bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of divided input on bilingual children with language impairment
Authors: Peña Elizabeth D , Bedore Lisa M , Shivabasappa Prarthana , Niu Luping
Published: June 2018

Aims and objectives:

We compare the performance of 600 bilingual children with and without language impairment relative to their level of current English input and output (EIO). Children were tested in both Spanish and English on measures of morphosyntax and semantics. Our aim was to examine whether children’s language performance was differentially affected by the level of EIO and/or language ability.

Methodology:

Participants were drawn from three different studies of bilingual language impairment where children between the ages of 5 and 10 years were tested using a standardized test of morphosyntax and semantics in both languages. Standard scores were compared for each language in each domain.

Data and analysis:

Multivariate regression was used to compare main effects of ability (children with typical language development versus children with language impairment) and interactions with EIO. This analysis was followed by a comparison of EIO across the four language measures.

Findings/conclusions:

There were main effects of language impairment status and EIO. There were ability differences in slope for two measures (English semantics and Spanish morphosyntax), where children with language impairment had a flatter slope as related to EIO compared to children with typical development. For Spanish semantics and English morphosyntax, slopes relative to EIO were similar, although children with language impairment scored lower than those with typical development.

Originality:

We observed how children with and without language impairment performed on semantics and morphosyntax tasks relative to their EIO.

Implications:

The similar slopes across language measures of children with and without language impairment suggest that there is no disadvantage to divided input by ability. Where there were differences by ability, children with language impairment showed a flatter slope relative to their typically developing peers, suggesting that bilingual children with primary language impairment (PLI) may be somewhat advantaged relative to more monolingual children with PLI.
Role of top-down language control in bilingual production and comprehension: Evidence from induced oscillations
Authors: Xie Ning , Li Baike , Zhang Man , Liu Huanhuan
Published: June 2018

Aims:

The present study was designed to investigate the role of language control during simultaneous production and comprehension.

Design:

Participants completed a set of language background and cognitive skills questionnaires and were randomly divided into pairs. Then, the pairs of participants were asked to finish a joint language switching task while their electroencephalogram was recorded. When one participant was naming pictures, the other one was listening. The language to be used in each trial was specified by cues.

Data and Analysis:

Response latencies were obtained. An analysis was conducted on induced oscillations in a cue-locked period and a stimulus-locked period.

Findings:

An analysis of induced oscillations showed that production and comprehension exhibited different delta and theta oscillations, suggesting that cross-modality interference may be caused by joint language switching, and bilinguals employed different degrees of language control in comprehension and production. Furthermore, the cross-person condition exhibited stronger oscillations than the within-person condition, indicating that joint language switching involves cross-person interference and that bilinguals use additional oscillations to inhibit such interference. Importantly, the stimulus-locked period showed larger delta and theta oscillations in second language switch trials than in first language switch trials in the within-person condition, indicating that delta and theta may index the inhibition of cross-language interference.

Originality:

The current study revealed the top-down language control mechanism by analysing induced oscillations, which reflected a mainly cognitively driven process.

Significance:

Bilinguals’ language control might be used to inhibit complex interference during daily life.
Looking away: An analysis of early childhood teaching and learning experiences framed through a quality metric
Authors: Delaney Katherine K
Published: June 2018

In this article, the author examines the ways in which a classroom quality metric framed the teaching and learning experiences of teachers and children in three Head Start classrooms. Using comic subjectivity theory, the author critically analyzes the ways in which the high-stakes classroom quality measure used in Head Start settings directed her gaze as a researcher, and had implications for teachers’ practice and children’s learning within the site of this gaze. This analysis raises questions about expectations for teachers’ performativity, the role of researchers’ complicity, and how children’s learning is conceptualized in early childhood classrooms that are heavily accountable to outside forces. This article also considers what the costs may be for teachers and children in early childhood settings where quality is conceptualized in ways that stand in stark contrast to teachers’ professional and personal knowledge. In these sites, their knowledge of and engagement with children is made subject to measure-directed regimes in the current accountability-driven era.
Investigating the effect of cold expansion process on the fatigue behavior of aluminum alloy 7075-T6 in double-lap shear joints
Authors: Emami Geiglou Z , Chakherlou TN
Published: June 2018

In this paper, the effect of cold expansion process on the fatigue behavior of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy has been investigated both by numerical modeling and conducting experimental tests. In the experimental part, one batch of the specimens without cold expansion and two other batches after being subjected to cold expansions of 1.5% and 4.7% were subjected to cyclic loading in a double-lap shear joint. In the numerical part, finite element simulations of the cold expansion process and loading of the joint were performed and the effect of this process on the stress distribution and the location of the critical zone of the fatigue crack initiation were surveyed. Tangential stresses at different angles around the hole were extracted from the finite element analysis, and after determining the angular position of the surfaces with maximum stresses, crack initiation location in the thickness direction is predicted with an acceptable approximation. The S–N diagrams obtained from the experiments show that the cold expansion process increases fatigue life, and this increase is much more pronounced in lower loads. Also by increasing the percentage of cold expansion from 1.5% to 4.7%, this increase is more appreciable.
Travel motivations of first-time, repeat, and serial backpackers
Authors: Møller Jensen Jan , Hjalager Anne-Mette
Published: June 2018

This study explores travel motivations of first-time, repeat, and serial backpackers. Data were obtained through an online survey administered to a convenience sample of Danish backpackers. Using explorative factor analysis on 40 motivational variables drawn from the research literature, the study delineated eight push and five pull motivational factors. Among them, Stimulation, Host-site Involvement, and Nature are the three most important motivational factors. Sun and Beach, Gastronomic Experiences, Recognition, and Volunteering are the least rated motivational factors. Additionally, the study detects differences in motivational factors between first-time, repeat, and serial backpacker trips. While first-time and repeat backpackers only differ on self-actualization and gaining recognition, factors which are rated higher among first-time backpackers; serial backpackers rate eight of the thirteen motivational factors lower than first-time backpackers. Thus, the results support a quest for a more detailed classification of backpackers, instead of the traditional first-time versus repeat backpacker distinction. Implications for academics and practitioners as well as suggestions for further research are provided at the end of the article.
Unspoken ambivalence in kinship obligation in living donation
Authors: Halverson Colin M. E. , Crowley-Matoka Megan , Ross Lainie Friedman
Published: June 2018

Background:

Traditionally, living kidney donors were first-degree relatives due to both greater biological compatibility and concerns about extrafamilial motivation. Because familial relationships often entail distinctive experiences of moral obligation, health-care providers must be attentive to potential undue influences on intrafamilial donor decision-making processes to ensure that decisions are voluntary.

Methods:

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 individuals who donated kidneys to first-degree relatives and subsequently developed end-stage renal disease themselves.

Findings:

We analyze the different influences kinship obligations had on participants’ decision-making processes. Although participants described their decision to donate as obvious, an appropriate kin response, and free from external pressure, they indirectly expressed some ambivalence—both by their description of the rapidity of the process and in their concern about exposing an intimate to the risks of living donation.

Discussion:

Our data uncovered an asymmetry. Although our participants claimed that they would donate again, none received a living donor kidney. Our data also highlight the moral significance of the interdependence of donor and recipient in intrafamilial kidney donation and its impact on the range of voluntary choices as perceived by the donor. Their decision-making must be understood as embedded within a network of intimate social relations.
Analysis of the stress wave effect during coal breakage by a high-pressure abrasive air jet
Authors: Liu Yong , Zhang Tao , Liu Xiaotian
Published: June 2018

In view of the defects of borehole collapse, inhibition of gas desorption and migration of gas existing in hydraulic fracturing and other hydraulic permeability–increasing measures for soft coal seams with low-permeability technology is proposed for coal breakage by a high-pressure abrasive gas jet for relieving pressure and increasing permeability. The comparative analysis of gas jet flow field structure between convergent nozzle and Laval nozzle has been given by numerical simulation. For Laval nozzle, the expansion wave and compression wave alternate and move forward steadily in gas jet and vanish when potential core length reaches maximum. So, the Laval nozzle can form more stable flow filed structure of gas jet and avoid shock wave in gas jet. Furthermore, a high-speed camera is adopted to analyze the jet structure and verify the conclusion of numerical simulation. Based on thermodynamic theory, this article calculates and analyzes the critical local sound velocity and pressure generated from the stress wave during the process of coal breakage by the gas jet. Furthermore, experimental coal breakage by a high-pressure abrasive gas jet is carried out. The high-pressure abrasive gas jet impacts the coal body as a quasi-static load and a dynamic load and forms corrosion pits on the surface of the coal body. Penetrating cracks are formed within the coal in the pattern of the loaded stress wave which leads to coal breakage. The effects of porosity and permeability on the propagation of the stress wave in coal are analyzed by establishing the dispersion equation for the spread of the stress wave in coal. The results show that porosity has a significant effect on wave velocity and that the attenuation of the stress wave is intensified with an increase in porosity. Moreover, the stress wave attenuation is more obvious at high frequency. The effect of permeability on the wave velocity is not significant at low frequencies. In contrast, at high frequency and relatively low permeability, the wave velocity increases with the permeability, and the attenuation of the wave velocity initially increases and then decreases. When the permeability is greater than 10−11 m2, the wave velocity is not affected by the permeability. However, the stress wave is not attenuated.
Creating functional and sustainable School–Community Partnerships: Lessons from three South African cases
Authors: Myende Phumlani Erasmus
Published: June 2018

Globally, there is agreement that school–community partnerships are one of the mechanisms to address challenges that schools cannot address alone. However, evidence suggests that where school–community partnerships have been initiated, their functionality and continuity is not always easy to achieve, and research locally and internationally has not sufficiently addressed this concern. To bridge this gap, guided by Epstein’s theory of overlapping spheres of influence, this paper examined what makes school–community partnerships functional and sustainable. The research used a qualitative case study and employed discursive oriented interviews (both individual and focus group), a researcher’s reflective journal, and document reviews to generate the data. Participants were principals, teachers, and academics from two universities. It was found that for partnerships to be functional and sustainable there is a need to ensure that there is collaborative planning and decision-making, effective two-way communication, eagerness to address power issues, and the creation of a culture that promotes participative leadership. From these findings, the paper concludes that principal’s leadership is only critical at the beginning stage of partnerships, and teacher leadership is central in the functionality and continuity of partnerships. In relation to the theoretical framework, it is further concluded that power is an important element to consider, which either brings partners together or pushes them apart.
Drug information needs and concerns of primary care patients with newly prescribed chronic medications
Authors: Liu Lawrence Sy Tar , Goh Bandy Qiuling , Tang Woh Peng , Lo Fei Ling , Khoo Rachel Shu Yuen , Lim Christina Jit Fan
Published: June 2018

Chronic disease burden is expected to increase in Singapore as the population ages. Medication therapy is a common and cost-effective modality to manage the top three chronic diseases, i.e. hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes locally. However, about one-third of patients stop taking their newly prescribed medications within 10 days. This nonadherence problem is associated with poor clinical outcomes and substantial financial loss. This study aimed to determine patients’ drug information needs and concerns, and the potential nonadherence rate in patients with unaddressed concerns. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in four polyclinics over a period of six months. A total of 127 participants who met the inclusion criteria were consecutively sampled when they were filling prescriptions at the polyclinic pharmacies. Each recruited participant was administered a structured questionnaire face to face by the trained investigators in a standardised manner. The majority of the participants (95.2%) felt that information regarding the new chronic medication, especially the medications’ indications, side effects and dose, should always be given at the point of collection. Delivery of information through verbal advice and written information were most preferred. Top concerns with medications were side effects, long-term safety and drug interactions. Almost one-half of the participants (42.5%) would not take the new medications if they had unaddressed concerns about their medications. The findings from this study provide us with a better understanding of patients’ drug information needs and concerns, and the potential prevalence of nonadherence amongst primary care patients with unaddressed concerns.
Editor’s Choice-Diuretic resistance in acute heart failure
Authors: Verbrugge Frederik H
Published: June 2018

Diuretic resistance is a powerful predictor of adverse outcome in acute heart failure (AHF), irrespectively of underlying glomerular filtration rate. Metrics of diuretic efficacy such as natriuresis, urine output, weight loss, net fluid balance, or fractional sodium excretion, differ in their risk for measurement error, convenience, and biological plausibility, which should be taken into account when interpreting their results. Loop diuretic resistance in AHF has multiple causes including altered drug pharmacokinetics, impaired renal perfusion and effective circulatory volume, neurohumoral activation, post-diuretic sodium retention, the braking phenomenon and functional as well as structural adaptations in the nephron. Ideally, these mechanisms should guide specific treatment decisions with the goal of achieving complete decongestion. Therefore, volume overload needs to be identified correctly to avoid poor diuretic response due to electrolyte depletion or dehydration. Next, renal perfusion should be optimised if possible and loop diuretics should be prescribed above their threshold dose. Addition of thiazide-type diuretics should be considered when a progressive decrease in loop diuretic efficacy is observed with prolonged use (i.e., the braking phenomenon). Furthermore, thiazide-type diuretics are a useful addition in patients with low glomerular filtration rate. However, they limit free water excretion and are relatively contraindicated in cases of hypotonic hyponatremia, where acetazolamide is the better option. Finally, ultrafiltration should be considered in patients with refractory diuretic resistance as persistent volume overload after decongestive treatment is associated with worse outcomes. Whether more upfront use of any of these individually tailored decongestion strategies is superior to monotherapy with loop diuretics remains to be shown by adequately powered randomised clinical trials.
Clostridium difficile colitis complicating Kawasaki disease in children: Two case reports
Authors: Rojas Gallegos Maria Belen , Jarasvaraparn Chaowapong , Batten Lynn , Custodio Haidee , Gremse David A
Published: June 2018

Clostridium difficile infection is increasingly diagnosed in children with a wide clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic carriage to fulminant colitis. Symptomatic patients typically present with diarrhea, with or without blood, fever, and abdominal pain. Kawasaki disease, a vasculitis of unknown etiology, occurs primarily in young children. Establishing the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease can be challenging given the lack of a confirmatory diagnostic test or pathognomonic features as well as the appearance of symptoms over time rather than simultaneously. In addition, commonly occurring nonspecific associated symptoms, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, may confound the clinical presentation. We present two cases of children with Kawasaki disease presenting with fever and Clostridium difficile colitis to illustrate the importance of keeping a high index of suspicion for Kawasaki disease.
Fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin in combination with fecal transferrin in colorectal cancer screening
Authors: Gies Anton , Cuk Katarina , Schrotz-King Petra , Brenner Hermann
Published: June 2018

Objective

Fecal transferrin has been suggested as a complementary or even superior marker for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) besides fecal hemoglobin. We aimed to evaluate both markers individually and in combination in a large cohort of participants of screening colonoscopy.

Methods

Precolonoscopy stool samples were obtained from participants of screening colonoscopy and frozen at −80°C until blinded analysis, using a dual‐quantitative fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for hemoglobin and transferrin. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated for CRC and advanced adenoma (AA).

Results

A total of 1667 participants fulfilled our inclusion criteria. All individuals with advanced neoplasm (AN) (16 CRC, 200 AA) and 300 randomly selected participants without AN were included. Mean age was 63 years and 56% were male. The AUC for CRC and AA was 92% and 68%, respectively, for hemoglobin vs. 79% and 58%, respectively for transferrin. Combination of both markers yielded an AUC for CRC and AA of 92% and 68%, respectively.

Conclusion

FIT for hemoglobin shows better diagnostic performance than FIT for transferrin for the detection of ANs (both proximal and distal neoplasms), and a combination of both markers does not improve the diagnostic performance.
Risk factors associated with osteoporosis in a cohort of prospectively diagnosed adult coeliac patients
Authors: Galli Gloria , Lahner Edith , Conti Laura , Esposito Gianluca , Sacchi Maria Carlotta , Annibale Bruno
Published: June 2018

Background

Up to 75% of patients with untreated coeliac disease (CD) present with osteopenia or osteoporosis. Guidelines do not express with certainty whether each patient with newly diagnosed CD should undergo a dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan.

Aim

The aim of this article is to evaluate the prevalence of bone mineral density (BMD) alterations at diagnosis and risk factors associated with osteoporosis.

Methods

A total of 214 adult patients (median age 38 years; female = 71.5%) newly diagnosed with CD underwent DEXA. The patients were divided into three groups: patients with normal BMD, those with osteopenia and those with osteoporosis. Clinical, histological and serological features were assessed and compared among the three groups. Logistic regression including relevant independent variables was performed.

Results

DEXA indicated that 39.7%, 42.5% and 17.8% of the CD patients had normal BMD, osteopenia and osteoporosis, respectively. Logistic regression indicated that features significantly associated with osteoporosis were male gender (OR 4.7; 95%CI 1.1 to 20.8), age ≥45 years (OR 6.5; 95% CI 1.3 to 32.2), underweight (OR 7.4; 95% CI 1.3 to 42.5) and greater histological damage (Marsh 3C; OR 5.8; 95% CI 1.4 to 24.1).

Conclusions

BMD alterations were found in 60.3% of newly diagnosed adult coeliac patients. Osteoporosis was significantly associated with age ≥45 years, male gender, underweight and Marsh 3C, suggesting that at CD diagnosis, a DEXA scan might be beneficial, particularly in these subgroups of patients.
Patient perceived changes in sexual dysfunction after initiation of natalizumab for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Robertson Derrick , Aungst Angela , Collier Ryan , Vivar Jhulianna , Moreo Natalie , Casady Lise , Vu Tuan
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Sexual dysfunction is a common but often overlooked secondary symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) and can be associated with a decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Natalizumab is a disease-modifying therapy approved for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS. In addition to its efficacy, those using natalizumab have shown improvement in HRQoL parameters, including fatigue and cognition. The idea that improvement in fatigue may also correlate with improvement in sexual dysfunction is the impetus for this study.

Methods

A single-center, open-label, single-arm, 24-week study was performed to evaluate perceived change in sexual dysfunction in MS patients treated with natalizumab. Adults with relapsing MS initiating natalizumab treatment and had a baseline level of sexual dysfunction were enrolled. The primary endpoint was change in the MS Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) score from baseline to week 24. Mean age of patients was 41 years, median disease duration was 7 years, and 73% of patients used at least one prior MS disease-modifying therapy.

Results

Natalizumab-treated patients experienced improvement in sexual dysfunction within the first 24 weeks of starting therapy, as demonstrated by the primary subscale of the MSISQ-19 questionnaire (–0.6976, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Given the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in MS patients and the significant impact it has on HRQoL, more research on this often overlooked symptom of MS could be very informative for patients that are deciding to initiate a new disease modifying therapy.
Essential task or meaningless burden? Nurses’ perceptions of the value of documentation
Authors: Olivares Bøgeskov Benjamín , Grimshaw-Aagaard Søsserr Lone Smilla
Published: June 2018

Given the substantial increase in the documentation required of nurses in recent years, this article explores nurses’ perceptions of the value of documentation, and, subsequently, attempts to explain a puzzling tendency, whereby some nurses attach little value to arguably useful forms of documentation. We use data gathered from individual interviews with nursing leaders and focus-group interviews with frontline nurses at two wards in a Danish hospital. Our thematic analysis shows that nurses are divided between a positive view of documentation as something essential, and a negative one of it being a meaningless burden that distracts nurses from their ‘real’ work, contradicts their professional identity, and does not benefit the patient. However, except for some cases where the same information is registered twice (‘double registration’), we find no objective criteria for determining which types of documentation are perceived positively or negatively, as even arguably useful types are sometimes considered meaningless. We interpret this as being because of conflicting concepts of value: utility vs meaning. Using an existential theory of meaning, we argue that documentation’s practical utility alone is not sufficient to provide meaning. We thus suggest the need for finding a balance between: a) adjusting documentation requirements, b) adapting the nursing profession, and c) changing nurses’ perceptions of the value of documentation.
Determinants of Workplace Injuries and Violence Among Newly Licensed RNs
Authors: Unruh Lynn , Asi Yara
Published: June 2018

Workplace injuries, such as musculoskeletal injuries, needlestick injuries, and emotional and physical violence, remain an issue in U.S. hospitals. To develop meaningful safety programs, it is important to identify workplace factors that contribute to injuries. This study explored factors that affect injuries in a sample of newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) in Florida. Regressions were run on models in which the dependent variable was the degree to which the respondent had experienced needlesticks, work-related musculoskeletal injuries, cuts or lacerations, contusions, verbal violence, physical violence, and other occupational injuries. A higher probability of these injuries was associated with greater length of employment, working evening or night shifts, working overtime, and reporting job difficulties and pressures. A lower probability was associated with working in a teaching hospital and working more hours. Study findings suggest that work environment issues must be addressed for safety programs to be effective.
Epidemiology of Recurrent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Sports: The Injury Surveillance Program, 2004-2014
Authors: Gans Itai , Retzky Julia S. , Jones Lynne C. , Tanaka Miho J.
Published: June 2018

Background:

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a serious injury that can be career-ending in collegiate athletics. A rerupture after primary ACL reconstruction occurs in 1% to 11% of all athletes.

Purpose:

To describe the epidemiology of recurrent ACL ruptures in the 25 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (ISP) and to identify and compare sport-specific risk factors for a recurrent ACL rupture.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Athletes who experienced a primary or recurrent ACL rupture between 2004 and 2014 were identified using data from the NCAA ISP. ACL ruptures occurred in 12 of 25 sports during the study period. We assessed the rates and patterns of primary and recurrent ACL ruptures and reported them as events per 10,000 athlete-exposures (AEs). Sex-comparable sports were compared using rate ratios. Rupture rates were compared using odds ratios, with P values <.05 indicating significance. Regular-season and postseason data were combined because of low counts of postseason events.

Results:

Of 350,416 AEs, there were 1105 ACL ruptures, 126 of which were recurrent. The highest rates of recurrent ACL ruptures (per 10,000 AEs) were among male football players (15), female gymnasts (8.2), and female soccer players (5.2). Of sports played by athletes of both sexes, women’s soccer had a significantly higher rate of recurrent ACL ruptures than men’s soccer (rate ratio, 3.8 [95% CI, 1.3-15]). Among all sports, men had a significantly higher rate of recurrent ACL ruptures (4.3) than women (3.0) ( P = .04). Overall, the ratio of recurrent to primary ACL ruptures decreased over the 10-year study period. Both women and men had a decreasing trend of recurrent to primary ACL ruptures, although women had a steeper decrease.

Conclusion:

These data can help identify athletes who are most at risk of recurrent ACL ruptures after ACL reconstruction and who may benefit from injury prevention programs.
Congenital macrothrombocytopenia with focal myelofibrosis due to mutations in human G6b-B is rescued in humanized mice
Authors: Hofmann Inga , Geer Mitchell J. , Vögtle Timo , Crispin Andrew , Campagna Dean R. , Barr Alastair , Calicchio Monica L. , Heising Silke , van Geffen Johanna P. , Kuijpers Marijke J. E. , Heemskerk Johan W. M. , Eble Johannes A. , Schmitz-Abe Klaus , Obeng Esther A. , Douglas Michael , Freson Kathleen , Pondarré Corinne , Favier Rémi , Jarvis Gavin E. , Markianos Kyriacos , Turro Ernest , Ouwehand Willem H. , Mazharian Alexandra , Fleming Mark D. , Senis Yotis A.
Published: June 2018

Key Points

Autosomal recessive loss-of-function mutations in G6b-B (MPIG6B) cause congenital macrothrombocytopenia with focal myelofibrosis. G6b-B has orthologous physiological functions in human and mice regulating megakaryocyte and platelet production and function.
Blood group ABO gene–encoded A transferase catalyzes the biosynthesis of FORS1 antigen of FORS system upon Met69Thr/Ser substitution
Authors: Cid Emili , Yamamoto Miyako , Yamamoto Fumiichiro
Published: June 2018

Key Points

Met69Thr/Ser substitutions conferred blood group A glycosyltransferase with weak FS activity to produce FORS1 antigen of the FORS system. Met69Thr and LeuGlyGly266-268GlyGlyAla substitutions synergistically increase the acquired FS activity of A glycosyltransferase.
Spontaneous reversion of a lineage switch following an initial blinatumomab-induced ALL-to-AML switch in MLL-rearranged infant ALL
Authors: Wölfl Matthias , Rasche Mareike , Eyrich Matthias , Schmid Renate , Reinhardt Dirk , Schlegel Paul G.
Published: June 2018

Key Points

A case of MLL-rearranged leukemia that rapidly adapts to immunological stimuli illustrating the high plasticity of this phenotype.
Should I stay or should I go? COPD and air travel
Authors: Ergan Begum , Akgun Metin , Pacilli Angela Maria Grazia , Nava Stefano
Published: June 2018

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a challenging respiratory problem throughout the world. Although survival is prolonged with new therapies and better management, the magnitude of the burden resulting from moderate-to-severe disease is increasing. One of the major aims of the disease management is to try to break the vicious cycle of patients being homebound and to promote an active lifestyle. A fundamental component of active daily life is, of course, travelling. Today, the world is getting smaller with the option of travelling by air. Air travel is usually the most preferred choice as it is easy, time saving, and relatively inexpensive. Although it is a safe choice for many passengers, the environment inside the aeroplane may sometimes have adverse effects on health. Hypobaric hypoxaemia due to cabin altitude may cause health risks in COPD patients who have limited cardiopulmonary reserve. Addressing the potential risks of air travel, promoting proactive strategies including pre-flight assessment, and education of COPD patients about the “fitness to fly” concept are essential. Thus, in this narrative review, we evaluated the current evidence for potential risks of air travel in COPD and tried to give a perspective for how to plan safe air travel for COPD patients.
Synthesis of a gadolinium based-macrocyclic MRI contrast agent for effective cancer diagnosis
Authors: Jeong Yohan , Na Kun
Published: June 2018

Background

Gadolinium-based contrast agents are widely used as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. Since gadolinium ions are toxic, many chelators are developed to bind gadolinium ions to prevent free gadolinium-associated disease. However, many reports indicated that linear chelator-based contrast agents are associated with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with low kidney function. Therefore, the demand for stable macrocyclic chelator-based contrast agent is now increasing.

Method

1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate (DOTA) was conjugated to lactobionic acid (LBA) through DCC-NHS coupling reaction. Gd
3+
(gadolinium ion) was chelated to 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate-lactobionic acid (DOTA-LAE) and free Gd
3+
was removed using a cation exchange column. In vitro cytotoxicity of contrast agent towards normal cells was measured using MTT assay. For in vivo MR imaging, contrast agents were intravenously injected to tumor-bearing mice and imaged by a MR imaging scanner.

Results

This new macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent showed enhanced in vitro paramagnetic properties compared to Gadovist. In addition, Gd-DOTA-LAE showed a 29% increased contrast enhancement of tumor tissue compared to normal tissue within 20 min past IV injection.

Conclusions

We developed a new macrocyclic T1-weighted MR contrast agent. This new contrast agent offers various opportunities for cancer detection and diagnosis.
Assessment of outcome measures for cost–utility analysis in depression: mapping depression scales onto the EQ-5D-5L
Authors: Gamst-Klaussen Thor , Lamu Admassu N. , Chen Gang , Olsen Jan Abel
Published: June 2018

Background

Many clinical studies including mental health interventions do not use a health state utility instrument, which is essential for producing quality-adjusted life years. In the absence of such utility instrument, mapping algorithms can be applied to estimate utilities from a disease-specific instrument.

Aims

We aim to develop mapping algorithms from two widely used depression scales; the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), onto the most widely used health state utility instrument, the EQ-5D-5L, using eight country-specific value sets.

Method

A total of 917 respondents with self-reported depression were recruited to describe their health on the DASS-21 and the K-10 as well as the new five-level version of the EQ-5D, referred to as the EQ-5D-5L. Six regression models were used: ordinary least squares regression, generalised linear models, beta binomial regression, fractional logistic regression model, MM-estimation and censored least absolute deviation. Root mean square error, mean absolute error and r2 were used as model performance criteria to select the optimal mapping function for each country-specific value set.

Results

Fractional logistic regression model was generally preferred in predicting EQ-5D-5L utilities from both DASS-21 and K-10. The only exception was the Japanese value set, where the beta binomial regression performed best.

Conclusions

Mapping algorithms can adequately predict EQ-5D-5L utilities from scores on DASS-21 and K-10. This enables disease-specific data from clinical trials to be applied for estimating outcomes in terms of quality-adjusted life years for use in economic evaluations.

Declaration of interest

None.
Transcriptional Subtyping and CD8 Immunohistochemistry Identifies Patients With Stage II and III Colorectal Cancer With Poor Prognosis Who Benefit From Adjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Allen Wendy L. , Dunne Philip D. , McDade Simon , Scanlon Enya , Loughrey Maurice , Coleman Helen G. , McCann Christopher , McLaughlin Kristy , Nemeth Zsuzsanna , Syed Najeeb Ashraf , Jithesh Puthen Veettil , Arthur Ken , Wilson Richard , Coyle Vicky M. , McArt Darragh , Murray Graeme I. , Samuel Leslie , Nuciforo Paolo , Jimenez Jose , Argiles Guillem , Dienstmann Rodrigo , Tabernero Josef , Picariello Lucia , Messerini Luca , Nobili Stefania , Mini Enrico , Sheahan Kieran , Ryan Elizabeth , Johnston Patrick G. , Van Schaeybroeck Sandra , Lawler Mark , Longley Daniel B.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Transcriptomic profiling of colorectal cancer (CRC) has led to the identification of four consensus molecular subtypes (CMS1 to 4) that have prognostic value in stage II and III disease. More recently, the Colorectal Cancer Intrinsic Subtypes (CRIS) classification system has helped to define the biology specific to the epithelial component of colorectal tumors; however, the clinical value of these classification systems in the prediction of response to standard-of-care adjuvant chemotherapy remains unknown.

Patients and Methods

Using samples from four European sites, we assembled a novel cohort of patients with stage II and III CRC (n = 156 samples) and performed transcriptomic profiling and targeted sequencing and generated a tissue microarray to enable integrated multiomics analyses. We also accessed data from two published cohorts of patients with stage II and III CRC: GSE39582 and GSE14333 (n = 479 and n = 185 samples, respectively).

Results

The epithelial-rich CMS2 subtype of CRC benefitted significantly from treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy in both stage II and III disease ( P = .02 and P < .001, respectively), whereas the CMS3 subtype significantly benefitted in stage III only ( P = .001). After CRIS substratification of CMS2, we observed that only the CRIS-C subtype significantly benefitted from treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II and III disease ( P = .0081 and P < .001, respectively), whereas the CRIS-D subtype significantly benefitted in stage III only ( P = .0034). We also observed that CRIS-C patients with low levels of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were most at risk for relapse in both stage II and III disease (log-rank P = .0031; hazard ratio, 12.18 [95% CI, 1.51 to 98.58]).

Conclusion

Patient stratification using a combination of transcriptional subtyping and CD8 immunohistochemistry analyses is capable of identifying patients with poor prognostic stage II and III disease who benefit from adjuvant standard-of-care chemotherapy. These findings are particularly relevant for patients with stage II disease, where the overall benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy is marginal.
Intracellular biosynthesis of lipids and cholesterol by Scap and Insig in mesenchymal cells regulates long bone growth and chondrocyte homeostasis
Authors: Tsushima Hidetoshi , Tang Yuning. J. , Puviindran Vijitha , Hsu Shu-Hsuan Claire , Nadesan Puviindran , Yu Chunying , Zhang Hongyuan , Mirando Anthony J. , Hilton Matthew J. , Alman Benjamin A.
Published: June 2018

During enchondral ossification, mesenchymal cells express genes regulating the intracellular biosynthesis of cholesterol and lipids. Here we investigated conditional deletion of Scap or Insig1 and Insig2 (inhibits or activates intracellular biosynthesis respectively). Mesenchymal condensation and chondrogenesis was disrupted in mice lacking Scap in mesenchymal progenitors, while mice lacking the Insig genes in mesenchymal progenitors had short limbs, but normal chondrogenesis. Mice lacking Scap in chondrocytes showed severe dwarfism, with ectopic hypertrophic cells, while deletion of Insig genes in chondrocytes caused a mild dwarfism and shorting of the hypertrophic zone. In-vitro studies showed that intracellular cholesterol in chondrocytes can derive from exogenous and endogenous sources, but that exogenous sources cannot completely overcome the phenotypic effect of Scap deficiency. Genes encoding cholesterol biosynthetic proteins are regulated by Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, and Hh signaling is also regulated by intracellular cholesterol in chondrocytes, suggesting a feedback loop in chondrocyte differentiation. Precise regulation of intracellular biosynthesis is required for chondrocyte homeostasis and long bone growth, and this data supports pharmacologic modulation of cholesterol biosynthesis as a therapy for select cartilage pathologies.
Acumulação de capacidades tecnológicas, inovação e competitividade industrial: alguns resultados para indústrias selecionadas relacionadas a recursos naturais no Brasil
Authors: Pinheiro Maurício Canêdo , Figueiredo Paulo N. , Cabral Bernardo Pereira , Silva Felipe Queiroz , Perin Fernanda Steiner , Wegner Rubia Cristina
Published: June 2018

O desenvolvimento industrial e tecnológico é um dos fatores decisivos para que os países avancem para a categoria de alta renda per capita. Não se trata de uma panaceia, mas a história ensina que nações que se desenvolveram industrialmente, por meio da Acumulação de Capa­cidades Tecnológicas (ACT) para inovação, também obtiveram significativo desenvolvimento socioeconômico. Tornaram-se países de alta renda, transformaram-se em líderes no mercado global e em fornecedores de tecnologia para vários tipos de indústria. Nesse sentido, este documento é parte integrante de um projeto de pesquisa mais amplo sobre o tema da acumulação de capacidades tecnológicas e competitividade industrial no Brasil. O projeto examinou cinco indústrias relacionadas a recursos naturais – mineração, papel e celu­lose, petróleo e gás, siderurgia e sucroenergética.
Probing Plasmodium falciparum sexual commitment at the single-cell level
Authors: Brancucci Nicolas M.B. , De Niz Mariana , Straub Timothy J. , Ravel Deepali , Sollelis Lauriane , Birren Bruce W. , Voss Till S. , Neafsey Daniel E. , Marti Matthias
Published: June 2018

Background: Malaria parasites go through major transitions during their complex life cycle, yet the underlying differentiation pathways remain obscure. Here we apply single cell transcriptomics to unravel the program inducing sexual differentiation in Plasmodium falciparum. Parasites have to make this essential life-cycle decision in preparation for human-to-mosquito transmission.

Methods: By combining transcriptional profiling with quantitative imaging and genetics, we defined a transcriptional signature in sexually committed cells.

Results: We found this transcriptional signature to be distinct from general changes in parasite metabolism that can be observed in response to commitment-inducing conditions.

Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study provides a template to capture transcriptional diversity in parasite populations containing complex mixtures of different life-cycle stages and developmental programs, with important implications for our understanding of parasite biology and the ongoing malaria elimination campaign.
Psychological characteristics of the activities of private military companies
Authors: Петров Владислав , Petrov Vladislav
Published: June 2018

The article is devoted to the analysis of psychological characteristics of private military companies. The phenomena "private military company" and "mercenary" are considered. The Genesis of mercenary activity in the military sphere is investigated. Systematized main modern function of hired troops, as well as the psychological characteristics of mercenarism. The limitations of scientific researches in the field of psychology of activity of private military companies are shown. The author substantiates the thesis that the mercenary is permeated with psychological problems. To improve the military-professional activity of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation the author substantiates the need to develop a wide range of scientific and applied issues, such as the personality of mercenaries, the system of motivating the activities of mercenaries, the specifics of interpersonal relations among mercenaries, etc. the Study of psychological aspects of mercenaries will create additional advantages of domestic military psychology, as well as improve psychological work with the military.
On the question of the professional work in the sphere of modern education
Authors: Сумина Екатерина , Sumina Ekaterina , Боева Ольга , Boeva Ol'ga
Published: June 2018

In this article, the authors consider the role of professional orientation in the formation of cadres for training and subsequent service in the bodies of internal affairs of the Russian Federation. The main problems connected with the fastening of the personnel in the service in the ATS after the receipt of the profile education are revealed. The reasons for the outflow of young employees in the first years of service are analyzed. In the development of the topic, the authors show the interrelationship of career-orientation activity with the training of a professional employee of the internal affairs bodies that meets the modern requirements of the state and society.
To the Question of Comparison of Objective and Subjective Estimations of the Region's Security with Objects of Social Infrastructure
Authors: Сычева И. , Sycheva I. , Сычева Н. , Sycheva N.
Published: June 2018

The aim of the work was to demonstrate the possibility of forming a strategy of innovative development of the region that could accelerate the transition of the regional economy to the dominance of new technological structures. By constructing econometric models of economic dynamics, the timelines for starting the pre-mining of the fifth mode in the economy of the Tula region are estimated. The strategy of accelerating the innovative development of the region’s economy are described. The strategy is based on the program-target approach, reflected in the state program of industrial development in the Tula region. The effectiveness of the program is shown.
Milk Production Project As an Effective Factor of Diversification in a Rice-Growing Enterprise
Authors: Бурейко И. , Bureyko I. , Чумакова Н. , Chumakova N. , Сафиулина Е. , Safiulina E.
Published: June 2018

The article highlights the ways to increase the efficiency of a rice growing enterprise. In this aspect, forms of production diversification are considered to reduce production, environmental and financial risks. An investment project for the production of milk has been developed and proposed for implementation to increase the efficiency of the functioning of a specialized rice-growing enterprise.
Workflow management in radiation oncology: the impact on a high volume department
Authors: Miriyala Raviteja , Thakur Pragyat , Singh Arun O , Gupta Ankita , Yadav Budhi S , Kumar Narendra , Rattan Rajit , Ghoshal Sushmita
Published: June 2018

Objective:

Integration of treatment planning and delivery is paramount for efficient functioning of radiotherapy departments. Workflow management software is a tool available for effective resource management in radiotherapy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of workflow-management on work-efficiency and organisational ergonomics in a high volume department.

Methods:

Before implementing the workflow management software (Aria v 11.0™), paper documentation was the predominant mode of communication between physicians and physicists in our department. Case records of patients treated with conformal radiation in the two-month period before and after implementation of workflow management were retrospectively evaluated. Proportion of cases for which treatment was started on the day of appointment was taken as a surrogate for work-efficiency.

Results:

Of the 343 cases analysed, 190 were treated before implementation of workflow-management, while 153 were treated after. Workflow management has improved overall efficiency from 67%–79%.

Conclusion:

Implementation of workflow management resulted in significant improvement in efficiency and organisational ergonomics.
Iodine deficiency: Britain's hidden nutrition crisis
Authors: Patience Sara
Published: June 2018

Sara Patience provides important information on this important mineral and how to get more of it
Nine priorities for health and social care regulation
Authors: Frankova Helena
Published: June 2018

As the Care Quality Commission progresses through its five-year strategy, what are its business plans for this year? Helena Frankova investigates