bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methadon-Hype und der verunsicherte Tumorpatient
Authors: Friese Klaus
Published: September 2017

In dieser Zeitschriftwurde in der letzten Ausgabe (2/2017) von Frau Dr. rer. nat. Claudia Friesen über ihre Beobachtung beim Einsatz von D,L-Methadon berichtet (D,L-Methadon erhöht den zytotoxischen Effekt konventioneller Krebstherapie). Dabei beschreibt die Autorin z.T. ältere Laborversuche bezüglich der Apoptose beim Einsatz von Methadon in Kombination mit Chemotherapie sowie den retrospektiven Einsatz, z. B. bei 27 Gliompatienten. Diese Mitteilung hat zu einer massiven Verunsicherung und unbegründeter Hoffnung bei Tumorpatienten durch die Medien geführt.
Für Chirurgie begeistern – Einflüsse der Famulatur aus Sicht Studierender auf eine spätere Fachpräferenz
Authors: Werwick Katrin , Spura Anke , Gottschalk Marc , Meyer Frank , Walcher Felix , König Sarah , Braun-Dullaeus Rüdiger , Stieger Philipp
Published: September 2017

Hintergrund/Zielsetzung In den chirurgischen Fächern ist seit Jahren ein Nachwuchsmangel festzustellen. Wegen des abnehmenden Interesses an Chirurgie bereits im Studium empfehlen die Fachgesellschaften u. a. eine Stärkung der Betreuung während der praktischen Phasen des Medizinstudiums zur Steigerung der Attraktivität des Fachbereichs. Innerhalb der curricularen Praxisphasen des Medizinstudiums nimmt die Famulatur als erste ärztliche Tätigkeit eine besondere Stellung ein. Ziel dieser Studie war es, Bedeutung und Einflüsse von Famulaturerfahrungen für die Fachpräferenz einer Wunschdisziplin bei Famulierenden zu untersuchen.

Methoden Es wurden Humanmedizinstudierende der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg zu 4 verschiedenen Zeitpunkten im klinischen Studienabschnitt (n total = 373) über ihre Auswahlkriterien der Famulaturfächer und zu ihren Famulatureindrücken befragt. Hierzu wurden Fragen zu 5 Themenblöcken anhand einer 5-stufigen „Likert-Skala“ von 1 bis 5 (trifft „außerordentlich“ bis „gar nicht“ zu) eingeschätzt. Die Ergebnisse wurden statistisch analysiert.

Ergebnisse Die Famulatur hat eine erhebliche Bedeutung für die frühe Laufbahn eines Studierenden. Medizinstudierende nutzen die Famulatur, um gezielt Fächer, die für ihre spätere Weiterbildung infrage kommen, kennenzulernen. Eigene und besonders auch fremde Einschätzungen und Erfahrungen einer Klinik oder von Ausbildern beeinflussen die Entscheidung zu Famulaturfach und -ort. Famulaturvorbereitende Lehrformate können diesen Effekt verstärken. Aus Sicht der befragten Studierenden sollten sich Inhalte der Famulatur an Gelehrtes und Gelerntes des Studiums anschließen. Studierende erwarten Einblick und praktische, bereichsübergreifende, auch interdisziplinär geprägte Mitarbeit in einem Famulaturfach. Aus studentischer Sicht beeinflussen die Famulaturerfahrungen in den chirurgischen Fächern im Gegensatz zu den nicht chirurgischen Erfahrungen eine Weiterbildungspräferenz für operative Fächer und sind somit ein relevanter Prädiktor.

Schlussfolgerung Lehre im Spannungsfeld der Famulatur ist als wichtige Komponente für die Orientierung zu einer chirurgischen Laufbahn wirksam. Unterstützende fachspezifische Lehre zur Famulatur kann durch Verbesserung des Praktikumserlebens zu einer zusätzlichen Verstärkung dieses fachpräferenzbildenden Effekts einer Famulatur beitragen. Positive Famulaturerfahrungen werden von Studierenden attraktivitätssteigernd für das Fach wahrgenommen und können so ein Interesse an einer chirurgischen Tätigkeit bereits im Studium stärken.
Herzglykoside und ihr Potenzial für die Tumortherapie
Authors: Munkert Jennifer , Kreis Wolfgang
Published: September 2017

Herzglykoside sind eine Gruppe von Naturstoffen, welche ein Steroidgerüst mit einem angefügten ungesättigten Lactonring besitzen und aufgrund einer Inhibierung der Na+/K+-ATPase kräftigend auf den Herzmuskel einwirken. Über lange Jahre hinweg wurden Herzglykoside zur Therapie von Herzinsuffizienz und Behandlung von Herzrhythmusstörungen eingesetzt. Neuere Studien bescheinigen dieser Substanzklasse allerdings auch ein hohes Potenzial für die Krebstherapie. Herzglykoside inhibieren das Tumorzellwachstum in nanomolaren Konzentrationen. Die molekularen Mechanismen, die hinter der antitumoralen Aktivität stehen, werden gegenwärtig noch untersucht. Dieser Übersichtsartikel befasst sich mit der Geschichte der Herzglykoside, der molekularen Basis ihrer klassischen Anwendung (Herzinsuffizienz) und relevanten Befunden und klinischen Studien, die eine zukünftige Anwendung bestimmter Herzglykoside in der Tumortherapie aussichtsreich erscheinen lassen.
Krebstherapie mit Kurkuma
Authors: Chrubasik-Hausmann Sigrun
Published: September 2017

Das indische Gewürz Kurkuma ist seit Jahrhunderten auch ein Heilmittel der traditionellen indischen Medizin. Der gelbe Farbstoff in Kurkuma besitzt viele experimentell nachgewiesene Wirkungen. Die Mischung von Kurkuma mit anderen Gewürzen im Curry steigert die Resorption des Wirkstoffs Curcumin. Um die Bioverfügbarkeit zu erhöhen, wird weltweit an neuen galenischen Zubereitungen geforscht. Die WHO empfiehlt als Tagesdosis zur Behandlung von Verdauungsbeschwerden 3 g der Wurzel oder entsprechende Zubereitungen. Zwei Extrakte besitzen das EMA-Prädikat „traditional use“ bei Dyspepsie und Gallendyskinesien. Von der europäischen Behörde wurde die Maximaldosierung auf bis zu 2 mg Curcumin/kg Körpergewicht limitiert, zusätzlich zu dem Milligramm, das mit der Nahrung zugeführt wird. Experimentelle, humanpharmakologische und klinische Untersuchungen lassen den Einsatz von Curcumin beim Reizdarmsyndrom, bei Gallenblasendysfunktion, entzündlichen Erkrankungen usw. sinnvoll erscheinen. In dieser Übersicht sind die Studien bei verschiedenen Krebserkrankungen zusammengefasst. Die Evidenz der Wirksamkeit ist aufgrund der schlechten Qualität der Studien für alle Indikationen inklusive Krebserkrankungen mäßig bis schlecht. Aufgrund der Plausibilität der Wirkungen und der guten Verträglichkeit sollte das Potenzial von Zubereitungen aus Kurkuma dennoch adjuvant genutzt werden.
Honig in der Krebstherapie
Authors: Münstedt Karsten
Published: September 2017

Ziel Es sollte nach sinnvollen Anwendungsmöglichkeiten von Honig im Rahmen einer Krebsbehandlung gesucht werden.

Methoden Es erfolgte eine Literaturrecherche zu den Themen um Honig und die Behandlung von Krebs unter Verwendung verschiedener Suchmaschinen im Internet, u. a. Pubmed und Bücher der Apitherapie.

Ergebnisse In Büchern der Apitherapie fanden sich Ansätze, für die sich jedoch keine klinische, wissenschaftliche oder rationale Basis finden ließ. Honig lässt sich jedoch sinnvoll bei infizierten Wunden nach einer Operation, bei ulzerierenden Tumoren, zur Prophylaxe und/oder der Therapie der Mukositis bei Chemotherapie und Strahlentherapie anwenden. Auch bei Fatigue, Prophylaxe der febrilen Neutropenie, Linderung der klimakterischen Beschwerden sowie Prophylaxe der Xerostomie können mögliche Einsatzgebiete von Honig sein.

Schlussfolgerungen Apitherapie kann im Rahmen der Krebstherapie nicht empfohlen werden. Honig hat jedoch einige positive Wirkungen, daher kann er bei einfacher Verfügbarkeit, geringen Kosten, wenigen zu erwartenden Nebenwirkungen im supportiven Kontext einer Krebstherapie eingesetzt werden.
Pilotstudie zur Wirksamkeit eines psychomotorischen Trainings bei älteren Personen
Authors: Haupt Martin , Bossert Frank-Peter , Flügge Holger , Godehardt Erhard , Junggebauer Tobias
Published: September 2017

Im höheren Lebensalter tragen sowohl körperliche Bewegung und Sport als auch kognitive Aktivierung und regelmäßige geistige Beschäftigung zum
Erhalt von körperlichen und kognitiven Funktionen bei. In einer kontrollierten Pilotstudie wurde der Einfluss eines multimodalen Trainings
(motorisch, koordinativ, kognitiv) auf die entsprechenden Leistungsfunktionen älterer Menschen untersucht.
Methadon: eine differenzierte Betrachtung
Authors: Irmey György
Published: September 2017

Methadon ist ein seit über 70 Jahren angewandtes vollsynthetisches Arzneimittel und gehört zur Stoffklasse der Opioide. Durch die bedeutenden Forschungsarbeiten der Molekularbiologin Dr. Claudia Friesen am Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Universität Ulm kam das Medikament auch im Zusammenhang mit Krebserkrankungen in eine heftige Diskussion, da es eine wachstumshemmende Wirkung auf Krebszellen haben kann. Auch wenn das Medikament kein biologisches Produkt ist, halte ich es für wichtig, dass die Gesellschaft für Biologische Krebsabwehr e.V. (GfBK) sich an der Aufklärung beteiligt und in die Diskussion einbringt. Und zwar aus einem ganz einfachen Grund: Weil wir gesehen haben, dass es Patienten mit Krebserkrankungen helfen kann.
Room temperature multiferrocity and magnetodielectric properties of ternary (1-x) (0.94Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.06BaTiO3)-xBiFeO3 (0 ≤x≤ 0.9) solid solutions
Authors: Huang W. J. , Yang J. , Qin Y. F. , Xiong P. , Wang D. , Yin L. H. , Tang X. W. , Song W. H. , Tong P. , Zhu X. B. , Sun Y. P.
Published: September 2017

(1–x)(0.94Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.06BaTiO3)-xBiFeO3 (0 ≤x≤ 0.9) ternary ceramics were prepared by the modified Pechini method. X ray diffraction patterns manifest that the samples undergo a gradual structural transformation from the rhombohedral-tetragonal morphotropic phase boundary to the rhombohedral phase with the increasing content of BiFeO3. Room temperature ferromagnetism was observed in BiFeO3-rich samples with x ≥ 0.6, and this ferromagnetism can be ascribed to the suppression of the spiral spin structure with the canting of antiferromagnetically ordered spins. The BiFeO3-rich samples (x = 0.6–0.8) exhibit superior ferroelectric properties with the maximum remanent polarization of 44.7 μC/cm2, as confirmed by the positive-up negative-down measurement to exclude the contribution of leakage current. The coexistence of room-temperature ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity manifests that the lead-free BiFeO3-based solid solutions are quite promising multiferroic materials and may be important for potential applications in BFO-based magnetoelectric devices.
Higher order structure in a complex plasma
Authors: Donkó Z. , Hartmann P. , Magyar P. , Kalman G. J. , Golden K. I.
Published: September 2017

The direct experimental determination of the 3-point static structure function S(3)(k1, k2, k0) of a 2-dimensional dusty plasma liquid is presented. The measurements are complemented by molecular dynamics simulations of the system, using parameters (dust charge, plasma frequency, coupling and screening coefficients), which are derived from the experimentally obtained 2-point static structure function S(2), as well as the dynamic structure function and current-current fluctuation spectra. The experimental results of S(3) are in good agreement with those of the simulations, including the (low wavenumber) domain, where S(3) acquires negative values. The “Convolution Approximation” (giving S(3) in a factorized form of S(2) functions) clearly breaks down in this domain; however, it is found to be a useful aid for explaining the main features of the S(3)(k1, k2, k0) functions, for which (experimental and simulation) maps are presented at selected values of one of its arguments.
Defects and oxidation of group-III monochalcogenide monolayers
Authors: Guo Yu , Zhou Si , Bai Yizhen , Zhao Jijun
Published: September 2017

Among various two-dimensional (2D) materials, monolayer group-III monochalcogenides (GaS, GaSe, InS, and InSe) stand out owing to their potential applications in microelectronics and optoelectronics. Devices made of these novel 2D materials are sensitive to environmental gases, especially O2 molecules. To address this critical issue, here we systematically investigate the oxidization behaviors of perfect and defective group-III monochalcogenide monolayers by first-principles calculations. The perfect monolayers show superior oxidation resistance with large barriers of 3.02–3.20 eV for the dissociation and chemisorption of O2 molecules. In contrast, the defective monolayers with single chalcogen vacancy are vulnerable to O2, showing small barriers of only 0.26–0.36 eV for the chemisorption of an O2 molecule. Interestingly, filling an O2 molecule to the chalcogen vacancy of group-III monochalcogenide monolayers could preserve the electronic band structure of the perfect system—the bandgaps are almost intact and the carrier effective masses are only moderately disturbed. On the other hand, the defective monolayers with single vacancies of group-III atoms carry local magnetic moments of 1–2 μB. These results help experimental design and synthesis of group-III monochalcogenides based 2D devices with high performance and stability.
Ohmic contacts on n-type β-Ga2O3 using AZO/Ti/Au
Authors: Carey Patrick H. , Yang Jiancheng , Ren F. , Hays David C. , Pearton S. J. , Jang Soohwan , Kuramata Akito , Kravchenko Ivan I.
Published: September 2017

AZO interlayers between n-Ga2O3 and Ti/Au metallization significantly enhance Ohmic contact formation after annealing at ≥ 300°C. Without the presence of the AZO, similar anneals produce only rectifying current-voltage characteristics. Transmission Line Measurements of the Au/Ti/AZO/Ga2O3 stacks showed the specific contact resistance and transfer resistance decreased sharply from as-deposited values with annealing. The minimum contact resistance and specific contact resistance of 0.42 Ω-mm and 2.82 × 10-5 Ω-cm2 were achieved after a relatively low temperature 400°C annealing. The conduction band offset between AZO and Ga2O3 is 0.79 eV and provides a favorable pathway for improved electron transport across this interface.
Single, double, and triple Auger decays from 1s shake-up states of the oxygen molecule
Authors: Kaneyasu T. , Odagiri T. , Nakagawa M. , Mashiko R. , Tanaka H. , Adachi J. , Hikosaka Y.
Published: September 2017

The single, double, and triple Auger decays from the 1s shake-up states of O2 have been studied using a multi-electron coincidence method. Efficient populations of two-hole final states are observed in single Auger decays of the π-π* shake-up states, which is understood as a characteristic property of the Auger transitions from shake-up states of an open-shell molecule. The O23+ populations formed by double Auger decays show similar profiles for both the O1s−1 and shake-up states, which is due to the contributions from cascade double Auger processes. While the cascade contributions to the double Auger decays increase with the initial shake-up energy, the probability of direct double Auger processes remains unchanged between the O1s−1 and shake-up states, which implies a weak influence of the excited electron on the double Auger emission that originates from the electron correlation effect.
Nucleation of melting and solidification in confined high aspect ratio thin films
Authors: Mastandrea J. P. , Ager J. W. , Chrzan D. C.
Published: September 2017

Classical nucleation theory is used to consider the solidification of a melt confined between two planar surfaces. The critical nucleus shapes and the associated nucleation energy barriers are computed as a function of the thickness of the film and the film's relevant bulk and interface energies. The analysis is then repeated for the melting transition, and expressions for the depression and elevation of the melting temperature, relative to the thermodynamic bulk melting temperature of the film material, are found. A nucleus morphology diagram is constructed. This diagram presents the lowest energy morphology of the nuclei, as well as melting points, as a function of the system parameters. Using the nucleus morphology diagram, experimental and system parameters that allow for the desired nucleation behavior can be identified. Furthermore, the nucleus morphology diagram illustrates a region of parameter space where the film is predicted to solidify above its thermodynamic bulk melting temperature, a behavior termed presolidification. The theory is used to predict the temperature at which the nucleation of the solid phase and liquid phase is expected for Ge between two glass substrates. Furthermore, a possible route for controlling the orientation of the film is identified. By controlling the growth temperature, certain orientations may not be able to nucleate, thereby reducing the possible number of orientations within a film.
Coupling nonlinear optical waves to photoreactive and phase-separating soft matter: Current status and perspectives
Authors: Biria Saeid , Morim Derek R. , An Tsao Fu , Saravanamuttu Kalaichelvi , Hosein Ian D.
Published: September 2017

Nonlinear optics and polymer systems are distinct fields that have been studied for decades. These two fields intersect with the observation of nonlinear wave propagation in photoreactive polymer systems. This has led to studies on the nonlinear dynamics of transmitted light in polymer media, particularly for optical self-trapping and optical modulation instability. The irreversibility of polymerization leads to permanent capture of nonlinear optical patterns in the polymer structure, which is a new synthetic route to complex structured soft materials. Over time more intricate polymer systems are employed, whereby nonlinear optical dynamics can couple to nonlinear chemical dynamics, opening opportunities for self-organization. This paper discusses the work to date on nonlinear optical pattern formation processes in polymers. A brief overview of nonlinear optical phenomenon is provided to set the stage for understanding their effects. We review the accomplishments of the field on studying nonlinear waveform propagation in photopolymerizable systems, then discuss our most recent progress in coupling nonlinear optical pattern formation to polymer blends and phase separation. To this end, perspectives on future directions and areas of sustained inquiry are provided. This review highlights the significant opportunity in exploiting nonlinear optical pattern formation in soft matter for the discovery of new light-directed and light-stimulated materials phenomenon, and in turn, soft matter provides a platform by which new nonlinear optical phenomenon may be discovered.
Structural characteristics of supersonic mixing enhanced by introducing streamwise vortices
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Tan Jianguo , Li Hao
Published: September 2017

The characteristics of structural evolution and mixing process of supersonic flow downstream a lobed mixer are experimentally investigated using nanoparticle-based planar laser scattering technique. The development and evolution of Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices, large-scale streamwise vortices, and transverse structures are clearly exhibited. The interaction of Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices and streamwise structures accelerates the momentum transport of upper and lower streams in the flow transition region. The streamwise vorticity engulfs transverse structures, causing them to deform so that they are bulged at the lobe trough, which can favor molecular mixing. The emergence of small-scale streamwise structures and horseshoe vortex in the interfacial area of the two streams plays an important role in entraining the surrounding fluid from both sides of the interface into mixing region.
Culture of law at Arab universities
Authors: Amine Adnan El
Published: September 2017

The prevalence of a culture of law at a sample of 36 Arab universities is studied in this study. It examines four dimensions of the culture of law: reference to law and its related terms in the universities discourse; teaching of law programmes and law courses; activities practised at the university that raise legal topics; and perceptions of faculty and students on the existence of a culture of law at the university. The results showed that the culture of law is fair to weak. There was not a single university in the sample that was classified as ‘above average’ in terms of the four dimensions. Five universities – all private – were classified as ‘below average’, one of which was religious and the others for-profit. Both expressions ‘rule of law’ and ‘culture of law’ were absent from the discourse. Unlike the discourse, there was not a single university lacking in the law curricula, be it programmes or courses. The existence of a college of law at a university contributes to the expansion of the culture of law at the university. The culture of law is further expanded as well at private not-for-profit universities in comparison with for-profit ones. Public universities in Tunisia lag behind other Arab universities in discourse due to their lack of interest in developing websites, whereas they are ahead in curricula and perceptions. Paradoxically, almost nothing has been written about the issue of culture of law (and the rule of law) in Arab universities. Although there is an abundance of writing on academic freedom, it does not fill the gap. It is not the remit of this paper to investigate the rule of law at Arab universities; that would require data collection on facts, practices and stories, although such a project is badly needed. Instead, it investigates the culture of law, since the author believes it is a reliable indicator of the status of the rule of law.
Two kinesins drive anterograde neuropeptide transport
Authors: Lim Angeline , Rechtsteiner Andreas , Saxton William M.
Published: September 2017

Motor-dependent anterograde transport, a process that moves cytoplasmic components from sites of biosynthesis to sites of use within cells, is crucial in neurons with long axons. Evidence has emerged that multiple anterograde kinesins can contribute to some transport processes. To test the multi-kinesin possibility for a single vesicle type, we studied the functional relationships of axonal kinesins to dense core vesicles (DCVs) that were filled with a GFP-tagged neuropeptide in the Drosophila nervous system. Past work showed that Unc-104 (a kinesin-3) is a key anterograde DCV motor. Here we show that anterograde DCV transport requires the well-known mitochondrial motor Khc (kinesin-1). Our results indicate that this influence is direct. Khc mutations had specific effects on anterograde run parameters, neuron-specific inhibition of mitochondrial transport by Milton RNA interference had no influence on anterograde DCV runs, and detailed colocalization analysis by superresolution microscopy revealed that Unc-104 and Khc coassociate with individual DCVs. DCV distribution analysis in peptidergic neurons suggest the two kinesins have compartment specific influences. We suggest a mechanism in which Unc-104 is particularly important for moving DCVs from cell bodies into axons, and then Unc-104 and kinesin-1 function together to support fast, highly processive runs toward axon terminals.
Enabling phenotypic big data with PheNorm
Authors: Yu Sheng , Ma Yumeng , Gronsbell Jessica , Cai Tianrun , Ananthakrishnan Ashwin N , Gainer Vivian S , Churchill Susanne E , Szolovits Peter , Murphy Shawn N , Kohane Isaac S , Liao Katherine P , Cai Tianxi
Published: September 2017

Objective

Electronic health record (EHR)-based phenotyping infers whether a patient has a disease based on the information in his or her EHR. A human-annotated training set with gold-standard disease status labels is usually required to build an algorithm for phenotyping based on a set of predictive features. The time intensiveness of annotation and feature curation severely limits the ability to achieve high-throughput phenotyping. While previous studies have successfully automated feature curation, annotation remains a major bottleneck. In this paper, we present PheNorm, a phenotyping algorithm that does not require expert-labeled samples for training.

Methods

The most predictive features, such as the number of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes or mentions of the target phenotype, are normalized to resemble a normal mixture distribution with high area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) for prediction. The transformed features are then denoised and combined into a score for accurate disease classification.

Results

We validated the accuracy of PheNorm with 4 phenotypes: coronary artery disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. The AUCs of the PheNorm score reached 0.90, 0.94, 0.95, and 0.94 for the 4 phenotypes, respectively, which were comparable to the accuracy of supervised algorithms trained with sample sizes of 100–300, with no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion

The accuracy of the PheNorm algorithms is on par with algorithms trained with annotated samples. PheNorm fully automates the generation of accurate phenotyping algorithms and demonstrates the capacity for EHR-driven annotations to scale to the next level – phenotypic big data.
The Disability Impact and Associated Cost per Disability in Women Who Underwent Surgical Revision of Transvaginal Mesh Kits for Prolapse Repair
Authors: Javadian Pouya , Shobeiri S. Abbas
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate disability impact in patients and cost to the families of patients who have had complications of transvaginal prolapse mesh kits and underwent surgical revision.

Methods

Patients who developed complications of transvaginal mesh kits for prolapse and who had undergone vaginal prolapse mesh surgical revision/removal in 2009 to 2014 at a single institution were identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes. The group was invited to complete a phone survey pertaining to the initial vaginal mesh used for prolapse surgery utilizing Sheehan Disability Scale (scale 0–10) and Years of life Lived with Disability (YLDs) questionnaires. The data collected were used to estimate the disability and cost analysis. We used our data to estimate the economic and quality-of-life impact of vaginal mesh complications on patients in the United States

Results

Sixty-two patients (62/198 [31.2%]) were consented to participate and completed the questionnaires by phone. Extremely disabled patients were 18 (29%) of 62 of whole cases, and 5 (8%) of 62 reported that they had no disability after vaginal mesh surgery. The median for overall disability score after vaginal mesh procedure was 8 (which reflects marked disability on a scale of 0–10). The majority of patients missed a median of 12 months of their school or work because of their mesh complications. Thirty-seven (59.6%) of 62 did not improve after mesh removal. Twenty-one (33.9%) of 62 stated that their family income dropped because of productivity loss related to mesh complications. The mean time between vaginal mesh surgery and mesh removal procedure was 4.7 years. Sheehan Disability Scale scores are significantly correlated with YLDs outcomes. Patients' overall disability score showed a significant correlation with YLDs scores (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Vaginal mesh for prolapse reduction complications had a sustained disability impact that continued despite mesh removal. Likewise, the complications were associated with increased economic burden on the families of the effected individuals and a drop in the family income in more than one third of the families.
Shape, form, function andLeishmaniapathogenicity: from textbook descriptions to biological understanding
Authors: Sunter Jack , Gull Keith
Published: September 2017

The shape and form of protozoan parasites are inextricably linked to their pathogenicity. The evolutionary pressure associated with establishing and maintaining an infection and transmission to vector or host has shaped parasite morphology. However, there is not a ‘one size fits all’ morphological solution to these different pressures, and parasites exhibit a range of different morphologies, reflecting the diversity of their complex life cycles. In this review, we will focus on the shape and form ofLeishmaniaspp., a group of very successful protozoan parasites that cause a range of diseases from self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis to visceral leishmaniasis, which is fatal if left untreated.
Transformation cycle between the spherically symmetric correlation function, projected correlation function and differential cross section as implemented inSASfit
Authors: Kohlbrecher J. , Studer A.
Published: September 2017

Spin-echo-based small-angle neutron scattering techniques like spin-echo SANS (SESANS) or spin-echo modulated SANS (SEMSANS) as well as dark-field (DF) imaging are directly sensitive to \tilde{G}(\delta), which is the projection of the scattering length density autocorrelation function \tilde{\gamma}(r). Here, a simplified transformation cycle relating the spherically symmetric correlation function \tilde{\gamma}(r), the projected correlation function \tilde{G}(\delta) and the macroscopic small-angle scattering cross section dΣ/dΩ is introduced. The suggested changes to the cycle make it easier to include size distribution on an absolute scale if the data from the different techniques are fitted simultaneously. As up to now only very few analytical expressions for the projected correlation function are known, a numerical transformation of known scattering functions into the projected correlation function in theSASfitsoftware package is supplied. Furthermore, a new analytical expression for the projected correlation function for polymers that can be described by the generalized Gaussian coil model is provided. For this polymer model, the Hankel transform used to calculate \tilde{G}(0) from the SANS signal is divergent for a certain parameter range describing a polymer in a good solvent and finite in the case of a poor solvent. It is therefore a suitable example of how the experimentally availableqrange can strongly influence the obtained results.
A novel hybrid stress meshless method for two-dimension elastic structure with a traction-free circular boundary
Authors: Cao Zilong , Guan Yupu , Chen Wei
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To increase the use of the meshless method, a hybrid stress method is introduced into the meshless method.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is based on the radial point interpolation method (RPIM). According to the Hellinger Reissner principle, stress functions are introduced into the solution procedure. Finite elements are used as background cells for integration. All cells are divided into two types – the H cells, which are around the traction-free circular boundary, and the G cells. For the H cells, stress functions in polar coordinates are created. For the G cells, 12-parameter stress functions in Cartesian coordinates are used. Stress functions are based on equilibrium equations and stress compatible equation.

Findings

Numerical results show that this method is reliable.

Originality/value

Hybrid stress methods have been applied to finite element methods, but the finite element methods have not been applied into meshless methods.
Plant indicator status and implications for natural disaster management in both developed communities and indigenous communities
Authors: Ha Kyoo‐Man
Published: September 2017

Only a few rigorous studies have attempted to focus on the topic of plant indicators in relation to natural disasters, although recently an increasing number of people have realized its significance. In an effort to aid disaster management, this article studied and aimed to improve the status of plant indicators in predicting or signaling natural disasters. Using a qualitative content analysis, the plant indicators’ uncertain status and certain status are systematically compared using specific plants, developed community efforts, indigenous community traditions, and characteristics of natural disaster management. A key tenet is that all stakeholders must change plant indicators’ uncertain status to certain status by comprehensively elaborating on the integration between developed communities and indigenous communities, plant indicators as a research agenda, the inclusion of plant indicators in disaster management policy and local plans, and education and training.
Validation of patient‐reported global severity of atopic dermatitis in adults
Authors: Vakharia P. P. , Chopra R. , Sacotte R. , Patel N. , Immaneni S. , White T. , Kantor R. , Hsu D. Y. , Silverberg J. I.
Published: September 2017

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with a heterogeneous presentation and clinical course. There is a lack of simple and validated severity assessments that are feasible for clinical practice and epidemiological research.

Objectives

We sought to validate patient‐reported global AD severity in adults.

Methods

We performed a prospective dermatology practice‐based study using questionnaires and evaluation by a dermatologist (n = 265).

Results

At baseline and follow‐up, patient‐reported global AD severity significantly correlated with oSCORAD (Spearman ρ = 0.56 and 0.49), SCORAD (0.64 and 0.56), EASI (0.56 and 0.50), BSA (0.52 and 0.45), NRS‐itch (0.60 and 0.53), POEM (0.50 and 0.48), and DLQI (0.50 and 0.49) (P < .0001 for all). Patient‐reported moderate and severe AD vs mild AD were associated with significantly higher oSCORAD, SCORAD, EASI, BSA, NRS‐itch, POEM, and DLQI (P < .0001 for all). There was moderate concordance between patient‐reported AD severity (mild, moderate, and severe) and previously developed severity strata for oSCORAD (κ = 0.39), SCORAD (κ = 0.47), EASI (κ = 0.37), NRS‐itch (κ = 0.49), POEM (κ = 0.37), and DLQI (κ = 0.40). Among patients with severe disease at baseline, those who reported mild or moderate disease on follow‐up had significantly greater absolute reductions of oSCORAD (−23.4/−9.7/−1.8), SCORAD (−33.0/−13.2/−2.3), EASI (−17.1/−9.8/−3.2), BSA (−46%/−15%/−4%), NRS‐itch (−5/−2/0), POEM (−5/−2/0), and DLQI (−8/−6/−1) than those who continued to report severe disease (Kruskal‐Wallis, P ≤ .0003 for all).

Conclusions

Patient‐reported AD severity appears to be sufficiently valid for assessing AD severity in the clinical and epidemiological setting.
Revealing hidden talents: The development, use, and benefit of VESPARCH
Authors: Badger Julia R. , Mellanby Jane
Published: September 2017

Background

School attainment tests and Cognitive Abilities Tests are used in the United Kingdom to set targets for educational outcome. Whilst these are good predictors, they depend not only on basic ability but also on learnt knowledge and skills, such as reading.

Method and Aims

VESPARCH is an online group test of verbal and spatial reasoning, which we propose gives a measure that more closely approximates to basic ability – fluid intelligence. The verbal test contains highly familiar words, does not require the child to read them, is untimed, and provides detailed feedback on five practice questions for each part of the test. The tests – one suitable and standardized for children aged 7–9 years and one for children aged 10–12 years – have good test–retest reliability and validity and conform to the Rasch model. Comparison of VESPARCH scores with school attainment measures allows identification of those students who are underachieving academically relative to their potential. The matched nature of the verbal and spatial tests allows reasoning ability in the two domains to be compared; those with much higher spatial scores might be expected to do well in STEM subjects.

Conclusion

VESPARCH can be used alongside current school tests to ensure targeted teaching and encouragement for every child.
Primary hyperparathyroidism: Dynamic postoperative metabolic changes
Authors: Kaderli Reto M. , Riss Philipp , Geroldinger Angelika , Selberherr Andreas , Scheuba Christian , Niederle Bruno
Published: September 2017

Objective

Little is known about the natural changes in parathyroid function after successful parathyroid surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism. The association of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and calcium (Ca) with “temporary hypoparathyroidism” and “hungry bone syndrome” (HBS) was evaluated.

Design

Potential risk factors for temporary hypoparathyroidism and HBS were evaluated by taking blood samples before surgery, intra‐operatively, at postoperative day (POD) 1, at POD 5 to 7, in postoperative week (POW) 8 and in postoperative month (POM) 6.

Patients

Of 425 patients, 43 (10.1%) had temporary hypoparathyroidism and 36 (8.5%) had HBS.

Measurements

The discriminative ability of iPTH and Ca on POD 1 for temporary hypoparathyroidism and HBS.

Results

Intact parathyroid hormone (IPTH) on POD 1 showed the highest discriminative ability for temporary hypoparathyroidism (C‐index = 0.952), but not for HBS. IPTH was helpful in diagnosing HBS between POD 5 and 7 (C‐index = 0.708). Extending the model by including Ca resulted in little improvement of the discriminative ability for temporary hypoparathyroidism (C‐index = 0.964) and a decreased discriminative ability for HBS (C‐index = 0.705). Normal parathyroid metabolism was documented in 139 (32.7%) patients on POD 1 and in 423 (99.5%) 6 months postoperatively, while 2 (0.5%) patients had persistent hyperparathyroidism, one diagnosed between POD 5 and 7 and another at POW 8. No patients suffered from permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Conclusions

The necessity for Ca and vitamin D3 substitution cannot be predicted with certainty before POD 5 to 7 without serial laboratory measurements. Based on the results, a routine 8‐week course of Ca and vitamin D3 treatment seems reasonable and its necessity should be evaluated in a follow‐up study.
Superiority of occipital donor sites for split‐thickness skin grafting in dermatosurgery: Results of a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Kovacs Maximilian , Karsai Syrus , Podda Maurizio
Published: September 2017

Background

Split‐thickness skin grafts are commonly used in dermatosurgery. For occipital donor sites, retrospective studies have shown good results with respect to graft take and healing rates. Nevertheless, the majority of grafts in dermatosurgery are harvested from the thigh. To date, there has been no prospective randomized controlled study comparing occipital versus femoral donor sites.

Patients and methods

Following micrographically controlled R0 tumor resection, 108 patients were randomized prior to undergoing split‐thickness skin grafting (donor site: occiput vs. thigh). Follow‐up examinations were carried out on day 3, 5, 7, and 14, as well as one month and three months after surgery. Documented data included graft take rates, re‐epithelialization rates at the donor site, pain, cosmetic outcome, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), and complications.

Results

Occipital donor sites showed significantly faster reepithelization, less pain, fewer complications, a better cosmetic outcome, and better results on the VSS. With regard to graft take rates, grafts harvested from the occiput were significantly superior on days 3 and 5.

Conclusions

This is the first randomized controlled trial showing a significant superiority of occipital compared to femoral donor sites regarding re‐epithelialization, pain, cosmetic outcome and the Vancouver Scar Scale.
Adipose tissue content of saturated fatty acids and atrial fibrillation: A case‐cohort study
Authors: Dinesen Pia T. , Rix Thomas A. , Joensen Albert M. , Tjønneland Anne , Lundbye‐Christensen Søren , Overvad Kim , Schmidt Erik B.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between adipose tissue content of total saturated fatty acids including myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0) and stearic (C18:0) acid, as a measure of exposure to saturated fatty acids and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation.

Materials and methods

A total of 57 053 Danish men and women aged 50‐64 years participating in the Diet, Cancer and Health cohort had an adipose tissue biopsy taken at baseline, and this was analysed for saturated fatty acids content by gas chromatography. Follow‐up was registry based and in this case‐cohort study we used all cases and a randomly drawn subcohort of 3500 participants representative for the entire cohort.

Results

Data were analysed using weighted Cox proportional hazards regression. During a median follow‐up of 14.6 years, a total of 4722 cases of incident atrial fibrillation were diagnosed. For both men and women, no association between adipose tissue content of total saturated fatty acids and the risk of atrial fibrillation could be demonstrated.

Conclusion

We did not find an association between adipose tissue content of total saturated fatty acids and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation.
Electrostatic interactions drive native‐like aggregation of human alanine:glyoxylate aminostransferase
Authors: Dindo Mirco , Conter Carolina , Cellini Barbara
Published: September 2017

Protein aggregate formation is the basis of several misfolding diseases, including those displaying loss‐of‐function pathogenesis. Although aggregation is often attributed to the population of intermediates exposing hydrophobic surfaces, the contribution of electrostatic forces has recently gained attention. Here, we combined computational and in vitro studies to investigate the aggregation process of human peroxisomal alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), a pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP)‐dependent enzyme involved in glyoxylate detoxification. We demonstrated that AGT is susceptible to electrostatic aggregation due to its peculiar surface charge anisotropy and that PLP binding counteracts the self‐association process. The two polymorphic mutations P11L and I340M exert opposite effects. The P11L substitution enhances the aggregation tendency, probably by increasing surface charge anisotropy, while I340M plays a stabilizing role. In light of these results, we examined the effects of the most common missense mutations leading to primary hyperoxaluria type I (PH1), a rare genetic disorder associated with abnormal calcium oxalate precipitation in the urinary tract. All of them endow AGT with a strong electrostatic aggregation propensity. Moreover, we predicted that pathogenic mutations of surface residues could alter charge distribution, thus inducing aggregation under physiological conditions. A global model describing the AGT aggregation process is provided. Overall, the results indicate that the contribution of electrostatic interactions in determining the fate of proteins and the effect of amino acid substitutions should not be underestimated and provide the basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies for PH1 aimed at increasing AGT stability.
Size‐based interactions across trophic levels in food webs of shallow Mediterranean lakes
Authors: Brucet Sandra , Tavşanoğlu Ülkü Nihan , Özen Arda , Levi Eti Ester , Bezirci Gizem , Çakıroğlu Ayşe İdil , Jeppesen Erik , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Ersoy Zeynep , Beklioğlu Meryem
Published: September 2017

Body size is a key trait of an organism which determines the dynamics of predator–prey interactions. Most empirical studies on the individual size distribution of the aquatic community have focused on the variations in body size of a single trophic level as a response to certain environmental variables or biotic factors. Few studies, however, have evaluated how individual size structure is altered simultaneously across interacting trophic levels and locations. Such comparative examinations of the size distribution in predator and prey communities may bring insight into the strength of the interactions between adjacent trophic levels.

We assessed the potential predation effect of size‐structured predators (i.e. predation by individuals of different sizes) on prey size structure using data from 30 shallow Turkish lakes spanning over five latitudinal degrees. We correlated size diversity and size evenness of predator and prey assemblages across the planktonic food web after accounting for the confounding effects of temperature and resource availability which may also affect size structure. We expected to find a negative relationship between size diversity of predators and prey due to the enhanced strength of top‐down control with increasing predator size diversity. We also hypothesised that competitive interactions for resources in less productive systems would promote a higher size diversity. We further expected a shift towards reduced size diversity and evenness at high temperatures.

In contrast to our hypothesis, we found a positive correlation between size structures of two interacting trophic levels of the planktonic food web; thus, highly size‐diverse fish assemblages were associated with highly size‐diverse zooplankton assemblages. The size evenness of fish and phytoplankton assemblages was negatively and positively related to temperature, respectively. Phytoplankton size diversity was only weakly predicted by the resource availability.

Our results suggest that size structure within a trophic group may be controlled by the size structure at adjacent trophic levels, as well as by temperature and resource availability. The positive relationship between the size diversity of fish and zooplankton suggests that higher diversity of the resources drives a higher size diversity of consumers or vice versa, and these effects are beyond those mediated by taxonomic diversity. In contrast, the size diversity and size evenness of phytoplankton are mainly influenced by physical factors in this region and perhaps in warm shallow lakes in general.
Intermittent everolimus administration for renal angiomyolipoma associated with tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Hatano Takashi , Inaba Hiroyuki , Endo Katsuhisa , Egawa Shin
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the effects and utility of intermittent everolimus treatment for renal angiomyolipoma associated with tuberous sclerosis complex.

Methods

We investigated a total of 26 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex who had angiomyolipoma ≥4 cm in diameter. For each patient, we analyzed the reduction in the size of the angiomyolipoma, the change in size after everolimus withdrawal, the size reduction rate on everolimus readministration and adverse events caused by everolimus. The volume of angiomyolipoma was measured using abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Adverse events were evaluated according to CTCAE v4.0‐JCOG.

Results

The average size reduction rate of angiomyolipoma in the initial treatment with everolimus was 67%. Eight patients (31%) did not have enlarged angiomyolipoma after everolimus withdrawal. The other 18 patients (69%) restarted everolimus treatment because of enlargement of the angiomyolipoma. The average size reduction rate of angiomyolipoma in the everolimus retreatment group was 61%, which was equivalent to the rate for the initial treatment. There were fewer adverse events during everolimus retreatment than in the initial treatment.

Conclusions

This is the first report regarding intermittent everolimus treatment for renal angiomyolipoma associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. This treatment is effective for tumor control and adverse event management. This beneficial treatment option for patients can minimize the drug dosage and the occurrence of adverse events.
Daring ‘life‐return projects’ to post‐Dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Porobić Selma
Published: September 2017

This article discusses the prospects for realization of rights‐based return against the backdrop of a twenty years‐long (inter)nationally managed return process to post‐Dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina. It draws on 42 in‐depth interviews with two different waves of returnees: early assisted returns (1997‐2005), and later self‐organised returns (2005‐2013). Our findings show that realization of return implicates the courageous well‐planned and self‐orchestrated life return projects, closely inter‐linked with the construction of the complex micro‐social structures buffering against the unpredictable macro‐social context of post‐Dayton BiH. Instead of being propelled by formal and assisted return programmes, it is rather the intricate relational practices with space(s) and people – continuously investing in the multisite local and transnational social networks, and flexible mobility and settlement patterns ‐ shaped by social agency of the returnees that lead to realization of the return projects.