bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amphetamine use in the fourth decade of life: Social profiles from a population‐based Australian cohort
Authors: Butterworth Peter , Becker Denise , Degenhardt Louisa , Hall Wayne D. , Patton George C.
Published: July 2018

Introduction and Aims

To estimate the prevalence and frequency of amphetamine use in a cohort of Australians aged in their mid‐30s.

Design and Methods

Cross‐sectional analysis of wave 10 data collected in 2014 from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study: a sample of 1435 persons originally selected in a stratified, random community survey of secondary school students from the state of Victoria that commenced in 1992. Weighted multinomial regression models were used to evaluate the social, health and other substance‐use correlates of lifetime and current (12‐month) amphetamine use and current frequency of use.

Results

Lifetime amphetamine use was reported by 23.2% (95% confidence interval 21.0–25.5%) of respondents, and 6.5% (95% confidence interval 5.2–7.8%) reported current (12‐month) use. A quarter (26%) of those currently using amphetamines, 1.7% (95% confidence interval 1.0–2.4%) of all respondents, reported frequent (at least weekly) use. Men reported greater amphetamine use than women. Current amphetamine use was associated with disrupted family circumstances, socioeconomic adversity, polydrug use and high levels of drug use within the social and familial environment. Frequent use was associated with greater likelihood of multiple adversity, unemployment, anxiety disorders and use of mental health services.

Discussion and Conclusions

The current results show that lifetime, current and frequent amphetamine use was common amongst adults in the fourth decade of life in this cohort, and associated with the experience of social disadvantage, poor mental health and living in a social context in which drug use is the norm.
Praxis der Teledermatologie
Authors: Augustin Matthias , Wimmer Johannes , Biedermann Tilo , Blaga Rolf , Dierks Christian , Djamei Vahid , Elmer Arno , Elsner Peter , Enk Alexander , Gass Steffen , Henningsen Maike , Hofman‐Wellenhof Rainer , von Kiedrowski Ralph , Kunz Hans‐Detlev , Liebram Claudia , Navarini Alexander , Otten Marina , Reusch Michael , Schüller Christine , Zink Alexander , Strömer Klaus
Published: July 2018

Hintergrund

Teledermatologische Anwendungen werden im deutschen Versorgungssystem in den nächsten Jahren erheblich an Bedeutung gewinnen. Das vorliegende Empfehlungspapier wurde als Expertenkonsens auf der Basis einer qualifizierten Literaturrecherche und eines strukturierten Entscheidungsprozesses der Autorengruppe entwickelt.

Zielsetzung

a) die IST‐Analyse zum Einsatz der Telemedizin in der Dermatologie, b) die Bewertung der Evidenz ihres Nutzens und ihrer Sicherheit und, c) die Entwicklung von Verfahrensstandards für die ärztliche Praxis in den deutschsprachigen Ländern. Auf der Basis dieser Erkenntnisse soll durch einen Expertenkonsens eine Handlungsorientierung für den Einsatz der Teledermatologie gegeben werden.

Methoden

Dreistufiges Vorgehen: 1) Systematische Literaturrecherche in den internationalen medizinischen Onlinedatenbanken Pubmed und Embase, 2) Weitere, teils manuelle Recherchen, 3) Expertenkonsens mit einem systematischen Entscheidungsverfahren mit 21 Teilnehmern.

Ergebnisse

In der strukturierten Literaturrecherche fanden sich 204 wissenschaftliche Originalarbeiten, in denen Anwendungen der Telemedizin bei Hautkrankheiten thematisiert wurden. Diese wurden systematisch aufgearbeitet, analysiert und bewertet. In der zweiten Stufe wurden in einer Handsuche zusätzliche relevante Schriften identifiziert und ebenfalls ausgewertet. Das Expertengremium entwickelte dann auf der Basis der externen Evidenz sowie der internen Diskussion Handlungsempfehlungen für die Praxis. Schlussfolgerung der wissenschaftlichen Studienlage ist, dass die telemedizinische Unterstützung der dermatologischen Behandlung und Prävention bei Einsatz leistungsfähiger Systeme, Kenntnis ihrer Anwendung sowie Beachtung der Indikationen und Kontrainidikationen einen erheblichen Mehrnutzen darstellt.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Teledermatologie hat in den deutschsprachigen Ländern wie auch weltweit einen zunehmenden Stellenwert und bietet aufgrund des hohen Innovationsgrades eine Vorreiter‐ und Vorbildfunktion für weitere telemedizinische Anwendungen anderer Fachrichtungen. Eine qualitätsgesicherte teledermatologische Behandlung ist in den deutschsprachigen Ländern praktikabel und kann zu einem relevanten Mehrnutzen in der Versorgung führen. Ihr Einsatz ist immer dann in Erwägung zu ziehen, wenn relevante Zusatznutzen für die Patienten ohne relevante Nachteile für sie und für die Versorgenden zu erwarten sind.

Für die teledermatologische Behandlung wurden mit dem vorliegenden Konsensuspapier praxisrelevante Maßgaben festgelegt. Etwaige situationsabhängige Limitationen in der Versorgung sind stets zu beachten.
Use of the ACTIVLIM‐CP questionnaire: gauging daily performance in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Newman Christopher J
Published: July 2018

This commentary is on the original article by Paradis et al. on pages 1178–1185 of this issue.
Myc protein overexpression is a feature of progression and adverse prognosis in multiple myeloma
Authors: Møller Hanne E. H. , Preiss Birgitte S. , Pedersen Per , Østergaard Brian , Frederiksen Mikael , Abildgaard Niels , Møller Michael B.
Published: July 2018

Objective

Prognostic and predictive markers in multiple myeloma are continuously explored because of the heterogeneity of the tumor biology. Myc protein is the final product from activating MYC oncogene, but the prognostic impact in multiple myeloma is not well described.

Methods

In a population‐based cohort of 194 untreated, newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma, we assessed myc protein expression using CD138/myc immunohistochemical double stain and collected clinicopathological data.

Results

Cases with myc protein expression ≥40% (mycHIGH) had a median overall survival of 11 months compared to 48 months in cases of myc protein expression <40% (mycLOW) (P < 0.01). MycHIGH was significantly correlated to R‐ISS, high proliferation index, high percentage of plasma cell in bone marrow, plasmablastic morphology, high calcium level, and abnormal karyotype. In multivariate survival analyses, mycHIGH was independently associated with inferior overall survival with a hazard ratio of 2.5.

Conclusion

Our results indicate myc protein overexpression to be associated with advanced multiple myeloma and poor prognosis.
Testing soil phosphorus in a depleting P scenario: an accelerated soil mining experiment
Authors: Nawara S. , van Dael T. , De Cooman E. , Elsen A. , Merckx R. , Smolders E. , Amery F.
Published: July 2018

The reduced use of phosphorus (P) fertilizer in fertile soil has reverted the P balance to negative in some regions. It is unclear how long current soil P stocks will ensure adequate P supply to crops. In addition, it is unknown if current soil tests for available P describe bioavailable P adequately in soil where P is becoming depleted. We set up an accelerated soil P mining test to address these questions. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, Melpetra tetra) was grown for 2 years in a greenhouse on 5‐cm‐deep soil layers of eight contrasting soils with periodic grass clipping. Each soil was split into four fertilizer treatments (i.e. no P (–P) and adequate P (+P)) and two nitrogen levels, the latter to alter the rate of P uptake. The long‐term P mining induced P‐related yield losses in seven of the 16 soil treatments. The cumulative uptake of shoot P at which yield loss started to exceed 10% (–P versus +P) varied over a small range of 37–74 mg P kg−1 soil among the soils. This critical cumulative P uptake (CCP) was related to the soil P content prior to mining measured by five soil P tests (ammonium oxalate, ammonium lactate (AL), Olsen P, 0.01 m CaCl2 and the diffusive gradient in thin film technique (DGT)); the largest R2 values were observed for P‐AL (R2 = 0.72) and P‐DGT (R2 = 0.73). However, none of the tests was diagnostic for yield loss during the depletion period. Increased N supply accelerated growth and rates of P uptake and decreased the CCP by a factor of 1.7 on average, illustrating the effect of the rate of biomass production. The CCP values obtained in the treatment with reduced N fertilizer application are likely to be the most relevant for the field and suggest that current stocks allow adequate P supply for arable crops for 3–8 years under zero P application (0–23 cm) in soils similar to those tested. The lack of a successful diagnosis for P deficiency during this depletion experiment calls for further calibration of soil tests for available P in the field.

Highlights

The availability of legacy P in well‐fertilized soil was evaluated with a P mining pot trial

10% loss of crop growth occurred when soil P was depleted by 37–74 mg P kg−1 soil

Accelerated plant growth with increased N supply decreased total P uptake beyond which P deficiency occurs

In a depletion scenario, current soil P tests are not diagnostic but they can be used for prediction
Genetic and phenotypic profile of 112 patients with X‐linked Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1
Authors: Yuan J.‐H. , Sakiyama Y. , Hashiguchi A. , Ando M. , Okamoto Y. , Yoshimura A. , Higuchi Y. , Takashima H.
Published: July 2018

Background and purpose

X‐linked Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1 (CMTX1), caused by mutations in gap junction protein beta 1 (GJB1), is characterized by various central nervous system symptoms and gender differences of clinical severity. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency and mutation spectrum of CMTX1 patients in Japan and to demonstrate their phenotypic diversities.

Methods

Using three high‐throughput sequencing systems, targeted gene panel sequencing on 1483 unrelated index patients with suspected Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease was performed. The peripheral and central nervous system involvements of all patients with GJB1 variants were assessed retrospectively and a detailed gender comparison was conducted with the CMT examination score.

Results

Twenty‐three novel and 36 described GJB1 variants were identified from 88 pedigrees, in which 34 female and 78 male patients were enrolled. Mean age at onset of the male patients was much younger than the females, 21.56 ± 17.63 years vs. 35.53 ± 23.72 years (P = 0.007). Male patients presented with more severe phenotypes in every examination item, but statistical differences were observed only in motor dysfunctions of the lower extremities and vibration sensation. No significant sensory difference was identified between genders, either clinically or electrophysiologically. Central nervous system dysfunctions were found in 15 patients from 12 pedigrees. Therein, six patients developed stroke‐like phenotypes, with dysarthria as the leading symptom.

Conclusions

A relatively lower frequency of CMTX1 (5.9%) was demonstrated and a broad mutation spectrum of GJB1 was described. Detailed clinical differences between genders and various central nervous system symptoms were also illustrated, even in the same pedigree.
Online bagging for recommender systems
Authors: Vinagre João , Jorge Alípio Mário , Gama João
Published: July 2018

Ensemble methods have been successfully used in the past to improve recommender systems; however, they have never been studied with incremental recommendation algorithms. Many online recommender systems deal with continuous, potentially fast, and unbounded flows of data—big data streams—and often need to be responsive to fresh user feedback, adjusting recommendations accordingly. This is clear in tasks such as social network feeds, news recommender systems, automatic playlist completion, and other similar applications. Batch ensemble approaches are not suitable to perform continuous learning, given the complexity of retraining new models on demand. In this paper, we adapt a general purpose online bagging algorithm for top‐N recommendation tasks and propose two novel online bagging methods specifically tailored for recommender systems. We evaluate the three approaches, using an incremental matrix factorization algorithm for top‐N recommendation with positive‐only user feedback data as the base model. Our results show that online bagging is able to improve accuracy up to 55% over the baseline, with manageable computational overhead.
Soil nitrous oxide flux following land‐use reversion from Miscanthus and SRC willow to perennial ryegrass
Authors: McCalmont Jon P. , Rowe Rebecca , Elias Dafydd , Whitaker Jeanette , McNamara Niall P. , Donnison Iain S.
Published: July 2018

Decarbonization of the world's energy supply is essential to meet the targets of the 2016 Paris climate change agreement. One promising opportunity is the utilization of second generation, low input bioenergy crops such as Miscanthus and Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow. Research has previously been carried out on the greenhouse gas (GHG) balance of growing these feedstocks and land‐use changes involved in converting conventional cropland to their production; however, there is almost no body of work understanding the costs associated with their end of life transitions back to conventional crops. It is likely that it is during crop interventions and land‐use transitions that significant GHG fluxes might occur. Therefore, in this study, we investigated soil GHG fluxes over 82 weeks during transition from Miscanthus and SRC willow into perennial ryegrass in west Wales, UK. This study captured soil GHG fluxes at a weekly time step, alongside monthly changes in soil nitrogen and labile carbon and reports the results of regression modelling of suspected drivers. Methane fluxes were typically trivial; however, nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes were notably affected, reverted plots produced significantly more N2O than retained controls and Miscanthus produced significantly higher fluxes overall than willow plots. N2O costs of reversion appeared to be contained within the first year of reversion when the Miscanthus plots produced an average pregrass flux of 0.13 mg N2O m−2 hr−1 while for willow, this was 0.03 mg N2O m−2 hr−1. Total N2O emission from reversion increased the carbon cost over the lifetime of the Miscanthus from 6.50 to 9.91 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1 while for the willow, this increase was from 9.61 to 10.42 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1. Despite these significant increases, the carbon cost of energy contained in these perennial crops remained far lower than the equivalent carbon cost of energy in coal.
Interactive approaches for biobjective problems with progressively changing solution sets
Authors: Karakaya Gülşah , Köksalan Murat
Published: July 2018

In this study, we develop interactive approaches to find a satisfactory alternative of a decision maker (DM) having a quasiconvex preference function where the alternative set changes progressively. In this environment, we keep searching the available set of alternatives and estimating the preference function of the DM. As new alternatives emerge, we make better use of the available preference information and eventually converge to a preferred alternative of the DM. We test our approaches on biobjective, multi‐item, multi‐round auction problems. The results show that our approaches work well in terms of both the preference function value of the obtained solution and the amount of preference information required.
Allele surfing shaped the genetic structure of the European pond turtle via colonization and population expansion across the Iberian Peninsula from Africa
Authors: Pereira Paulo , Teixeira José , Velo‐Antón Guillermo
Published: July 2018

Aim

Allele surfing remains poorly investigated in empirical studies due to a lack of explicit methods to detect it in natural populations. Here, we introduce a spatially explicit, sliding‐window method to test hypotheses on how range expansions and geographic barriers impact neutral genetic structure using allele frequency data. We then use this approach to study the Ibero‐Moroccan lineage of the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis occidentalis, which recolonized the Iberian Peninsula from Africa.

Location

Iberian Peninsula, Morocco.

Methods

We generated a dataset of 453 genotyped individuals from 21 populations from throughout the E. o. occidentalis distribution at seven microsatellite loci. The microsatellite data were used to evaluate spatial patterns of genetic diversity and structure, as well as recent gene flow between populations. Using a spatially explicit, sliding‐window approach, linear models and permutation tests, we tested for signals of allele surfing throughout the Iberian populations, including barriers to gene flow that may enhance the effect of founder events typical of range expansions. Finally, we tested for signatures of adaptation on identified surfing alleles using environmental association analysis.

Results

Our study identified signatures of allele surfing throughout the range of Iberian populations. We did not find evidence that any of the loci studied are under natural selection. We therefore concluded that allele surfing has had a significant impact on genetic structure observed in E. o. occidentalis. Population isolation and fragmentation, due to habitat loss, further contribute to the present genetic differentiation between populations.

Main conclusion

The sliding‐window method proposed herein can help to identify alleles that underwent allele surfing at the front of range expansions. This study also highlights the role of genetic drift and geographic barriers in shaping the species’ genetic structure following population range expansions. Finally, we stress the importance of evaluating the existence of allele surfing processes in biogeographic and population genetic studies, relying on allele frequency analysis, for a better interpretation of contemporary patterns of intraspecific genetic structure.
Plasma tyrosine and its interaction with low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese
Authors: Li Jing , Cao Yun‐Feng , Sun Xiao‐Yu , Han Liang , Li Sai‐Nan , Gu Wen‐Qing , Song Min , Jiang Chang‐tao , Yang Xilin , Fang Zhong‐ze
Published: July 2018

Aims/Introduction

Metabolomic markers have the potential to improve the predicting accuracy of existing risk scores for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to test the associations between plasma tyrosine and type 2 diabetes mellitus with special attention to identifying possible cut‐off points for type 2 diabetes mellitus, and its interactive effects with low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and/or high triglyceride for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

From 27 May 2015 to 3 August 2016, we retrieved the medical notes of 1,898 inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as the cases, and 1,522 individuals without diabetes as the controls who attended annual medical checkups from the same tertiary care center in Jinzhou, China. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Restricted cubic spline analysis nested in the logistic regression analysis was used to identify possible cut‐off points of tyrosine for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The additive interaction was used to estimate interactions between high tyrosine and low HDL‐C in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Results

The OR of tyrosine for type 2 diabetes mellitus did not increase until 46 μmol/L and after that point, the OR rapidly rose with increasing tyrosine in a nearly linear manner. If 46 μmol/L was used to define high tyrosine, high tyrosine was associated with an increased OR of type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjusted OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.44–2.45). The presence of low HDL‐C greatly enhanced the ORs of tyrosine for type 2 diabetes mellitus from 1.11 (95% CI 0.82–1.51) to 54.11 (95% CI 33.96–86.22) with significant additive interaction.

Conclusions

In Chinese adults, tyrosine >46 μmol/L was associated with increased odds of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which was contingent on low HDL‐C.
Automated noninvasive epithelial cell counting in phase contrast microscopy images with automated parameter selection
Authors: FLIGHT R. , LANDINI G. , STYLES I.B. , SHELTON R.M. , MILWARD M.R. , COOPER P.R.
Published: July 2018

Cell counting is commonly used to determine proliferation rates in cell cultures and for adherent cells it is often a ‘destructive’ process requiring disruption of the cell monolayer resulting in the inability to follow cell growth longitudinally. This process is time consuming and utilises significant resource. In this study a relatively inexpensive, rapid and widely applicable phase contrast microscopy‐based technique has been developed that emulates the contrast changes taking place when bright field microscope images of epithelial cell cultures are defocused. Processing of the resulting images produces an image that can be segmented using a global threshold; the number of cells is then deduced from the number of segmented regions and these cell counts can be used to generate growth curves. The parameters of this method were tuned using the discrete mereotopological relations between ground truth and processed images. Cell count accuracy was improved using linear discriminant analysis to identify spurious noise regions for removal.

The proposed cell counting technique was validated by comparing the results with a manual count of cells in images, and subsequently applied to generate growth curves for oral keratinocyte cultures supplemented with a range of concentrations of foetal calf serum. The approach developed has broad applicability and utility for researchers with standard laboratory imaging equipment.
Disaster Nursing Development in China and Other Countries: A Bibliometric Study
Authors: Zhang Yu‐Yun , Zhu Ling‐Ling , Sheng Yu , Li Xiu‐Hua , Xu Xiao‐Hua , Wang Qing‐Yan
Published: July 2018

Purpose

China is a country with frequent disasters, and nurses play indispensable roles in the disaster process. The Chinese disaster nursing specialty developed with several deficiencies. This study aimed to identify the limitations in the development of disaster nursing in China and to provide a reference for the future by comparing relevant studies between China and other countries.

Design

A systematic literature review was conducted in English and Chinese databases to identify disaster nursing articles published from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2016.

Methods

This study followed the systematic literature collection tactic and bibliometric method. Basic information such as country, number of publications, and discussed disaster types were described through frequency distributions. Article themes were extracted and divided into the four phases of the International Council of Nurses Framework of Disaster Nursing Competencies.

Findings

1,384 articles were included in the analysis, containing 781 written in Chinese and 603 written in English (with 56 of them written by Chinese researchers). The number of Chinese disaster nursing articles and other publications increased sharply between 2007 and 2009 but dropped significantly afterwards, while the total number of articles in other countries fluctuated, with a general upward trend. Compared to other countries, there were fewer research methods used and less focus on disaster prevention and preparedness in China, an imbalanced focus on disaster types, and a lack of focus on prevention, preparedness, and recovery phases.

Conclusions

In China, there is a lack of stable development of disaster nursing research, a lack of study types, and less focus on disaster prevention, preparedness, and recovery. Varied study methods and an increased focus on disaster prevention and preparedness are required in the future.

Clinical Relevance

This study analyzed the deficiencies in Chinese disaster nursing, which led to recommendations and proposed directions for future studies and a clinical focus in this field, in compliance with the United Nations guidelines for disaster management.
Three cases of clear‐cell adenocarcinoma arising from endometrioma during hormonal treatments
Authors: Yoshino Osamu , Minamisaka Takashi , Ono Yosuke , Tsuda Sayaka , Samejima Azusa , Shima Tomoko , Nakashima Akitoshi , Koga Kaori , Osuga Yutaka , Saito Shigeru
Published: July 2018

Endometrioma is known to be an occurrence site of ovarian cancer, but there is no evidence on how to reduce the risk of canceration. Here, we report three cases of ovarian cancer arising from endometrioma during hormone therapies of GnRH analogue and tamoxifen, low‐dose estrogen‐progestin (LEP) and dienogest. In all cases, each hormonal treatment was effective in shrinking the size of the endometrioma. During hormonal treatments, solid parts inside endometrioma were observed, which was followed by surgery. The histology of the solid parts was clear‐cell adenocarcinoma in all cases. An immunohistochemistry study demonstrated that the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were positive in the endometriosis part but negative in the cancer part, while the human EGF receptor (HER) 2 was negative or very weak in the benign part and positive in the malignant part in all three cases. Even though hormonal treatments seem to be effective to regulate endometrioma, careful observation is needed to follow‐up patients with endometrioma.
Adjunctive laser‐stimulated stem‐cells therapy to primary reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction in humans: Safety and feasibility study
Authors: Elbaz‐Greener Gabby , Sud Maneesh , Tzuman Oran , Leitman Marina , Vered Zvi , Ben‐Dov Nissan , Oron Uri , Blatt Alex
Published: July 2018

Background

Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) has photobiostimulatory effects on stem cells and may offer cardioprotection. This cell‐based therapy may compliment primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Objective

In this randomized control trial, our primary objective was to determine the safety and feasibility of LLLT application to the bone marrow in patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

Methods

We randomly assigned patients undergoing PPCI to LLLT or non‐laser therapy (NLT). In the LLLT group, 100 s of laser therapy was applied to the tibia bone prior to PPCI, as well as 24 and 72 h post‐PPCI. In the control group, the power source was turned off. The primary outcome was the difference in door‐to‐balloon (D2B) time, and additional outcomes included differences in circulating cell counts, cardiac enzymes, and left‐ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at pre‐specified intervals post‐PPCI.

Results

Twenty‐four patients were randomized to LLLT (N = 12) or NLT (N = 12). No adverse effects of the treatment were detected. The D2B time was not significantly different between the groups (41 ± 8 vs 48 ± 1 min; P = 0.73). Creatinine Phosphokinase area under the curve, was lower after LLLT (22 ± 10) compared to NLT (49 ± 12), but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). Troponin‐T was significantly lower after LLLT (2.7 ± 1.4 ng/mL) in comparison to NLT (5.2 ± 1.8 ng/mL. P < 0.05). At 9 months, LVEF improved in both groups without a significant difference between LLLT (55 ± 9%) and NLT (52 ± 9%; P = 0.90).

Conclusion

LLLT is a safe and feasible adjunctive cell‐based therapy to PPCI that may benefit ischemic myocardium.
Use of the NESMA Filter to Improve Myelin Water Fraction Mapping with Brain MRI
Authors: Bouhrara Mustapha , Reiter David A. , Maring Michael C. , Bonny Jean‐Marie , Spencer Richard G.
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Myelin water fraction (MWF) mapping permits direct visualization of myelination patterns in the developing brain and in pathology. MWF is conventionally measured through multiexponential T2 analysis which is very sensitive to noise, leading to inaccuracies in derived MWF estimates. Although noise reduction filters may be applied during postprocessing, conventional filtering can introduce bias and obscure small structures and edges. Advanced nonblurring filters, while effective, exhibit a high level of complexity and the requirement for supervised implementation for optimal performance. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the ability of the recently introduced nonlocal estimation of multispectral magnitudes (NESMA) filter to greatly improve the determination of MWF parameter estimates from gradient and spin echo (GRASE) imaging data.

METHODS

We evaluated the performance of the NESMA filter for MWF mapping from clinical GRASE imaging data of the human brain, and compared the results to those calculated from unfiltered images. Numerical and in vivo analyses of the brains of three subjects, representing different ages, were conducted.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated the potential of the NESMA filter to permit high‐quality in vivo MWF mapping. Indeed, NESMA permits substantial reduction of random variation in derived MWF estimates while preserving accuracy and detail.

CONCLUSIONS

In vivo estimation of MWF in the human brain from GRASE imaging data was markedly improved through use of the NESMA filter. The use of NESMA may contribute to the goal of high‐quality MWF mapping in clinically feasible imaging times.
Clinical presentation of patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea and self‐reported physician‐diagnosed asthma in the ESADA cohort
Authors: Bonsignore Maria R. , Pepin Jean‐Louis , Anttalainen Ulla , Schiza Sophia E. , Basoglu Ozen K. , Pataka Athanasia , Steiropoulos Paschalis , Dogas Zoran , Grote Ludger , Hedner Jan , McNicholas Walter T. , Marrone Oreste ,   on behalf of the ESADA Study Group
Published: July 2018

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and asthma are often associated and several studies suggest a bidirectional relationship between asthma and OSA. This study analyzed the characteristics of patients with suspected OSA from the European Sleep Apnea Database according to presence/absence of physician‐diagnosed asthma. Cross‐sectional data in 16,236 patients (29.1% female) referred for suspected OSA were analyzed according to occurrence of physician‐diagnosed asthma for anthropometrics, OSA severity and sleepiness. Sleep structure was assessed in patients studied by polysomnography (i.e. 48% of the sample). The prevalence of physician‐diagnosed asthma in the entire cohort was 4.8% (7.9% in women, 3.7% in men, p < 0.0001), and decreased from subjects without OSA to patients with mild–moderate and severe OSA (p = 0.02). Obesity was highly prevalent in asthmatic women, whereas BMI distribution was similar in men with and without physician‐diagnosed asthma. Distribution of OSA severity was similar in patients with and without physician‐diagnosed asthma, and unaffected by treatment for asthma or gastroesophageal reflux. Asthma was associated with poor sleep quality and sleepiness. Physician‐diagnosed asthma was less common in a sleep clinic population than expected from the results of studies in the general population. Obesity appears as the major factor raising suspicion of OSA in asthmatic women, whereas complaints of poor sleep quality were the likely reason for referral in asthmatic men.
Mortality, liver transplantation and hepatic complications in patients with treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis B treated with entecavir vs tenofovir
Authors: Kim Byung Gyu , Park Neung Hwa , Lee Seung Bum , Lee Hojune , Lee Byung Uk , Park Jae Ho , Jung Seok Won , Jeong In Du , Bang Sung‐Jo , Shin Jung Woo
Published: July 2018

Few studies have directly compared the long‐term clinical outcomes of entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). This study aimed to compare the risk of mortality, liver transplantation and hepatic complications including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatic decompensation between these drugs in treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We performed a longitudinal observational analysis of data from 1325 consecutive adult CHB patients with a cumulative adherence of ≥80% to treatment with ETV (n = 721) or TDF (n = 604) at a tertiary referral hospital in Ulsan, Korea, from 1 January 2007 through 31 April 2017. Among the patients, 708 were analysed using propensity score matching with a ratio of 1:1. In the follow‐up period of up to 5 years, five patients (0.4%) died, three patients (0.2%) underwent liver transplantation (LT) and 54 patients (4.1%) developed HCC. Hepatic decompensation occurred in 24 (1.8%) patients. ETV therapy did not significantly differ from TDF therapy regarding the risk of liver‐related death or LT (HR 0.96; 95% CI, 0.23‐4.07; log‐rank P = 0.955), HCC (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.72‐2.56; log‐rank P = 0.340) and hepatic decompensation (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 0.67‐4.00; log‐rank P = 0.276). In the 708 propensity‐matched pairs, ETV and TDF were also not significantly different with respect to the risk of mortality, LT and hepatic complications. In this longitudinal observational study of 1325 patients with CHB, ETV and TDF therapies were not significantly different regarding the risk of mortality, HCC, LT and hepatic decompensation.
The Dingle Dell meteorite: A Halloween treat from the Main Belt
Authors: Devillepoix Hadrien A. R. , Sansom Eleanor K. , Bland Philip A. , Towner Martin C. , Cupák Martin , Howie Robert M. , Jansen‐Sturgeon Trent , Cox Morgan A. , Hartig Benjamin A. D. , Benedix Gretchen K. , Paxman Jonathan P.
Published: July 2018

We describe the fall of the Dingle Dell (L/LL 5) meteorite near Morawa in Western Australia on October 31, 2016. The fireball was observed by six observatories of the Desert Fireball Network (DFN), a continental‐scale facility optimized to recover meteorites and calculate their pre‐entry orbits. The 30 cm meteoroid entered at 15.44 km s−1, followed a moderately steep trajectory of 51° to the horizon from 81 km down to 19 km altitude, where the luminous flight ended at a speed of 3.2 km s−1. Deceleration data indicated one large fragment had made it to the ground. The four person search team recovered a 1.15 kg meteorite within 130 m of the predicted fall line, after 8 h of searching, 6 days after the fall. Dingle Dell is the fourth meteorite recovered by the DFN in Australia, but the first before any rain had contaminated the sample. By numerical integration over 1 Ma, we show that Dingle Dell was most likely ejected from the Main Belt by the 3:1 mean motion resonance with Jupiter, with only a marginal chance that it came from the ν6 resonance. This makes the connection of Dingle Dell to the Flora family (currently thought to be the origin of LL chondrites) unlikely.
Exploring the Intersection Between Teachers’ Beliefs and Research Findings in Pronunciation Instruction
Authors: NAGLE CHARLES , SACHS REBECCA , ZÁRATE–SÁNDEZ GERMÁN
Published: July 2018

This study explored teachers’ beliefs about pronunciation instruction in Spanish as a second language (L2). An online survey was used to collect data from 100 participants, grouped into 4 categories based on their previous training in principles and methods of pronunciation instruction. This article reports results from 15 survey items which covered participants’ beliefs regarding 6 major themes: the importance of pronunciation, how pronunciation develops, when to teach it, what to teach, how to teach, and who can teach. Although the results revealed several areas where more methods‐related coursework meant greater alignment between Spanish teachers’ beliefs and findings of L2 pronunciation research, there were other topics on which instructors with more training were likely to express beliefs contrasting with the state of the art. For instance, respondents with more coursework tended to accord more value to pronunciation instruction, to set more pronunciation‐related goals for language instruction, and to reject delaying a focus on pronunciation. Unexpectedly, however, some seemed to uphold the native speaker model, suggesting that teacher training and professional development programs may need to emphasize research‐informed practices and the importance of pedagogical expertise over nativelike pronunciation.
Do bednets including piperonyl butoxide offer additional protection against populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. that are highly resistant to pyrethroids? An experimental hut evaluation in Burkina Fasov
Authors: Toe K. H. , Müller P. , Badolo A. , Traore A. , Sagnon N. , Dabiré R. K. , Ranson H.
Published: July 2018

Malaria control is dependent on the use of longlasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) containing pyrethroids. A new generation of LLINs containing both pyrethroids and the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) has been developed in response to increasing pyrethroid resistance in African malaria vectors, but questions remain about the performance of these nets in areas where levels of pyrethroid resistance are very high. This study was conducted in two settings in southwest Burkina Faso, Vallée du Kou 5 and Tengrela, where Anopheles gambiae s.l. (Diptera: Culicidae) mortality rates in World Health Organization (WHO) discriminating dose assays were < 14% for permethrin and < 33% for deltamethrin. When mosquitoes were pre‐exposed to PBO in WHO tube assays, mortality rates increased substantially but full susceptibility was not restored. Molecular characterization revealed high levels of kdr alleles and elevated levels of P450s previously implicated in pyrethroid resistance. In cone bioassays and experimental huts, PBO LLINs outperformed the pyrethroid‐only equivalents from the same manufacturers. Blood feeding rates were 1.6–2.2‐fold lower and mortality rates were 1.69–1.78‐fold greater in huts with PBO LLINs vs. non‐PBO LLINs. This study indicates that PBO LLINs provide greater personal and community‐level protection than standard LLINs against highly pyrethroid‐resistant mosquito populations.
Sexual behaviour and extra‐genital colonisation in women treated for recurrent Candida vulvo‐vaginitis
Authors: Grinceviciene Svitrigaile , Ruban Kateryna , Bellen Gert , Donders Gilbert G. G.
Published: July 2018

Objective

This study analyses a relation between sexual habits and the presence of Candida in extra‐genital locations as well as a potential effect on therapy response.

Material and Methods

Candida cultures were obtained from mouth, nose, anus, urine and perineum of 117 women enrolled in a RVVC treatment trial (ReCiDiF). Sexual behaviour and carriage rates of extra‐genital Candida of women responding well to treatment were compared to that of non‐responders.

Results

Most respondents were heterosexual. All but one practiced vaginal sex. Regular receptive oral sex was not related to multiple site colonisation with Candida (OR = 1.27; CI95% 0.36‐4.48), nor to non‐response to therapy (OR = 1.3; CI 95% 0.41‐4.73). Also, masturbation was not related to response to therapy (OR 0.8; CI95% 0.31‐1.84), nor was anal sex (OR = 0.54; CI95% 0.11‐2.72).

Conclusion

Neither oral nor casual anal sex, nor masturbation can be held responsible for the association of the multiple site/anal colonisation with Candida and inferior response to fluconazole maintenance therapy. Changing sexual behaviour during fluconazole maintenance treatment for RVVC in otherwise healthy women should not be advocated. Also, treatment of asymptomatic sexual partners of women with RVVC is not recommended.
Bytes and boots to understand the future of the Amazon forest
Authors: Lapola David M.
Published: July 2018

This article is a Commentary on Longo et al., 219: 914–931.
Survival of children and young adults with skin cancer: Analysis of a population‐based Florida cancer registry: 1981‐2013
Authors: Dunn Erin C. , Moore Kevin J. , Miao Feng , Kirsner Robert S. , Koru‐Sengul Tulay
Published: July 2018

Background/Objectives

Although pediatric and young adult skin cancer is uncommon, recent epidemiologic studies have shown pediatric melanoma to be on the rise in the United States. Using a population‐based cancer registry, this study examined skin cancer burden and survival disparities in children and young adults.

Methods

Linked data from the Florida Cancer Data System and U.S. Census were analyzed to elucidate skin cancer burden distribution and survival disparities in 1543 Florida children (0‐9 years), adolescents (10‐19 years), and young adults (20‐24 years). These disparities were assessed according to sociodemographic groups such as sex, race, ethnicity, and neighborhood level socioeconomic status. A multivariable Cox regression model adjusted for sociodemographic, clinical, and tumor characteristics was used to predict survival.

Results

Boys had a slightly greater burden of skin cancer among children (50.9%), whereas girls had the greatest burden for adolescents (54.5%) and young adults (60%). Survival differed between white, black, and other races; 1‐year survival was 91.5% for whites and 77.9% for blacks. Average 3‐ and 5‐year survival was comparable for blacks and whites. “Other” race had a 1‐ and 3‐year survival of 96.2%.

Conclusion

Because skin cancer is on the rise, it is important to elucidate the burden and determinants associated with survival outcomes to identify high‐risk pediatric and young adult populations. Understanding these factors in the Florida pediatric population may provide a base for future endeavors to create culturally competent cancer prevention programs through screening, health promotion, and literacy.
Aggressive melanoma in an infant with congenital melanocytic nevus syndrome and multiple, NRAS and BRAF mutation‐negative nodules
Authors: de la Rosa Carrillo Daniel , Vindenes Harald , Kinsler Veronica A. , Rønnestad Arild , Ringstad Geir , Müller Lil‐Sofie Ording , Tafjord Svetlana , Tønseth Kim A. , Kvamme Bjørn , Clausen Ole Petter Fraas
Published: July 2018

We report the case of a newborn boy with multinodular NRAS and BRAF mutation‐negative congenital melanocytic nevi and cerebral lesions compatible with congenital intraparenchymal melanosis. Histopathology from skin lesions showed atypical nodular melanocytic proliferation with marked melanocytic atypia and a large number of mitoses and apoptosis, indicating aggressive proliferation. The child developed several new subcutaneous tumors and multiple internal lesions, which were confirmed to be metastases, and died at 5 months of age. This case may represent an infantile melanoma developing from a giant congenital melanocytic nevus or a congenital melanoma.
Economically viable aquaponics? Identifying the gap between potential and current uncertainties
Authors: Greenfeld Asael , Becker Nir , McIlwain Jennifer , Fotedar Ravi , Bornman Janet F.
Published: July 2018

Aquaponics, which integrates hydroponic farming and aquaculture, has the potential for sustainably producing high‐quality food, but has yet to achieve commercial success. In recent years, however, commercial‐scale aquaponics has received considerable attention from the scientific community, with the current literature covering many aspects of aquaponic production. We reviewed this literature and classified the specific areas covered by each paper and its contribution to either cost reduction or benefit enhancement. The literature regarding the economic benefits of aquaponics was summarised, and despite contradicting views of current profitability, there is a consensus that (i) larger systems are economically superior to smaller ones; (ii) profitability is sensitive to retail prices; and (iii) commercial aquaponics are more profitable through improved business plans. This review provides a quantitative scientific analysis of the bioeconomics and potential of commercial aquaponics, useful for both researchers and practitioners. We argue for greater focus on three understudied aspects that could each be a ‘game changer’ for commercial aquaponics. These include the following: (i) grower considerations such as financial planning and risk management that affect potential growers’ initial engagement in aquaponics; (ii) consumer perception of aquaponic products including the willingness to pay more for its added value; and (iii) the economic value of the environmental benefits of aquaponic systems and ways to internalise them for profit. Further study of each of these aspects, along with the ongoing improvement of production systems, will support the establishment of large‐scale aquaponics as an economically sustainable industry.
Community-based interventions to address alcohol and drug use in Indigenous populations in Australia, New Zealand and Canada: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Stewart Talei , Reilly Rachel , Ward James
Published: July 2018

Review question:

What is the effectiveness of community-based interventions designed to reduce harm associated with alcohol and other drug use in Indigenous populations in Australia, New Zealand and Canada?
Diversity and Proliferation of Metallo-β-Lactamases: a Clarion Call for Clinically Effective Metallo-β-Lactamase Inhibitors
Authors: Somboro Anou M. , Osei Sekyere John , Amoako Daniel G. , Essack Sabiha Y. , Bester Linda A.
Published: July 2018

The worldwide proliferation of life-threatening metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Gram-negative bacteria is a serious concern to public health. MBLs are compromising the therapeutic efficacies of β-lactams, particularly carbapenems, which are last-resort antibiotics indicated for various multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Agreement between Parallel Canine Blood and Urine Cultures: Is Urine Culture the Poor Man's Blood Culture?
Authors: Barash Nanelle R. , Birkenheuer Adam J. , Vaden Shelly L. , Jacob Megan E.
Published: July 2018

Bloodstream infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill dogs, but due to cost and difficulties in sample acquisition, blood cultures are infrequently obtained. In ill dogs, urine cultures may be recommended as surrogates for blood cultures.
Population Structure and Antimicrobial Resistance of Canine Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: LeCuyer Tessa E. , Byrne Barbara A. , Daniels Joshua B. , Diaz-Campos Dubraska V. , Hammac G. Kenitra , Miller Claire B. , Besser Thomas E. , Davis Margaret A.
Published: July 2018

Escherichia coli
is the most common cause of human and canine urinary tract infection (UTI). Clonal groups, often with high levels of antimicrobial resistance, are a major component of the
E. coli
population that causes human UTI.
Engineered Oncolytic Poliovirus PVSRIPO Subverts MDA5-Dependent Innate Immune Responses in Cancer Cells
Authors: Walton Ross W. , Brown Michael C. , Sacco Matthew T. , Gromeier Matthias
Published: July 2018

Engaging innate antiviral responses is considered key for instigating tumor-antigen-specific antitumor immunity with cancer immunotherapy approaches. However, they are a double-edged sword for attempts to enlist viruses in such approaches. In addition to their role in the transition from innate to adaptive immunity, innate antiviral IFN responses may intercept the viral life cycle in cancerous cells, prevent viral cytopathogenicity, and restrict viral spread. This has been shown to reduce overall antitumor efficacy of several proposed oncolytic virus prototypes, presumably by limiting direct cell killing and the ensuing inflammatory profile within the infected tumor. In this report, we outline how an unusual recalcitrance of polioviruses toward innate antiviral responses permits viral cytotoxicity and propagation in neoplastic cells, combined with engaging active innate antiviral IFN responses.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 UL36USP Antagonizes Type I Interferon-Mediated Antiviral Innate Immunity
Authors: Yuan Hui , You Jia , You Hongjuan , Zheng Chunfu
Published: July 2018

Type I IFNs mediate transcription of numerous antiviral genes, creating a remarkable antiviral state in the host. Viruses have evolved various mechanisms to evade this response. Our results indicated that HSV-1 encodes a ubiquitin-specific protease (UL36USP) as an antagonist to subvert type I IFN-mediated signaling. UL36USP was identified to significantly inhibit IFN-β-induced signaling independent of its deubiquitinase (DUB) activity. The underlying mechanism of UL36USP antagonizing type I IFN-mediated signaling was to specifically bind with IFNAR2 and disassociate JAK1 from IFNAR2. For the first time, we identify UL36USP as a crucial suppressor for HSV-1 to evade type I IFN-mediated signaling. Our findings also provide new insights into the innate immune evasion by HSV-1 and will facilitate our understanding of host-virus interplay.