bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shading, lines, colors: mapping ethnographic taxonomies of European Russia
Authors: Gibson Catherine
Published: January 2018

This article explores the role of maps in the construction and development of ethnographic taxonomies in the mid-century Russian Empire. A close reading of two ethnographic maps of “European Russia” produced by members of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society, Petr Keppen (1851) and Aleksander Rittikh (1875), is used to shine a spotlight on the cartographical methods and techniques (lines, shading, color, hatching, legends, text, etc.) employed to depict, construct, and communicate these taxonomies. In doing so, this article draws our attention to how maps impacted visual and spatial thinking about the categories of ethnicity and nationality, and their application to specific contexts and political purposes within the Empire. Through an examination of Keppen's and Rittikh's maps, this article addresses the broader question of why cartography came to be regarded as such a powerful medium through which to communicate and consolidate particular visions of an ethnographic landscape.
New molecular features of cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata, l. Walp) β-vignin
Authors: de Souza Ferreira Ederlan , Capraro Jessica , Sessa Fabio , Magni Chiara , Demonte Aureluce , Consonni Alessandro , Augusto Neves Valdir , Maffud Cilli Eduardo , Duranti Marcello , Scarafoni Alessio
Published: January 2018

Cowpea seed β-vignin, a vicilin-like globulin, proved to exert various health favourable effects, including blood cholesterol reduction in animal models. The need of a simple scalable enrichment procedure for further studies for tailored applications of this seed protein is crucial. A chromatography-independent fractionation method allowing to obtain a protein preparation with a high degree of homogeneity was used. Further purification was pursued to deep the molecular characterisation of β-vignin. The results showed: (i) differing glycosylation patterns of the two constituent polypeptides, in agreement with amino acid sequence features; (ii) the seed accumulation of a gene product never identified before; (iii) metal binding capacity of native protein, a property observed only in few other legume seed vicilins.
Heart versus head: Differential bodily feedback causally alters economic decision-making
Authors: Powell Philip A , Puustinen-Hopper Kaisa , Jode Martin de , Mavros Panagiotis , Roberts Jennifer
Published: January 2018

Metaphorically, altruistic acts, such as monetary donations, are said to be driven by the heart, whereas sound financial investments are guided by reason, embodied by the head. In a unique experiment, we tested the effects of these bodily metaphors using biofeedback and an incentivized economic decision-making paradigm. Participants played a repeated investment game with a simulated partner, alternating between tactical investor and altruistic investee. When making decisions, participants received counterbalanced visual feedback from their own or a simulated partner’s heart or head, as well as no feedback. As investor, participants transferred a greater proportion of their endowments when exposed to visual feedback from their own head than to feedback from their own heart or no feedback at all. These effects were not observed when the source of the feedback was the simulated partner. As investee, heart feedback predicted greater altruistic returns than head or no feedback, but this effect did not differ based on source (own vs partner). Consistent with a dual-process framework, we suggest that people may be encouraged to invest more or be more altruistic when receiving bodily feedback from conceptually diametric sources.
Cbfβ2 controls differentiation of and confers homing capacity to prethymic progenitors
Authors: Tenno Mari , Kojo Satoshi , Lawir Divine-Fondzenyuy , Hess Isabell , Shiroguchi Katsuyuki , Ebihara Takashi , Endo Takaho A. , Muroi Sawako , Satoh Rumi , Kawamoto Hiroshi , Boehm Thomas , Taniuchi Ichiro
Published: January 2018

Multipotent hematopoietic progenitors must acquire thymus-homing capacity to initiate T lymphocyte development. Despite its importance, the transcriptional program underlying this process remains elusive. Cbfβ forms transcription factor complexes with Runx proteins, and here we show that Cbfβ2, encoded by an RNA splice variant of the Cbfb gene, is essential for extrathymic differentiation of T cell progenitors. Furthermore, Cbfβ2 endows extrathymic progenitors with thymus-homing capacity by inducing expression of the principal thymus-homing receptor, Ccr9. This occurs via direct binding of Cbfβ2 to cell type–specific enhancers, as is observed in Rorγt induction during differentiation of lymphoid tissue inducer cells by activation of an intronic enhancer. As in mice, an alternative splicing event in zebrafish generates a Cbfβ2-specific mRNA, important for ccr9 expression. Thus, despite phylogenetically and ontogenetically variable sites of origin of T cell progenitors, their robust thymus-homing capacity is ensured by an evolutionarily conserved mechanism emerging from functional diversification of Runx transcription factor complexes by acquisition of a novel splice variant.
Enhancing Smoking Risk Communications: The Influence of Health Literacy and Message Content
Authors: Hoover Diana Stewart , Wetter David W , Vidrine Damon J , Nguyen Nga , Frank Summer G , Li Yisheng , Waters Andrew J , Meade Cathy D , Vidrine Jennifer I
Published: January 2018

Background

Efforts are needed to ensure that smokers with lower health literacy are provided with understandable and impactful information about the health consequences of smoking and benefits of quitting.

Purpose

To test the influence of health literacy on smokers’ responses to health risk messages manipulated on framing (gain vs. loss) and emotionality (factual vs. emotional).

Methods

Participants (N = 402) were randomized to evaluate one of four sets of smoking risk messages (factual gain-framed, factual loss-framed, emotional gain-framed, or emotional loss-framed). Multiple linear regressions examined main effects of health literacy, message emotionality, and message framing on: (a) risk perceptions, (b) behavioral expectations (i.e. cut down, limit, quit), and (c) risk knowledge. Two-way interactions of health literacy with emotionality and framing were examined for these outcomes. Analyses were based on theory-driven, a priori hypotheses.

Results

As hypothesized, main effects emerged such that smokers with higher health literacy reported stronger risk perceptions and knowledge retention regardless of message type. Additionally, emotional (vs. factual) and gain- (vs. loss-) framed messages were associated with certain lower risk perceptions regardless of health literacy level. Consistent with hypotheses, two-way crossover interactions emerged between health literacy and emotionality. Among smokers with higher health literacy, factual messages produced higher perceived risk and stronger expectations for quitting. Among smokers with lower health literacy, emotional messages produced higher perceived risk and stronger expectations for quitting.

Conclusions

Health literacy plays an important role in influencing how smokers respond to different risk messages. One’s health literacy should be considered when determining whether risk communications emphasize factual or emotional content.
The Effect of Low-Dose Naltrexone on Medication in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Quasi Experimental Before-and-After Prescription Database Study
Authors: Raknes Guttorm , Simonsen Pia , Småbrekke Lars
Published: January 2018

Background and Aims

Low-dose naltrexone [LDN] is a controversial off-label treatment used by many Crohn’s disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] patients. A small number of preliminary studies indicate that LDN might be beneficial in CD, but evidence is too scarce to demonstrate efficacy. We sought to examine whether initiation of LDN therapy by patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] was followed by changes in dispensing of relevant medication.

Methods

We performed a quasi-experimental before-and-after study following a sudden increase in LDN use in the Norwegian population in 2013. IBD patients were identified from among all the patients who had at least one LDN prescription recorded in the Norwegian Prescription Database [NorPD] in 2013. Drug dispensing 2 years before and after the first LDN prescription was compared.

Results

We identified 582 IBD patients who had received LDN. Of the 256 patients who became persistent LDN users, there were reductions in the number of users for [i] all examined drugs [–12%], [ii] intestinal anti-inflammatory agents [–17%], [iii] other immunosuppressants [–29%], [iv] intestinal corticosteroids [–32%] and [v] aminosalicylates [–17%]. In subgroups of identified CD and UC patients, there were significant reductions in the number of users of intestinal corticosteroids [CD: –44%, UC: –53%] and systemic corticosteroids [UC: –24%]. No significant differences in cumulative defined daily doses were observed.

Conclusions

Our findings imply that the initiation of LDN in IBD is followed by reduced dispensing of several drugs considered essential in the treatment of CD and UC.
Implementing pharmacogenomics decision support across seven European countries: The Ubiquitous Pharmacogenomics (U-PGx) project
Authors: Blagec Kathrin , Koopmann Rudolf , Crommentuijn – van Rhenen Mandy , Holsappel Inge , van der Wouden Cathelijne H , Konta Lidija , Xu Hong , Steinberger Daniela , Just Enrico , Swen Jesse J , Guchelaar Henk-Jan , Samwald Matthias
Published: January 2018

Clinical pharmacogenomics (PGx) has the potential to make pharmacotherapy safer and more effective by utilizing genetic patient data for drug dosing and selection. However, widespread adoption of PGx depends on its successful integration into routine clinical care through clinical decision support tools, which is often hampered by insufficient or fragmented infrastructures. This paper describes the setup and implementation of a unique multimodal, multilingual clinical decision support intervention consisting of digital, paper-, and mobile-based tools that are deployed across implementation sites in seven European countries participating in the Ubiquitous PGx (U-PGx) project.
Early Results in Flow Diverter Sizing by Computational Simulation: Quantification of Size Change and Simulation Error Assessment
Authors: Narata Ana Paula , Blasco Jordi , Roman Luis San , Macho Juan Miguel , Fernandez Hector , Moyano Raquel Kale , Winzenrieth Renaud , Larrabide Ignacio
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Sizing of flow diverters (FDs) stent in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms is a challenging task due to the change of stent length after implantation.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the size change and assess the error in length prediction in 82 simulated FD deployments.

METHODS

Eighty-two consecutive patients treated with FDs were retrospectively analyzed. Implanted FD length was measured from angiographic images and compared to the nominal sizes of the implanted device. Length change was obtained by subtracting the nominal length from the real length and dividing by the nominal length. Implanted devices were simulated on 3-dimensional models of each patient. Simulation error was obtained by subtracting real length from simulated length and dividing by the real length of the FD. Subanalysis was done using ANOVA. Statistical significance was set to P < .05, and bootstrap resampling was used.

RESULTS

When assessing the length change of the FD after implantation, changes of 30% in average and up to 80% with reference to the nominal length of the device were observed. The simulation results showed a lower error of 3.52% in average with a maximum of 30%. Paired t-test showed nonsignificant differences between measured and real length (P = .07, with the mean of differences at 0.45 mm, 95% confidence interval [−0.950 0.038]).

CONCLUSION

Nominal length is not an accurate sizing metric when choosing the size of an FD irrespective of the brand and manufacturer. Good estimation of the final length of the stent after deployment as expressed by an error of 3.5% in average.
Impact of a Novel Multiparameter Decision Support System on Intraoperative Processes of Care and Postoperative Outcomes
Authors: Kheterpal Sachin , Shanks Amy , Tremper Kevin K.
Published: January 2018

Background

The authors hypothesized that a multiparameter intraoperative decision support system with real-time visualizations may improve processes of care and outcomes.

Methods

Electronic health record data were retrospectively compared over a 6-yr period across three groups: experimental cases, in which the decision support system was used for 75% or more of the case at sole discretion of the providers; parallel controls (system used 74% or less); and historical controls before system implementation. Inclusion criteria were adults under general anesthesia, advanced medical disease, case duration of 60 min or longer, and length of stay of two days or more. The process measures were avoidance of intraoperative hypotension, ventilator tidal volume greater than 10 ml/kg, and crystalloid administration (ml · kg–1 · h–1). The secondary outcome measures were myocardial injury, acute kidney injury, mortality, length of hospital stay, and encounter charges.

Results

A total of 26,769 patients were evaluated: 7,954 experimental cases, 10,933 parallel controls, and 7,882 historical controls. Comparing experimental cases to parallel controls with propensity score adjustment, the data demonstrated the following medians, interquartile ranges, and effect sizes: hypotension 1 (0 to 5) versus 1 (0 to 5) min, P < 0.001, beta = –0.19; crystalloid administration 5.88 ml · kg–1 · h–1 (4.18 to 8.18) versus 6.17 (4.32 to 8.79), P < 0.001, beta = –0.03; tidal volume greater than 10 ml/kg 28% versus 37%, P < 0.001, adjusted odds ratio 0.65 (0.53 to 0.80); encounter charges $65,770 ($41,237 to $123,869) versus $69,373 ($42,101 to $132,817), P < 0.001, beta = –0.003. The secondary clinical outcome measures were not significantly affected.

Conclusions

The use of an intraoperative decision support system was associated with improved process measures, but not postoperative clinical outcomes.
PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PACHYDRUSEN IN POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY
Authors: Lee Junwon , Byeon Suk Ho
Published: January 2018

Purpose:

To investigate the prevalence of a newly defined drusen type, pachydrusen, soft drusen, and subretinal drusenoid deposits in eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and fellow eyes and the relationship between each drusen type and the choroidal thickness, vascular morphology, and hyperpermeability.

Methods:

The 169 eyes of 90 patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence of each drusen type was evaluated using color fundus photography and optical coherence tomography. The choroidal thickness and presence of pachyvessels on optical coherence tomography and choroidal vascular hyperpermeability on indocyanine green angiography were compared among the drusen groups.

Results:

Pachydrusen, soft drusen, and subretinal drusenoid deposits were found in 49.3%, 12.3%, and 6.9% in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy eyes. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness of the pachydrusen, soft drusen, and subretinal drusenoid deposit groups was 403.1, 184.4, and 176.4 µm. The pachydrusen group showed significantly thicker choroid than the others. The choroidal hyperpermeability was noticed at 41.7%, 0%, and 0% and the pachyvessel was observed at 80.6%, 44.4%, and 40% in pachydrusen, soft drusen, and subretinal drusenoid deposit groups, respectively.

Conclusion:

In patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, pachydrusen was prevalent and associated with thicker choroid. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy with pachydrusen was highly associated with choroidal vascular hyperpremeability and pachyvessel morphology than other types of drusen.
Assessment of Clinical Trials for Devices Intended to Control Myopia Progression in Children
Authors: Robboy Marc W. , Hilmantel Gene , Tarver Michelle E. , Eydelman Malvina B.
Published: January 2018

The increased prevalence of myopia in the United States and other regions of the world, and the sight-threatening problems associated with higher levels of myopia have led to great interest in research designed to reduce these rates. As most of the progression of myopia occurs in childhood, these investigations have been directed toward slowing the progression of myopia in children. Treatments described to potentially slow the progression of myopia have included pharmacological interventions, multifocal spectacles, and multifocal correction created by contact lenses. Although some contact lens clinical trials have demonstrated promising results in slowing the progression of myopia, many of these studies have significant limitations, including only short follow-up times, limited randomization, and incomplete masking. Such limitations have underscored the need to develop a more robust clinical study design, so that future studies can demonstrate whether contact lenses, as well as other medical devices, can be used in a safe and effective manner to control myopia progression. We review previous key studies and discuss study design and regulatory issues relevant to future clinical trials.
Intra- and Interexaminer Variability of Two Separate Video Head Impulse Test Systems Assessing All Six Semicircular Canals
Authors: Abrahamsen Emil Riis , Christensen Ann-Eva , Hougaard Dan Dupont
Published: January 2018

Objective:

To evaluate intra- and interexaminer variability of the video Head Impulse Test (v-HIT) when assessing all six semicircular canals (SCCs) of two separate v-HIT systems.

Study Design:

Prospective study.

Setting:

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark.

Patients:

One hundred twenty healthy subjects.

Intervention:

Four separate tests of all six SCCs with either system A or system B. Two examiners tested all subjects twice. Pretest randomization included type of v-HIT system, order of paired SCC testing, as well as initial examiner.

Main Outcome Measure: Gain values and the presence of pathological saccades were registered. Ninety-five percent limits of agreement (LOAs) were calculated for both intra- and interexaminer variability. Adding or subtracting the value from the mean difference achieves the upper and lower bound LOA. Ninety-five percent of the differences lie within these limits.

Results:

Interexaminer reliability: System A: LOAs between 0.13 and 0.24 for the horizontal SCCs and between 0.42 and 0.74 for the vertical SCCs. System B: LOAs between 0.09 and 0.13 for the horizontal SCCs and between 0.13 and 0.20 for the vertical SCCs. Intraexaminer reliability: System A: LOAs were 0.19 and 0.14 for the horizontal SCCs and varied from 0.43 to 0.53 for the vertical SCCs. System B: LOAs were 0.14 for the horizontal SCCs and varied from 0.13 to 0.22 for the vertical SCCs.

Conclusion:

Horizontal SCC testing: both v-HIT systems displayed good intra- and interexaminer variability. Vertical SCC testing: System B displayed good intra- and interexaminer variability whereas the opposite was true with system A.
Outcome Measures for Baro-Challenge-Induced Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tailor Bhavesh V. , Smith Matthew E. , Hutchinson Peter J. A. , Tysome James R.
Published: January 2018

Objectives:

Baro-challenge-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction (baro-induced ETD) is characterized by failure of the Eustachian tube (ET) to open adequately to permit middle-ear pressure regulation during ambient pressure changes. There are no well-characterized tests for identifying the condition, which makes both patient diagnosis and research into treatment efficacy challenging. This systematic review evaluates ET function tests as potential outcome measures for baro-induced ETD.

Data Sources:

MEDLINE and CENTRAL were searched (database inception to March 2017) and reference lists reviewed for all relevant English Language articles.

Study Selection:

Tests in included studies were required to measure ET function in patients reporting baro-induced ear symptoms or barotrauma.

Data Extraction:

Data were extracted in a standardized manner, and studies assessed according to Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) criteria. The primary outcome of interest was the accuracy of ET function tests.

Data Synthesis:

Heterogeneity of subject demographics, ET function test methodology, and reference standards only permitted narrative systematic review.

Conclusion:

Sixteen studies involving seven different types of ET function tests were identified. The nine-step test was the most commonly used outcome measure, with overall test sensitivity and specificity ranges of 37 to 100% and 57 to 100%, respectively. Tympanometry test sensitivity was consistently poor (0–50%) while specificity was higher (52–97%). Published accuracy data for other ET function tests and test combinations were limited. Currently, no single test can be recommended for use in clinical practice. A combination of the nine-step test with other objective tests or patient-reported measures appears most promising as a core set of outcome measures for baro-induced ETD.
Preservation of Cells of the Organ of Corti and Innervating Dendritic Processes Following Cochlear Implantation in the Human: An Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Kamakura Takefumi , O’Malley Jennifer T. , Nadol Joseph B.
Published: January 2018

Hypothesis:

This study evaluates the degree of preservation of hair cells, supporting cells, and innervating dendritic processes after cochlear implantation in the human using immunohistochemical methods.

Background:

Surgical insertion of a cochlear implant electrode induces various pathologic changes within the cochlea including insertional trauma, foreign body response, inflammation, fibrosis, and neo-osteogenesis. These changes may result in loss of residual acoustic hearing, adversely affecting the use of hybrid implants, and may result in loss of putative precursor cells, limiting the success of future regenerative protocols.

Methods:

Twenty-eight celloidin-embedded temporal bones from 14 patients with bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and unilateral cochlear implants were studied. Two sections including the modiolus or basal turn from each temporal bone were stained using antineurofilament, antimyosin-VIIa, and antitubulin antibodies in both the implanted and unimplanted ears.

Results:

Inner and outer hair cells: Immunoreactivity was reduced throughout the implanted cochlea and in the unimplanted cochlea with the exception of the apical turn.

Dendritic processes in the osseous spiral lamina: Immunoreactivity was significantly less along the electrode of the implanted cochlea than in the other segments.

Inner and outer pillars, inner and outer spiral bundles, and Deiters’ cells: Immunoreactivity was similar in the implanted and unimplanted cochleae.

Conclusion:

Insertion of a cochlear implant electrode may significantly affect the inner and outer hair cells both along and apical to the electrode, and dendritic processes in the osseous spiral lamina along the electrode. There was less effect on pillar cells, Deiters’ cells, and spiral bundles.
Audiologic Natural History of Small Volume Cochleovestibular Schwannomas in Neurofibromatosis Type 2
Authors: deTorres Alvin T. , Brewer Carmen C. , Zalewski Chris K. , King Kelly A. , Walker Robert , Scott Gretchen C. , Asthagiri Ashok R. , Chittiboina Prashant , Kim Hung Jeffrey
Published: January 2018

Objective:

To characterize the audiometric natural progression in patient-ears with small volume (<1,000 mm3), treatment-naïve cochleovestibular schwannomas (CVSs) in Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2).

Study Design:

Prospective, longitudinal cohort study.

Setting:

Quaternary medical research institute.

Patients:

One hundred eleven ears in 71 NF2 patients with small, treatment-naïve CVSs observed from July 2006 to July 2016.

Intervention:

Serial audiometric testing, including pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Outcome Measures:

Four-frequency pure tone average (4f-PTA) of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz and word recognition score (WRS) were recorded. Their changes were compared with MRI changes in CVS volume over time. Times to significant hearing loss (10 dB loss in 4f-PTA) and WRS based on 95% critical difference were measured.

Results:

Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation with baseline hearing level (4f-PTA) and internal auditory canal (IAC) tumor volume to annual hearing decrease rate (AHDR) (p = 0.003, p = 0.0004). Hearing level at baseline and tumor volume correlate with AHDR while tumor volume growth rate does not. Two-way analysis of variance found significant differences in AHDR, risk of significant hearing loss, and risk of critical difference in WRS based on baseline hearing level (abnormal or normal) and IAC tumor volume (greater or less than 200 mm3).

Conclusion:

Subjects with normal baseline hearing and small IAC tumor component had a low AHDR and low risk of significant hearing loss and may warrant conservative management while the presence of baseline hearing loss and large IAC volume resulted in higher ADHR and greater risk for further hearing loss and may benefit from early treatment interventions.
The Impact of the Transcanal Endoscopic Approach and Mastoid Preservation on Recurrence of Primary Acquired Attic Cholesteatoma
Authors: Presutti Livio , Anschuetz Lukas , Rubini Alessia , Ruberto Marco , Alicandri-Ciufelli Matteo , Dematte Marco , Caversaccio Marco , Marchioni Daniele
Published: January 2018

Objective:

We aim to investigate the factors associated with recurrent disease following surgery for primary acquired attic cholesteatoma. We hypothesize that minimal invasive, mucosal sparing operation techniques have beneficial effects on the outcome in terms of recurrence.

Study Design:

Retrospective study.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center.

Participants:

A total of 110 patients presenting with primary acquired attic cholesteatoma were enrolled in the study. Patients undergoing revision surgery or a canal wall down procedure, as well as patients with residual disease were excluded from the study.

Main Outcome Measures:

During follow-up recurrence was assessed and classified into normal, self-cleaning retraction pockets, or recurrent cholesteatoma requiring revision surgery.

Results:

We observed during follow-up statistically significant decrease (p = 0.036) in the occurrence of retraction pockets and recurrence in patients operated by the transcanal endoscopic approach (n = 55, 11% re-retraction, 9% recurrence) compared with those who underwent a canal wall up procedure (n = 55, 16% re-retraction, 22% recurrence). However, the multivariate model did not demonstrate statistically significant predictors regarding the outcome. Moreover, the preservation or direct reconstruction of the ossicular chain had a beneficial effect on the outcome. We observed 11% re-retraction and 9% recurrence in cases with preserved or reconstructed ossicular chain versus 18% re-retraction and 24% recurrence (p = 0.011) in cases of nonpreserved or non-reconstructed ossicular chain. A score was established according to the intraoperative mucosal damage and correlated to the occurrence of recurrence (p = 0.02). The risk of recurrence increased by 23.6% (95% confidence interval: 3.22–48.1) with each additional mucosal damage site.

Conclusion:

Transcanal endoscopic approaches that preserve the mastoid may play an important role in preventing recurrence and underscores the importance of the mucosa and mastoid air cells on middle ear homeostasis.
Neonatal hypoglycemia: continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: Shah Rajesh , McKinlay Christopher J.D. , Harding Jane E.
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is increasingly used in the management of diabetes in children and adults, but there are few data regarding its use in neonates. The purpose of this article is to discuss the potential benefits and limitations of CGM in neonates.

Recent findings

Smaller electrodes in new sensors and real-time monitoring have made CGM devices more approachable for neonatal care. CGM is well tolerated in infants including very low birth weight babies, and few if any local complications have been reported. Use of CGM in newborns may reduce the frequency of blood sampling and improve glycemic stability, with more time spent in the euglycemic range. However, CGM may also lead to more intervention, with potential adverse effects on outcomes. More information is also needed about reliability, calibration and interpretation of CGM in the neonate.

Although the use of CGM in neonates appears to be well tolerated, feasible and has been associated with better glycemic status, there is not yet any evidence of improved clinical outcomes. Clinical utility of CGM should be demonstrated in randomized trials prior to its introduction into regular neonatal care.
Long-Term Impacts Faced by Patients and Families After Harmful Healthcare Events
Authors: Ottosen Madelene J. , Sedlock Emily W. , Aigbe Aitebureme O. , Bell Sigall K. , Gallagher Thomas H. , Thomas Eric J.
Published: January 2018

Background

Patients and families report experiencing a multitude of harms from medical errors resulting in physical, emotional, and financial hardships. Little is known about the duration and nature of these harms and the type of support needed to promote patient and family healing after such events. We sought to describe the long-term impacts (LTIs) reported by patients and family members who experienced harmful medical events 5 or more years ago.

Methods

We performed a content analysis on 32 interviews originally conducted with 72 patients or family members about their views of the factors contributing to their self-reported harmful event. Interviews selected occurred 5 or more years after the harmful event and were grouped by time since event, 5 to 9 years (22 interviews) or 10 or more years (10 interviews) for analysis. We analyzed these interviews targeting spontaneous references of ongoing impacts experienced by the participants.

Results

Participants collectively described the following four LTIs: psychological, social/behavioral, physical, and financial. Most cited psychological impacts with half-reporting ongoing anger and vivid memories. More than half reported ongoing physical impacts and one-third experienced ongoing financial impacts. Long-term social and behavioral impacts such as alterations in lifestyle, self-identity, and healthcare seeking behaviors were the most highly reported.

Conclusions

These patients and families experienced many profound LTIs after their harmful medical event. For some, these impacts evolved into secondary harms ongoing 10 years and more after the event. Our results draw attention to the persistent impacts patients and families may experience long after harmful events and the need for future research to understand and support affected patients and families.
Brief Report: Racial Comparison of D-Dimer Levels in US Male Military Personnel Before and After HIV Infection and Viral Suppression
Authors: O'Bryan Thomas A. , Agan Brian K. , Tracy Russell P. , Freiberg Matthew S. , Okulicz Jason F. , So-Armah Kaku , Ganesan Anuradha , Rimland David , Lalani Tahaniyat , Deiss Robert G. , Tramont Edmund C.
Published: January 2018

Background:

D-dimer blood levels in persons with HIV infection are associated with risk of serious non-AIDS conditions and death. Black race has been correlated with higher D-dimer levels in several studies. We examined the effects of race and HIV on D-dimer over time and the impact of viral load suppression by longitudinally comparing changes in levels among healthy young adult male African Americans and whites before HIV seroconversion and before and after initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods:

We analyzed D-dimer levels and clinical and laboratory data of 192 participants enrolled in the US Military HIV Natural History Study, a 30-year cohort of military personnel infected with HIV. D-dimer levels were measured on stored sera from each participant at 3 time points: (1) before HIV seroconversion (Pre-SC), (2) ≥6 months after HIV seroconversion but before ART initiation (Post-SC), and (3) ≥6 months after ART with documented viral suppression (Post-ART). Levels were compared at each time point using nonparametric and logistic regression analysis.

Results:

Compared with whites (n = 106), African Americans (n = 86) had higher D-dimer levels post-SC (P = 0.007), but in the same individuals, pre-SC baseline and post-ART levels were similar (P = 0.40 and P = 0.99, respectively). There were no racial differences in CD4 cell counts, HIV RNA viral load, time from estimated seroconversion to ART initiation, and duration on ART.

Conclusions:

Observed longitudinally, racial differences in D-dimer levels were seen only during HIV viremia. Higher levels of D-dimer commonly observed in African Americans are likely due to factors in addition to race.
Phenotypic plasticity in an ant with strong caste–genotype association
Authors: Kuhn Alexandre , Darras Hugo , Aron Serge
Published: January 2018

Caste determination in social Hymenoptera (whether a female egg develops into a reproductive queen or a sterile worker) is a remarkable example of phenotypic plasticity where females with highly similar genomes exhibit striking differences in morphology and behaviour. This phenotypic dichotomy is typically influenced by environmental factors. However, recent studies have revealed a strong caste–genotype association in hybridogenetic ants: workers are all interlineage hybrids while queens are all purebred, suggesting that female caste fate is genetically determined. Using the hybridogenetic ant
Cataglyphis mauritanica
, we show that under laboratory conditions, purebred offspring develop into reproductive queens but occasionally give rise to workers. Moreover, while hybrids typically become workers, juvenile hormone treatment can switch their developmental pathway to the reproductive caste. These results indicate that phenotypic plasticity has been retained in an ant with a strong caste–genotype association, despite its lack of expression in natural conditions.
Nicholas John Seymour Mackintosh. 9 July 1935—8 February 2015
Authors: Pearce John M.
Published: January 2018

Nicholas Mackintosh was an experimental psychologist whose principal goal was to understand the basic mechanisms of learning and cognition, largely through research with animals. The two textbooks that he wrote on this topic synthesized a vast body of research and set it within a theoretical context of association formation that has remained dominant for over 40 years. He developed a formal theory of the relationship between attention and learning that had an immediate impact and can be expected to be the foremost theory of its kind for many years to come. He was also a prolific experimenter, whose ingenious experiments were remarkable for the theoretical insights they offered into the mechanisms of learning in a wide range of species. Towards the end of his career, he developed an interest in the measurement of human intelligence. The textbook that followed from this interest is one of the most authoritative ever written on the topic.
Fluttering of growing leaves as a way to reach flatness: experimental evidence on
Persea americana
Authors: Derr Julien , Bastien Renaud , Couturier Étienne , Douady Stéphane
Published: January 2018

Simple leaves show unexpected growth motions: the midrib of the leaves swings periodically in association with buckling events of the leaf blade, giving the impression that the leaves are fluttering. The quantitative kinematic analysis of this motion provides information about the respective growth between the main vein and the lamina. Our three-dimensional reconstruction of an avocado tree leaf shows that the conductor of the motion is the midrib, presenting continuous oscillations and inducing buckling events on the blade. The variations in the folding angle of the leaf show that the lamina is not passive: it responds to the deformation induced by the connection to the midrib to reach a globally flat state. We model this movement as an asymmetric growth of the midrib, which directs an inhomogeneous growth of the lamina, and we suggest how the transition from the folded state to the flat state is mechanically organized.
The Markov blankets of life: autonomy, active inference and the free energy principle
Authors: Kirchhoff Michael , Parr Thomas , Palacios Ensor , Friston Karl , Kiverstein Julian
Published: January 2018

This work addresses the autonomous organization of biological systems. It does so by considering the boundaries of biological systems, from individual cells toHome sapiens, in terms of the presence of Markov blankets under the active inference scheme—a corollary of the free energy principle. A Markov blanket defines the boundaries of a system in a statistical sense. Here we consider how a collective of Markov blankets can self-assemble into a global system that itself has a Markov blanket; thereby providing an illustration of how autonomous systems can be understood as having layers of nested and self-sustaining boundaries. This allows us to show that: (i) any living system is a Markov blanketed system and (ii) the boundaries of such systems need not be co-extensive with the biophysical boundaries of a living organism. In other words, autonomous systems are hierarchically composed of Markov blankets of Markov blankets—all the way down to individual cells, all the way up to you and me, and all the way out to include elements of the local environment.
Ferromagnetically filled carbon nano-onions: the key role of sulfur in dimensional, structural and electric control
Authors: Medranda D. , Borowiec J. , Zhang Xiao , Wang S. , Yan K. , Zhang J. , He Y. , Ivaturi S. , Boi F. S.
Published: January 2018

A key challenge in the fabrication of ferromagnetically filled carbon nano-onions (CNOs) is the control of their thickness, dimensions and electric properties. Up to now literature works have mainly focused on the encapsulation of different types of ferromagnetic materials including α-Fe, Fe
3
C, Co, FeCo, FePd
3
and others within CNOs. However, no report has yet shown a suitable method for controlling both the number of shells, diameter and electric properties of the produced CNOs. Here, we demonstrate an advanced chemical vapour deposition approach in which the use of small quantities of sulfur during the pyrolysis of ferrocene allows for the control of (i) the diameter of the CNOs, (ii) the number of shells and (iii) the electric properties. We demonstrate the morphological, structural, electric and magnetic properties of these new types of CNOs by using SEM, XRD, TEM, HRTEM, EIS and VSM techniques.
Twinning ferroelasticity facilitated by the partial flipping of phenyl rings in single crystals of 4,4′-dicarboxydiphenyl ether
Authors: Engel Emile R. , Takasaki Yuichi , Mir Sajjad H. , Takamizawa Satoshi
Published: January 2018

Evidence of ferroelasticity in a non-planar organic molecular crystal is presented for 4,4′-dicarboxydiphenyl ether. Ferroelasticity has been demonstrated by the micro- and macroscopic mechanical characterization of single crystals, including recording of a full hysteretic stress–strain cycle. The underlying mechanism involves the partial flipping of phenyl rings.
Effect of curvature on wetting and dewetting of proboscises of butterflies and moths
Authors: Zhang Chengqi , Beard Charles E. , Adler Peter H. , Kornev Konstantin G.
Published: January 2018

Proboscises of butterflies are modelled as elliptical hollow fibres that can be bent into coils. The behaviour of coating films on such complex fibres is investigated to explain the remarkable ability of these insects to control liquid collection after dipping the proboscis into a flower or pressing and mopping it over a food source. By using a thin-film approximation with the air–liquid interface positioned almost parallel to the fibre surface, capillary pressure was estimated from the profile of the fibre surfaces supporting the films. The film is always unstable and the proboscis shape and movements have adaptive value in collecting fluid: coiling and bending of proboscises of butterflies and moths facilitate fluid collection. Some practical applications of this effect are discussed with regard to fibre engineering.
Regular approximate factorization of a class of matrix-function with an unstable set of partial indices
Authors: Mishuris G. , Rogosin S.
Published: January 2018

From the classic work of Gohberg & Krein (1958
Uspekhi Mat. Nauk.
XIII
, 3–72. (Russian).), it is well known that the set of partial indices of a non-singular matrix function may change depending on the properties of the original matrix. More precisely, it was shown that if the difference between the largest and the smallest partial indices is larger than unity then, in any neighbourhood of the original matrix function, there exists another matrix function possessing a different set of partial indices. As a result, the factorization of matrix functions, being an extremely difficult process itself even in the case of the canonical factorization, remains unresolvable or even questionable in the case of a non-stable set of partial indices. Such a situation, in turn, has became an unavoidable obstacle to the application of the factorization technique. This paper sets out to answer a less ambitious question than that of effective factorizing matrix functions with non-stable sets of partial indices, and instead focuses on determining the conditions which, when having known factorization of the limiting matrix function, allow to construct another family of matrix functions with the same origin that preserves the non-stable partial indices and is close to the original set of the matrix functions.
Electromagnetic pulses, localized and causal
Authors: Lekner John
Published: January 2018

We show that pulse solutions of the wave equation can be expressed as time Fourier superpositions of scalar monochromatic beam wave functions (solutions of the Helmholtz equation). This formulation is shown to be equivalent to Bateman's integral expression for solutions of the wave equation, for axially symmetric solutions. A closed-form one-parameter solution of the wave equation, containing no backward-propagating parts, is constructed from a beam which is the tight-focus limit of two families of beams. Application is made to transverse electric and transverse magnetic pulses, with evaluation of the energy, momentum and angular momentum for a pulse based on the general localized and causal form. Such pulses can be represented as superpositions of photons. Explicit total energy and total momentum values are given for the one-parameter closed-form pulse.
Urbanization and anticoagulant poisons promote immune dysfunction in bobcats
Authors: Serieys Laurel E. K. , Lea Amanda J. , Epeldegui Marta , Armenta Tiffany C. , Moriarty Joanne , VandeWoude Sue , Carver Scott , Foley Janet , Wayne Robert K. , Riley Seth P. D. , Uittenbogaart Christel H.
Published: January 2018

Understanding how human activities influence immune response to environmental stressors can support biodiversity conservation across increasingly urbanizing landscapes. We studied a bobcat (Lynx rufus) population in urban southern California that experienced a rapid population decline from 2002–2005 due to notoedric mange. Because anticoagulant rodenticide (AR) exposure was an underlying complication in mange deaths, we aimed to understand sublethal contributions of urbanization and ARs on 65 biochemical markers of immune and organ function. Variance in immunological variables was primarily associated with AR exposure and secondarily with urbanization. Use of urban habitat and AR exposure has pervasive, complex and predictable effects on biochemical markers of immune and organ function in free-ranging bobcats that include impacts on neutrophil, lymphocyte and cytokine populations, total bilirubin and phosphorus. We find evidence of both inflammatory response and immune suppression associated with urban land use and rat poison exposure that could influence susceptibility to opportunistic infections. Consequently, AR exposure may influence mortality and has population-level effects, as previous work in the focal population has revealed substantial mortality caused by mange infection. The secondary effects of anticoagulant exposure may be a worldwide, largely unrecognized problem affecting a variety of vertebrate species in human-dominated environments.
Molecular parallelism in fast-twitch muscle proteins in echolocating mammals
Authors: Lee Jun-Hoe , Lewis Kevin M , Moural Timothy W , Kirilenko Bogdan , Borgonovo Barbara , Prange Gisa , Koessl Manfred , Huggenberger Stefan , Kang ChulHee , Hiller Michael
Published: January 2018

Detecting associations between genomic changes and phenotypic differences is fundamental to understanding how phenotypes evolved. By systematically screening for parallel amino acid substitutions, we detected known as well as novel cases (Strc, Tecta, Cabp2) of parallelism between echolocating bats and toothed whales in proteins that could contribute to high frequency hearing adaptations. Interestingly, our screen also showed that echolocating mammals exhibit an unusually high number of parallel substitutions in fast-twitch muscle fiber proteins. Both bats and dolphins produce an extremely rapid call rate when homing in on their prey, which was shown in bats to be powered by specialized superfast muscles. We show that these genes with parallel substitutions (Casq1, Atp2a1, Myh2, Myl1) are expressed in the superfast sound-producing muscle of bats. Furthermore, we found that the calcium storage protein calsequestrin 1 of bats and dolphins functionally converged in its ability to form calcium-sequestering polymers at lower calcium concentrations, which may contribute to rapid calcium transients required for superfast muscle physiology. The proteins that our genomic screen detected could be involved in the convergent evolution of vocalization in echolocating mammals by potentially contributing to both rapid Ca2+transients and increased shortening velocities in superfast muscles.

Abbreviations

SR

sarcoplasmic reticulum