Authors: Clarke Gwen , Hannon Judith , Berardi Philip , Barr Gerri , Cote Jacqueline , Fallis Robert , Alport Ted , Lane Debra , Petraszko Tanya , Ochoa Gorka , Goldman Mindy
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

RhIG prophylaxis for D– pregnant women prevents hemolytic disease of the newborn and typically depends on results of serologic D typing. Interpretation and follow‐up of weak D serology is variable. Recent recommendations promote genotyping for RHD status determination in those with weak D serology. Canadian Blood Services performs comprehensive serologic prenatal testing in four provinces. Genotyping is used to determine D typing in patients with weak D.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A serologic algorithm identified which patients require genotyping for RHD determination. Genotyping was performed on one of two commercially available platforms.

RESULTS

Only 0.4% of D– patients met criteria for genotyping. Sixty‐one percent were weak D Type 1, 2, or 3. Thirty percent had a partial or weak D other than Type 1, 2, or 3. Eleven had variants which remained unresolved. Seventeen were D+ and four were D–.

CONCLUSIONS

Genotyping of patients with weak D serology led to an identified genotype in most patients. RhIG administration was avoided in 66% who were weak D Type 1, 2, or 3 or were D+. The use of a serologic algorithm to select patients for RHD genotyping identifies a majority of patients with weak D types not at risk for alloimmunization. This approach limits the number of genotyping investigations and the cost of providing classification for weak D types.
Extracorporeal photopheresis did not prevent the development of an autoimmune disease: myasthenia gravis
Authors: Uygun Vedat , Daloğlu Hayriye , Öztürkmen Seda Irmak , Döşemeci Levent , Karasu Gülsün , Hazar Volkan , Yeşilipek Akif
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by an autoimmune defect in the neuromuscular junction. In most patients, the autoimmune attack is mediated by antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) on the postsynaptic membrane. Deficient immunoregulation, including regulatory T cells, is consistently observed. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) leads to the induction of regulatory T cells that mediate immunologic tolerance in autoimmune diseases; however, the data regarding MG are very limited.

CASE REPORT

Here, we report a patient who, during ongoing ECP therapy for his severe, refractory, chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD), developed MG, although he responded very well to ECP, as indicated by the lowering of his chronic cGVHD severity grade to moderate.

RESULTS

Despite receiving ECP, our patient developed MG, which was resistant to treatment and required intensive care unit support.

CONCLUSIONS

Close surveillance is required when ECP is planned as one of the treatment alternatives in myasthenia gravis that develop in cGVHD.
Prospective Controlled Study of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Laryngeal Paralysis
Authors: Tarvin Kiki M. , Twedt David C. , Monnet Eric
Published: September 2016

Objective

To determine the frequency, nature, and magnitude of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in dogs with laryngeal paralysis (LP).

Study Design

Prospective comparative clinical study.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs with LP and healthy client‐owned dogs (n = 6 each).

Methods

Dogs underwent sedated laryngeal examination for diagnosis and grading of bilateral LP and for placement of a nasoesophageal dual pH/impedance probe. Endoscopy was used to confirm probe location and evaluate the distal esophagus. Data were recorded continuously. GER was defined as pH<4 or >7.5 lasting >2 seconds reaching a magnitude of 2 impedance sensors proximally.

Results

The median total number of GER events per hour was 0.64 (range, 0.44–1.6) for the LP group and 0.53 (range, 0.38–1.0) for the control group (P = 0.259; power = 0.50). The median total number of alkaline regurgitation events per hour was 0.37 (range, 0.17–0.93) for the LP group and 0.46 (range, 0.25–1.0) for control group (P = 0.575; power = 0.57). The median total number of acidic regurgitation events per hour was 0.22 (range, 0–0.70) and 0.0 (range, 0–0.14) for the LP and control groups, respectively (P = 0.025). Acidic reflux events reached the proximal pH sensor in 2 dogs in the LP group for a total of 4 reflux events and in 1 dog in the control group for a total of 3 reflux events (P = 0.673).

Conclusion

Based on the limited number of dogs studied, it appears that dogs with naturally occurring LP have increased acidic reflux events compared to clinically normal dogs. GER can reach the most proximal part of the esophagus.
Analysis of the arriving-angle structure of the forward scattered wave on a vertical array in shallow water
Authors: He Chuanlin , Yang Kunde , Ma Yuanliang , Lei Bo
Published: September 2016

The arriving-angle structure for the forward scattered wave on a vertical line array is obtained upon a modified scattering model in the Pekeris waveguide. The structure is investigated and interpreted by the array invariant theory combined with target induced modal coupling effect. Compared with that of the direct blast, the arriving-angle structure of the forward scattering wave owns multi-striations as well as an increased vertical array invariant. The forward scattered angle structure is dependent on the target position on the source–receiver line. Simulations indicate a potential separation for the forward scattered wave overwhelmed by the direct blast.
Genome Sequence of a Clinical Strain of Acinetobacter baumannii Belonging to the ST79/PFGE-HUI-1 Clone Lacking the AdeABC (Resistance-Nodulation-Cell Division-Type) Efflux Pump
Authors: López M. , Álvarez-Fraga L. , Gato E. , Blasco L. , Poza M. , Fernández-García L. , Bou G. , Tomás M.
Published: September 2016

Increased expression of chromosomal genes for resistance-nodulation-cell division-type efflux systems plays a major role in the multidrug resistance of
Acinetobacter baumannii
. Little is known about the genetic characteristics of clinical strains of
Acinetobacter baumannii
lacking the AdeABC pump. In this study, we sequenced the genome of clinical strain Ab421 GEIH-2010 (belonging to clone ST79/PFGE-HUI-1 from the GEIH-REIPI Ab. 2010 project) which lacks this efflux pump.
Granulomatous hypophysitis: a case of severe headache
Authors: Wan Muhamad Hatta Sharifah Faradila , Hamdan M Farhan , Md Ali Siti Aishah , Abdul Ghani Rohana
Published: September 2016

Idiopathic granulomatous hypophysitis (GH) is an uncommon inflammatory disease of the pituitary with impairment of pituitary gland function due to infiltration by lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages. We report the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented with worsening of headaches for 1 month and blurring of vision over 5 days. An MRI revealed a homogeneous supra-sellar mass evoking a pituitary tumour with bulky pituitary stalk extending into the left and right cavernous sinuses. Hormonal investigations showed anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies; meanwhile histopathological examination revealed an aspect of hypophysitis. Clinical and radiological remission occurred immediately postglucocorticoid therapy with the addition of a steroid-sparing agent later in view of recurrence of symptoms on glucocorticoid dose reduction. GH has important diagnostic and therapeutic implications, as clinical and radiological features ameliorate via medical treatment. With further understanding and recognition of the disease, we hope to highlight a case of GH, in which signs and symptoms improved after initiation of corticosteroids.
Psychological impact of injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Craig Ashley , Tran Yvonne , Guest Rebecca , Gopinath Bamini , Jagnoor Jagnoor , Bryant Richard A , Collie Alex , Tate Robyn , Kenardy Justin , Middleton James W , Cameron Ian
Published: September 2016

Objective

The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the psychological impact associated with motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related physical injuries.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Multiple search engines included MEDLINE (via OVID), PsycINFO and Embase, and studies were sourced from scientific journals, conference papers and doctoral theses.

Study selection

A high-yield search strategy was employed. Terms like ‘psychological distress’, ‘depression’, ‘PTSD’ and ‘motor vehicle accident’ were employed. These key words were run primarily and secondary searches were then conducted in association with the major injury types. Studies needed to compare psychological distress in people injured in an MVC with uninjured controls who had not recently experienced an MVC.

Data extraction

Searches resulted in the identification of 2537 articles, and after eliminating duplicates and studies not meeting inclusion criteria, 24 studies were selected involving 4502 injured participants. These studies were entered into separate meta-analyses for mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI), whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) and spinal cord injury (SCI).

Results

Elevated psychological distress was associated with MVC-related injuries with a large summary effect size in WAD (0.90), medium to large effect size in SCI (0.69) and small to medium effect size in mTBI (0.23). No studies meeting inclusion criteria were found for burns, fractures and low back injury. Increased psychological distress remains elevated in SCI, mTBI and WAD for at least 3 years post-MVC.

Conclusions

Rehabilitation strategies are needed to minimise distress subsequent to MVC-related physical injuries and the scientific robustness of studies requires improvement.
Performance of a bedside test for tetanus immunity: results of a cross-sectional study among three EDs in the Netherlands in 2012–2013
Authors: van der Maas N AT , Donken R , te Wierik M J M , Swaan C M , Hahne S J M , de Melker H E
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Despite sustained high vaccination coverage and a national guideline by the Health Council (HC-guideline) on tetanus postexposure prophylaxis (T-PEP), tetanus sporadically occurs in the Netherlands. This study aims to assess the added value of a bedside test for tetanus immunity (Tetanos Quick Stick (TQS); Ingen BioSciences Group, France), in the context of routine T-PEP in two adult cohorts: those born before introduction of tetanus toxoid vaccination in the National Immunization Programme (NIP) in 1957 (pre-NIP-cohort; n=196) and those born after (NIP-cohort; n=405).

Methods

Adults included at the time of visiting one of three participating EDs received T-PEP as per routine recommendations. Subsequently, a nurse performed the TQS and filled in a questionnaire. We compared the indication for T-PEP based on TQS results with those based on the HC-guideline and with actually administration of T-PEP, stratified by cohort.

Results

Among the pre-NIP and NIP-cohort, 16% and 9%, respectively, received T-PEP, while this was not indicated based on the HC-guideline. Furthermore, 8% and 7%, respectively, did not get T-PEP, although it was indicated by the guideline. Comparing the indication derived from the HC-guideline with TQS result found that 22% (pre-NIP-cohort) and 8% (NIP-cohort) were not eligible for T-PEP according to the HC-guideline but had a negative TQS. Conversely, 36% (pre-NIP-cohort) and 73% (NIP-cohort) were eligible for T-PEP according to the HC-guideline but had positive TQS, indicating sufficient tetanus protection.

Conclusion

Use of the TQS would allow better targeting of T-PEP. Furthermore, stricter adherence to the HC-guideline can prevent overimmunisation and decrease the risk of tetanus.
Defense Against Chip Cloning Attacks Based on Fractional Hopfield Neural Networks
Authors: Pu Yi-Fei , Yi Zhang , Zhou Ji-Liu
Published: September 2016

This paper presents a state-of-the-art application of fractional hopfield neural networks (FHNNs) to defend against chip cloning attacks, and provides insight into the reason that the proposed method is superior to physically unclonable functions (PUFs). In the past decade, PUFs have been evolving as one of the best types of hardware security. However, the development of the PUFs has been somewhat limited by its implementation cost, its temperature variation effect, its electromagnetic interference effect, the amount of entropy in it, etc. Therefore, it is imperative to discover, through promising mathematical methods and physical modules, some novel mechanisms to overcome the aforementioned weaknesses of the PUFs. Motivated by this need, in this paper, we propose applying the FHNNs to defend against chip cloning attacks. At first, we implement the arbitrary-order fractor of a FHNN. Secondly, we describe the implementation cost of the FHNNs. Thirdly, we propose the achievement of the constant-order performance of a FHNN when ambient temperature varies. Fourthly, we analyze the electrical performance stability of the FHNNs under electromagnetic disturbance conditions. Fifthly, we study the amount of entropy of the FHNNs. Lastly, we perform experiments to analyze the pass-band width of the fractor of an arbitrary-order FHNN and the defense against chip cloning attacks capability of the FHNNs. In particular, the capabilities of defense against chip cloning attacks, anti-electromagnetic interference, and anti-temperature variation of a FHNN are illustrated experimentally in detail. Some significant advantages of the FHNNs are that their implementation cost is considerably lower than that of the PUFs, their electrical performance is much more stable than that of the PUFs under different temperature conditions, their electrical performance stability of the FHNNs under electromagnetic disturbance conditions is much more robust than that of the PUFs, and their amount of entropy is significantly higher than that of the PUFs with the same rank circuit scale.
Rotation in a gravitational billiard
Authors: Peraza-Mues G. G. , Carvente Osvaldo , Moukarzel Cristian F.
Published: September 2016

Gravitational billiards composed of a viscoelastic frictional disk bouncing on a vibrating wedge have been studied previously, but only from the point of view of their translational behavior. In this work, the average rotational velocity of the disk is studied under various circumstances. First, an experimental realization is briefly presented, which shows sustained rotation when the wedge is tilted. Next, this phenomenon is scrutinized in close detail using a precise numerical implementation of frictional forces. We show that the bouncing disk acquires a spontaneous rotational velocity whenever the wedge angle is not bisected by the direction of gravity. Our molecular dynamics (MD) results are well reproduced by event-driven (ED) simulations. When the wedge aperture angle [Formula: see text], the average tangential velocity [Formula: see text] of the disk scales with the typical wedge vibration velocity [Formula: see text], and is in general a nonmonotonic function of the overall tilt angle [Formula: see text] of the wedge. The present work focuses on wedges with [Formula: see text], which are relevant for the problem of spontaneous rotation in vibrated disk packings. This study makes part of the PhD Thesis of G. G. Peraza-Mues.
DO-CCII/DO-DVCC Based Electronically Fine Tunable Quadrature Oscillators
Authors: Yuce Erkan
Published: September 2016

In this paper, a new quadrature oscillator employing two dual output second-generation current conveyors (DO-CCIIs), two resistors and two grounded capacitors is proposed. The proposed quadrature oscillator has only resistors but no capacitors connected in series to [Formula: see text] terminals of the DO-CCIIs; thus, it can be operated at high frequencies. It can be tuned electronically by replacing dual output second-generation current controlled current conveyors instead of DO-CCIIs and removing both resistors. It can provide two output currents in opposite sign. Nevertheless, its resonance frequency can be simultaneously controlled by two resistors. Also, a dual output differential voltage current conveyor (DO-DVCC) based quadrature oscillator which employs a canonical number of only grounded passive components is proposed. A number of simulation results based on SPICE program and an experimental test result are included to exhibit performance, workability and effectiveness of the proposed quadrature oscillators.
On Ore extension and skew power series rings with some restrictions on zero-divisors
Authors: Hashemi E. , As. Estaji A. , Alhevaz A.
Published: September 2016

The study of rings with right Property ([Formula: see text]), has done an important role in noncommutative ring theory. Following literature, a ring [Formula: see text] has right Property ([Formula: see text]) if every finitely generated two-sided ideal consisting entirely of left zero-divisors has a nonzero right annihilator. Our results in this paper concerns the right Property ([Formula: see text]) of Ore extensions as well as skew power series rings. We will show that if [Formula: see text] is a right duo ring, then the skew power series ring [Formula: see text] has right Property ([Formula: see text]), when [Formula: see text] is right Noetherian and [Formula: see text]-compatible. Moreover, for a right duo ring [Formula: see text] which is [Formula: see text]-compatible, it is shown that (i) the Ore extension ring [Formula: see text] has right Property ([Formula: see text]) and (ii) [Formula: see text] is right zip if and only if [Formula: see text] is right zip. As a corollary of our results, we provide answers to some open questions related to Property [Formula: see text], raised in [C. Y. Hong, N. K. Kim, Y. Lee and S. J. Ryu, Rings with Property ([Formula: see text]) and their extensions, J. Algebra 315 (2007) 612–628].
On weak Rickart modules
Authors: Keskin Tütüncü Derya , Orhan Ertaş Nil , Tribak Rachid
Published: September 2016

We introduce and study the notion of w-Rickart modules (i.e. modules [Formula: see text] such that for every nonzero endomorphism [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], the kernel of [Formula: see text] is contained in a proper direct summand of [Formula: see text]). We show that the class of right w-Rickart modules lies properly between the class of right [Formula: see text]-nonsingular modules and the class of right Rickart modules. Many properties of w-Rickart modules are established. Some relevant counterexamples are indicated.