bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluorescent tagging for environmental surface cleaning surveillance in a veterinary hospital
Authors: Langdon G. , Hoet A. E. , Stull J. W.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To evaluate the use of fluorescent tagging for environmental surface cleaning surveillance in a small animal veterinary hospital and identify factors associated with tag removal.

Materials and Methods

Over 5.5 weeks, a commercial fluorescent dye (Glo Germ) was used to tag (mark) surfaces in a small animal veterinary teaching hospital. Twenty‐four hours after tagging, cleaning was assessed with a black light (UV‐A source). Surfaces were recorded as cleaned based on complete removal of fluorescent tagging at assessment. Proportions cleaned were calculated overall and by predictors (i.e. surface location/type, primary nature of surface contact – animal/human, week of study).

Results

A total of 4984 surfaces were tagged and assessed. Overall cleaning was 50%. Cleaning varied by surface/object (range: 2 to 100%) and hospital location (4 to 78%). Surfaces designated as having primarily animal contact were cleaned more frequently than those with primarily human contact (75%, 42%; P<0.001). Cleaning varied over the study period (range by week: 45 to 54%;); a significant trend was not identified.

Clinical Significance

Key surfaces in the small animal veterinary practice environment are unlikely to be adequately cleaned, posing a concern for animal and human health. Commercial products can be effectively used to asses environmental cleaning with findings used to target clinic‐specific barriers to improve cleaning and reduce hospital‐associated infections.
Amoxicillin and amoxicillin‐clavulanate resistance in urinary Escherichia coli antibiograms of cats and dogs from the Midwestern United States
Authors: KuKanich Kate , Lubbers Brian , Salgado Brianna
Published: November 2019

Background

Antibiograms are stewardship tools that provide antimicrobial resistance data for regional bacterial isolates to guide treatment of infections.

Objectives

To develop regional antibiograms of urinary Escherichia coli isolates from cats and dogs.

Animals

Escherichia coli isolates cultured from feline (N = 143) and canine (640) urine from 2013 to 2017, from Kansas State University (N = 335) and private practice (N = 448) patients in the Midwestern United States.

Methods

Retrospective review of urine culture and susceptibility results. Antibiograms were created for 10 commonly used antimicrobial agents using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institutes guidelines.

Results

No isolates from cats were susceptible to amoxicillin‐clavulanate (susceptibility [S] ≤ 0.25/0.12) or amoxicillin (S ≤ 0.25); isolates from dogs had low susceptibility to amoxicillin 53% (S ≤ 8). Conversely, isolates from dogs had high susceptibility to amoxicillin‐clavulanate 92% (S ≤ 8/4), despite equal 90th percentile minimum inhibitory concentrations (8 μg/mL) for feline and canine populations. Resistance to other antimicrobials was uncommon (≤7% for isolates from cats, ≤14% for isolates from dogs).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The disparity in susceptibility for amoxicillin and amoxicillin‐clavulanate between isolates from cats and dogs likely reflects higher breakpoints for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs. Urine concentration data for these antimicrobials in cats might support a UTI‐specific breakpoint for cats and increase potential therapeutic options for managing UTIs in cats with first‐line antimicrobials. Decreased susceptibility among isolates from dogs to amoxicillin (53%) compared to amoxicillin‐clavulanate (92%) might support amoxicillin‐clavulanate as a better empirical choice for UTIs in dogs in this geographical region.
Any: Logic, likelihood, and context (Pt. 1)
Authors: Crnič Luka
Published: November 2019

Any has a more restricted distribution than other determiners. While it is uncontroversial that providing an adequate description of this distribution requires recourse to semantics, a full description has remained elusive. This holds, in particular, due to the intricate behavior of any in modal and non‐monotone environments, where sensitivity to extra‐grammatical factors is sometimes attested. Drawing on the insights of Kadmon and Landman, and on independently motivated mechanisms in grammar, we show that such descriptive challenges can be answered without abandoning a uniform treatment of any across the different environments. The resulting picture falls naturally out of an approach that takes any to be accompanied by covert even. There are two parts to this review. Part I attends to the distribution of any in entailment‐reversing and modal environments. Part II turns to an explanation of this distribution, its predictions about the distribution of any in non‐monotone environments, and to differences between any and some allied expressions. The review concludes by pointing out several open questions left for future research.
A maternal “mixed, high sugar” dietary pattern is associated with fetal growth
Authors: Wrottesley Stephanie V. , Prioreschi Alessandra , Kehoe Sarah H. , Ward Kate A. , Norris Shane A.
Published: November 2019

This study examined associations between a maternal “mixed, high sugar” dietary pattern during pregnancy and ultrasound‐determined fetal growth in 495 urban African women and explored whether these associations were independent of maternal baseline body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG). Linear mixed effects modelling (LMM) was used to test the associations between maternal mixed, high sugar dietary pattern score, baseline BMI (kg/m2), and GWG (kg/week) and the following fetal growth outcomes: (a) biparietal diameter (cm), (b) head circumference (cm), (c) abdominal circumference (cm), and (d) femur length (cm). In the pooled LMM, a +1 standard deviation (SD) increase in the mixed, high sugar dietary pattern score was associated with higher biparietal diameter (0.03 cm/+1 SD; p = .007), head circumference (0.07 cm/+1 SD; p = .026), abdominal circumference (0.08 cm/+1 SD; p = .038), and femur length (0.02 cm/+1 SD; p = .015). Although these associations were independent of maternal BMI and GWG, higher baseline BMI was independently and positively associated with abdominal circumference (0.03 cm/+1 kg/m2; p = .011) and femur length (0.01 cm/+1 kg/m2; p = .007) and 1 kg/week greater GWG was associated with a 0.82 cm increase in abdominal circumference (p = .007). In urban African settings, where preconception maternal obesity prevalence is high and processed, high sugar diets are common, improving maternal dietary intake and BMI prior to conception should be prioritised for optimising pregnancy and birth outcomes as well as longer‐term offspring health. In addition, dietary management strategies during pregnancy may be beneficial in facilitating healthy fetal growth.
Are long‐run output growth rates falling?
Authors: Li Mengheng , Mendieta‐Muñoz Ivan
Published: November 2019

This paper studies the evolution of long‐run output and technical progress growth rates in the G‐7 countries during the post‐war period by considering the concept of the natural rate of growth. We use time‐varying parameter models that incorporate both stochastic volatility and a Heckman‐type two‐step estimation procedure that deals with the possible endogeneity problem in the econometric models. Our results show a significant decline in long‐run growth rates that is not associated with the detrimental effects of the Great Recession, and that the rate of growth of technical progress appears to be behind the slowdown in long‐run GDP growth.
Trophic‐specific responses to migration in empirical metacommunities
Authors: Hajian‐Forooshani Zachary , Schmitt Lauren , Medina Nicholas , Vandermeer John
Published: November 2019

The metacommunity, as it evolved from Levins's metapopulation, provides a framework to consider the spatial organization of species interactions. A defining feature of metapopulations and metacommunities is that organisms (populations or communities) are connected via migration. An important result from Levins's metapopulation work – that increasing migration lowers regional extinction probability – is often incorporated into conceptions of metacommunities; however, this may not hold true for multiple interacting metapopulations (i.e. metacommunities). We report results from a metacommunity field experiment conducted with a tropical terrestrial leaf litter macro‐arthropod community. We show that migration induces regional extinctions of predators without significantly changing the predator community composition. For non‐predators we found no evidence of regional extinctions, but a significant change in community composition. Our result corroborates the findings of a prior similar metacommunity experiment with a temperate forest leaf litter community. The concordance between these experiments, even with vastly different communities, highlights the importance of considering trophic and non‐trophic community structure to understand metacommunity dynamics, and suggests a potential connection between migration rates and trophic‐specific responses in ecological communities.
Accountability and hybridity in welfare governance
Authors: Benish Avishai , Mattei Paola
Published: November 2019

Hybridity has become a central characteristic of accountability in public governance. Contemporary service delivery is increasingly defined by the mixing and layering of public, market and social accountability regimes operating as overlapping ‘hybrid’ accountability arrangements. Although hybrid accountability is not a new phenomenon, recent trends have accelerated the process of hybridization, particularly in welfare state governance. In this symposium, we seek to advance our understanding of the under‐theorized concept of hybrid accountability and empirically examine what is actually going on. In this introductory article, we put forward a definition of what hybridity means in public welfare governance and explore its origins and dynamics. We then present the articles of this symposium, showing how they go beyond fixed and static typologies to grasp the dynamics of interactions between actors, values and mechanisms under hybrid accountability. We conclude by reflecting on a future research agenda for studying hybrid accountability arrangements.
Step‐down from non‐invasive ventilation to continuous positive airway pressure: A better phenotyping is required
Authors: Patout Maxime , Dantoing Edouard , De Marchi Marielle , Hart Nicholas , Murphy Patrick B. , Cuvelier Antoine
Published: November 2019

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Relationship of transcutaneous oxygen tension with age and skin elasticity in Korean women
Authors: Yoo Suji , Kim Mi‐Rim , Kim Tae‐Yoon , Hwang Seung Jin , LIM Jun‐Man , Park Sun Gyoo
Published: November 2019

Background

Oxygen has several positive effects on the skin, including improving collagen synthesis and accelerating wound healing. However, only a few studies have investigated the relationship between skin oxygenation and skin aging parameters. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the correlation between skin oxygenation and skin aging parameters—elasticity, hydration, sebum, color (lightness, redness), and blood perfusion—in Korean women.

Materials and Methods

We evaluated the transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen, also known as transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2), and skin aging parameters, including elasticity, hydration, sebum, color (lightness or redness), and blood perfusion, in the cheek of 34 healthy women (aged 20‐69 years) and assessed the correlation between TcPO2 and other skin aging parameters using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 software (SPSS Inc).

Results

Facial TcPO2 was negatively correlated with age (P < .05). There were positive correlations between facial TcPO2 and elasticity parameters (P < .01). We noted no correlation between facial TcPO2 and skin lightness; however, skin lightness tended to slightly improve with increasing TcPO2. Skin aging parameters, including hydration, sebum, skin redness, and blood perfusion, showed no correlations with TcPO2.

Conclusion

In Korean women, facial TcPO2 tends to decrease with increasing age and is positively correlated with gross, net, and biological skin elasticity. Therefore, this study demonstrated that oxygen tension of facial skin can be a major causative factor of skin aging.
Periorbital skin cancers subjected to mTHPC‐photodynamic therapy: A prospective study
Authors: Hamdoon Zaid , Jerjes Waseem , Hopper Colin
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively new method of treating skin cancers. This prospective study highlights the use of PDT in the management of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and T1N0 cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) involving the periorbital area.

Materials and methods

Surface illumination PDT was offered under local anaesthesia. mTHPC was administered intravenously. A single‐channel 652 nm diode laser was used for illumination, and light was delivered at 20 J/cm2 per site. Lesion response evaluation was carried out according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST).

Results

After the first round of treatment, all cutaneous T1N0 SCC patients had complete response (CR) and continued to be in remission until last clinic review. For BCC patients, 12/14 patients had CR. The two remaining patients underwent a second round of treatment and also achieved a CR. All BCC patients were in remission at the last clinic review. Using visual analogue scale (VAS), 15 patients reported that this treatment gave them “excellent” cosmetic outcome (VAS 9‐10).

Conclusion

Photodynamic therapy achieved high efficacy in the treatment of periorbital BCCs and cutaneous SCCs with greatly reduced morbidity and disfigurement.
Comprehensive analysis of Q gene near‐isogenic lines reveals key molecular pathways for wheat domestication and improvement
Authors: Zhang Zengcui , Li Aili , Song Gaoyuan , Geng Shuaifeng , Gill Bikram S. , Faris Justin D. , Mao Long
Published: November 2019

The wheat AP2‐like transcription factor gene Q has played a major role in domestication by conferring the free‐threshing character and pleiotropically affecting numerous other traits. However, little information is known regarding the molecular mechanisms associated with the regulation of these traits by Q, especially for the structural determination of threshability. Here, transcriptome analysis of immature spike tissues in three lines nearly isogenic for Q revealed over 3000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in a number of pathways. Using phenotypic, microscopic, transcriptomic, and tissue‐specific gene expression analyses, we demonstrated that Q governs threshability through extensive modification of wheat glumes including their structure, cell wall thickness, and chemical composition. Critical DEGs and pathways involved in secondary cell wall synthesis and regulation of the chemical composition of glumes were identified. We also showed that the mutation giving rise to the Q allele synchronized the expression of genes for micro‐sporogenesis that affected pollen fertility, and may determine the final grain number for wheat spikes. Transcriptome dissection of genes and genetic pathways regulated by Q should further our understanding of wheat domestication and improvement.
Affective economies, pandas, and the atmospheric politics of lively capital
Authors: Barua Maan
Published: November 2019

This paper is concerned with the affective economies of lively capital. Its central argument is that nonhuman life itself has become a locus of accumulation, marked by an atmospheric politics of capital: the intensification of relations between life and productivity by incorporating entire lifeworlds into regimes of generating value. Focusing on the Giant panda – a spectacular icon raising millions of dollars globally – the paper first examines junctures at which their charismatic affects emerge and are manipulated to produce value. Turning to panda lifeworlds in zoos, it then shows how such value production is contingent on affective labours nonhumans perform in captivity. Nonhuman labour, as a component of atmospheric politics, enables understanding how lively capital is produced and reproduced, a theme interrogated through a critical analysis of the commercial global circulation of pandas. The paper develops the concept of atmospheric politics – an intervention in an animal's milieu and its affective intensities – as a means for analysing the dynamics of lively capital. Atmospheric politics retrieves a critical political economy obscured by the concept of nonhuman charisma, and restages biopower as an apparatus and political technology of capital.
The role of the multi‐drug resistance 1, p53, b cell lymphoma 2, and bcl 2‐associated X genes in the biologic behavior and chemotherapeutic resistance of canine transmissible venereal tumors
Authors: Alzate Juliana M. , Montoya‐Florez Luis M. , Pérez Jorge E. , Rocha Noeme S. , Pedraza‐Ordonez Francisco J.
Published: November 2019

Background

Canine transmissible venereal tumors (CTVTs) generally have different cytomorphologic subtypes and phases of progression. Some tumors have variable biologic behavior including a progressive increase in tumor aggressiveness and variable responses to chemotherapy. This behavior is partially due to high p‐glycoprotein expression by tumor cells, which leads to the expulsion of chemotherapeutic drugs. Other possible causes include changes in pro‐ and anti‐apoptotic genes from the BCL‐2 family and DNA repair systems, which are associated with the p53 gene family.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the relative expression of the multi‐drug resistance 1 (MDR1), p53, b‐cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2), and bcl 2‐associated X (BAX) genes in CTVT before and after therapy and establish a relationship with treatment responses, cytomorphologic patterns, and tumor progression identified with histopathology.

Methods

RT‐qPCR was performed on 21 CTVT tumor samples before and after initiating chemotherapy to determine specific gene expression. Normal canine testicular tissue was used as a negative control for all experiments.

Results

MDR1 expression was decreased before and after initiating vincristine therapy in CTVT tumor tissues compared with normal canine testicular tissue; p53 and BAX were overexpressed at both time points compared with normal tissue, and no statistical differences were seen between the different morphologic types. However, BAX expression was decreased in the group with quick therapeutic responses but was still overexpressed compared with normal testicular tissue. In the group with the slowest chemotherapeutic responses, BCL2 was overexpressed.

Conclusion

The findings of this study showed a relative increase in MDR1 gene expression in response to chemotherapy and higher expression in plasmacytoid CTVTs compared with the other cytomorphologic patterns. BCL2 overexpression was related to a favorable prognosis, and p53, BAX, and BCL2 were expressed independent of the cytomorphologic CTVT type. All of the genes were expressed independent of tumor progression, as noted on histopathology.
HIV residual risk in Canada under a three‐month deferral for men who have sex with men
Authors: O'Brien Sheila F. , Grégoire Yves , Pillonel Josiane , Steele Whitney R. , Custer Brian , Davison Katy L. , Germain Marc , Lewin Antoine , Seed Clive R. ,   On behalf of the Surveillance, Risk Assessment and Policy Sub‐group of the ISBT Transfusion Transmitted Diseases Working Party
Published: November 2019

Background and objectives

In Canada, the deferral for men who have sex with men (MSM) was decreased from a permanent deferral to a 5‐year then a 12‐month deferral. Current HIV testing can detect an HIV infection in donated blood within 2 weeks of exposure; thus, a 12‐month deferral may be unnecessarily restrictive. We aimed to estimate the residual risk of HIV if the deferral were further decreased to 3 months.

Materials and methods

Using a deterministic model with stochastic Monte Carlo simulation, residual risk of HIV was the sum of testing error, assay sensitivity and window‐period risks. Data inputs were estimated from donor surveillance, donor surveys and published data. Residual risk was modelled at baseline and using three scenarios: (1) most likely – non‐compliance, HIV prevalence and incidence rates of MSM are unchanged; (2) optimistic – non‐compliance improves by 50%; and (3) pessimistic ‐ non‐compliance, HIV prevalence and incidence rates of MSM all double.

Results

HIV residual risk at baseline was 1 in 36·0 million donations (95% CI 1 in 1 504 907 million, 10·5 million); in the most likely scenario 1 in 34·2 million (1 in 225 534 million, 8·7 million); in the optimistic scenario 1 in 36·0 million (1 in 282 618 million, 9·5 million); in the pessimistic scenario 1 in 16·7 million (1 in 39 469 million, 6·0 million). All confidence intervals overlapped.

Conclusion

With very low modelled risk under a 12‐month deferral, the additional risk with a 3‐month deferral is very low. This is true even with a pessimistic scenario.
Photoferrotrophy, deposition of banded iron formations, and methane production in Archean oceans
Authors: Thompson Katharine J. , Kenward Paul A. , Bauer Kohen W. , Warchola Tyler , Gauger Tina , Martinez Raul , Simister Rachel L. , Michiels Céline C. , Llirós Marc , Reinhard Christopher T. , Kappler Andreas , Konhauser Kurt O. , Crowe Sean A.
Published: November 2019

Photoferrotrophs repel iron to deposit banded iron formations and contribute methane to the atmosphere during the Archean Eon.
Massive clonal expansion of medulloblastoma-specific T cells during adoptive cellular therapy
Authors: Flores C. , Wildes T. , Dean B. DiVita , Moore G. , Drake J. , Abraham R. , Gil J. , Yegorov O. , Yang C. , Dean J. , Moneypenny C. , Shin D. , Pham C. , Krauser J. , King J. , Grant G. , Driscoll T. , Kurtzberg J. , McLendon R. , Gururangan S. , Mitchell D.
Published: November 2019

Extensive clonal T cell expansion is associated with response to immunotherapy.
Boiled or roasted? Bivalve cooking methods of early Puerto Ricans elucidated using clumped isotopes
Authors: Staudigel Philip T. , Swart Peter K. , Pourmand Ali , Laguer-Díaz Carmen A. , Pestle William J.
Published: November 2019

Analyses of bivalves suggest peak heating temperatures of 200°C, giving insight into ancient culinary techniques.
Allosteric modulation of nucleoporin assemblies by intrinsically disordered regions
Authors: Blus Bartlomiej Jan , Koh Junseock , Krolak Aleksandra , Seo Hyuk-Soo , Coutavas Elias , Blobel Günter
Published: November 2019

Kap121 interacts with an intrinsically disordered region of Nup53 to allosterically modulate Nup53 binding to partner nucleoporins.
Phospholipid remodeling is critical for stem cell pluripotency by facilitating mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition
Authors: Wu Yi , Chen Keshi , Xing Guangsuo , Li Linpeng , Ma Bochao , Hu Zhijuan , Duan Lifan , Liu Xingguo
Published: November 2019

Phospholipid-dependent regulation of NF-κB contributes to mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in pluripotency acquisition.
Mechanistic reconstruction of glycoprotein secretion through monitoring of intracellular N-glycan processing
Authors: Arigoni-Affolter Ilaria , Scibona Ernesto , Lin Chia-Wei , Brühlmann David , Souquet Jonathan , Broly Hervé , Aebi Markus
Published: November 2019

Kinetic analysis of intracellular intermediates affords a mathematical model for N-glycoprotein processing and secretion.
Elucidating the active δ-opioid receptor crystal structure with peptide and small-molecule agonists
Authors: Claff Tobias , Yu Jing , Blais Véronique , Patel Nilkanth , Martin Charlotte , Wu Lijie , Han Gye Won , Holleran Brian J. , Van der Poorten Olivier , White Kate L. , Hanson Michael A. , Sarret Philippe , Gendron Louis , Cherezov Vadim , Katritch Vsevolod , Ballet Steven , Liu Zhi-Jie , Müller Christa E. , Stevens Raymond C.
Published: November 2019

Crystal structures provide first atomic-level insights into δ-opioid receptor activation by two structurally diverse agonists.
Integrating climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation in the global ocean
Authors: Tittensor Derek P. , Beger Maria , Boerder Kristina , Boyce Daniel G. , Cavanagh Rachel D. , Cosandey-Godin Aurelie , Crespo Guillermo Ortuño , Dunn Daniel C. , Ghiffary Wildan , Grant Susie M. , Hannah Lee , Halpin Patrick N. , Harfoot Mike , Heaslip Susan G. , Jeffery Nicholas W. , Kingston Naomi , Lotze Heike K. , McGowan Jennifer , McLeod Elizabeth , McOwen Chris J. , O’Leary Bethan C. , Schiller Laurenne , Stanley Ryan R. E. , Westhead Maxine , Wilson Kristen L. , Worm Boris
Published: November 2019

We evaluate the extent of climate change adaptation in the global protected seascape, and identify ways to further advance it.
A robotic Intelligent Towing Tank for learning complex fluid-structure dynamics
Authors: Fan D. , Jodin G. , Consi T. R. , Bonfiglio L. , Ma Y. , Keyes L. R. , Karniadakis G. E. , Triantafyllou M. S.
Published: November 2019

ITT applied active learning to high-parameter vortex-induced vibration experiments, showing a path to accelerate scientific discovery.
New Triazole NT-a9 Has Potent Antifungal Efficacy against Cryptococcus neoformans
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Authors: Lu Ren-Yi , Ni Ting-Jun-Hong , Wu Jing , Yan Lan , Lv Quan-Zhen , Li Li-Ping , Zhang Da-Zhi , Jiang Yuan-Ying
Published: November 2019

In the past decades, the incidence of cryptococcosis has increased dramatically, which poses a new threat to human health. However, only a few drugs are available for the treatment of cryptococcosis. Here, we described a leading compound, NT-a9, an analogue of isavuconazole, that showed strong antifungal activities
in vitro
and
in vivo
.
Astrovirus Replication Is Inhibited by Nitazoxanide
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Authors: Hargest Virginia , Sharp Bridgett , Livingston Brandi , Cortez Valerie , Schultz-Cherry Stacey
Published: November 2019

Human astroviruses (HAstV) are thought to cause between 2 and 9% of acute, nonbacterial diarrhea cases in children worldwide. HAstV infection can be especially problematic in immunocompromised people and infants, where the virus has been associated with necrotizing enterocolitis and severe and persistent diarrhea, as well as rare instances of systemic and fatal disease. And yet, no antivirals have been identified to treat astrovirus infection. Our study provides the first evidence that nitazoxanide may be an effective therapeutic strategy against astrovirus disease.
Total angiographic regression of coronary atherosclerosis with optimal medical therapy
Authors: Kunhali Kudel , Manappallil Robin George
Published: November 2019

Coronary artery disease has shown a dramatic increase worldwide. According to the current guidelines, optimal medical therapy (OMT) is recommended as the first-line treatment for stable angina; with revascularisation being reserved for those with persistent or progressive symptoms despite intensive medical therapy. We report the case of a young man with stable angina, who was advised percutaneous coronary intervention for stenosis of left anterior descending artery. As he was not willing for the same, he was treated with OMT (according to the then relevant Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III guidelines) and therapeutic lifestyle changes, following which he became asymptomatic along with total regression of the atherosclerotic plaque on coronary angiogram. This case highlights that OMT can be an effective line of management in patients with stable angina; and interventions like angioplasty, stents and surgery may be reserved for those who do not respond adequately.
Intrathoracic hybrid lesion: an incidental finding in a patient with PHACE syndrome
Authors: Hanson Amy , Sato Yutaka , Ghera Princy
Published: November 2019

Hybrid lesions (HLs) are unique, congenital lung malformations with both cystic and solid components and vascular supply consistent with bronchopulmonary sequestration. Increase of HLs reported in recent literature suggest a common pathological mechanism occurring during embryogenesis, leading to occurrence of both malformations within a single lesion. Due to the unusual nature of HLs, gold standard approach for diagnosis is not very well-defined in the literature. We report a novel case of a 3-year-old girl with posterior fossa anomalies-haemangioma-arterial lesions-coarctation of the aorta-eye anomalies syndrome, who was found, on CT angiography, to have a previously missed HL diagnosis which was confirmed after surgical resection.
Effective alcohol septal ablation for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in a patient with isolated dextrocardia
Authors: Aoyama Rie , Takano Hitoshi , Sangen Hideto , Shimizu Wataru
Published: November 2019

Isolated dextrocardia is a congenital anomaly characterised by the normal position of the thoracic and abdominal viscera with a right cardiac apex. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is a common structural manifestation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A 65-year-old woman had worsening chest discomfort and dyspnoea on exertion. Chest CT angiography identified the isolated dextrocardia and HCM. Colour Doppler echocardiography showed mosaic flow in the LV outflow, indicating LVOTO. We performed alcohol septal ablation (ASA) under intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-guided selective myocardial contrasting. This procedure improved provoked intra-LV pressure gradient by Valsalva manoeuvre and nitroglycerin injection from 136 to 50 mm Hg and her symptoms. The unique combination of isolated dextrocardia and left ventricular hypertrophy could have been involved in the formation of latent LVOTO. Even with the anomaly, contrast ICE made it possible to clarify the target septal left ventricular wall of ASA, and we could perform ASA safely.
Extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, nasal type: a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Gomes Patricia S , Caselhos Sergio , Vide Ana Teresa , Fonseca Rui
Published: November 2019

Extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) is a rare and aggressive tumour that can, clinically and histologically, mimic infectious and inflammatory conditions, presenting a diagnostic challenge. The authors report the case of a 69-year-old Portuguese woman previously misdiagnosed with chronic recurrent sinusitis. Despite maximal medical and surgical treatments, the disease was refractory and progressed. The patient had undergone multiple biopsies when the histopathological diagnosis of ENKL was made, 5 months after the initial complaints. Multiagent chemotherapy was offered, but during the first cycle, the patient developed severe infection and pancytopenia, which culminated in her death. This case highlights the need to consider a neoplastic cause when faced with aggressive sinonasal disease not responsive to maximal treatment and the difficulties in establishing the diagnosis of ENKL, with multiples biopsies of deep-tissue usually being required.
Associations between community well-being and hospitalisation rates: results from a cross-sectional study within six US states
Authors: Roy Brita , Riley Carley , Herrin Jeph , Spatz Erica , Hamar Brent , Kell Kenneth P , Rula Elizabeth Y , Krumholz Harlan
Published: November 2019

Objective

To evaluate the association between community well-being, a positively framed, multidimensional assessment of the health and quality of life of a geographic community, and hospitalisation rates.

Design

Cross-sectional study

Setting

Zip codes within six US states (Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania and Utah)

Main outcome measures

Our primary outcome was age-adjusted, all-cause hospitalisation rates in 2010; secondary outcomes included potentially preventable disease-specific hospitalisation rates, including cardiovascular-related, respiratory-related and cancer-related admissions. Our main independent variable was the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index (WBI) and its domains (life evaluation, emotional health, work environment, physical health, healthy behaviours and basic access).

Results

Zip codes with the highest quintile of well-being had 223 fewer hospitalisations per 100 000 (100k) residents than zip codes with the lowest well-being. In our final model, adjusted for WBI respondent age, sex, race/ethnicity and income, and zip code number of hospital beds, primary care physician density, hospital density and admission rates for two low-variation conditions, a 1 SD increase in WBI was associated with 5 fewer admissions/100k (95% CI 4.0 to 5.8; p<0.001). Results were similar for cardiovascular-related and respiratory-related admissions, but no association remained for cancer-related hospitalisation after adjustment. Patterns were similar for each of the WBI domains and all-cause hospitalisations.

Conclusion and relevance

Community well-being is inversely associated with local hospitalisation rates. In addition to health and quality-of-life benefits, higher community well-being may also result in fewer unnecessary hospitalisations.
Use of preoperative haemostasis and ABO blood typing tests in children: a retrospective observational study using a nationwide claims database in Japan
Authors: Yonekura Hiroshi , Ide Kazuki , Kanazawa Yuji , Takeda Chikashi , Nakamori Yuki , Matsunari Yasunori , Sakai Michihiro , Kawakami Koji , Kamei Masataka
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To describe the prevalence and factors associated with preoperative haemostasis and ABO blood typing tests for children because these tests might represent low-value care.

Design

A retrospective observational study.

Setting

Nationwide insurance claims database in Japan.

Participants

Patients aged 1–17 years who underwent common non-cardiac surgeries between April 2012 and March 2018 were included. Patients with high-risk comorbidities for bleeding (n=175) and those with multiple eligible surgeries were excluded (n=2121).

Main outcome measures

We described the proportions of each preoperative test performed within 60 days before an index surgery, including platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and ABO blood typing tests. We also explored the associations between patient-level and institutional-level factors and any preoperative tests, using multilevel logistic regression analysis.

Results

We included 13 018 patients (median (IQR) age, 5.2 (2.9–7.7) years; 8276 (63.6%) boys) from 1499 institutions. The overall proportion of each test was as follows: platelet count, 78.6%; PT, 54.4%; aPTT, 56.4% and ABO blood typing tests, 50.4%. The proportion of patients undergoing any preoperative tests in the overall sample was 79.3%. Multilevel logistic regression analysis indicated that preoperative tests were associated with type of anaesthesia (general anaesthesia: adjusted OR 7.06; 95% CI 4.94 to 10.11), type of surgery (tonsillectomy: adjusted OR 3.45; 95% CI 2.75 to 4.33) and surgical setting (inpatient procedure: adjusted OR 5.41; 95% CI 3.83 to 7.66). There was one postoperative transfusion event (0.008%) in the entire cohort and 37 postoperative reoperation events for surgical bleeding after tonsillectomy (0.90%).

Conclusions

In the largest Japanese cohort reported to date, preoperative haemostasis and ABO blood typing tests were performed in a majority of children prior to common paediatric surgeries. Preoperative tests were associated with anaesthesia, surgical type and surgical setting.
Treatment of hypercholesterolaemia in older adults calls for a patient-centred approach
Authors: Kleipool Emma EF , Dorresteijn Johannes AN , Smulders Yvo M , Visseren Frank LJ , Peters Mike JL , Muller Majon
Published: November 2019

Due to an increasing number of older adults with (risk factors for) cardiovascular disease (CVD), the sum of older adults eligible for lipid-lowering drugs will increase. This has risen questions about benefits and harms of lipid-lowering therapy in older adults with a varying number of (cardiovascular) comorbidities and functional status. The heterogeneity in physical and functional health increases with age, leading to a much wider variety in cardiovascular risk and life expectancy than in younger adults. We suggest treatment decisions on hypercholesterolaemia in adults aged ≥75 years should shift from a strictly 10-year cardiovascular risk-driven approach to a patient-centred and lifetime benefit-based approach. With this, estimated 10-year risk of CVD should be placed into the perspective of life expectancy. Moreover, frailty and safety concerns must be taken into account for a risk–benefit discussion between clinician and patient. Based on the Dutch addendum ‘Cardiovascular Risk Management in (frail) older adults’, our approach offers more detailed information on when not to initiate or deprescribe therapy than standard guidelines. Instead of using traditional risk estimating tools which tend to overestimate risk of CVD in older adults, use a competing risk adjusted, older adults-specific risk score (available athttps://u-prevent.com). By filling in a patient’s (cardiovascular) health profile (eg, cholesterol, renal function), the tool estimates risk of CVD and models the effect of medication in terms of absolute risk reduction for an individual patient. Using this tool can guide doctors and patients in making shared decisions on initiating, continuing or deprescribing lipid-lowering therapy.
Transradial approach for acute stroke intervention: technical procedure and clinical outcomes
Authors: Khanna Omaditya , Mouchtouris Nikolaos , Sweid Ahmad , Chalouhi Nohra , Ghosh Ritam , Al Saiegh Fadi , Gooch Michael R , Tjoumakaris Stavropoula , Rosenwasser Robert H , Romo Victor , Jabbour Pascal
Published: November 2019

Background and purpose

Radial artery catheterisation is an alternate route of access that has recently started to gain more widespread use for neuroendovascular procedures, including acute stroke intervention. In this small case series, we present our institution’s outcomes in patients undergoing acute stroke interventions via transradial access.

Materials and methods

We present a retrospective study of 15 patients who underwent acute stroke intervention via radial artery access. We analyse these patients’ periprocedural and clinical outcomes after undergoing mechanical thrombectomy.

Results

A total of 15 consecutive patients were included in the study (9 males and 6 females), and all patients were able to successfully undergo mechanical thrombectomy via radial artery access. The mean time of arterial puncture to reperfusion was 50±28 min (range: 15–104). A TICI 2b/3 revascularisation was achieved in 13/15 patients (87%); a TICI 1 and TICI 2a outcome was achieved on the other two patients. One patient incurred an iatrogenic vessel dissection during the procedure. Eight of out 15 patients (53%) had favourable mRS (0–3) at the time of discharge from the hospital.

Conclusion

Radial artery catheterisation is technically feasible for performing acute stroke interventions with favourable time to revascularisation and good overall clinical outcomes.
A novel gravity-induced blood flow restriction model augments ACC phosphorylation and PGC-1α mRNA in human skeletal muscle following aerobic exercise: a randomized crossover study
Authors: Preobrazenski Nicholas , Islam Hashim , Drouin Patrick J. , Bonafiglia Jacob T. , Tschakovsky Michael E. , Gurd Brendon J.
Published: November 2019

This study tested the hypothesis that a novel, gravity-induced blood flow restricted (BFR) aerobic exercise (AE) model will result in greater activation of the AMPK–PGC-1α pathway compared with work rate-matched non-BFR. Thirteen healthy males (age: 22.4 ± 3.0 years; peak oxygen uptake: 42.4 ± 7.3 mL/(kg·min)) completed two 30-min work rate-matched bouts of cycling performed with their legs below (CTL) and above their heart (BFR) at ∼2 weeks apart. Muscle biopsies were taken before, immediately, and 3 h after exercise. Blood was drawn before and immediately after exercise. Our novel gravity-induced BFR model led to less muscle oxygenation during BFR compared with CTL (O2Hb: p = 0.01; HHb: p < 0.01) and no difference in muscle activation (p = 0.53). Plasma epinephrine increased following both BFR and CTL (p < 0.01); however, only norepinephrine increased more following BFR (p < 0.01). PGC-1α messenger RNA (mRNA) increased more following BFR (∼6-fold) compared with CTL (∼4-fold; p = 0.036). VEGFA mRNA increased (p < 0.01) similarly following BFR and CTL (p = 0.21), and HIF-1α mRNA did not increase following either condition (p = 0.21). Phosphorylated acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) increased more following BFR (p < 0.035) whereas p-PKA substrates, p-p38 MAPK, and acetyl-p53 increased (p < 0.05) similarly following both conditions (p > 0.05). In conclusion, gravity-induced BFR is a viable BFR model that demonstrated an important role of AMPK signalling on augmenting PGC-1α mRNA.

Novelty Gravity-induced BFR AE reduced muscle oxygenation without impacting muscle activation, advancing gravity-induced BFR as a simple, inexpensive BFR model. Gravity-induced BFR increased PGC-1α mRNA and ACC phosphorylation more than work rate-matched non-BFR AE. This is the first BFR AE study to concurrently measure blood catecholamines, muscle activation, and muscle oxygenation.
Horizon scan of conservation issues for inland waters in Canada
Authors: Pérez-Jvostov Felipe , Sutherland William J. , Barrett Rowan D.H. , Brown Catherine A. , Cardille Jeffrey A. , Cooke Steven J. , Cristescu Melania E. , St-Gelais Nicolas Fortin , Fussmann Gregor F. , Griffiths Katherine , Hendry Andrew P. , Lapointe Nicolas W.R. , Nyboer Elizabeth A. , Pentland Ralph L. , Reid Andrea J. , Ricciardi Anthony , Sunday Jennifer M. , Gregory-Eaves Irene
Published: November 2019

Horizon scanning is a systematic approach increasingly used to explore emerging trends, issues, opportunities, and threats in conservation. We present the results from one such exercise aimed at identifying emerging issues that could have important scientific, social, technological, and managerial implications for the conservation of inland waters in Canada in the proximate future. We recognized six opportunities and nine challenges, for which we provide research implications and policy options, such that scientists, policy makers, and the Canadian society as a whole can prepare for a potential growth in each of the topic areas we identified. The issues spanned a broad range of topics, from recognizing the opportunities and challenges of community-enabled science and the need to consider the legal rights of nature, to the likely increase of pharmaceuticals in wastewater due to an aging population. These issues represent a first baseline that could help decision makers identify and prioritize efforts while simultaneously stimulate new research avenues. We hope our horizon scan will pave the way for similar exercises related to the conservation of biodiversity in Canada.
Performance Investigation of FinFET-Based MO-CCII and its Applications: Resistor-Less Multi-Function Bi-Quadratic Filter and Balanced Modulator
Authors: Yasir Mohd , Ansari Mohammad Samar
Published: November 2019

This paper presents an optimal design of a high-performance multi-output second-generation current conveyor (MO-CCII) based on 20[Formula: see text]nm Fin-Shaped Field Effect Transistor (FinFETs). Proposed MO-CCII has very low port X impedance and very high port Y impedance. The performance of the CCII has been thoroughly investigated in terms of DC, AC and transient characteristics of terminal voltages and branch currents and frequency response of port impedances. CCII shows the excellent high-frequency response of voltage as well as current transfer gains. The 3[Formula: see text]dB BW of voltage and current transfer gains are 11.2[Formula: see text]GHz and 11[Formula: see text]GHz, respectively. CCII provides excellent performance over its CMOS counterpart. Also, a resistor-less multi-function bi-quadratic filter is proposed. The filter depends on two CCIIs, a capacitor and does not require any resistors. It has three inputs and one output and realizes low-pass, high-pass and band-pass filters from a similar setup. FinFETs in the linear region are utilized as variable resistor to control filter properties. Nevertheless, the proposed filter has two floating capacitors which can be effortlessly realized in these days’ integrated circuit advancements. Also, a balanced modulator is proposed utilizing the proposed FinFET-based CCII and FinFET transistors only. Balanced modulator’s frequency of operation obtained is in GHz range.
TOWARDS A COMPREHENSIVE CATEGORISATION OF CORPORATE INCUBATORS: EVIDENCE FROM CLUSTER ANALYSIS
Authors: KRUFT TOBIAS , KOCK ALEXANDER
Published: November 2019

Established companies are increasingly challenged to expand their innovation development capabilities and to align them to increasingly ambidextrous requirements. A currently popular way for companies to meet these requirements is corporate incubators. Successfully designing such units imposes specific challenges on companies, which results in large numbers of different corporate incubator types spanning a wide range of activities. This group of very different incubation concepts is not only very difficult to manage from a practical perspective, it is also complex to reliably explore from a research perspective. In this study, we therefore examine how incubators can be comprehensively categorised and how different objectives and strategies relate to corporate incubator performance. Results from cluster and regression analysis of a sample of incubators from 14 different industries reveal 16 clusters dependent on five objective and five strategy criteria. The criteria have a diverse relation to performance which can be explained using transactional distance theory.
A NOVEL METHOD FOR ARBITRAGE-FREE OPTION SURFACE CONSTRUCTION
Authors: OROSI GREG
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we provide an alternative framework for constructing an arbitrage-free European-style option surface. The main motivation for our work is that such a construction has rarely been achieved in the literature so far. The novelty of our approach is that we perform the calibration and interpolation in the put option space. To demonstrate the applicability of our technique, we extract the model-free implied volatility from S&P 500 index options. Subsequently, we compare its information content to that of the CBOE VIX index. Our empirical tests indicate that information content of the option-implied volatility values based on our method are superior to the VIX index.
Optogenetics: Tools for Controlling Brain Cells with Light
Authors: Boyden Edward S.
Published: November 2019

The brain is made out of an incredible diversity of cells called neurons, which have different shapes, are made of different molecules, and that change in different ways in diseases. In optogenetics, microbial opsins, natural proteins that convert light into electrical signals, are genetically expressed in neurons. Then, light pulses can be used to turn neurons on, revealing how they trigger behaviors, disease states, or therapeutic effects, or to turn neurons off, revealing what functions or dysfunctions they are necessary for.
Economic Implications of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): The Case of Bangladesh
Authors: Mahmud Titumir Rashed Al , Zahidur Rahman Md.
Published: November 2019

The paper provides an alternative framework to identify the compulsions and contradictions arising out of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as voluminous literature, stemming from the perspectives of realism and liberalism are either marred in assertive dogmatization or excessive apprehensions or non-feasible (lack of) solutions. Taking into such inadequacies of existing approaches into account, the paper also attempts to chalk out elements for a new form of cooperation under the BRI. Using Bangladesh as a case study, it suggests for integration of production network, transfer of technology and sharing of risk of capital as necessary condition as well as alignment of domestic political settlement and normative legitimacy as sufficient condition to achieve mutual stability and growth outcomes.