bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic potential of simplified methods for measuring glomerular filtration rate to detect chronic kidney disease in dogs
Authors: Pocar Paola , Scarpa Paola , Berrini Anna , Cagnardi Petra , Rizzi Rita , Borromeo Vitaliano
Published: August 2019

Background

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the most sensitive indicator of initial renal function decline during chronic kidney disease (CKD), but conventional protocols for measuring GFR are labor‐intensive and stressful for the dog.

Objectives

To assess the diagnostic potential for detecting CKD with simplified GFR protocols based on iohexol plasma clearance.

Animals

Seventeen CKD‐positive and 23 CKD‐negative dogs of different breeds and sex.

Methods

Prospective nonrandomized study. Plasma iohexol was measured 5, 15, 60, 90, and 180 minutes after injection. Glomerular filtration rate was calculated using 5 samples (GFR5) or simplified protocols based on 1, 2, or 3 samples. The GFR5 and simplified GFR were compared by Bland‐Altmann and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) analysis, and diagnostic accuracy for CKD by receiver operating characteristic curves. A gray zone for each protocol was bounded by the fourth quartile of the CKD‐positive population (lower cutoff) and the first quartile of the CKD‐negative population (upper cutoff).

Results

All simplified protocols gave reliable GFR measurements, comparable to reference GFR5 (CCC >0.92). Simplified protocols which included the 180‐minutes sampling granted the best GFR measure (CCC: 0.98), with strong diagnostic potential for CKD (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ± SE: 0.98 ± 0.01). A double cutoff including a zone of CKD uncertainty guaranteed reliable diagnosis outside the gray area and identified borderline dogs inside it.

Conclusions

The simplified GFR protocols offer an accurate, hands‐on tool for CKD diagnosis in dogs. The gray zone might help decision‐making in the management of early kidney dysfunction.
Differences in clinicopathologic variables betweenBorreliaC6 antigen seroreactive andBorreliaC6 seronegative glomerulopathy in dogs
Authors: Borys Moria A. , Kass Philip H. , Mohr Frederick C. , Sykes Jane E.
Published: August 2019

Background

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis has been described in dogs that seroreact toBorrelia burgdorferi, but no studies have compared clinicopathologic differences in Lyme‐seroreactive dogs with protein‐losing nephropathy (PLN) versus dogs withBorrelia‐seronegative PLN.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Dogs withBorreliaC6 antigen‐seroreactive PLN have distinct clinicopathologic findings when compared to dogs withBorreliaseronegative PLN.

Animals

Forty dogs with PLN andBorreliaC6 antigen seroreactivity and 78 C6‐seronegative temporally matched dogs with PLN.

Methods

Retrospective prevalence case‐control study. Clinical information was retrieved from records of dogs examined at the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Histopathologic findings in renal tissue procured by biopsy or necropsy of dogs with PLN were reviewed.

Results

Retrievers and retriever mixes were overrepresented in seroreactive dogs (P < .001). Seroreactive dogs were more likely to have thrombocytopenia (P < .001), azotemia (P= .002), hyperphosphatemia (P < .001), anemia (P < .001), and neutrophilia (P= .003). Hematuria, glucosuria, and pyuria despite negative urine culture were more likely in seroreactive dogs (allP ≤ .002). Histopathologic findings were consistent with immune‐complex glomerulonephritis in 16 of 16 case dogs and 7 of 23 control dogs (P= 006). Prevalence of polyarthritis was not different between groups (P= .17).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

C6 seroreactivity in dogs with PLN is associated with a clinicopathologically distinct syndrome when compared with other types of PLN. Early recognition of this syndrome has the potential to improve outcomes through specific aggressive and early treatment.
Intrahepatic immune changes after hepatitis c virus eradication by direct‐acting antiviral therapy
Authors: Amaddeo Giuliana , Nguyen Cong Trung , Maillé Pascale , Mulé Sebastien , Luciani Alain , Machou Camilia , Rodrigues Aurélie , Regnault Hélène , Mallat Ariane , Laurent Alexis , Lafdil Fouad , Hézode Christophe , Pawlotsky Jean‐Michel , Calderaro Julien
Published: August 2019

Background & aims

The recent approval of direct acting anti‐virals (DAA) has dramatically changed the landscape of hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy. Whether viral clearance could promote liver carcinogenesis is debated. It has been hypothesized that changes in intrahepatic immune surveillance following viral cure could favour tumour growth.

This study aimed at characterizing the intrahepatic immune changes induced by HCV cure following DAA therapy.

Methods

Patients with compensated cirrhosis who underwent surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after sustained virological response (SVR) to DAA therapy were included. A control group of untreated HCV‐infected patients with compensated cirrhosis was selected. RNA was extracted from tumoral and non‐tumoral tissues and analysed using the Nanostring Immuno‐Oncology‐360 panel. Immune cells were quantified by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Twenty patients were included: 10 patients with a DAA‐induced SVR and 10 untreated controls. All of them had a de novo BCLC 0/A HCC. Non‐tumoral tissue profiling showed down‐regulation of interferon‐related genes (including MX1, ISG15 and IFIT1) after DAA therapy. No other differences in immune profiles/immune cell densities were identified between the two groups. The intra‐tumoral immune profiles of HCCs that occurred after DAA therapy were not qualitatively or quantitatively different from those of tumours occurring in untreated patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, removal of HCV infection after DAA‐based therapy results only in a down‐regulation of interferon‐stimulated genes in non‐tumoral tissues from patients with cirrhosis who develop HCC. These minor changes in the liver immune microenvironment are unlikely to favour HCC occurrence or recurrence after DAA‐induced SVR.
Geographic location and year determine virulence, and year determines genetic change, in populations of Neopseudocercosporella capsellae
Authors: Murtza T. , You M. P. , Barbetti M. J.
Published: August 2019

White leaf spot (Neopseudocercosporella capsellae) can be severe and problematic worldwide across both horticultural and oilseed Brassicaceae, including susceptible rapeseed. In this study, 82 isolates from 2015 and 106 isolates from across Australia in 2016 were first assessed for their virulence against three different rapeseed (Brassica napus) cultivars. For both years there were significant (P < 0.001) differences. Also, there were significant (all P < 0.001) differences between isolates in each year, and between cultivars. For 2016 isolates, there were also significant differences (P < 0.001) between isolates across three different Australian states, and a significant interaction (P < 0.001) between isolates with cultivars. Of the three Australian states, isolates from Victoria were most virulent. Among tested cultivars, cv. Scoop was most susceptible. Subsequently, phylogenetic analysis of 114 of these same 2015 and 2016 isolates showed current isolates clustered separately from the majority of 2005 N. capsellae isolates collected from Western Australia a decade earlier, confirming significant genetic change within N. capsellae populations over the past decade. However, isolate clusters showed no association with geographical location. The results suggest that phylogenetic association among 2005 and 2015–2016 N. capsellae isolates is complementary with pathogenicity variations explained by geographically different N. capsellae pathogen populations. Neopseudocercosporella capsellae populations are evolving rapidly, challenging management through host resistance at a time of increasing incidence and severity of white leaf spot disease over the past decade. The outcome is well illustrated by cv. Scoop, previously resistant to 2005 isolates but moderately susceptible to 2015 and highly susceptible to 2016 isolates.
Sugammadex versus neostigmine for postoperative nausea and vomiting in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery paralyzed with rocuronium bromide: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Freundlich Angela , Badeaux Jennifer , Adorno Marie
Published: August 2019

Objectives:

The objective of this review is to determine if the occurrence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is affected by using sugammadex or neostigmine, in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures paralyzed by rocuronium bromide.

Introduction:

Laparoscopic procedures significantly increase the occurrence of PONV in patients. The focus should be on preventing the occurrence of PONV. Laparoscopic procedures use neo-muscular blocking agents to assist with creation of a pneumoperitoneum. After the procedure is complete, reversal of these agents is critical for patient recovery. Understanding the effects for each of the reversal medications is important for future decisions for peri-operative care.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider studies with patients aged 18 and older, undergoing laparoscopic procedures, paralyzed with rocuronium.

Methods:

A search for relevant published and unpublished literature will be conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), in addition to gray literature sources. Articles that meet the inclusion criteria will be further assessed for methodological validity by two independent reviewers using standardized critical appraisal instruments. Data will be extracted from papers included in the review using a standardized data extraction tool. Quantitative data will be pooled for statistical meta-analysis to evaluate the occurrence of PONV with both sugammadex and neostigmine.
Dietitian-led clinics in primary care: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Hickson Mary , Wanner Amanda , Collinson Avril
Published: August 2019

Objective:

This scoping review aims to examine and map the existing evidence exploring and/or evaluating the implementation, cost and/or effectiveness of dietitian-led clinics in primary care.

Introduction:

Dietitians may be able to offer new models of care within the primary care setting for relevant diagnosed patients, providing cheaper, more efficient and effective service in comparison to the traditional approach of general practitioner support and referral for specialist treatment. There is some evidence for the efficacy of dietetic care in primary care, but there is a lack of information concerning the broader contribution dietitians may make, including cost effectiveness and the range of conditions that dietitians may successfully manage.

Inclusion criteria:

Eligible studies will explore dietitian- or nutritionist-led clinics treating patients with any condition, and will be based in primary care or general practice settings in developed countries. Studies may include experimental, quasi-experimental, observational and qualitative studies.

Methods:

The searches will be limited to the past 10 years to ensure retrieved information will be relevant to today's healthcare setting. There will be no limit for language. The following databases will be searched: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), AMED (EBSCO), British Nursing Index (ProQuest), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Wiley). Retrieved papers will be screened for inclusion by at least two reviewers. Where a decision is not possible, full text will be retrieved and reviewed. Data will be extracted from the included papers and a narrative summary will accompany the charted results and will describe how the results relate to the review's objective.
Quality of care during childbirth at public health facilities in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study using WHO/UNICEF ‘Every Mother Every Newborn (EMEN)’ standards
Authors: Billah Sk Masum , Chowdhury Mohiuddin Ahsanul Kabir , Khan Abdullah Nurus Salam , Karim Farhana , Hassan Aniqa , Zaka Nabila , Arifeen Shams El , Manu Alexander
Published: August 2019

Background

This manuscript presents findings from a baseline assessment of health facilities in Bangladesh prior to the implementation of the ‘Every Mother Every Newborn Quality Improvement’ initiative.

Methodology

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June and August 2016 in 15 government health facilities. Structural readiness was assessed by observing the physical environment, the availability of essential drugs and equipment, and the functionality of the referral system. Structured interviews were conducted with care providers and facility managers on human resource availability and training in the maternal and newborn care. Observation of births, reviews of patient records and exit interviews with women who were discharged from the selected health facilities were used to assess the provision and experience of care.

Results

Only six (40%) facilities assessed had designated maternity wards and 11 had newborn care corners. There were stock-outs of emergency drugs including magnesium sulfate and oxytocin in nearly all facilities. Two-thirds of the positions for medical officers was vacant in district hospitals and half of the positions for nurses was vacant in subdistrict facilities. Only 60 (45%) healthcare providers interviewed received training on newborn complication management. No health facility used partograph for labour monitoring. Blood pressure was not measured in half (48%) and urine protein in 99% of pregnant women. Only 27% of babies were placed skin to skin with their mothers. Most mothers (97%) said that they were satisfied with the care received, however, only 46% intended on returning to the same facility for future deliveries.

Conclusions

Systematic implementation of quality standards to mitigate these gaps in service readiness, provision and experience of care is the next step to accelerate the country’s progress in reducing the maternal and neonatal deaths.
Improving the quality of insulin prescribing for people with diabetes being discharged from hospital
Authors: Bain Amie , Silcock Jon , Kavanagh Sallianne , Quinn Gemma , Fonseca Ines
Published: August 2019

Medication errors involving insulin in hospital are common, and may be particularly problematic at the point of transfer of care. Our aim was to improve the safety of insulin prescribing on discharge from hospital using a continuous improvement methodology involving cycles of iterative change. A multidisciplinary project team formulated locally tailored insulin discharge prescribing guidance. After baseline data collection, three ‘plan-do-study-act’ cycles were undertaken over a 3-week period (September/October 2018) to introduce the guidelines and improve the quality of discharge prescriptions from one diabetes ward at the hospital. Discharge prescriptions involving insulin from the ward during Monday to Friday of each week were examined, and their adherence to the guidance measured. After the introduction of the guidelines in the form of a poster, and later a checklist, the adherence to guidelines rose from an average of 50% to 99%. Qualitative data suggested that although it took pharmacists slightly longer to clinically verify discharge prescriptions, the interventions resulted in a clear and helpful reminder to help improve discharge quality for the benefit of patient safety. This project highlights that small iterative changes made by a multidisciplinary project team can result in improvement of insulin discharge prescription quality. The sustainability and scale of the intervention may be improved by its integration into the electronic prescribing system so that all users may access and refer to the guidance when prescribing insulin for patients at the point of discharge.
Race and prostate imaging: implications for targeted biopsy and image-based prostate cancer interventions
Authors: Gross Michael D , Al Hussein Al Awamlh Bashir , Shoag Jonathan E , Mauer Elizabeth , Banerjee Samprit , Margolis Daniel J , Mosquera Juan M , Hamilton Ann S , Schumura Maria J , Hu Jim C
Published: August 2019

Purpose

For men with an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA), there is a strong evidence for prostate MRI to assess the risk of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPC) and guide targeted-biopsy interventions. Prostate MRI is assessed using the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS), which is scored from 1 to 5. Equivocal or suspicious findings (PI-RADS 3–5) are recommended for subsequent targeted biopsy, for which the risk of infection and sepsis is increasing. However, PI-RADS was developed primarily in men of European descent. We sought to elucidate PI-RADS and MRI-targeted biopsy outcomes in Asian men, a rapidly growing population in the USA, Europe, Australia and internationally.

Materials and methods

A prospective cohort of 544 men with elevated PSA without a diagnosis of prostate cancer who underwent MRI-targeted biopsy at our institution from January 2012 to December 2018 was analyzed. We categorized the cohort by self-designated race then used a validated algorithm which uses surname lists to identify a total of 78 (14%) Asian-Americans. The primary outcome was the likelihood of diagnosing CSPC (Gleason grade group >1) in Asian-Americans versus non-Asian-Americans. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association of demographic and other characteristics with CSPC.

Results

Overall, MRI-targeted biopsy identified CSPC in 17% of Asian-American men versus 39% of non-Asian-American men (p<0.001). Notably for PI-RADS 3, only 6% of Asian-Americans versus 15% of others were diagnosed with CSPC. In adjusted analyses, Asian-American men were less likely to be diagnosed on MRI-targeted biopsy with CSPC (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.65, p=0.002) and indolent prostate cancer (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.91, p=0.030) than other races. Regardless of race those who were biopsy naïve were more likely (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.49, p<0.001) to be diagnosed with CSPC.

Conclusion

We found that PI-RADS underperforms in Asian-American men. For instance, only 2 of 35 (6%) Asian-American men with PI-RADS 3 were diagnosed with CSPC on MRI targeted biopsy. This has significant implications for overuse of diagnostic and image-guided interventional approaches in Asian-Americans, given the increasing risk of infectious complications from biopsy. Additional validation studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Quasispecies characteristic in “a” determinant region is a potential predictor for the risk of immunoprophylaxis failure of mother-to-child-transmission of sub-genotype C2 hepatitis B virus: a prospective nested case–control study
Authors: Xiao Yiwei , Sun Kuixia , Duan Zhongping , Liu Zhixiu , Li Yi , Yan Ling , Song Yarong , Zou Huaibin , Zhuang Hui , Wang Jie , Li Jie
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study was performed to explore the correlation between the characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) quasispecies in HBV-infected pregnant women and the risk of immunoprophylaxis failure for their infants.

Design

In this prospective nested case–control study, the characteristics of HBV quasispecies in mothers whose infants were immunoprophylaxis success (control group) and those whose infants were immunoprophylaxis failure (case group) were analysed by the clone-based sequencing of full-length HBV genome and next-generation sequencing (NGS) of “a” determinant region, and were compared between the two groups.

Results

The quasispecies characteristics including mutant frequency, Shannon entropy and mean genetic distance at amino acid level of “a” determinant region were significantly lower in case group than that in control group, using the full-length HBV genome clone-based sequencing assay. These results were confirmed by NGS assay. Notably, we discovered that the differences were also significant at nucleotide level by NGS assay. Furthermore, the risk of immunoprophylaxis failure could be predicted by analysing the three HBV quasispecies characteristics either at nucleotide level or at amino acid level of “a” determinant region, and the corresponding predictive values were tentatively set up.

Conclusions

HBV quasispecies with a more complex mutant spectrum in “a” determinant region might be more vulnerable to extinct through mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT). More importantly, analysing HBV quasispecies characteristics in pregnant women with high HBV DNA load might be helpful to predict the high-risk population of immunoprophylaxis failure, and consequently provide accurate intervention against MTCT of HBV.
Risk of acute arterial events associated with treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: nationwide French cohort study
Authors: Kirchgesner Julien , Nyboe Andersen Nynne , Carrat Fabrice , Jess Tine , Beaugerie Laurent
Published: August 2019

Objective

Patients with IBD are at increased risk of acute arterial events. Antitumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents and thiopurines may, via their anti-inflammatory properties, lower the risk of acute arterial events. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of thiopurines and anti-TNFs on the risk of acute arterial events in patients with IBD.

Design

Patients aged 18 years or older and affiliated to the French national health insurance with a diagnosis of IBD were followed up from 1 April 2010 until 31 December 2014. The risks of acute arterial events (including ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral artery disease) were compared between thiopurines and anti-TNFs exposed and unexposed patients with marginal structural Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for baseline and time-varying demographics, medications, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities and IBD disease activity.

Results

Among 177 827 patients with IBD (96 111 (54%) women, mean age at cohort entry 46.2 years (SD 16.3), 90 205 (50.7%) with Crohn’s disease (CD)), 4145 incident acute arterial events occurred (incidence rates: 5.4 per 1000 person-years). Compared with unexposed patients, exposure to anti-TNFs (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.95), but not to thiopurines (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.05), was associated with a decreased risk of acute arterial events. The magnitude in risk reduction was highest in men with CD exposed to anti-TNFs (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.72).

Conclusion

Exposure to anti-TNFs is associated with a decreased risk of acute arterial events in patients with IBD, particularly in men with CD.
Study of indications for cardiac device implantation and utilisation in Fabry cardiomyopathy
Authors: Vijapurapu Ravi , Geberhiwot Tarekegn , Jovanovic Ana , Baig Shanat , Nordin Sabrina , Kozor Rebecca , Leyva Francisco , Kotecha Dipak , Wheeldon Nigel , Deegan Patrick , Rusk Rosemary A , Moon James C , Hughes Derralynn A , Woolfson Peter , Steeds Richard P
Published: August 2019

Background

Fabry disease is a treatable X-linked condition leading to progressive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia and premature death. Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias contribute significantly to adverse prognosis; however, guidance to determine which patients require cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is sparse. We aimed to evaluate indications for implantation practice in the UK and quantify device utilisation.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we included demographic, clinical and imaging data from patients in four of the largest UK Fabry centres. Ninety patients with Fabry disease were identified with CIEDs implanted between June 2001 and February 2018 (FD-CIED group). To investigate differences in clinical and imaging markers between those with and without devices, these patients were compared with 276 patients without a CIED (FD-control).

Results

In the FD-CIED group, 92% of patients with permanent pacemakers but only 28% with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators had a class 1 indication for implantation. A further 44% of patients had defibrillators inserted for primary prevention outside of current guidance. The burden of arrhythmia requiring treatment in the FD-CIED group was high (asymptomatic atrial fibrillation:

29%; non-sustained ventricular tachycardia requiring medical therapy alone: 26%; sustained ventricular tachycardia needing anti-tachycardia pacing/defibrillation: 28%). Those with devices were older, had greater LV mass, more scar tissue and larger atrial size.

Conclusions

Arrhythmias are common in Fabry patients. Those with cardiac devices had high rates of atrial fibrillation requiring anticoagulation and ventricular arrhythmia needing device treatment. These are as high as those in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, supporting the need for Fabry-specific indications for device implantation.
Postzygotic mosaicism in cerebral cavernous malformation
Authors: Rath Matthias , Pagenstecher Axel , Hoischen Alexander , Felbor Ute
Published: August 2019

Background

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) can cause severe neurological morbidity but our understanding of the mechanisms that drive CCM formation and growth is still incomplete. Recent experimental data suggest that dysfunctional CCM3-deficient endothelial cell clones form cavernous lesions in conjunction with normal endothelial cells.

Objective

In this study, we addressed the question whether endothelial cell mosaicism can be found in human cavernous tissue ofCCM1germline mutation carriers.

Methods and results

Bringing together single-molecule molecular inversion probes in an ultra-sensitive sequencing approach with immunostaining to visualise the lack of CCM1 protein at single cell resolution, we identified a novel late postzygoticCCM1loss-of-function variant in the cavernous tissue of a de novoCCM1germline mutation carrier. The extended unilateral CCM had been located in the right central sulcus causing progressive proximal paresis of the left arm at the age of 15 years. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that individual caverns are lined by both heterozygous (CCM1+/−) and compound heterozygous (CCM1−/−) endothelial cells.

Conclusion

We here demonstrate endothelial cell mosaicism within single caverns of human CCM tissue. In line with recent in vitro data on CCM1-deficient endothelial cells, our results provide further evidence for clonal evolution in human CCM1 pathogenesis.
Ultrasound is not associated with the presence of systemic autoimmunity or symptoms in individuals at risk for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Brulhart Laure , Alpízar-Rodríguez Deshiré , Nissen Michael S , Zufferey Pascal , Ciubotariu Ileana , Fleury Gregory , Lazarou Ilias , Gabay Cem , Finckh Axel
Published: August 2019

Objective

To identify whether musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) abnormalities are associated with specific phases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development in individuals at risk of RA.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study of individuals at risk of developing RA, namely first-degree relatives of patients with RA (RA-FDRs) without evidence of established rheumatic disease at inclusion. The inflammatory activity on MSUS was assessed according to a validated score (SONAR). Active MSUS was defined as a total B-mode score greater than 8, including at least one joint with significant synovitis (grade 2 or 3) or significant synovial hyperaemia (Doppler score greater than 1). We used logistic regression to analyse associations between MSUS findings and recognised preclinical phases of RA development, adjusting for other demographic and biological characteristics.

Results

A total of 273 RA-FDRs were analysed, of whom 23 (8%) were anticitrullinated protein autoantibodies-positive, 58 (21%) had unclassified arthritis and 96 (35%) had an active MSUS, which was only associated with unclassified arthritis (OR: 1.8, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.3).

Conclusion

In individuals at risk of RA, active MSUS was associated with the presence of unclassified arthritis, but not with any of the earlier described phases of RA development. These findings do not support an indiscriminate use of ultrasound in a screening strategy for preclinical RA.
Delayed hypersensitivity reaction to human serum albumin in a dog surgically managed for septic peritonitis
Authors: Hubers Mike , Allison Asher , Vallefuoco Rosario
Published: August 2019

A five‐year‐eight‐month‐old standard poodle presented with hypovolaemic shock and severe jaundice. The dog was diagnosed with a perforating pyloric ulcer and treated surgically with pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy. During the recovery phase the dog developed peripheral oedema secondary to severe hypoalbuminaemia (14 g/l). Treatment of the hypoalbuminaemia included a human serum albumin (HSA) transfusion. The patient was readmitted nine days post‐transfusion with pyrexia, petechiae, scleral bleeding, anorexia, oedema and forelimb lameness. A presumptive diagnosis of a type 3 hypersensitivity reaction to the HSA transfusion was made. The dog was treated with 0.5 mg/kg prednisolone twice daily, 20 mg/kg pentoxifylline three times a day and 1 mg/kg omeprazole twice daily. Clinical signs resolved within one week, and at the last follow‐up, five months postsurgery, the owners reported that the dog was clinically well with no further signs of side effects from the HSA transfusion.
Male courtship behavior is triggered by female chemical cues in the scorpionTityus pusillus(Scorpiones: Buthidae)
Authors: Pordeus L.M. , Lira A.F.A. , Albuquerque C.M.R.
Published: August 2019

Recognizing conspecific individuals from other members of the community is important for many interactive behaviors, especially those involved in mate selection. We investigated whether male courtship behavior is triggered by chemical cues left by females on the substrate using the sedentary litter-dwelling scorpion Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893, which is a small and common species distributed throughout the northeast Atlantic Forest in Brazil. In experiments using 50 pairs, we tested whether males recognize females by detecting sex-specific chemicals on the substrate. All males changed their behavior, performing pre-courtship acts when exposed to female-specific chemicals on the substrate, but they did not change their behavior when exposed to a clean substrate lacking female-specific chemicals. These results show that the male T. pusillus alters its behavior in the presence of female chemical cues, suggesting that males recognize females by detecting compounds left on the substrate and that the presence of these chemicals trigger the courtship behavior of the male T. pusillus.
Mediated Misinformation: Questions Answered, More Questions to Ask
Authors: Lee Eun-Ju , Shin Soo Yun
Published: August 2019

With the rampant increase of misinformation produced and distributed online at an alarming rate, it has become more imperative than ever to understand what makes people fall for misinformation. Drawing on the literature on persuasion, credibility of online information, and digital deception, we first review a list of factors associated with the source, message, channel, and receiver that may alter the extent to which people judge information as truthful and believable. Based on critical assessments of the gaps in the literature, suggestions are offered to shape future research agendas and develop an integrative conceptual framework.
What Boosts Talent Development? Examining Predictors of Academic Growth in Secondary School Among Academically Advanced Youth Across 21 Years
Authors: Wai Jonathan , Allen Jeff
Published: August 2019

We examined 482,418 students who took the ACT in the seventh grade and again in high school, taking an exploratory analytic approach to examine academic growth trends from 1996 to 2017. Predictors included sociodemographics, interests, high school (HS) characteristics, HS coursework and GPA, and extracurriculars, which explained 25% of the variance in academic growth. Overall, growth improved from 2005 to 2017, but growth for low-income and Hispanic students was stagnant. Catholic and private school students had the highest growth; homeschooled and high-poverty public school students had the lowest. High growth was associated with STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) elective HS courses and advanced AP, accelerated, and honors courses. Students with investigative and conventional interests had higher growth. Some extracurriculars had significant relationships with academic growth, though the effects were small.
Critique of the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles
Authors: Tonks Sarah , Stephenson Zoe
Published: August 2019

The Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS) is a self-report measure which is given to individuals who have been involved in criminal activity or are known to the Criminal Justice System. Although the PICTS is extensively used and its psychometric properties supported within the research, no critique has yet specifically assessed its utility with forensic populations. Therefore, the aim of the critique was to analyse the scientific and psychometric properties of the PICTS. Adaptions have been made to the PICTS from the first to the fourth revision due to issues with the reliability and validity of the measure. Although the PICTS does have satisfactory internal and retest reliability, the reliability of the validity scales within the measure has continued to be poor. Furthermore, no independent research on the measure has been undertaken. As such, gaps in research and issues that need to be addressed have been highlighted. Practical implications, limitations, and future research are also discussed.
Game of Loans: The Relationship Between Education Debt, Social Responsibility Concerns, and Making a Career Choice in the Public, Private, and Nonprofit Sectors
Authors: Ng Eddy S. , McGinnis Johnson Jasmine
Published: August 2019

The public and nonprofit sectors generally pay less than the private sector, and individuals are willing to forgo higher salaries in exchange for greater intrinsic satisfaction derived from making a contribution to society. However, personal financial considerations, such as education debt, may discourage individuals from pursuing careers in lower paying sectors even if they are predisposed to public service motivation (PSM). We surveyed a sample of graduating students to investigate if (a) education debt discourages students from pursuing lower paying public or nonprofit careers and (b) whether PSM overrides the considerations students might make about entering lower paying sectors as their education debt rises. First, we find that education debt has a marginal effect on initially selecting private over public and nonprofit careers. Rising education debt may discourage students from public sector careers after controlling for PSM. We also find that rising education debt may discourage students from nonprofit careers even with high levels of PSM. The present study enhances our understanding of how financial considerations, in the form of education debt, may influence a student’s initial choice in pursuing public, private, and nonprofit careers.
Behavior of large-scale connections between circular concrete-filled steel tubular columns and H-section steel beams
Authors: Yang Yuanlong , Liu Xianggang , Zhang Jun , Liu Jiepeng , Cheng Wei
Published: August 2019

Three large-scale connections between circular concrete-filled steel tubular columns and H-section steel beams were tested. The specimens include one connection with T-shaped stiffeners under static load and two connections, respectively, with T-shaped stiffeners and diaphragms (including interior and exterior diaphragms) under cyclic loads. During the test, the experimental phenomena were observed. The static properties of strength and ductility are calculated for static connection based on load–displacement curves, while the seismic properties of strength, ductility, and energy dissipation are analyzed for seismic connections based on hysteretic load–displacement curves. Combining experimental phenomena, mechanical properties, and stress development, the beam-hinge failure mode can be identified for all specimens. The measured beam strengths of specimens are compared with those predicted by the current AISC-360, EC4, and GB 50017-2017 codes. The study results show that all connections are reliable. A finite element model, established and verified with the experimental results, is used to perform parametric analysis. Furthermore, design suggestions of T-shaped stiffeners and diaphragms are proposed based on a parametric analysis.
Ghost species: spectral geographies of biodiversity conservation
Authors: McCorristine Shane , Adams William M
Published: August 2019

Despite the widespread use of spectral metaphors, the spectral quality of debates about extinction is little remarked by researchers in conservation science. In this article, we ask the following question: does a sense of the spectral create the conditions for hopeful thoughts and actions about biodiversity? Does becoming ‘haunted’ by species loss accomplish anything? Our intervention is timely because the field of biodiversity conservation reflects the power of ghosts, haunting, and absence in framing the crisis of biodiversity loss and in the moral tales that it uses to justify urgent conservation action. These spectral ideas have power to shape the way conservationists think and act. Yet, crucially, the connections between ghosts, haunting and conservation are not much acknowledged or discussed in conservation itself. Here, we explore the hopeful potential for conservation’s ghostly engagement by drawing on the literature on the spectral turn in cultural geography.
Parametric study of buckling and post-buckling behavior for an aluminum hull structure of a high-aspect-ratio twin hull vessel
Authors: Soleimani Ebrahim , Tabeshpour Mohammad Reza , Seif Mohammad Saeed
Published: August 2019

Metal plates are essential parts of structures such as ship hulls and offshore oil platforms. These plates are typically under compressive axial forces. Hence, one of the main mechanisms for failure and collapse of such structures is buckling of plates. Thus, for safe and secure design, buckling strength of plates should be evaluated. Finite element analysis techniques are perfect tools for this purpose because of the accuracy and flexibility for performing simulations with different variables. In this study, the strength of aluminum plates has been studied using finite element analysis software and it was tried to study the influence of variables such as initial imperfections, plate thickness and aspect ratio on plate strength. It was found that increase in the imperfection magnitude leads to a decrease in the strength of the plate. This is mostly noticed in thin plates because of the plate’s stiffness reduction. Although the plate’s aspect ratio has a slight effect on strength, it has a considerable impact on the failure mechanism. In order to study a combination of plates and stiffeners buckling behavior, part of a high-aspect-ratio twin hull vessel hull structure is assessed under bending moment. It is observed that longitudinal stiffeners at the bottom of the hull in linear analysis undergo the maximum stress, while in non-linear analysis, the maximum stress is spread along with the structure of the deck and bottom, and neutral axis tolerates the minimum stress.
Damage imaging in a stiffened curved composite sandwich panel with wavenumber index via Riesz transform
Authors: Chang Huan-Yu , Yuan Fuh-Gwo
Published: August 2019

Imaging a damage using the phase of wavefield “video” in the physical domain is developed and applied to a stiffened curved composite sandwich panel for visualization of a barely visible impact damage. The ultrasonic guided waves are generated by the thermoelastic effect induced by a Nd:YAG Q-switched pulse laser and then are captured point-by-point by a laser Doppler vibrometer. The wavefield “video” is reconstructed by measuring out-of-plane velocity on the smooth outside surface of the panel. Newly generated wavenumbers from the geometry/material discontinuities caused by either the stiffener or the impact damage can be detected by observing the change of wavenumber from the reconstructed wavefield “video.” The instantaneous wavenumber (i.e. the magnitude of instantaneous wavevector) derived via Riesz transform and its difference can be shown and highlighted using a proposed imaging condition, named as wavenumber index. The wavenumber index sums the wavenumber values followed by a wave energy threshold filter which is performed in the time domain. This is in contrast to other imaging conditions implemented in the frequency-wavenumber domain by the use of complex wavenumber filtering and wave mode decomposition. Since wavenumber index is the phase-based imaging technique instead of conventional intensity-based technique for the wavefield “video,” this technique is robust in that the impact damages located in the vicinity of geometry/material discontinuities can yield consistent damage image resolution with high sensitivity even for wave propagating from the direction across the stiffener. The barely visible impact damage of the composite structure becomes therefore “visible” with the proposed imaging technique.
Bridge condition monitoring under moving loads using two sensor measurements
Authors: Nie Zhenhua , Lin Jun , Li Jun , Hao Hong , Ma Hongwei
Published: August 2019

A novel damage detection approach using only two sensors to detect the damage in beam bridges subjected to a moving vehicle is proposed in this article. In this approach, a moving mass is considered representing a vehicle moving across the bridge, and structural vibration responses at two locations are measured from a pair of sensors. A moving window is defined with a certain length determined by the sampling frequency and the fundamental frequency of the measured responses. The windowed pair time series extracted from these two measured responses are used to calculate the cross-correlation, which is used to define the local damage index. A simply supported beam bridge subjected to a moving mass is simulated to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approach. Numerical results indicate that the proposed approach can accurately identify the single and multiple damages using both displacement and acceleration responses, even when the responses are smeared with a significant noise. This indicates a good robustness to the noise effect. Experimental verifications on a laboratory beam bridge model demonstrate that the proposed approach can successfully identify the damage location using different selections of sensor pairs. Both the numerical and experimental results demonstrate that the new damage index is a good candidate for structural damage detection with very limited measurement information.
Latinx Immigrant Farmworker Community Health Promotion: A Needs Assessment
Authors: Linville Deanna , McClure Heather , Martinez Charles , Mena Morales Celeste
Published: August 2019

The present study examined the health promotion intervention needs of Latinx immigrant farmworker families residing in Oregon. Grounded theory qualitative procedures were used to analyze the needs assessment data from 31 Latinx immigrant farmworker residents and key informant interviews as well as four focus groups with resident youth and parents. A theoretical model of how key family-based health behaviors can both confer risk for and protection against negative physical, mental, and social health outcomes among Latinx farmworking communities emerged. Six primary areas of concern emerged from these data, leading to the identification of primary health promotion intervention needs with three foci: (a) the provision of sustainable supports and resources, (b) skill development so that individuals could successfully negotiate identified challenges, and (c) greater community efficacy. Findings underscore the importance of social support and resource accessibility for Latinx immigrant populations.
Layered manufacturing for medical imaging data
Authors: Ueng Shyh-Kuang , Huang Hsin-Cheng , Chou Chieh-Shih , Huang Hsuan-Kai
Published: August 2019

Layered manufacturing techniques have been successfully employed to construct scanned objects from three-dimensional medical image data sets. The printed physical models are useful tools for anatomical exploration, surgical planning, teaching, and related medical applications. Before fabricating scanned objects, we have to first build watertight geometrical representations of the target objects from medical image data sets. Many algorithms had been developed to fulfill this duty. However, some of these methods require extra efforts to resolve ambiguity problems and to fix broken surfaces. Other methods cannot generate legitimate models for layered manufacturing. To alleviate these problems, this article presents a modeling procedure to efficiently create geometrical representations of objects from computerized tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging data sets. The proposed procedure extracts the iso-surface of the target object from the input data set at the first step. Then it converts the iso-surface into a three-dimensional image and filters this three-dimensional image using morphological operators to remove dangling parts and noises. At the next step, a distance field is computed in the three-dimensional image space to approximate the surface of the target object. Then the proposed procedure smooths the distance field to soothe sharp corners and edges of the target object. Finally, a boundary representation is built from the distance field to model the target object. Compared with conventional modeling techniques, the proposed method possesses the following advantages: (1) it reduces human efforts involved in the geometrical modeling process. (2) It can construct both solid and hollow models for the target object, and wall thickness of the hollow models is adjustable. (3) The resultant boundary representation guarantees to form a watertight solid geometry, which is printable using three-dimensional printers. (4) The proposed procedure allows users to tune the precision of the geometrical model to compromise with the available computational resources.
Hereditary defect of cobalamin metabolism with adolescence onset resembling multiple sclerosis: 41-year follow up in two cases
Authors: Motte Jeremias , Kneiphof Janina , Straßburger-Krogias Katrin , Pitarokoili Kalliopi , Fisse Anna Lena , Kappos Ludwig , Gold Ralf
Published: August 2019

The cblC defect is the most common inborn error of cobalamin (Cbl) metabolism. Clinical severity and presentation of the cblC defect ranges from death to mild disability. Only 71 cases of late-onset cblC defect have been described in the literature. We provide the 41-year follow up of two siblings with a late-onset cblC defect, first described after initial diagnosis in 1996. While one of the siblings showed initial symptoms resembling multiple sclerosis with a good response to corticosteroids, the other sister showed only subclinical signs of the disease. The course of the first case was characterized by a severe deterioration and intensive-care therapy after respiratory failure. After diagnoses and Cbl treatment, the patient survived and showed a pronounced improvement of the symptoms. Both sisters have an active life and gave birth to healthy children. The reason for the initial improvement after corticosteroids could not be explained by the classical metabolic pathways of Cbl. Recent studies have suggested that Cbl plays an important role as a regulator of the balance between neurotrophic and neurotoxic factors in the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS). This first long-term follow up revealed that ultra-high-dose intramuscular Hydroxocobalamin (OH-Cbl) treatment can effectively protect patients from disease progression. It underlines the importance of diagnostic vigilance and laboratory work up even in cases without typical hematologic signs of Cbl deficiency. Cbl-related diseases are often a chameleon and must always be considered in the differential of demyelinating diseases of the PNS and CNS. The case supports the theory that it is not only the classical biochemical pathways that play a key role in Cbl deficiency, especially with regard to neurological symptoms.