bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Major complications of tibial tuberosity advancement in 1613 dogs
Authors: Costa Mario , Craig Diane , Cambridge Tony , Sebestyen Peter , Su Yuhua , Fahie Maria A.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To report major postoperative complications in 1613 dogs with tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA).

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Sample population

Dogs (n = 1613) with cranial cruciate ligament deficiency treated with TTA.

Methods

Medical records of TTAs performed between December 2007‐2013 were reviewed for age, sex, weight, contralateral stifle surgery, surgical approach, duration of preoperative lameness, presence of meniscal damage, concurrent patellar luxation and simultaneous bilateral TTA. Major postoperative complications were defined as surgical site infection (SSI) (superficial, deep, or organ/space), implant failure, fracture, patellar luxation, and meniscal tear.

Results

Major complications were recorded in 13.4% of cases. Superficial SSI (incisional irritation) was diagnosed in 6.9% cases, requiring only antimicrobial therapy. Other complications included postliminary medial meniscal tear (2% incidence), deep SSI (incisional dehiscence, 1.1%), implant failure (1%), patellar luxation (1.2%), fracture (0.9%), and organ/space SSI (septic arthritis, 0.4%). Dogs with normal menisci were less likely to develop postliminary meniscal tears if the medial meniscus was released at the time of TTA (P < .0001). No association was detected between recorded parameters and complications, although dogs >8 years old approached significance (P = .05) in terms of predisposition to major complications.

Conclusions

Major complications after TTA are uncommon, even in dogs with concurrent patellar luxation or bilateral simultaneous procedures. In spite of its morbidity, medial meniscal release may prevent postliminary meniscal tears.
Reduced blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses during exercise in lowlanders acclimatizing to high altitude
Authors: Boulet Lindsey M. , Lovering Andrew T. , Tymko Michael M. , Day Trevor A. , Stembridge Mike , Nguyen Trang Anh , Ainslie Philip N. , Foster Glen E.
Published: March 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

The aim was to determine, using the technique of agitated saline contrast echocardiography, whether exercise after 4–7 days at 5050 m would affect blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses () compared with exercise at sea level.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Despite a significant increase in both cardiac output and pulmonary pressure during exercise at high altitude, there is very little at rest or during exercise after 4–7 days of acclimatization. Mathematical modelling suggests that bubble instability at high altitude is an unlikely explanation for the reduced .

Blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses () is elevated during exercise at sea level (SL) and at rest in acute normobaric hypoxia. After high altitude (HA) acclimatization, resting is similar to that at SL, but it is unknown whether this is true during exercise at HA. We reasoned that exercise at HA (5050 m) would exacerbate as a result of heightened pulmonary arterial pressure. Using a supine cycle ergometer, seven healthy adults free from intracardiac shunts underwent an incremental exercise test at SL [25, 50 and 75% of SL peak oxygen consumption ()] and at HA (25 and 50% of SL ). Echocardiography was used to determine cardiac output () and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and agitated saline contrast was used to determine (bubble score; 0–5). The principal findings were as follows: (i) was similar at SL rest (3.9 ± 0.47 l min−1) compared with HA rest (4.5 ± 0.49 l min−1; P = 0.382), but increased from rest during both SL and HA exercise (P < 0.001); (ii) PASP increased from SL rest (19.2 ± 0.7 mmHg) to HA rest (33.7 ± 2.8 mmHg; P = 0.001) and, compared with SL, PASP was further elevated during HA exercise (P = 0.003); (iii) was increased from SL rest (0) to HA rest (median = 1; P = 0.04) and increased from resting values during SL exercise (P < 0.05), but was unchanged during HA exercise (P = 0.91), despite significant increases in and PASP. Theoretical modelling of microbubble dissolution suggests that the lack of in response to exercise at HA is unlikely to be caused by saline contrast instability.
Increased transient Na+ conductance and action potential output in layer 2/3 prefrontal cortex neurons of the fmr1−/y mouse
Authors: Routh Brandy N. , Rathour Rahul K. , Baumgardner Michael E. , Kalmbach Brian E. , Johnston Daniel , Brager Darrin H.
Published: March 2017

Key points

Layer 2/3 neurons of the prefrontal cortex display higher gain of somatic excitability, responding with a higher number of action potentials for a given stimulus, in fmr1−/y mice.

In fmr1−/y L2/3 neurons, action potentials are taller, faster and narrower.

Outside‐out patch clamp recordings revealed that the maximum Na+ conductance density is higher in fmr1−/y L2/3 neurons.

Measurements of three biophysically distinct K+ currents revealed a depolarizing shift in the activation of a rapidly inactivating (A‐type) K+ conductance.

Realistic neuronal simulations of the biophysical observations recapitulated the elevated action potential and repetitive firing phenotype.

Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited mental impairment and autism. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher order cognitive processing, and prefrontal dysfunction is believed to underlie many of the cognitive and behavioural phenotypes associated with fragile X syndrome. We recently demonstrated that somatic and dendritic excitability of layer (L) 5 pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex of the fmr1−/y mouse is significantly altered due to changes in several voltage‐gated ion channels. In addition to L5 pyramidal neurons, L2/3 pyramidal neurons play an important role in prefrontal circuitry, integrating inputs from both lower brain regions and the contralateral cortex. Using whole‐cell current clamp recording, we found that L2/3 pyramidal neurons in prefrontal cortex of fmr1−/y mouse fired more action potentials for a given stimulus compared with wild‐type neurons. In addition, action potentials in fmr1−/y neurons were significantly larger, faster and narrower. Voltage clamp of outside‐out patches from L2/3 neurons revealed that the transient Na+ current was significantly larger in fmr1−/y neurons. Furthermore, the activation curve of somatic A‐type K+ current was depolarized. Realistic conductance‐based simulations revealed that these biophysical changes in Na+ and K+ channel function could reliably reproduce the observed increase in action potential firing and altered action potential waveform. These results, in conjunction with our prior findings on L5 neurons, suggest that principal neurons in the circuitry of the medial prefrontal cortex are altered in distinct ways in the fmr1−/y mouse and may contribute to dysfunctional prefrontal cortex processing in fragile X syndrome.
Performance Improvements in Cooker-Top Gas Burners for Small Aspect Ratio Changes
Authors: Silva Robson L. , Sant′Ana Bruno V. , Patelli José R. , Vieira Marcelo M.
Published: March 2017

This paper aims to identify performance improvements in cooker-top gas burners for changes in its original geometry, with aspect ratios (ARs) ranging from 0.25 to 0.56 and from 0.28 to 0.64. It operates on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and five thermal power (TP) levels. Considering the large number of cooker-top burners currently being used, even slight improvements in thermal performance resulting from a better design and recommended operating condition will lead to a significant reduction of energy consumption and costs. Appropriate instrumentation was used to carry out the measurements and methodology applied was based on regulations from INMETRO (CONPET program for energy conversion efficiency in cook top and kilns), ABNT (Brazilian Technical Standards Normative) and ANP—National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas (NG) and Biofuels. The results allow subsidizing recommendations to minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for residential use, providing also higher energy conversion efficiency and/or lower fuel consumption. Main conclusions are: (i) Smaller aspect ratios result in the same heating capacity and higher efficiency; (ii) higher aspect ratios (original burners) are fuel consuming and inefficient; (iii) operating conditions set on intermediate are lower fuel consumption without significant differences in temperature increases; (iv) Reynolds number lower than 500 provides higher efficiencies.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Growth of an Air/SF6 Turbulent Mixing Zone in a Shock Tube
Authors: Griffond J. , Haas J.-F. , Souffland D. , Bouzgarrou G. , Bury Y. , Jamme S.
Published: March 2017

Shock-induced mixing experiments have been conducted in a vertical shock tube of 130 mm square cross section located at ISAE. A shock wave traveling at Mach 1.2 in air hits a geometrically disturbed interface separating air and SF6, a gas five times heavier than air, filling a chamber of length L up to the end of the shock tube. Both gases are initially separated by a 0.5 μm thick nitrocellulose membrane maintained parallel to the shock front by two wire grids: an upper one with mesh spacing equal to either ms = 1.8 mm or 12.1 mm, and a lower one with a mesh spacing equal to ml = 1 mm. Weak dependence of the mixing zone growth after reshock (interaction of the mixing zone with the shock wave reflected from the top end of the test chamber) with respect to L and ms is observed despite a clear imprint of the mesh spacing ms in the schlieren images. Numerical simulations representative of these configurations are conducted: the simulations successfully replicate the experimentally observed weak dependence on L, but are unable to show the experimentally observed independence with respect to ms while matching the morphological features of the schlieren pictures.
Real-time growth study of plasma assisted atomic layer epitaxy of InN films by synchrotron x-ray methods
Authors: Nepal Neeraj , Anderson Virginia R. , Johnson Scooter D. , Downey Brian P. , Meyer David J. , DeMasi Alexander , Robinson Zachary R. , Ludwig Karl F. , Eddy Charles R.
Published: March 2017

The temporal evolution of high quality indium nitride (InN) growth by plasma-assisted atomic layer epitaxy (ALEp) on a-plane sapphire at 200 and 248 °C was probed by synchrotron x-ray methods. The growth was carried out in a thin film growth facility installed at beamline X21 of the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory and at beamline G3 of the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source, Cornell University. Measurements of grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering (GISAXS) during the initial cycles of growth revealed a broadening and scattering near the diffuse specular rod and the development of scattering intensities due to half unit cell thick nucleation islands in the Yoneda wing with correlation length scale of 7.1 and 8.2 nm, at growth temperatures (Tg) of 200 and 248 °C, respectively. At about 1.1 nm (two unit cells) of growth thickness nucleation islands coarsen, grow, and the intensity of correlated scattering peak increased at the correlation length scale of 8.0 and 8.7 nm for Tg = 200 and 248 °C, respectively. The correlated peaks at both growth temperatures can be fitted with a single peak Lorentzian function, which support single mode growth. Post-growth in situ x-ray reflectivity measurements indicate a growth rate of ∼0.36 Å/cycle consistent with the growth rate previously reported for self-limited InN growth in a commercial ALEp reactor. Consistent with the in situ GISAXS study, ex situ atomic force microscopy power spectral density measurements also indicate single mode growth. Electrical characterization of the resulting film revealed an electron mobility of 50 cm2/V s for a 5.6 nm thick InN film on a-plane sapphire, which is higher than the previously reported mobility of much thicker InN films grown at higher temperature by molecular beam epitaxy directly on sapphire. These early results indicated that in situ synchrotron x-ray study of the epitaxial growth kinetics of InN films is a very powerful method to understand nucleation and growth mechanisms of ALEp to enable improvement in material quality and broaden its application.
Shape-memory alloy rings as tight couplers between ultrahigh-vacuum pipes: Design and experimental assessment
Authors: Niccoli Fabrizio , Garion Cedric , Maletta Carmine , Chiggiato Paolo
Published: March 2017

The ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) coupling performance of NiTiNb shape memory alloy (SMA) rings was investigated by finite element (FE) simulations and experimental measurements. The contact pressure at the interface between the SMA ring and the vacuum pipe was measured and good agreements with the FE results were obtained. Furthermore, a design method was proposed that involves the FE results and a vacuum sealing model. Finally, leak rate measurements were carried out to assess the sealing performance of selected coupling configurations. The main result found was that the leak rate constraints for UHV applications could be easily satisfied (leak rate <10−10 mbar l s−1), which opens the possibility of remotely clamping/unclamping the tight couplers by well-defined changes in their temperature. Possible applications in the field of particle accelerators and, in particular, in restricted access areas were considered.
Detailed analysis of impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy of bismuth selenide
Authors: Zhou Weimin , Zhu Haoshan , Yarmoff Jory A.
Published: March 2017

Impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy (ICISS), which is a variation of low energy ion scattering (LEIS) that employs large scattering angles, is performed on Bi2Se3 surfaces prepared by ion bombardment and annealing. ICISS angular scans are collected experimentally and simulated numerically along the [120] and [1¯2¯0] azimuths, and the match of the positions of the flux peaks shows that the top three atomic layers are bulk-terminated. A newly observed feature is identified as a minimum in the multiple scattering background when the ion beam incidence is along a low index direction. Calculated scans as a function of scattering angle are employed to identify the behavior of flux peaks to show whether they originate from shadowing, blocking or both. This new method for analysis of large-angle LEIS data is shown to be useful for accurately investigating complex surface structures.
Temperature and wall coating dependence of alkali vapor transport speed in micron-scale capillaries
Authors: Giraud-Carrier Matthieu , Decker Trevor , McClellan Joshua , Bennett Linsey , Hawkins Aaron , Black Jennifer , Almquist Soren , Schmidt Holger
Published: March 2017

The impact of storage temperature and wall coatings on alkali vapor transport through micron-scale glass capillaries is analyzed. Glass microbore tubing, chromatography vials, and copper tubing are assembled into closed atomic spectroscopy units with varying capillary lengths and inner diameters. Such devices serve as valuable test models for integrated atomic spectroscopy platforms that rely on hollow-core optical waveguides for chip-scale implementation of quantum coherence phenomena such as slow and stopped light. The inside surface of the systems are coated with dimethyldichlorosilane (DMDCS) after which the system is loaded with rubidium vapor and hermetically sealed. The loaded units are stored in a tube furnace at elevated temperatures and tested daily for absorption over several weeks. Both a wall coating of DMDCS and higher storage temperature increases the transport speed of Rb vapor. The limits and implications of these results are discussed and compared to an expected theoretical model. Suggestions for increasing transport speed are given.
Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition-regrown Ga-rich InGaP films on SiGe virtual substrates for Si-based III-V optoelectronic device applications
Authors: Kim TaeWan , Wang Bing , Wang Cong , Kohen David A. , Hwang Jeong Woo , Shin Jae Cheol , Kang Sang-Woo , Michel Jürgen
Published: March 2017

Ga-rich InGaP materials are attractive applications for yellow-green spectral range optoelectronics such as light-emitting diodes and solar cells on silicon substrate. Bulk, Ga-rich InGaP films grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on SiGe virtual substrates were investigated in the V/III compositional ratio range of 44.3–402 using chamber pressures from 100 to 200 mbar. These films were nominally lattice matched to the SiGe virtual substrate with a bandgap energy of 2.07–2.09 eV at low temperature (10 K). The authors show that the surface morphology of the Ga-rich InGaP films was dependent on the growth conditions, including the V/III gas phase ratio, pressure, and growth rate. By optimizing the growth conditions, the authors achieved improved surface morphologies of the Ga-rich InGaP films. The hillock density of the films produced using a V/III gas phase ratio of 44.3 and 75.4, a growth pressure of 100 mbar, and a growth rate of 0.9 μm/h was about an order of magnitude lower (30.3–50 × 104 cm−2) than that observed using higher V/III gas phase ratios such as 201 and 402. An increase in luminescence efficiency of Ga-rich InGaP materials was observed when the hillock density is lower. The authors discuss the mechanisms of the hillock formation.
Acoustic wave propagation in gassy porous marine sediments: The rheological and the elastic effects
Authors: Dogan Hakan , White Paul R. , Leighton Timothy G.
Published: March 2017

The preceding paper in this series [Mantouka, Dogan, White, and Leighton, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 140, 274–282 (2016)] presented a nonlinear model for acoustic propagation in gassy marine sediments, the baseline for which was established by Leighton [Geo. Res. Lett. 34, L17607 (2007)]. The current paper aims further advancement on those two studies by demonstrating the particular effects of the sediment rheology, the dispersion and dissipation of the first compressional wave, and the higher order re-scattering from other bubbles. Sediment rheology is included through the sediment porosity and the definition of the contact interfaces of bubbles with the solid grains and the pore water. The intrinsic attenuation and the dispersion of the compressional wave are incorporated using the effective fluid density model [Williams, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 110, 2276–2281 (2001)] for the far field (fully water-saturated sediment). The multiple scattering from other bubbles is included using the method of Kargl [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 11, 168–173 (2002)]. The overall nonlinear formulation is then reduced to the linear limit in order to compare with the linear theory of Anderson and Hampton [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 67, 1890–1903 (1980)], and the results for the damping coefficients, the sound speed, and the attenuation are presented.
Classification of underwater vocalizations of wild spotted seals (Phoca largha) in Liaodong Bay, China
Authors: Yang Liangliang , Xu Xiaomei , Zhang Peijun , Han Jiabo , Li Bing , Berggren Per
Published: March 2017

Underwater vocalizations were recorded and classified from wild spotted seals (Phoca largha) in Liaodong Bay, China. The spotted seals exhibited an extensive underwater vocal repertoire but with limited complexity. Four major call types, representing 77.8% of all calls recorded, were identified using multivariate analyses of ten acoustic parameters; knock, growl, drum, and sweep. The calls were relatively brief (12–270 ms, mean of −10 dB duration) pulsating sounds of low-frequency (peak frequency <600 Hz) and narrow bandwidth (169–232 Hz, mean of −3 dB bandwidth; 237–435 Hz, mean of −6 dB bandwidth). Frequency variables (−3/−6 dB frequency bandwidth, center frequency, and top three peak frequencies) were the primary descriptors used to differentiate the call types. Comparing the spotted seal underwater vocalizations with those of the closely related Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) indicated that the two species use similar bandwidths and peak frequencies but spotted seal calls were generally shorter. Knowledge of underwater vocalizations of wild spotted seals is important for understanding the species behavior and for planning future acoustic surveys of its distribution and occurrence.
Waveguide mode amplitude estimation using warping and phase compensation
Authors: Bonnel Julien , Caporale Salvatore , Thode Aaron
Published: March 2017

In shallow water, low-frequency propagation can be described by modal theory. Acoustical oceanographic measurements under this situation have traditionally relied on spatially filtering signals with arrays of synchronized hydrophones. Recent work has demonstrated how a method called warping allows isolation of individual mode arrivals on a single hydrophone, a discovery that subsequently opened the door for practical single-receiver source localization and geoacoustic inversion applications. Warping is a non-linear resampling of the signal based on a simplistic waveguide model. Because warping is robust to environmental mismatch, it provides accurate estimates of the mode phase even when the environment is poorly known. However, the approach has issues with mode amplitude estimation, particularly for the first arriving mode. As warping is not invariant to time shifting, it relies on accurate estimates of the signal's time origin, which in turn heavily impacts the first mode's amplitude estimate. Here, a revised warping operator is proposed that incorporates as much prior environmental information as possible, and is actually equivalent to compensating the relative phase of each mode. Warping and phase compensation are applied to both simulated and experimental data. The proposed methods notably improve the amplitude estimates of the first arriving mode.
Draft Genome Sequences of Tersicoccus phoenicis DSM 30849
T
, Isolated from a Cleanroom for Spacecraft Assembly, and
Tersicoccus
sp. Strain Bi-70, Isolated from a Freshwater Lake
Authors: Nakajima Yu , Yoshizawa Susumu , Nakamura Keiji , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Hayashi Tetsuya , Kogure Kazuhiro
Published: March 2017

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of
Tersicoccus phoenicis
DSM 30849
T
, isolated from a spacecraft assembly cleanroom at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and
Tersicoccus
sp. strain Bi-70, isolated from Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. These genome sequences facilitate our understanding of the adaptation of these closely related strains to different habitats.
Draft Genome Sequence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Barra Grande (BG-1), a Brazilian Industrial Bioethanol-Producing Strain
Authors: Coutouné Natalia , Mulato Aline Tieppo Nogueira , Riaño-Pachón Diego Mauricio , Oliveira Juliana Velasco de Castro
Published: March 2017

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
BG-1, a Brazilian industrial strain widely used for bioethanol production from sugarcane. The 11.7-Mb genome sequence consists of 216 scaffolds and harbors 5,607 predicted protein-coding genes.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Escherichia coli Phages, vB_EcoM_ ESCO5 and vB_EcoM_ESCO13, Which Are Related to phAPEC8
Authors: Trotereau Angélina , Gonnet Mathieu , Viardot Antoine , Lalmanach Anne-Christine , Guabiraba Rodrigo , Chanteloup Nathalie Katy , Schouler Catherine
Published: March 2017

We report here the complete genome sequences of two
Myoviridae
phages that infect various avian-pathogenic
Escherichia coli
strains and that are closely related to phage phAPEC8.
Therapy of Multidrug-Resistant and Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: Seaworth Barbara J. , Griffith David E.
Published: March 2017

The global epidemic of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) caused by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin was recently reported as larger than previously estimated, with at least 580,000 new cases reported in 2015. Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), MDR-TB with additional resistance to a second-line fluoroquinolone and injectable, continues to account for nearly 10% of MDR cases globally. Cases in India, China, and the Russian Federation account for >45% of the cases of MDR-TB. Molecular testing helps identify MDR more quickly, and treatment options have expanded across the globe. Despite this, only 20% are in treatment, and treatment is challenging due to the toxicity of medications and the long duration. In 2016 the World Health Organization updated guidelines for the treatment of MDR-TB. A new short-course regimen is an option for those who qualify. Five effective drugs, including pyrazinamide (PZA) when possible, are recommended during the initial treatment phase and four drugs thereafter. Revised drug classifications include the use of linezolid and clofazimine as key second-line drugs and the option to use bedaquiline and delamanid to complete a five-drug regimen when needed due to poor medication tolerance or extensive resistance. Despite multiple drugs and long-duration treatment regimens, the outcomes for MDR and especially XDR-TB are much worse than for drug-susceptible disease. Better management of toxicity, prevention of transmission, and identification and appropriate management of infected contacts are important challenges for the future.
Pen needle design influences ease of insertion, pain, and skin trauma in subjects with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Præstmark Kezia A , Jensen Morten L , Madsen Nils B , Kildegaard Jonas , Stallknecht Bente M
Published: March 2017

Objective

Pen needles used for subcutaneous injections have gradually become shorter, thinner and more thin walled, and thereby less robust to patient reuse. Thus, different needle sizes, alternative tip designs and needles resembling reuse were tested to explore how needle design influences ease of insertion, pain and skin trauma.

Research design and methods

30 subjects with injection-treated type 2 diabetes and body mass index 25–35 kg/m2were included in the single-blinded study. Each subject received abdominal insertions with 18 different types of needles. All needles were tested twice per subject and in random order. Penetration force (PF) through the skin, pain perception on 100 mm visual analog scale, and change in skin blood perfusion (SBP) were quantified after the insertions.

Results

Needle diameter was positively related to PF and SBP (p<0.05) and with a positive pain trend relation. Lack of needle lubrication and small ‘needle hooks’ increased PF and SBP (p<0.05) but did not affect pain. Short-tip, obtuse needle grinds affected PF and SBP, but pain was only significantly affected in extreme cases. PF in skin and in polyurethane rubber were linearly related, and pain outcome was dependent of SBP increase.

Conclusions

The shape and design of a needle and the needle tip affect ease of insertion, pain and skin trauma. Relations are seen across different data acquisition methods and across species, enabling needle performance testing outside of clinical trials.

Trial registration number

NCT02531776; results.
Venous thromboembolism in adults screened for sickle cell trait: a population-based cohort study with nested case–control analysis
Authors: Little Iain , Vinogradova Yana , Orton Elizabeth , Kai Joe , Qureshi Nadeem
Published: March 2017

Objective

To determine whether sickle cell carriers (‘sickle cell trait’) have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Design

Cohort study with nested case–control analysis.

Setting

General population with data from 609 UK general practices in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD).

Participants

All individuals registered with a CPRD general practice between 1998 and 2013, with a medical record of screening for sickle cell between 18 and 75 years of age.

Main outcomes measures

Incidence of VTE per 10 000 person-years (PY) among sickle cell carriers and non-carriers; and adjusted OR for VTE among sickle cell carriers compared with non-carriers.

Results

We included 30 424 individuals screened for sickle cell, with a follow-up time of 179 503 PY, identifying 55 VTEs in 6758 sickle cell carriers and 125 VTEs in 23 666 non-carriers. VTE incidence among sickle cell carriers (14.9/10 000 PY; 95% CI 11.4 to 19.4) was significantly higher than non-carriers (8.8/10 000 PY; 95% CI 7.4 to 10.4). Restricting analysis to confirmed non-carriers was non-significant, but performed on a small sample. In the case–control analysis (180 cases matched to 1775 controls by age and gender), sickle cell carriers remained at increased risk of VTE after adjusting for body mass index, pregnancy, smoking status and ethnicity (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.69, p=0.006), with the greatest risk for pulmonary embolism (PE) (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.39, p=0.011).

Conclusions

Although absolute numbers are small, in a general population screened for sickle cell, carriers have a higher incidence and risk of VTE, particularly PE, than non-carriers. Clinicians should be aware of this elevated risk in the clinical care of sickle cell carriers, or when discussing carrier screening, and explicitly attend to modifiable risk factors for VTE in these individuals. More complete primary care coding of carrier status could improve analysis.
Spin in RCTs of anxiety medication with a positive primary outcome: a comparison of concerns expressed by the US FDA and in the published literature
Authors: Beijers Lian , Jeronimus Bertus F , Turner Erick H , de Jonge Peter , Roest Annelieke M
Published: March 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the presence of spin in papers on positive randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of antidepressant medication for anxiety disorders by comparing concerns expressed in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews with those expressed in the published paper.

Methods

For every positive anxiety medication trial with a matching publication (n=41), two independent reviewers identified the concerns raised in the US FDA reviews and those in the published literature. Spin was identified when concerns or limitations were expressed by the FDA (about the efficacy of the study drug) but not in the corresponding published paper. Concerns mentioned in the papers but not by the FDA were scored as ‘non-FDA’ concerns.

Findings

Only six out of 35 (17%) of the FDA concerns pertaining to drug efficacy were reported in the papers. Two papers mentioned a concern that fit the FDA categories, but was not mentioned in the corresponding FDA review. Eighty-seven non-FDA concerns were counted, which often reflected general concerns or concerns related to the study design.

Conclusions

Results indicate the presence of substantial spin in the clinical trial literature on drugs for anxiety disorders. In papers describing RCTs on anxiety medication, the concerns raised by the authors differed from those raised by the FDA. Published papers mentioned a large number of generic concerns about RCTs, such as a lack of long-term research and limited generalisability, while they mentioned few concerns about drug efficacy. These results warrant the promotion of independent statistical review, reporting of patient-level data, more study of spin, and an increased expectation that authors report FDA concerns.
Dealing with possible criminal cases: pre‐trial casework and collecting evidence
Authors: Yeates James
Published: March 2017

Vets play an important role in providing evidence to courts on cases of animal cruelty and abuse. In this article, the first in a series on being involved in potential criminal animal welfare cases, James Yeates discusses the important pre‐trial work, both clinical and forensic, that should be considered when dealing with cases of animal cruelty that may be referred for prosecution.
miR-10b is a prognostic marker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Khella Heba W Z , Daniel Nicole , Youssef Leza , Scorilas Andreas , Nofech-Mozes Roy , Mirham Lorna , Krylov Sergey N , Liandeau Evi , Krizova Adriana , Finelli Antonio , Cheng Yufeng , Yousef George M
Published: March 2017

Aims

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common adult kidney cancer. It is an aggressive tumour with unpredictable outcome. The currently used clinical parameters are not always accurate for predicting disease behaviour. miR-10b is dysregulated in different malignancies including RCC.

Methods

We assessed the clinical utility of miR-10b as a prognostic marker in 250 patients with primary ccRCC. We examined the correlation between miR-10b and clinicopathological parameters. We compared miR-10b expression among different RCC subtypes and normal kidney tissue.

Results

We observed a stepwise decrease of miR-10b expression from normal kidney to primary ccRCC and a further decrease from primary to metastatic RCC. miR-10b expression was significantly lower in stages III/IV compared with stages I/II (p=0.038). Using a binary cut-off, miR-10b-positive patients had significantly longer disease-free survival (HR=0.47, CI 0.28 to 0.79, p=0.004). In the subgroup of patients with tumour size >4 cm, higher miR-10b expression was associated with significant longer disease-free and overall survival (p=0.001 and p=0.036, respectively). miR-10b was significantly downregulated in ccRCC compared with normal kidney (p<0.0001), and oncocytoma (p=0.031). It was also downregulated in chromophobe RCC. In addition, we identified a number of miR-10b-predicted targets and pathways that are involved in tumourigenesis.

Conclusions

Our data point to miR-10b as a promising prognostic marker in ccRCC with potential therapeutic applications.
Are babies conceived during Ramadan born smaller and sooner than babies conceived at other times of the year? A Born in Bradford Cohort Study
Authors: Daley Amanda , Pallan Miranda , Clifford Sue , Jolly Kate , Bryant Maria , Adab Peymane , Cheng K K , Roalfe Andrea
Published: March 2017

Background

It is not known whether infants exposed to intermittent maternal fasting at conception are born smaller or have a higher risk of premature birth than those who are not. Doctors are therefore unsure about what advice to give women about the safety of Ramadan fasting. This cohort study aimed to investigate these questions in Muslim mother–infant pairs to inform prenatal care.

Methods

Routinely collected data accessed from maternity records were the source for information. Mothers were considered exposed if they were Muslim and Ramadan overlapped with their infant conception date, estimated to be 14 days after the last menstrual period. Infants were included as exposed if their estimated conception date was in the first 21 days of Ramadan or 7 days prior to Ramadan.

Results

After adjusting for gestational age, maternal age, infant gender, maternal body mass index at booking, smoking status, gestational diabetes, parity and year of birth, there was no significant difference in birth weight between infants born to Muslim mothers who were conceived during Ramadan (n=479) and those who were not (n=4677) (adjusted mean difference =24.3 g, 95% CI −16.4 to 64.9). There was no difference in rates of premature births in exposed and unexposed women (5.2% vs 4.9%; OR=1.08, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.65).

Conclusions

Healthy Muslim women considering becoming pregnant prior to, or during Ramadan, can be advised that fasting does not seem to have a detrimental effect on the size (weight) of their baby and it appears not to increase the likelihood of giving birth prematurely.
Prognostic Value of Early Response Assessment Using (18F)Fdg-Pet in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Ma Jun , Wu Xiaojing , Li Jianghong , Wang Zhihua , Wang Yi
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the prognostic value of early response assessment using (18F)fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission thermography (PET) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs). MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched until August 1, 2016 using the keywords non-small cell lung carcinoma, positron-emission tomography, fluorodeoxyglucose, prognosis, disease progression, survival, erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib. Inclusion criteria were studies of patients with stage III or IV NSCLC treated with a TKI and had response assessed by FDG-PET. Outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Of the 167 articles identified, 10 studies including 302 patients were included in the analysis. In 8 studies, patients were treated with erlotinib, and in 2 they were treated with gefitinib. The overall analysis revealed that early metabolic response was statistically associated with improved OS (HR=0.54; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.63; p<0.001), and with longer PFS (HR=0.23; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.33; p<0.001). Early response of patients with NSCLC treated with TKIs identified on FDG-PET is associated with improved OS and PFS.
Is vascular endothelial growth factor a useful biomarker in giant cell arteritis?
Authors: Goodfellow Nicola , Morlet Julien , Singh Surjeet , Sabokbar Afsie , Hutchings Andrew , Sharma Vanshika , Vaskova Jana , Masters Shauna , Zarei Allahdad , Luqmani Raashid
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To assess the performance of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels as a tool for diagnosing giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a cohort of patients referred for assessment of suspected GCA.

Methods

We selected 298 patients recruited to the multicentre study Temporal Artery Biopsy versus Ultrasound in diagnosis of suspected GCA (TABUL). In a random subset of 26 biopsy-proven GCA cases and 26 controls, serum from weeks 0, 2 and 26 was analysed for VEGF concentration using ELISA. VEGF concentration at week 0 was used to generate a receiver-operating characteristic curve and thereby identify a cut-off for an abnormal result which was used to analyse the full patient cohort. Sections of paraffin-embedded temporal artery were stained by immunohistochemistry for VEGF.

Results

The mean (95% CI) VEGF concentration at week 0 was 873 pg/mL (631 to 1110) in 26 patients versus 476 pg/mL (328 to 625) in 26 controls (p=0.017). This difference was not observed at any other time point. The optimal cut-off of 713 pg/mL was applied to the whole patient cohort (n=298), yielding sensitivity of 32% and specificity of 85%. This was not improved by combination with any clinical parameters. When patients with biopsy-proven GCA were compared with controls, sensitivity was 58% and specificity remained 85%. Sections of biopsy from biopsy-positive GCA showed intense staining in the adventitia which was not seen in controls.

Conclusions

Serum VEGF concentration predicts biopsy positivity but is not useful for differentiating clinical cases of GCA from controls. Further studies into VEGF as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target are warranted.

Trial registration number

NCT00974883; Post-results.
Optimal topology to minimizing congestion in connected communication complex network
Authors: Benyoussef M. , Ez-Zahraouy H. , Benyoussef A.
Published: March 2017

In this paper, a new model of the interdependent complex network is proposed, based on two assumptions that (i) the capacity of a node depends on its degree, and (ii) the traffic load depends on the distribution of the links in the network. Based on these assumptions, the presented model proposes a method of connection not based on the node having a higher degree but on the region containing hubs. It is found that the final network exhibits two kinds of degree distribution behavior, depending on the kind and the way of the connection. This study reveals a direct relation between network structure and traffic flow. It is found that [Formula: see text] the point of transition between the free flow and the congested phase depends on the network structure and the degree distribution. Moreover, this new model provides an improvement in the traffic compared to the results found in a single network. The same behavior of degree distribution found in a BA network and observed in the real world is obtained; except for this model, the transition point between the free phase and congested phase is much higher than the one observed in a network of BA, for both static and dynamic protocols.
Diffusion Equation-Based Finite Element Modeling of a Monumental Worship Space
Authors: Gül Zühre Sü , Xiang Ning , Çalışkan Mehmet
Published: March 2017

In this work, a diffusion equation model (DEM) is applied to a room acoustics case for in-depth sound field analysis. Background of the theory, the governing and boundary equations specifically applicable to this study are presented. A three-dimensional geometric model of a monumental worship space is composed. The DEM is solved over this model in a finite element framework to obtain sound energy densities. The sound field within the monument is numerically assessed; spatial sound energy distributions and flow vector analysis are conducted through the time-dependent DEM solutions.
Vector Ocean Ambient Noise Spectrum Simulation Based on Parabolic Equation Model in Shallow Water
Authors: Fu Liufang , Li Peng , Zhang Xinhua , Ma Shuqing , Gao Chengzhi
Published: March 2017

Ocean ambient noise spectrum is one of the most important characteristics of ambient noise. An ocean vector ambient noise field model was built up based on parabolic equation in this paper. Then the spectra of sound pressure, horizontal particle velocity and vertical particle velocity were calculated applying the model considering noise sources well distributed on the surface with typical summer sound speed profile in South China Sea. The simulation results showed that spectra of sound pressure, horizontal particle velocity and vertical particle velocity were obviously not varied with depth. Then, the simulated results were compared with the experiment results at the receiving depth of a trail in South China Sea in July 2012. Compared with the experimental results, the simulation results are consistent well with the experimental one of sound pressure and horizontal particle velocity in the trend. But the simulation values at low frequency band below 500[Formula: see text]Hz, are not consistent with the experimental one very well, in the band the simulation results are lower than the experimental by about 3–5[Formula: see text]dB. But the simulation result of vertical particle velocity was not consistent with the experimental one, illustrating that the precision of the model might not be enough in the vertical direction.
Strategic Foresight for Innovation Management: A Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Adegbile Abiodun , Sarpong David , Meissner Dirk
Published: March 2017

The concept of strategic foresight has come to dominate contemporary management discourse in recent times with a remarkable upsurge in the number of scholarly papers reporting a positive influence of strategic foresight on innovation. This causal link has served not only as a point of convergence for many empirical and conceptual studies, but also the starting point for theorizing the relevance of strategic foresight in organizing. Drawing on an exhaustive sample of 258 academic publications from 1990–2014, this paper provides a comprehensive review of strategic foresight and its influence on innovation. Our review suggest that strategic foresight rather than directly resulting in innovation tend to rather influence it by shaping and giving form to innovation management tools, and future-oriented knowledge creation, which in turn cumulatively drive innovation performance. Our proposed integrative framework therefore specifies the conceptual linkages between strategic foresight and innovation performance.
Conformal semi-slant submersions
Authors: Akyol Mehmet Akif
Published: March 2017

Park and Prasad [Semi-slant submersions, Bull. Korean Math. Soc. 50(3) (2013) 951–962.] defined and studied semi-slant submersions as a generalization of slant submersions, semi-invariant submersions, anti-invariant submersions. As a generalization of semi-slant submersions, we introduce conformal semi-slant submersions and study the new submersions from almost Hermitian manifolds onto Riemannian manifolds. We study the integrability of ditributions and the geometry of leaves of a conformal submersion. Moreover, we show that there are certain product structures on base manifold of a conformal semi-slant submersion. We also obtain totally geodesic conditions for such maps. Finally, we give lots of examples.
Electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of metallohexaphyrins containing bis-copper or bis-zinc central metal ions
Authors: Chen Minyuan , Ou Zhongping , Feng Ru , Fang Yuanyuan , Zhang Ying , Kadish Karl M.
Published: March 2017

Two meso-substituted bis-metallohexaphyrins were synthesized and characterized as to their electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties in nonaqueous media. The examined compounds are represented as HexaPyM2, where HexaPy represents an expanded macrocycle containing six pyrroles and M [Formula: see text] Cu(II) or Zn(II). Each hexaphyrin undergoes four reversible one-electron reductions and two irreversible oxidations in PhCN or CH2Cl2 containing 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate. The HexaPyCu2 is much easier to reduce than the corresponding Cu porphyrin with the same meso-substituents and it is also easier to reduce than a structurally related Cu(II) tripyrrinone. All four reductions of HexaPyM2 are assigned as [Formula: see text]-ring centered electron transfers to give [HexaPyM2][Formula: see text], [HexaPyM2][Formula: see text], [HexaPyM2][Formula: see text] and [HexaPyM2][Formula: see text], respectively. The neutral HexaPyCu2 and HexaPyZn2 also exhibit two oxidations, both of which are irreversible at a scan rate of 0.10 V/s. The peak separation between the first one-electron addition and the first electron abstraction of HexaPyM2 ranges from 1.46 to 1.72 V. These non-thermodynamic HOMO–LUMO gaps are similar to the range of HOMO–LUMO gaps for previously characterized sapphyrins which contain five pyrrole ring in the macrocycle.
Synthesis, singlet oxygen generation, photocytotoxicity and subcellular localization of azobisporphyrins as potentially photodynamic therapeutic agentsin vitrocell study
Authors: Zheng Yunman , Zhu Sizhe , Jiang Lijun , Wu Fengshou , Huang Chi , Li Zaoying , Wong Ka-Leung , Xu Zebin , Wang Kai
Published: March 2017

Three azobisporphyrins (Por1, Por2 and Por3) were synthesized by coupling two molecules of (4-nitrophenyl/pyridyl) porphyrins in the presence of KOH/butanol. The structures of porphyrins were confirmed by UV, IR, NMR and mass spectra and elemental analysis. With tetraphenylporphyrin (H2TPP) as a control, the singlet oxygen (1O[Formula: see text] generation of porphyrins was evaluated through 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) method. The order of ability to generate1O2for three azobisporphyrins was Por 1 [Formula: see text]Por 2 > Por 3[Formula: see text] H2TPP. The photocytotoxicity and sub-cellular localization of azobisporphyrins over Hela cells were studied through MTT analysis and confocal laser scanning microscope, respectively. The results indicated Por 1 and Por 2 displayed the low dark-cytotoxicity, while Por 3 induced a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity to Hela cells with the concentration of porphyrins ranging from 1 to 100 [Formula: see text] M. With the light dose at 4 J/cm2, Por 3 killed more than 60% Hela cells at 2 [Formula: see text] M, indicating a high photocytoxicity. As seen from the laser scanning confocal microscopy images, Por 3 was mainly localized in cell membrane, while Por 1 and Por 2 do not displayed significant fluorescent emission in Hela cells. These results suggest the synthesized cationic azobisporphyrin could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for photodynamic therapy of cancers.