bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant‐mediated interactions among above‐ground and below‐ground life stages of a root‐feeding weevil
Authors: Kraus Emily C. , Stout Michael J.
Published: May 2019

1. Interactions among herbivores mediated by plant responses to herbivore injury may have large impacts on herbivore population densities. Responses may persist for weeks after injury and may affect not only the initial (inducing) herbivore, but also herbivores that are spatially or temporally separated from the initial attacker.

2. In many plant–insect interactions, multiple life stages of the insect may be associated with the same plant, and these various stages may interact indirectly with one another via induced responses. The rice water weevil (RWW), Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, a serious global pest of rice, is one such insect. A series of experiments were performed with root‐feeding larvae and leaf‐feeding adults of the RWW using three conventional rice varieties.

3. The first objective of this study was to test whether RWW adult feeding on rice leaves resulted in altered oviposition by subsequent adults. The hypothesis for the first objective was that RWW adult feeding would decrease plant suitability, resulting in reduced oviposition by subsequent adults.

4. The second objective was to test whether injury by RWW larvae to rice roots resulted in altered oviposition by subsequent adults. The hypothesis for the second objective was that below‐ground RWW larval feeding would decrease plant suitability of rice to above‐ground RWW adults, resulting in decreased oviposition.

5. Results provided inconsistent support for the first hypothesis, indicating that responses differed among combinations of variety and injury level. Conversely, consistent support for the second hypothesis was found, indicating that larval feeding on roots decreased suitability of rice plants for oviposition.
Opportunities for behavioral rescue under rapid environmental change
Authors: Fey Samuel B. , Vasseur David A. , Alujević Karla , Kroeker Kristy J. , Logan Michael L. , O'Connor Mary I. , Rudolf Volker H. W. , DeLong John P. , Peacor Scott , Selden Rebecca L. , Sih Andy , Clusella‐Trullas Susana
Published: May 2019

Laboratory measurements of physiological and demographic tolerances are important in understanding the impact of climate change on species diversity; however, it has been recognized that forecasts based solely on these laboratory estimates overestimate risk by omitting the capacity for species to utilize microclimatic variation via behavioral adjustments in activity patterns or habitat choice. The complex, and often context‐dependent nature, of microclimate utilization has been an impediment to the advancement of general predictive models. Here, we overcome this impediment and estimate the potential impact of warming on the fitness of ectotherms using a benefit/cost trade‐off derived from the simple and broadly documented thermal performance curve and a generalized cost function. Our framework reveals that, for certain environments, the cost of behavioral thermoregulation can be reduced as warming occurs, enabling behavioral buffering (e.g., the capacity for behavior to ameliorate detrimental impacts) and “behavioral rescue” from extinction in extreme cases. By applying our framework to operative temperature and physiological data collected at an extremely fine spatial scale in an African lizard, we show that new behavioral opportunities may emerge. Finally, we explore large‐scale geographic differences in the impact of behavior on climate‐impact projections using a global dataset of 38 insect species. These multiple lines of inference indicate that understanding the existing relationship between thermal characteristics (e.g., spatial configuration, spatial heterogeneity, and modal temperature) is essential for improving estimates of extinction risk.
Fixing a snag in carbon emissions estimates from wildfires
Authors: Stenzel Jeffrey E. , Bartowitz Kristina J. , Hartman Melannie D. , Lutz James A. , Kolden Crystal A. , Smith Alistair M. S. , Law Beverly E. , Swanson Mark E. , Larson Andrew J. , Parton William J. , Hudiburg Tara W.
Published: May 2019

Wildfire is an essential earth‐system process, impacting ecosystem processes and the carbon cycle. Forest fires are becoming more frequent and severe, yet gaps exist in the modeling of fire on vegetation and carbon dynamics. Strategies for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from wildfires include increasing tree harvest, largely based on the public assumption that fires burn live forests to the ground, despite observations indicating that less than 5% of mature tree biomass is actually consumed. This misconception is also reflected though excessive combustion of live trees in models. Here, we show that regional emissions estimates using widely implemented combustion coefficients are 59%–83% higher than emissions based on field observations. Using unique field datasets from before and after wildfires and an improved ecosystem model, we provide strong evidence that these large overestimates can be reduced by using realistic biomass combustion factors and by accurately quantifying biomass in standing dead trees that decompose over decades to centuries after fire (“snags”). Most model development focuses on area burned; our results reveal that accurately representing combustion is also essential for quantifying fire impacts on ecosystems. Using our improvements, we find that western US forest fires have emitted 851 ± 228 Tg CO2(~half of alternative estimates) over the last 17 years, which is minor compared to 16,200 Tg CO2from fossil fuels across the region.
Is low‐level HIV‐1 viraemia associated with elevated levels of markers of immune activation, coagulation and cardiovascular disease?
Authors: Elvstam O , Medstrand P , Jansson M , Isberg PE , Gisslén M , Björkman P
Published: May 2019

Objectives

The clinical significance of low‐level viraemia (LLV) during antiretroviral therapy (ART) is debated. We retrospectively investigated longitudinal levels of plasma markers associated with inflammation, altered coagulation and cardiovascular disease in Swedish HIV‐positive adults in relation to LLV or permanent virological suppression during long‐term ART.

Methods

Plasma levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), D‐dimer, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1), suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF‐15), soluble CD14 (sCD14), soluble CD163 (sCD163), interferon‐γ‐induced protein 10 (IP‐10) and β‐2‐microglobulin were measured in 34 individuals with LLV (viral load 50–999 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL) and in matched controls with persistent virological suppression. Biomarker levels were analysed in samples obtained during episodes of LLV and follow‐up samples obtained 1 year later (with similar timing for controls). All biomarkers were analysed using an independent sample t‐test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) after logarithmic transformation. Log‐rank analysis was applied for markers with concentration values out of range.

Results

Compared with controls, patients with LLV had significantly higher levels of GDF‐15 [geometric mean 3416 (95% confidence interval (CI) 804–14 516) pg/mL versus 2002 (95% CI 355–11 295) pg/mL in controls; P = 0.026] and D‐dimer [mean 1114 (95% CI 125–9917) ng/mL versus 756 (95% CI 157–3626) ng/mL; P = 0.038] after adjustment for age, CD4 count nadir and type of ART. In the unadjusted t‐test, only GDF‐15 was significantly higher and in the log‐rank test, both GDF‐15 and D‐dimer were significantly elevated. No significant differences were observed for the other biomarkers analysed.

Conclusions

Although levels of inflammation markers were similar in ART recipients with and without LLV, persons with LLV had significantly higher levels of GDF‐15 and D‐dimer. These findings suggest a potential link between LLV and cardiovascular outcomes.
Investigation of screening method for DNMT3A mutations by high‐resolution melting analysis in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Mizuta Shumpei , Yamane Noriko , Komai Takao , Koba Yusuke , Kawata Takahito , Ukyo Naoya , Tamekane Akira , Watanabe Mitsumasa
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease associated with various genetic abnormalities. Somatic mutations in nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), fms‐related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), and DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A) are the most frequent mutations associated with AML. However, because DNMT3A mutations are broadly distributed, they are challenging to analyze in routine laboratory tests. Hence, we developed a rapid screening method for DNMT3A mutations by high‐resolution melting (HRM) analysis for clinical use at the point of AML diagnosis.

Methods

The detection limit for DNMT3A mutations from exons 8‐23 by an HRM analysis was investigated using plasmid mixtures. In 69 patients with AML, somatic mutations in NPM1, FLT3‐internal tandem duplication (ITD), FLT3‐tyrosine kinase domain (TKD), DNMT3A, and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 were screened using HRM analysis, and direct sequencing was performed for positive samples.

Results

High‐resolution melting analysis enabled complete mutation detection in samples with 20% mutant alleles in all regions. In a clinical laboratory test, DNMT3A mutations were detected in 12 cases (17.3%), and we identified five novel mutations. Simultaneous NPM1, FLT3‐ITD, and DNMT3A mutations constituted the most common pattern (30%) in de novo cytogenetically normal AML.

Conclusion

High‐resolution melting analysis has sufficient performance for the detection of DNMT3A mutations in AML. This approach can facilitate rapid AML genotyping at diagnosis in clinical settings.
Improvement in food environments may help prevent childhood obesity: Evidence from a 9‐year cohort study
Authors: Wang Youfa , Jia Peng , Cheng Xi , Xue Hong
Published: May 2019

Background

Effects of food environments (FEs) on childhood obesity are mixed.

Objectives

To examine the association of residential FEs with childhood obesity and variation of the association across gender and urbanicity.

Methods

We used the US Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort data, with 9440 kindergarteners followed up from 1998 to 2007. The Dun and Bradstreet commercial datasets in 1998 and 2007 were used to construct 12 FE measures of children, ie, changes in the food outlet mix and density of supermarkets, convenience stores, full‐service restaurants, fast‐food restaurants, retail bakery, dairy‐product stores, health/dietetic food stores, confectionery stores, fruit/vegetable markets, meat/fish markets, and beverage stores. Two‐level mixed‐effect and cluster robust logistic regression models were fitted to examine associations.

Results

Decreased exposures to full‐service restaurants, retail bakeries, fruit/vegetable markets, and beverage stores were generally obesogenic, while decreased exposure to dairy‐product stores was generally obesoprotective; the magnitude and statistical significance of these associations varied by gender and urbanicity of residence. Higher obesity risk was associated with increased exposure to full‐service restaurants among girls, and with decreased exposures to fruit/vegetable markets in urban children, to beverage stores in suburban children, and to health/dietetic food stores in rural children. Mixed findings existed between genders on the associations of fruit/vegetable markets with child weight status.

Conclusion

In the United States, exposure to different FEs seemed to lead to different childhood obesity risks during 1998 to 2007; the association varied across gender and urbanicity. This study has important implications for future urban design and community‐based interventions in fighting the obesity epidemic.
The role of reconstructive microsurgery in treating lower‐extremity chronic wounds
Authors: Suh Hyunsuk Peter , Hong Joon Pio
Published: May 2019

Frequently considered chronic wounds for reconstruction are wounds lacking healing progress despite good wound care. And those needing microsurgical reconstruction are chronic wounds that are unable to close by local flap or skin grafts, wounds with exposed vital structure such as tendon and bones, and wounds that have prolonged infections such as osteomyelitis and skin necrosis. The reconstruction for soft tissue defects not only aims to provide coverage but to restore function and acceptable form as well. Wound preparation prior to microsurgical reconstruction consists of improving or restoring vascular supply, stabilising skeletal structures, and obtaining clinically clean wounds. Microsurgery is a surgical discipline that combines magnification with a advanced microscope, specialised precision tools, and various operating techniques. Thus microsurgery allows flap to be transferred far from the donor site restoring form and function to areas of the body that have lost skin, fat, muscle movement, and/or skeletal support. Microsurgery has expanded reconstructive surgery's elements and strategies and is still evolving. Along with the multidisciplinary approach and good principle of wound care, the repair and restoration strategies using microsurgery have widened the possibilities for limb salvage from complex chronic wounds.
Antimicrobial effects of local anaesthetics
Authors: Kesici Ugur , Demirci Mehmet , Kesici Sevgi
Published: May 2019

After the introduction of cocaine to the medical practice, local anaesthetics (LA) became essential in pain control. LA infiltration along the incision may be used to provide surgical anaesthesia or postoperative analgesia. This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial effects of the topical antimicrobial agent mupirocine with those of the LA lidocaine and the combination of lidocaine and adrenalin. In our study, the in vitro antimicrobial effects of 1 mL sterile saline, 20 mg/mL mupirocine, 20 mg/mL Lidocaine, and 20 mg/mL Lidocaine and Adrenaline were tested against Staphylococcus aureus American type culture collection (ATCC) 29213, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 as Group C (Control), Group M (Mupirocine), Group L (Lidocaine), and Group LA (Lidocaine + adrenaline), respectively. S aureus ATCC 29213, P aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and E coli ATCC 25922 were cultured onto Mueller–Hinton agar (Oxoid, UK) plates for 18 to 24 hours at 37°C. Colonies from these plates were suspended in sterile saline and a 0.5 McFarland turbidity standard suspension (corresponding to 1.5 × 108 CFU/mL) of each isolate was prepared. S Aureus ATCC 29213 inhibition zone diameter values of Group M, Group LA, and Group L were significantly higher compared with the group C (P ˂ 0.05). P aeruginosa ATCC 27853 inhibition zone diameter values of Group M and Group LA were significantly higher compared with the group C (P ˂ 0.05). E coli ATCC 25922 inhibition zone diameter values of Group M, Group LA, and Group L were significantly higher compared to the group C (P ˂ 0.05). LA infiltration along the incision may be used to provide surgical anaesthesia or postoperative analgesia. Considering that LAs show antimicrobial effects besides their analgesic effects, they may contribute to preventing the development and reducing the rate of surgical infections, decreasing the requirement to administer antibiotics. However, caution should be exercised not to antagonise the effective treatment of surgical infections, remembering that controversy on the antimicrobial effects of LAs remains in the literature. Therefore, further comprehensive studies with larger patient populations are warranted to demonstrate the antimicrobial effects of LAs.
The role of patient preferences in nursing decision‐making in evidence‐based practice: excellent nurses’ communication tools
Authors: Den Hertog Ria , Niessen Theo
Published: May 2019

Aim

To develop an understanding of how nurses take account of patient preferences in nursing decision‐making in evidence‐based practice to provide individual tailored nursing care.

Design

Qualitative grounded theory.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 27 nurses in four medium‐sized hospitals in the Netherlands. Furthermore, seven nurses were observed during their shift. Constant comparative analysis underpinned by Strauss and Corbin's framework was used.

Results

Three communication tools of nurses were identified to discern and attend to patient preferences: (a) a click‐making tool enables to build rapport instantly; (b) antennae monitor individual patient's needs; and (c) asking empathic questions to fine‐tune to individual patient preferences. Participants emphasized that giving individual attention enhances the patient's experienced quality of life.

Conclusions

Excellent nurses in evidence‐based practice consciously spend time to discover patient preferences using the set of implicit and intuitive communication tools to attune their professional care. The use of these tools leads to individual tailored nursing care and appears to be part of the nurses’ practical wisdom. Further studies on how nurses balance patient preferences in nursing decision‐making in the evidence‐based practice are recommended.

Impact

The findings fill a gap in the literature on how nurses discover and balance all three aspects of the evidence‐based practice in their decision‐making: evidence derived from science, best practice, and patient preferences. Moreover, the use of this implicit knowledge in nursing deserves further research and attention in practice and education.
CircMTO1 inhibits liver fibrosis via regulation of miR‐17‐5p and Smad7
Authors: Wang Wei , Dong Ruiling , Guo Yong , He Jianan , Shao Chaopeng , Yi Pin , Yu Fujun , Gu Dayong , Zheng Jianjian
Published: May 2019

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), often dysregulated in a variety of human diseases, participate in the initiation and development of cancers. Recently, circMTO1 (a circRNA derived from MTO1 gene), identified as a tumor suppressor, has been shown to contribute to the suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study aimed to explore the clinical significance and roles of circMTO1 in liver fibrosis. Here, we found that serum circMTO1 was significantly down‐regulated in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Interestingly, serum circMTO1 was negatively correlated with fibrosis stages as well as HAI scores. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that serum circMTO1 may serve as a diagnostic biomarker for liver fibrosis in CHB patients. Notably, overexpression of circMTO1 led to the suppression of transforming growth factor‐β1‐induced hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase activity assays indicated that circMTO1 was a target of mircoRNA‐17‐5p (miR‐17‐5p). Data from RNA pull‐down assay further confirmed that circMTO1 interacted with miR‐17‐5p. The inhibitory effects of circMTO1 on HSC activation were suppressed by miR‐17‐5p mimics. Further studies showed that Smad7 was a target of miR‐17‐5p. Moreover, circMTO1‐inhibited HSC activation was also blocked down by loss of Smad7. Taken together, we demonstrate that circMTO1 inhibits liver fibrosis via regulation of miR‐17‐5p and Smad7, and serum circMTO1 may be a novel promising biomarker of liver fibrosis.
Mechanism of and factors associated with the loosening of the implant abutment screw: A review
Authors: Huang Yiqing , Wang Jiawei
Published: May 2019

Objective

While the loosening of the abutment screw is one of the most common complications in implant‐supported restorations, there is a lack of comprehensive literatures for mechanism of and factors associated with the loosening of the implant abutment screw. The review was to summarize the mechanism of and factors associated with the loosening of the implant abutment screw.

Overview

A total of 99 relevant articles were included in the literature review. The mechanism of the abutment screw loosening was explained. The factors contributed to abutment screw loosening were divided into five aspects and then expounded respectively.

Conclusions

The internal connection and abutments with anti‐rotational and conical designs have better resistance to screw loosening. Cantilevers increase the risk of screw loosening. The effect of surface treatment of the abutment screw is unsure. Clinicians need to tighten the abutment screw to the recommended torque while avoiding repeated tightening and loosening, and increase the frequency of follow‐ups to retighten the loosened screws in time.

Clinical Significance

While the loosening of the abutment screw is one of the most common complications in implant‐supported restorations, there is a lack of comprehensive literatures for mechanism of and factors associated with the loosening of the implant abutment screw. The review was to summarize the mechanism of and factors associated with the loosening of the implant abutment screw, so that clinicians may make better choices in clinical practice.
Image correction for diffusion tensor imaging of Rhesus monkey thoracic spinal cord
Authors: Rao Jia‐Sheng , Liu Zuxiang , Zhao Can , Wei Rui‐Han , Liu Ruo‐Xi , Zhao Wen , Zhou Xia , Tian Peng‐Yu , Yang Zhao‐Yang , Li Xiao‐Guang
Published: May 2019

Background

The relatively tiny spinal cord of non‐human primate (NHP) causes increased challenge in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) post‐processing. This study aimed to establish a reliable correction strategy applied to clinical DTI images of NHP.

Methods

Six normal and partial spinal cord injury (SCI) rhesus monkeys underwent 3T MR scanning. A correction strategy combining multiple iterations and non‐rigid deformation was used for DTI image post‐processing. Quantitative evaluations were then conducted to investigate effects of distortion correction.

Results

After correction, longitudinal geometric distortion, global distortion, and residual distance errors were all significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Fractional anisotropy at the injured site was remarkably lower than that at the contralateral site (P = 0.0488) and was substantially lower than those at the adjacent superior (P = 0.0157) and inferior (P = 0.0128) areas at the same side.

Conclusions

Our image correction strategy can improve the quality of the DTI images of NHP thoracic cords, contributing to the development of SCI preclinical research.
Foreclosure Contagion and the Neighborhood Spillover Effects of Mortgage Defaults
Authors: GUPTA ARPIT
Published: May 2019

In this paper, I identify shocks to interest rates resulting from two administrative details in adjustable‐rate mortgage contract terms: the choice of financial index and the choice of lookback period. I find that a 1 percentage point increase in interest rate at the time of adjustable‐rate mortgage (ARM) reset results in a 2.5 percentage increase in the probability of foreclosure in the following year, and that each foreclosure filing leads to an additional 0.3 to 0.6 completed foreclosures within a 0.10‐mile radius. In explaining this result, I emphasize price effects, bank‐supply responses, and borrower responses arising from peer effects.
Religious Ethics and Economic Inequality
Authors: Weithman Paul
Published: May 2019

This essay serves as an introduction to five papers on economic inequality in this issue of the Journal of Religious Ethics. In addition to introducing the articles individually, the essay also gives a brief overview of recent economic developments that have led religious ethicists to call attention to the issue of inequality.
Inequality, Justice, and the Myth of Unsituated Market Exchange
Authors: Hicks Douglas A.
Published: May 2019

This article examines inequality from a framework of justice that attends to the socially situated nature of market activity, including exchange. I argue that accounts of unsituated exchange—accounts of market exchange that abstract from social situations, such as philosopher Robert Nozick’s influential libertarian account of justice—overlook various factors that contribute to growing economic inequality in contemporary society. Analyses of market exchange must incorporate the role of “third parties” who play a role in shaping and/or who are affected by economic transactions. The involvement of these additional parties, including the government and future generations, is not interference but, instead, an integral part of the economic and moral accounting of exchange. An approach to justice and inequality which embeds exchange within multiple dimensions of economy and society is needed; the latter part of this article traces such a socially situated approach.
The effect of astragaloside IV on JAK2‐STAT6 signalling pathway in mouse model of ovalbumin‐induced asthma
Authors: Yang Xinfu , Wang Feida
Published: May 2019

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease of the airway; the incidence and prevalence of asthma remain high worldwide. Astragaloside IV (AS‐IV) is the main active constituent of Astragalus membranaceus. Accumulating evidence suggests that AS‐IV possesses anti‐inflammatory and anti‐asthmatic ability, but the potential molecular mechanism is required to further clarify. In this study, the anti‐asthmatic effects of AS‐IV on mice with ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced allergic inflammation were analysed. We analysed airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), numbers of inflammatory cells, inflammation situation in lung tissue and cytokines level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) between OVA‐induced mice with and without AS‐IV treatment. Moreover, we explored the possible signalling pathway behind the anti‐asthmatic effects. Our results revealed that AS‐IV treatment ameliorates airway inflammation and AHR in an OVA‐induced asthma model. Besides, AS‐IV treatment inhibits the interleukin (IL)‐4, ‐5 and ‐13 production, and further study indicated that AS‐IV treatment downregulates the expression level of p‐JAK2/p‐STAT6 proteins. Taken together, the present study suggested that the inhibitory effects of AS‐IV on asthma therapy are at least partially involved in inhibiting the JAK2/STAT6 signalling pathway.
Salt marsh migration into salinized agricultural fields: A novel assembly of plant communities
Authors: Gedan Keryn B. , Fernández‐Pascual Eduardo
Published: May 2019

Questions

Sea level rise and saltwater intrusion are changing low‐lying coastal landscapes, converting agricultural land and other upland habitats to tidal marsh. Abandoned, saline agricultural fields are affected by a unique combination of environmental filters, those traditionally found in tidal marsh — salinity and flooding — alongside those of cultivated lands — high nutrient availability and a history of disturbance. We asked how species composition and functional trait composition in saline fields compares to those in traditional old fields and natural ecotones, and whether trends in succession can be detected in saline fields during the first years post‐abandonment.

Location

Chesapeake Bay (Mid‐Atlantic, USA).

Methods

We surveyed plant communities assembling in saline fields and compared taxonomic and functional trait diversity to those in old‐field and marsh–forest ecotone communities. We also assessed changes in the saline fields after two and three years of abandonment to detect the direction of succession.

Results

Saline fields occupied an intermediate taxonomic and trait space between old fields and marsh ecotones. From old fields to saline fields to marsh, communities were less weedy, and more wetland, native, and perennial. Specific leaf area decreased across this transition, in concordance with expected changes in response to salinity. Over time, saline fields became less graminoid and less weedy, and more native, wetland, and woody.

Conclusions

We conclude that marsh migration into abandoned farmland is producing a novel assembly of plant communities. Intermediate functional traits in the saline fields reflect the novel environmental filters imposed by saltwater intrusion and the cultivation legacy. These patterns suggest that abandoned, saline agricultural fields may develop somewhat differently than natural marsh boundaries, with more shrub dominance and greater resilience to Phragmites australis invasion. Importantly, these results suggest that saline fields will provide a facilitating route for marsh migration.
De‐indexed estimated glomerular filtration rates: A simple step towards improving accuracy of drug dosing of renally excreted medications in moderate to severe obesity
Authors: Vlasschaert Caitlyn , Thibodeau Stephane , Parmar Malvinder S
Published: May 2019

Kidney function is underestimated in obese individuals when standard equations are applied. Laboratory‐reported estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) report glomerular filtration rates corrected for body surface area in mL/min per 1.73 m2 using modification of diet in renal disease or the chronic kidney disease‐Epidemiology Collaboration equations. This may result in premature discontinuation or reduction in dosage of renally excreted medications. Currently, there are no clinical guidelines defining thresholds beyond which physicians should consider de‐indexing patient eGFR values. We compared standard and de‐indexed eGFR values for 281 consecutive patients seen in our chronic kidney disease clinic. In our study, half of the patients with a body mass index above 35 had clinically significant changes in their eGFR, with an improvement in chronic kidney disease stage, when eGFR was de‐indexed. We propose that eGFR de‐indexing should be considered in patients with moderate to severe obesity when calculating the dose, especially for medications that are excreted by the kidneys.
Effects of hemoglobin levels during pregnancy on adverse maternal and infant outcomes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jung Jenny , Rahman Md. Mizanur , Rahman Md. Shafiur , Swe Khin Thet , Islam Md. Rashedul , Rahman Md. Obaidur , Akter Shamima
Published: May 2019

Maternal anemia affects approximately 56 million women worldwide and increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our study aimed to summarize the evidence for the association between maternal hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and maternal or infant outcomes, evaluating it in a continuous manner. In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we conducted an electronic search on PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science from inception to April 19, 2017, and further updated to November 21, 2018, applying subject heading terms related to pregnant women with anemia. We included 117 studies with 4,127,430 pregnancies. Maternal anemia increased the risk of low birth weight (odds ratio (OR), 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45−1.87), preterm birth (PTB) (OR, 2.11; 95% CI: 1.76–2.53), perinatal mortality (PNM) (OR, 3.01; 95% CI: 1.92−4.73), stillbirth (OR, 1.95; 95% CI: 1.15−3.31), and maternal mortality (OR, 3.20; 95% CI: 1.16−8.85). A nonlinear relationship was found between maternal Hb and adverse maternal and infant outcomes. The OR of outcomes such as PTB, small‐for‐gestational age, PNM, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and postpartum hemorrhage was increased by two to three times. Assessing Hb as a continuous variable is important to determine the associated risk of adverse outcomes with decreasing or increasing levels.
Evaluation of immunohematology knowledge in hematology trainees
Authors: Yan Matthew T.S. , Arsenault Valerie , Pendergrast Jacob
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Canadian hematology trainees are expected to attain clinical knowledge in the subject of red blood cell and platelet antigen systems and the principles of transfusion medicine. However, the relative degree of expertise required in blood bank serology is not well defined.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A modified Delphi approach involving 10 Canadian hematology program directors was utilized to identify 12 relevant topics in immunohematology. A multiple‐choice exam was developed and validated among hematology trainees from 13 hematology training programs across Canada. A Rasch analysis was used to determine fit of the examination before deploying the exam the following year to ascertain the level of knowledge in hematology trainees.

RESULTS

The exam was piloted with 62 hematology trainees. The reliability of the exam was 0.93 with a mean item fit score of 1.01. The exam was able to discriminate between training years and self‐rated expertise with better performance attained by more advanced trainees (p < 0.01). No differences were seen between geographic regions. A modified version of the exam was deployed the following year to 85 trainees, with a mean score of 58.9% ± 15.3%. Trainees scored poorest on topics concerning antibody investigations and D variants.

CONCLUSION

A standardized exam for assessing hematology trainees on their expected expertise in transfusion immunohematology has been developed and can be used to assess the efficacy of educational resources provided in the subject. Trainees had a low overall mean score indicating additional educational initiatives are warranted.
Oncofertility to Evidence‐Based Practice: Changes in Fertility Intention and Symptom Burden in Reproductive‐Age Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Huang Sheng‐Miauh , Tseng Ling‐Ming , Lai Jerry Cheng‐Yen , Lien Pei‐Ju , Chen Ping‐Ho
Published: May 2019

Background

Infertility is negatively related to the quality of life in reproductive‐age women with breast cancer. The nurses who care for these patients lack a comprehensive understanding of the changes in fertility intention that patients undergo from the time of cancer diagnosis, throughout treatment, and after treatment. A fertility intention assessment is the first step in discerning the patient's ideas toward future pregnancy.

Aims

This study examined the changes in fertility intention and symptom burden in reproductive‐age women with breast cancer before, during, and after treatment. We also explored predictors of fertility intention among the women.

Methods

The study was guided by the theory of planned behavior. A longitudinal and observational study was conducted with 151 women with breast cancer who were treated at a teaching hospital in Taipei. The participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire before, during, and after chemotherapy from July 2016 to March 2018. Fertility intention was assessed using the Fertility Intention Scale. The M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory‐Taiwanese version was used to measure the symptom burden. The generalized linear mixed model was used for multivariate analysis.

Results

Patients had significantly lower scores for fertility intention after treatment than before treatment. The study patients had substantially worse symptom burden during treatment than before or after treatment. Symptom burden scores, especially for symptom interference, correlated significantly with fertility intention. A higher Fertility Intention Scale score was significantly associated with younger age.

Linking Evidence to Action

Fertility intention decreased over time in women with breast cancer. Understanding fertility intention and controlling symptom burden throughout the course of treatment and beyond might help nurses provide better care for preserving fertility and maintaining fertility options for these women with breast cancer.
Martin boundaries of the duals of free unitary quantum groups
Authors: Malacarne Sara , Neshveyev Sergey
Published: May 2019

Given a free unitary quantum group$G=A_{u}(F)$, with$F$not a unitary$2\times 2$matrix, we show that the Martin boundary of the dual of$G$with respect to any$G$-${\hat{G}}$-invariant, irreducible, finite-range quantum random walk coincides with the topological boundary defined by Vaes and Vander Vennet. This can be thought of as a quantum analogue of the fact that the Martin boundary of a free group coincides with the space of ends of its Cayley tree.
Experimental Investigation on Slurry Erosion Behavior of 304L Steel, Grey Cast Iron, and High Chromium White Cast Iron
Authors: Tarodiya Rahul , Gandhi Bhupendra K.
Published: May 2019

The materials used for the slurry transportation system experience erosion wear due to the impact of suspended solid particles. In the present experimental investigation, a large size slurry pot tester was used to investigate the slurry erosion behavior of steel 304L, grey cast iron, and high chromium white cast iron in the velocity range of 9.0–18.5 m/s. Experiments were conducted by rotating the wear specimens in the pot tester at 1% weight concentration of Indian standard sand. The erosion behavior of the three target materials was evaluated by varying the orientation angle from 15 to 90 deg and particle size from 256 to 655 µm. The erosion rate was found to increase with velocity having power index value varying between 2 and 3, which increases with an increase in impact angle and depends on the target material. The erosion rate of the material also increases with the increase in particle size with the power index varying between 0.8 and 1.4 depending on the target material. No significant change was noticed in the mechanism of erosion of the target materials with the variation in velocity in the present range of test conditions. Empirical correlations are proposed to estimate the total erosion rate of all the three materials as a contribution of cutting and deformation wear.
Study of the Effect of the Scatter of Acoustic Modes on Turbine Flutter
Authors: Gallardo Juan Manuel , Sotillo Adrián , Bermejo Óscar
Published: May 2019

The prediction of aerodynamic damping is a relevant issue for turbomachinery design trends. Most of the conventional analysis methodologies for the study of aeroelastic forcing in use until recently neglect any hypothetical effects of adjacent rows. However, in recent years, it has become unquestionable that acoustic waves and nearly convected perturbations reflected in neighboring rows play a significant role in the evaluation of the overall unsteady loading of the blades. In this paper, a study of the impact of these effects in flutter stability margin is performed. For this analysis, ITP Aero’s in-house unsteady 3D frequency domain linearized RANS solver is used. The subject of this research is a setup which is a close representation of a proper LPT geometry. The influence of neighboring rows is examined, taking into consideration how the interactions between rows are scattered into several circumferential modes, as well as into radial modes. A quantitative assessment of all these effects is performed to understand the relative relevance of each one of them, and the results of unsteady aerodynamic blade loading are compared with those of a single-row simulation.
Passive Alignment Method for the Bonding of Flat Surfaces Using a Squeeze Flow
Authors: Lecarpentier Willy , Sylvestre Julien
Published: May 2019

A method to passively align bonded components without direct mechanical contact has been developed. This method uses the pressure field generated by the squeeze flow between the parts during the bonding process to increase the parallelism of planar components. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model has been developed to study the squeeze flow phenomenon and to determine generated efforts. Based on these calculations, an assembly stage standing on a flexure pinned linkage has been developed. This assembly stage had two purposes. The first was to show the possibility of passive mechanical alignment using a squeeze flow. The second was to measure efforts to confirm the CFD model. These measurements have led to a refined CFD model taking into account the non-Newtonian behavior of the fluid at high shear rates. This technique was initially developed for the assembly of a fiber-optic-to-silicon-chip-interface. Other potential applications could be wafer bonding, bonding of multiple wafer stacks, or 3D integrated circuits.
HITEP_RCC-MRx Program for the Support of Elevated Temperature Design Evaluation and Defect Assessment
Authors: Lee Hyeong-Yeon , Won Min-Gu , Huh Nam-Su
Published: May 2019

An integrated software platform of high-temperature design evaluation and defect assessment for a nuclear component and piping system subjected to high-temperature operation in creep regime has been developed. The program, called “HITEP_RCC-MRx,” is based on French nuclear grade high-temperature design code of RCC-MRx and enables a designer to conduct not only elevated temperature design evaluation but also elevated temperature defect assessment. HITEP_RCC-MRx consists of three modules: “HITEP_RCC-DBA,” which is programmed for the design-by-analysis (DBA) evaluation for class 1 pressure boundary components such as the pressure vessel and heat exchangers according to the RB-3200 procedures; “HITEP_RCC-PIPE,” which is programmed for the design-by-rule (DBR) evaluation according to the RB-3600 procedures; and “HITEP_RCC-A16,” which is programmed for high-temperature defect assessment according to the A16 procedures. The program has been verified with a number of related example problems on modules of DBA, Pipe, and A16. It was shown from the verification examples that integrated software platform of HITEP_RCC-MRx is capable of conducting three functions of an elevated temperature design evaluation for pressure boundary components and for piping, and an elevated defect assessment in an efficient and reliable way.
Pixel-Classification-Based Reticulocyte Detection in Blood-Smear Microscopy Images
Authors: Zhong Xiaopin , Guo Junjia , Deng Yuanlong
Published: May 2019

Methods for reticulocyte identification and counting based on digital image processing technology are rare. In this paper, we proposed a pixel-based reticulocyte identification method for blood micrographs. This approach not only addresses slowness of manual methods but also largely alleviates the susceptibility of flow-based methods to nucleic acid. The key is to extract pixel-level features. One color feature is extracted from three color spaces, namely RGB, HSI, and LUV. Three texture features called Gabor features, the gray-level co-occurrence matrix, and local contrast pattern are extracted from the Cr channel of the YCbCr color space, forming six features. Subsequently, the recognition effects of each combination of color and texture were compared, and the combination of Gabor texture features and LUV color features was selected. Then, a support vector machine (SVM) classifier was used to classify the pixel-level features, and the RNA-staining area was detected. Based on the location, number, and area of the region, whether the target cell is reticulocyte can be determined. The precision of this method for reticulocytes was 98.4%, recall was 98.0%, and the F1 measure was 0.982, indicating its usefulness for automation equipment.
Exploring Sport and Intergroup Relations in Fiji: Guidance for Researchers Undertaking Short-Term Ethnography
Authors: Sugden Jack Thomas , Adair Daryl , Schulenkorf Nico , Frawley Stephen
Published: May 2019

There is a key tension associated with ethnographic explorations into the lives of people in the Global South – ‘outsider’ researchers from the Global North who lack experience of the environments they are seeking to understand. A considered response, therefore, is for scholars to seek physical immersion in a field—to live among those they are trying to understand. Such ethnographic inquiries are optimal when researchers have the capacity to engage over long periods of time. However, in some circumstances, this may not feasible. Thus, questions arise about the veracity of field work investigations that are not only temporally brief but undertaken by scholars who lack local experience. This paper reflects on the experiences of a researcher who was faced with those challenges. It provides guidance as to how scholars might prepare for short-term ethnography (STE) in field work, along with the limitations and constraints of such an approach. The research centered on a sport for development and peace study into intergroup relations and ethnic separatism in Fijian sport.
Perovskite nanowire–block copolymer composites with digitally programmable polarization anisotropy
Authors: Zhou Nanjia , Bekenstein Yehonadav , Eisler Carissa N. , Zhang Dandan , Schwartzberg Adam M. , Yang Peidong , Alivisatos A. Paul , Lewis Jennifer A.
Published: May 2019

We report 3D printing of anisotropically polarized optical devices composed of perovskite nanowire-block copolymer composites.
Salzmann nodular degeneration features in a case of Kabuki make-up syndrome
Authors: Martins Amélia , Oliveira Mariana Almeida , Rosa Andreia , Murta Joaquim
Published: May 2019

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome with diversified ophthalmological manifestations. We report a case of a boy with bilateral features of Salzmann nodular degeneration (SND) associated with KS. An 18-year-old Caucasian man with KS presented for a second opinion regarding incapacitating photophobia in his right eye, refractory to medical therapy. Biomicroscopy revealed bilateral subepithelial nodules in the midperiphery of the cornea, less extensive in the left eye, consistent with SND. Symptomatic improvement was achieved after superficial keratectomy, manually performed with a blade and adjuvant application of mitomycin C. We report a rare case of a KS patient with SND. Since KS manifestations may vary widely, it is important to perform an early ophthalmological examination for prompt detection and treatment of ocular abnormalities and thus improve life quality in these patients.
Autoimmune liver disease following acute hepatitis A infection
Authors: Yeend-Curd-Trimble Hannah , Kelly Kate , Ghosh Indrajit , MacDonald Douglas
Published: May 2019

A male patient in his late 30s presented to our outpatient clinic at Mortimer Market Centre with worsening liver transaminases tests 2 months after a resolved acute hepatitis A infection. A diagnosis of parainfectious autoimmune-like hepatitis phenomena was made based on the history, laboratory and histological features.
The clinical presentation, imaging features and differential diagnoses of congenital Wilms tumour
Authors: Rampersad Fidel , Diljohn Jason , Goetz Cristal
Published: May 2019

Solid fetal renal masses are a rare finding on antenatal ultrasound, with hydronephrosis and cystic disease of the kidney usually being the most common causes for fetal renal enlargement. Herein we report a case of a solid fetal renal mass which was detected on third trimester antenatal ultrasound scanning. This renal mass was evaluated by MRI in the postnatal period and diagnosis confirmed by histological analysis, after surgical excision. Also discussed are the differential diagnoses and imaging features of other solid fetal renal masses, including congenital mesoblastic nephroma, nephroblastomatosis, renal sarcoma and angiomyolipoma.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with obesity as an independent predictor for incident gastric and colorectal cancer: a population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Hamaguchi Masahide , Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Obora Akihiro , Kojima Takao , Fukui Michiaki
Published: May 2019

Background

Colorectal cancer is known to be an extrahepatic complication of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the interaction of NAFLD with obesity for incident colorectal cancer has not been clarified yet. Moreover, the effect of NAFLD and obesity for incident gastric cancer has not been clarified yet. Thus, we investigated whether NAFLD with or without obesity would be a risk factor for incident gastric cancer as well as colorectal cancer.

Methods

The study period was set from 2003 to 2016. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography using standardised criteria. We applied the Cox proportional hazards model to investigate the effect of NAFLD with or without obesity at baseline on incident gastric cancer as well as colorectal cancer. Age, sex, lifestyle factors including smoking states, alcohol consumption and exercise, and diabetes were used as covariates.

Results

During the study period, 27 944 individuals (16 454 men and 11 490 women) were registered in the NAfld in Gifu Area, Longitudinal Analysis study. During the mean (SD) observational period of 2357 (1458) days, incident gastric cancers were diagnosed in 48 individuals (incident rate 0.48 per 1000 person-years) and incident colorectal cancers were diagnosed in 52 individuals (incident rate 0.51 per 1000 person-years). The adjusted HR of NAFLD with obesity for incident gastric cancer was 3.58 (95% CI 1.73 to 7.38, p=0.001) and that for incident colorectal cancer was 2.96 (95% CI 1.73 to 7.38, p=0.003).

Conclusion

NAFLD with obesity was a risk factor for both incident gastric cancer and colorectal cancer in apparently healthy Japanese individuals.