bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinguishing Between Cyclopropylfentanyl and Crotonylfentanyl by Methods Commonly Available in the Forensic Laboratory
Authors: Bergh Marianne Skov-Skov , Bogen Inger Lise , Wohlfarth Ariane , Wilson Steven Ray , Øiestad Åse Marit Leere
Published: February 2019

Background:

The opioid analgesic fentanyl and its analogues pose a major health concern due to its high potency and the increasing number of overdose deaths worldwide. The analogues of fentanyl may differ in potency, toxicity, and legal status, and it is therefore important to develop analytical methods for their correct identification. This can be challenging since many fentanyl analogues are structural isomers. Two fentanyl isomers that have been in the spotlight lately due to difficulties regarding separation and identification are cyclopropylfentanyl and crotonylfentanyl, which have been reported to display nearly identical fragmentation patterns and chromatographic behavior.

Methods:

Chromatographic separation of cyclopropylfentanyl and crotonylfentanyl by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography was investigated using 3 different stationary phases (high strength silica T3, ethylsiloxane/silica hybrid C18, and Kinetex biphenyl) using gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of 10 mM ammonium formate pH 3.1 and MeOH. Detection was performed by tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, the major metabolites of the 2 compounds formed on incubation with human liver microsomes were identified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis.

Results:

Baseline separation of cyclopropylfentanyl and crotonylfentanyl was achieved on the ethylsiloxane/silica hybrid C18 column with retention times of 6.79 and 7.35 minutes, respectively. The major metabolites of the 2 analogues formed by human liver microsomes differed, with the main biotransformation being N-dealkylation and carboxylation for cyclopropylfentanyl and crotonylfentanyl, respectively. We demonstrated the usefulness of the 2 approaches by unambiguously identifying cyclopropylfentanyl, as well as its metabolites, in 2 authentic postmortem blood samples.

Conclusions:

In this study, we successfully demonstrated that cyclopropylfentanyl and crotonylfentanyl can be distinguished by methods commonly available in forensic laboratories.
Hospital ownership of postacute care providers and the cost of care
Authors: Carroll Nathan W. , Hearld Larry R. , Joseph Reena
Published: February 2019

Background

Hospitals are facing incentives to manage the total cost of care for episodes of illness, including the costs of inpatient care as well as the cost of care provided by physicians and postacute care (PAC) providers. PAC is an especially important component of the overall cost of care. One strategy hospitals employ in managing this cost is to own PAC providers. Prior work on the relationship between PAC ownership and cost has reached mixed conclusions.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between the episodic costs of care and hospital ownership of PAC providers, including skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), home health agencies (HHAs), and inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF).

Methodology

We examine panel data on hospital ownership of PAC providers from the American Hospital Association for 2013–2015 and cost of care data from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Value-Based Purchasing Program. Using ordinary least squares, we quantify the association between a hospital’s PAC ownership choice (both ownership of any PAC provider and ownership of particular types of providers) and the episodic cost of care.

Results

In 2015, 80% of hospitals owned some type of PAC provider. We find that ownership of SNFs and HHAs is associated with a lower episodic cost of care, whereas ownership of inpatient rehabilitation facilities is associated with higher episodic costs of care. The effects of ownership do not differ for hospitals that participate in a voluntary shared saving program (Bundled Payment for Care Improvement).

Conclusion

The effects of PAC ownership vary by the type of PAC provider owned. Our results suggest that ownership of SNFs and HHAs may be a viable strategy for success in reimbursement programs that reward hospitals for managing the total costs for episodes of care.
Higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome among hospitalized patients using cannabis: a propensity-matched analysis
Authors: Adejumo Adeyinka C. , Ajayi Tokunbo O. , Adegbala Oluwole M. , Bukong Terence N.
Published: February 2019

Background

The endogenous cannabinoid system modulates many brain–gut and gut–brain physiologic pathways, which are postulated to be dysfunctional in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Herein, we examine the relationship between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and having IBS.

Patients and methods

After selecting patients aged 18 years and above from the 2014 Nationwide Inpatient Survey, we used the International Classification of Diseases, 9th ed. codes to identify individuals with CUD, IBS, and the established risk factors for IBS. We then estimated the crude and adjusted odds ratios of having a diagnosis of IBS with CUD and assessed for the interactions of CUD with other risk factors (SAS 9.4). We confirmed our findings in two ways: conducting a similar analysis on a previous Nationwide Inpatient Survey data (2012); and using a greedy algorithm to design a propensity-scored case–control (1 : 10) study, approximating a pseudorandomized clinical trial.

Results:

Out of 4 709 043 patients evaluated, 0.03% had a primary admission for IBS and 1.32% had CUD. CUD was associated with increased odds of IBS [adjusted odds ratio: 2.03; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.53–2.71]. CUD was related to higher odds for IBS among males compared with females (3.48; 1.98–6.12 vs. 1.48; 0.88–2.50), and Hispanics and Caucasians compared with Blacks (5.28; 1.77–15.76, 1.80; 1.02–3.18 vs. 1.80; 0.65–5.03). On propensity-matching, CUD was associated with 80% increased odds for IBS (1.82; 1.27–2.60).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that CUD is significantly associated with IBS among the general population. Males, Caucasians, and Hispanics might be more impacted by CUD associated IBS. Additional biomedical studies are required to elucidate this relationship.
Successful Treatment With ATRA and Arsenic Trioxide for a Child With Down Syndrome and Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Authors: Tsumura Yusuke , Yamada Yuji , Osumi Tomoo , Kato Motohiro , Terashima Keita , Shioda Yoko , Kiyotani Chikako , Matsumoto Kimikazu , Tomizawa Daisuke
Published: February 2019

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is rare in patients with Down syndrome (DS). Cytotoxic chemotherapy combined with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been a standard treatment for APL, but is potentially intolerable for DS patients because of their vulnerability to cytotoxic agents. We report here a case of a 10-year-old girl with DS and APL successfully treated with a combination of ATRA and arsenic trioxide, a therapy emerging as a new standard for APL. She achieved molecular remission and completed the therapy without significant toxicities. ATRA/arsenic trioxide combination therapy would be a preferable option for DS patients with APL.
Two Occurrences of Leukemia Relapse Due to Mismatched HLA Loss After Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation From Different Family Donors With KIR Ligand Mismatch
Authors: Sano Hideki , Mochizuki Kazuhiro , Kobayashi Shogo , Ono Satoshi , Ikeda Kazuhiko , Ohto Hitoshi , Kikuta Atsushi
Published: February 2019

Mismatched HLA loss is a cause of leukemia relapse after HLA-haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT). We report a patient with a history of 2 occurrences of leukemia relapse due to mismatched HLA loss after haplo-SCT. He received haplo-SCT from his father but showed leukemia relapse with loss of the maternal HLA haplotype. He then underwent haplo-SCT from his mother, and developed relapse with loss of the paternal HLA haplotype. Both donors had killer cell immunoglobulin–like receptor-ligand mismatch but alloreactive natural killer cells could not prevent relapse. Second haplo-SCT should be conducted carefully for patients with relapse due to mismatched HLA loss.
Immunostaining Patterns of Posttransplant Liver Biopsies Using 2 Anti-C4d Antibodies
Authors: Chen Lihong , Himmelfarb Eric A. , Sun Melissa , Choi Eunice K. , Fan Lifang , Lai Jinping , Kim Christopher J. , Xu Haodong , Wang Hanlin L.
Published: February 2019

Histopathologic diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection in posttransplant liver biopsies is challenging. The recently proposed diagnostic criteria by the Banff Working Group on Liver Allograft Pathology require positive C4d immunohistochemical staining to establish the diagnosis. However, the reported C4d staining patterns vary widely in different studies. One potential explanation may be due to different antibody preparations used by different investigators. In this study, posttransplant liver biopsies from 69 patients histopathologically diagnosed with acute cellular rejection, chronic rejection, or recurrent hepatitis C were immunohistochemically stained using 2 polyclonal anti-C4d antibodies. On the basis of the distribution of C4d immunoreactivity, 5 different staining patterns were observed: portal vein and capillary, hepatic artery, portal stroma, central vein, and sinusoids. The frequency, extent, and intensity of positive C4d staining with the 2 antibody preparations differed significantly for portal veins/capillaries and central veins, but not for hepatic arteries and portal stroma. Positive sinusoidal staining was seen in only 1 case. There were no significant differences in the frequency, extent, and intensity of positive C4d staining among the acute cellular rejection, chronic rejection, and recurrent hepatitis C groups with the 2 anti-C4d antibodies. These data show that different anti-C4d antibodies can show different staining patterns, which may lead to different interpretation. Caution is thus needed when selecting C4d antibodies for clinical use to aid in the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection.
A Root Cause Analysis Into the High Error Rate in Clinical Immunohistochemistry
Authors: Bogen Steven A.
Published: February 2019

The field of Clinical Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is beset with a high error rate, an order of magnitude higher than in other types of clinical laboratory testing. Despite the many improvements in the field, these errors have persisted over the last 2 decades. The improvements over the years include an extensive literature describing the potential causes of errors and how to avoid them. More stringent regulatory guidelines have also been implemented. These measures reflect the standard view is that fixing the broad confluence of causes of error will address the problem. This review takes a different tack. To understand the high error rates, this review compares Clinical IHC laboratory practice to practices of other clinical laboratory disciplines. What aspects of laboratory testing that minimize errors in other clinical laboratory disciplines are not found in Clinical IHC? In this review, we seek to identify causal factors and underlying root causes that are unique to the field of Clinical IHC in comparison to other laboratory testing disciplines. The most important underlying root cause is the absence of traceable units of measure, international standards, calibrators that are traceable to standards, and quantitative monitoring of controls. These tools and practices (in other clinical laboratory disciplines) provide regular accurate feedback to laboratory personnel on analytic test performance.
Proboscis Lateralis With Heminasal Hypoplasia
Authors: Ghieh Fadi , Karami Reem , Sittah Ghassan Abu
Published: February 2019

Proboscis Lateralis is a rare congenital anomaly composed of an accessory tubular appendage with possible associated craniofacial anomalies. Computed tomography scan is essential for evaluation of the anomaly and proposing a plan of management. Treatment is complex and should be individualized. The authors present the case of an 18-month old female with left proboscis lateralis associated with left heminasal hypoplasia and coloboma of the left upper eyelid.
Factors Associated With Surgical Management for Pediatric Facial Fractures at a Level One Trauma Center
Authors: Moffitt Joseph K. , Wainwright D’Arcy J. , Bartz-Kurycki Marisa , Wainwright David J. , Demian Nagi , Teichgraeber John F. , Greives Matthew R.
Published: February 2019

Pediatric facial fractures present and are managed differently than the adult population. This study describes the pattern and mechanism of facial fractures in children and identifies factors associated with need for surgical management. An IRB-approved retrospective chart analysis of all pediatric patients age ≤ 18 years diagnosed with facial fractures at our level 1 trauma center over a 10-year period (January 2006–December 2015) was performed. Demographics, fracture location, mechanism of injury, concomitant head and neck injuries, and surgical management were reviewed. Statistical analysis was then performed comparing surgical and nonsurgical cohorts using univariate and multivariate analyses. One thousand two hundred seventy-four patients were diagnosed with facial fractures. Five hundred seventeen (40.6%) underwent surgical management. Two thousand one hundred seventy-two total facial fractures were recorded. Orbit fractures (29%) were the most commonly recorded, observed in 49% of patients presenting. Increased age was associated with increased odds of surgical management (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.09–1.16). Mandible (OR 9.28; 95% CI 6.88–12.51) and Le Fort fractures (OR 19.73; 95% CI 9.78–39.77) had increased odds of surgical management. Patients with traumatic brain injury had reduced odds (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.35–0.83) of surgical management for their facial fractures. Older pediatric patients may be more likely to require surgical management of their facial fractures, especially those with mandible or Le Fort fractures. Patients with traumatic brain injury are likely to sustain life threatening injuries, deferring repair of their facial fractures. Patient education and counseling, as well as predictive models, can be improved to reflect these data.
Hospital Volume Improves Primary, Revision, and Delayed Cleft Palate Repair
Authors: Wu Robin T. , Shultz Blake N. , Peck Connor J. , Smetona John T. , Steinbacher Derek M.
Published: February 2019

Background:

High volume centers (HVC) is commonly associated with increased resources and improved patient outcomes. This study assesses efficacy and outcomes of high volume centers in cleft palate repair.

Methods:

Cleft palate procedures were identified in the Kids’ Inpatient Database from 2003-2009. Demographics, perioperative factors, co-morbidities, and complications in HVC (90th percentile, >48 cases/year) and non-high volume centers (NHVC) were compared across various cohorts of cleft repair.

Results:

Four thousand five hundred sixty-three (61.7%) total cleft palate surgeries were performed in HVC and 3388 (38.3%) were performed in NHVC. The NHVC treated a higher percentage of Medicaid patients (P = 0.005) and patients from low-income quartiles (P = 0.018). HVC had larger bedsizes (P <0.001), were more often government/private owned (P <0.001), and were more often teaching hospitals (P <0.001) located predominantly in urban settings (P <0.001). The HVC treated patients at younger ages (P = 0.008) and performed more concurrent procedures (P = 0.047). The most common diagnosis at HVC was complete cleft palate with incomplete cleft lip, while the most common diagnosis at NHVC was incomplete cleft palate without lip. Overall, length of stay and specific complication rates were lower in HVC (P = 0.048, P = 0.042). Primaries at HVCs showed lower pneumonia (P = 0.009) and specific complication rates (P = 0.023). Revisions at HVC were associated with older patients, fewer cardiac complications (P = 0.040), less wound disruption (P = 0.050), but more hemorrhage (P = 0.040).
Quantification of Microsurgical Anatomy in Three-Dimensional Model: Transfrontal Approach for Anterior Portion of the Thalamus
Authors: Qian Zenghui , Li Yiming , Feng Xu , Li Yang , Tang Ke
Published: February 2019

The thalamus located in the deep site of cerebrum with the risk of internal capsule injury during operation. The purpose of this study was to compare the anatomy for exposure and injury using simulative surgical corridor of 3-dimensional model. The 3-dimensional anatomy model of thalamus in cerebrum was created based on magnetic resonance imaging performed for 15 patients with trigeminal neuralgia. The midpoint of line between anterior edge and top of thalamus was the target exposed. Axis connecting the target with the anterior edge and top of caudate head was used to outline the cylinder, respectively, simulating surgical corridors 1 and 2 of transfrontal approach. Cerebral tissues involved in the corridors were observed, measured, and compared. Incision of cortex was made on the anterior portion of inferior frontal gyrus through corridor 1 and middle frontal gyrus through corridor 2. Both of the 2 corridors passed the caudate nucleus, the anterior limb and genu of internal capsule, ultimately reached the upper anterior portion of thalamus. The volumes of white matter, caudate head, and thalamus in the corridor 1 were more than those in corridor 2. Conversely, the volumes of cortex, internal capsule in corridor 2 were more than those in corridor 1. In conclusion, surgical anatomy-specific volume is helpful to postulate the intraoperative injury of transfrontal approach exposing anterior portion of the thalamus. The detailed information in the quantification of microsurgical anatomy will be used to develop minimally invasive operation.
Comparison of Accuracy of Subjective Measurement of Tip-Supra Tip Difference During Rhinoplasty Between Plastic Surgeons
Authors: Atighechi Saeid , Divanizadeh Younes , Dadgarnia Mohammadhossein , Baradaranfar Mohammadhossein , Mandegari Mohammad , Meybodian Mojtaba , Shirkhoda Shima , Vaziribozorg Sedighe
Published: February 2019

Introduction:

This study compared the subjective measurement of difference between the nasal tip and supra tip (TSD) (using eyes) versus objective measurement of TSD (by a ruler) during rhinoplastic surgery to determine the accuracy of subjective measurements among surgeons with varying degrees of experience.

Materials and Methods:

In this analytical observational study, 40 cosmetic rhinoplasty candidates were involved. Those with the history of rhinoplastic surgery were excluded from the study. At the end of the operation, the surgeon was asked to estimate the TSD subjectively. The researcher, without the intervention of the surgeon, remeasured TSD by a presterile ruler. The researcher recorded both objective and subjective TSD measurements and the experience of the surgeon in rhinoplasty in the checklist.

Result:

Of 40 cosmetic rhinoplasty candidates, 17 were operated by a surgeon with >10 years’ experience (group 1), and 23 by a surgeon with <5 years’ experience (group 2). The results indicated that 5 surgeries (29.4%) in group 1 and 6 surgeries (26.1%) in group 2, had 0-mm difference in subjective and objective measurement. The difference of <1 mm between subjective and objective measurement was achieved in 13 surgeries (76.5%) in group 1 and 13 surgeries (56.5%) in group 2 (P = 0.191).

Conclusion:

According to the results, it can be concluded that the surgeon's experience is effective in reducing the differences in measurements of TSD in both measurement modes.
A Functional Approach to Posttraumatic Salivary Fistula Treatment: The Use of Botulinum Toxin
Authors: Costan Victor-Vlad , Dabija Marius Gabriel , Ciofu Mihai Liviu , Sulea Daniela , Popescu Eugenia , Boisteanu Otilia
Published: February 2019

This manuscript highlights key aspects regarding the practical use of botulinum toxin for the conservative nonsurgical treatment of a rarely encountered, but significant posttraumatic complication—the parotid salivary fistula. It adds information to the scarce existing literature on the subject. The authors outline the main differences between postoperative and trauma-related parotid injury regarding salivary fistula treatment. A total of 6 patients with trauma-related salivary fistulas have been treated by Abobotulinum toxin A injections over the course of 5 years. The technique is detailed, describing the doses used in the presence of parenchyma and duct injuries, the location and number of injection points in relation to the wound pattern. The results were favorable, leading to the healing of the salivary fistulas in all patients, with 1 injection session, without additional conservative treatment. In our experience, the use of botulinum toxin is of great benefit for treating salivary fistulas in a traumatic context.
Characteristics and Success Rates of Same Day or Asynchronous Bilateral External Dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: Galindo-Ferreiro Alicia , Dufaileej Mohammed , Galvez-Ruiz Alberto , Khandekar Rajiv , Schellini Silvana A.
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the characteristics of bilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) carriers and success rates of same day (simultaneous) or asynchronous (different day) bilateral dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

Methods:

This retrospective study included patients with bilateral NLDO who underwent bilateral external DCR between January 2010 to August 2015 at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Postoperative success rate was considered as subjective perception of no tearing bilaterally or failure if unilateral or bilateral tearing persists after surgery. Data were statistically analyzed with P <0.05 indicating significance.

Results:

Of 57 patients undergoing bilateral DCR, 32 (56%) had same-day surgeries and 25 underwent asynchronous surgery. The median duration of follow up was 7 months. The success rates were similar for the same day group [61.3%–95% CI 49.4–73.2)] and for the asynchronous group [54.2% (95% CI 40.4–68.0)]. Success rate was not correlated to the age, gender, or use of stents.

Conclusions:

The authors strongly recommend bilateral same-day external DCR to treat bilateral NLDO since the success rate of the procedure is similar to the asynchronous surgery, allowing a full treatment in just 1 operative visit.
Spontaneous Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation
Authors: Ruiz Samuel , Lim Rizal
Published: February 2019

Dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the displacement of the head of the condyle from its normal position in the glenoid fossa. Anterior dislocations are the most common type of TMJ dislocations. Prognathism of the lower jaw, anterior crossbite, and open bite are the classic features in bilateral TMJ dislocations.

The treatment of acute TMJ dislocation involves manual reduction with or without general anesthesia. The use of maxillomandibular fixation is reserved for chronic, more complex dislocations. Determining the presence of a predisposing factor is very important in guiding the correct treatment and management for this condition.

The authors present a case of acute spontaneous temporomandibular joint dislocation where multiple predisposing factors were recognized, requiring treatment with maxillomandibular fixation after manual reduction.
Bifid Antrochoanal Polyp: First Case Report in the English Literature
Authors: Al-Qudah Mohannad
Published: February 2019

Antrochoanal polyp is a benign unilateral sinonasal lesion that arises from maxillary sinus and reaches the choana. It is composed of 2 components: the solid nasal division and the antral part which is almost always cystic and single. Proper identification and removal of polyp attachment to the maxillary sinus wall are essential steps to prevent recurrence. We report the first case of a bifid antrochoanal polyp in a 55-year old male patient. The polyp had an attachment to the posteroinferior wall of the maxillary sinus and then divided inside the sinus into 2 branches that exited the sinus through 2 different accessory ostia but only the posterior part reached the choana. The polyp was successfully removed via an endoscopic surgical approach.
Role of Preoperative Embolization in Surgical Treatment of the Carotid Body Paragangliomas
Authors: Inan Hakki Caner , Yener Haydar Murat , Karaman Emin , Kizilkiliç Osman , Cansiz Harun , Eker Çağlar
Published: February 2019

In this study, we aimed to show the benefits of preoperative embolization on surgery of carotid body tumors.

This is a retrospective study of the medical records of 20 patients who were operated for carotid body paragangliomas during 2011–2017. Computed tomography angiography (BTA) and/or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were performed for the entire patients. Patients were assessed according to the Shamblin classification. All patients were subjected to direct cerebral angiography by the femoral route 24 to 48 hours before the surgery and tumor embolization was performed in the appropriate cases (19 patients). The amount of hemorrhage and transfusion need during surgery has been reported. The ages of the patients ranged from 21 to 66, with an average of 45.65. In 20 patients ascendan pharyngeal artery was found as the main artery of tumor. No complications were seen after the embolization procedure. Tumor sizes ranged from 12 mm to 95 mm diameter (mean: 45, 5 mm). 10 patients (50%) were Shamblin type 1, 6 patients (30%) were Shamblin type 2, 4 patients (20%) were Shamblin type 3. In 5 patients (25%), the nerve (N. vagus or hypoglossus) was sacrificed due to cranial nerve involvement. Vagal and hypoglossal nerve sacrificed together in 4 patients.

These patients’ tumor sizes were bigger than 70 mm. Only in 1 patient, internal carotid artery injured and reconstructed with saphenous vein graft. Neurological deficit did not develop postoperatively. Bleeding was mean 275 mL (125 mL–700 mL). In conclusion, we believe that preoperative embolization of carotid paraganglioma is an effective procedure that helps surgeon during dissection with minimal blood loss. The embolization is relatively easy procedure without no additional complications.
Rehospitalization of Postpartum Depression and Psychosis After Electroconvulsive Therapy
Authors: Rönnqvist Ida , Brus Ole , Hammar Åsa , Landén Mikael , Lundberg Johan , Nordanskog Pia , Nordenskjöld Axel
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used in some cases of postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum psychosis (PPP). The risk of relapse for PPD and PPP after ECT is unknown. This study compared the relapse rate after ECT between women who had been treated for PPD and/or PPP and women who had been treated for depression and/or psychosis outside the postpartum period.

Methods

The Swedish National Quality Register for ECT and the Swedish National Patient Register were used to identify women with PPD and/or PPP who had been treated with ECT within 6 months after delivery. For each case, a control (treated with ECT but not postpartum) patient was also selected. A Kaplan-Meier estimator was used to calculate the relapse rate (defined as rehospitalization or suicide) after ECT. Cox regression was used to identify variables associated with relapse.

Results

A total of 180 patients were included in each group. The proportions of patients who suffered relapse after 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years were 28%, 31%, and 40% for the postpartum group and 39%, 50%, and 55% for the nonpostpartum group. Treatment with benzodiazepines, several previous psychiatric admissions, and the absence of improvement after ECT were associated with relapse.

Conclusions

The risk of relapse after ECT is lower for patients with PPD and/or PPP than for patients outside the postpartum period, but the risk is nonetheless substantial in both groups.
Identification of new inhibitors of the toxoplasma gondii by using in-silico drug repurposing
Authors: Kadkhodamohammadi Mosleh , Jaberi Milad , Babaei akerdi Reza , Aliyar Masoud
Published: February 2019

Introduction

The common treatment for toxoplasmosis was pyrimethamine. In recent years, it has been found that this parasite is getting resistant to this treatment, therefore urgent alternative treatments are needed.

Material and Methods

In this study, by using drug repurposing and in silico methods we tried to make a selective treatment by inhibiting the Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 1 from Toxoplasma gondii which doesn’t exist in mammalians. We screened the FDA approved drugs by molecular docking and after ranking them by their binding energies and inspecting the top scored ones, we chose Cefpiramide, Ceftriaxone and Cefotiam as the hit compounds. After that, we used molecular dynamics simulations to test the hit compounds in a much more realistic environment.

Results

By analyzing the results, we found that all of the hit compounds and good and can bind strongly to the active site of the protein. Therefore, they can be potential candidates for inhibiting Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 1 from Toxoplasma gondii.

Conclusion

Moreover, because the predicted compounds are FDA approved drugs, their toxicity profiles are well known and their newly predicted use can be tested in clinical trials.
From serial to parallel: predicting synchronous firing of large neural populations from sequential recordings
Authors: Sorochynskyi Oleksandr , Deny Stéphane , Marre Olivier , Ferrari Ulisse
Published: February 2019

A major goal in neuroscience is to understand how populations of neurons code for stimuli or actions. While the number of neurons that can be recorded simultaneously is increasing at a fast pace, in most cases these recordings cannot access a complete population: some neurons that carry relevant information remain unrecorded. In particular, it is hard to simultaneously record all the neurons of the same type in a given area. Recent progress has made possible to determine the type of each recorded neuron in a given area thanks to genetic and physiological tools. However, it is unclear how to infer the activity of a full population of neurons of the same type from sequential recordings across different experiments. Neural networks exhibit collective behaviour, e.g. noise correlations and synchronous activity, that are not directly captured by a conditionally-independent model that would just pool together the spike trains from sequential recordings. Here we present a method to build population activity from single cell responses taken from sequential recordings, which only requires pairwise recordings to train the model. Our method combines copula distributions and maximum entropy modeling. After training, the model allows us to predict the activity of large populations using only sequential recordings of single cells. We applied this method to a population of ganglion cells, the retinal output, all belonging to the same type. From just the spiking response of each cell to a repeated stimulus, we could predict the full activity of the population. We could then generalize to predict the population responses to different stimuli and even to different experiments. As a result, we were able to use our approach to construct a synthetic model of a very large neuronal population, which uses data combined from multiple experiments. We then predicted the extent of synchronous activity and showed it grew with the number of neurons. This approach is a promising way to infer population activity from sequential recordings in sensory areas.
PTH decreasesin vitrohuman cartilage regeneration without affecting hypertrophic differentiation
Authors: Rutgers Marijn , Bach Frances , Vonk Luciënne , van Rijen Mattie , Akrum Vanessa , van Boxtel Antonette , Dhert Wouter , Creemers Laura
Published: February 2019

Regenerated cartilage formed after Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation may be of suboptimal quality due to postulated hypertrophic changes. Parathyroid hormone-related peptide, containing the parathyroid hormone sequence (PTHrP 1-34), enhances cartilage growth during development and inhibits hypertrophic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and growth plate chondrocytes. This study aims to determine whether human articular chondrocytes respond correspondingly. Healthy human articular cartilage-derived chondrocytes (n=6 donors) were cultured on type II collagen-coated transwells with/without 0.1 or 1.0 μM PTH from day 0, 9, or 21 until the end of culture (day 28). Extracellular matrix production, (pre)hypertrophy and PTH signaling were assessed by RT-qPCR and/or immunohistochemistry for collagen type I, II, X, RUNX2, MMP13, PTHR1 and IHH and by determining glycosaminoglycan production and DNA content. The Bern score assessed cartilage quality by histology. Regardless of the concentration and initiation of supplementation, PTH treatment significantly decreased DNA and glycosaminoglycan content and reduced the Bern score compared with controls. Type I collagen deposition was increased, whereas PTHR1 expression and type II collagen deposition were decreased by PTH supplementation. Expression of the (pre)hypertrophic markers MMP13, RUNX2, IHH and type X collagen were not affected by PTH. In conclusion, PTH supplementation to healthy human articular chondrocytes did not affect hypertrophic differentiation, but negatively influenced cartilage quality, the tissues’ extracellular matrix and cell content. Although PTH may be an effective inhibitor of hypertrophic differentiation in MSC-based cartilage repair, care may be warranted in applying accessory PTH treatment due to its effects on articular chondrocytes.
Rapid breath analysis for acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnostics using a portable 2-dimensional gas chromatography device
Authors: Zhou Menglian , Sharma Ruchi , Zhu Hongbo , Li Jiliang , Wang Shiyu , Bisco Erin , Massey Justin , Pennington Amanda , Sjoding Michael , Dickson Robert P. , Park Pauline , Hyzy Robert , Napolitano Lena , Ward Kevin R. , Fan Xudong
Published: February 2019

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the most severe form of acute lung injury, responsible for high mortality and long-term morbidity. As a dynamic syndrome with multiple etiologies its timely diagnosis is difficult as is tracking the course of the syndrome. Therefore, there is a significant need for early, rapid detection and diagnosis as well as clinical trajectory monitoring of ARDS. Here we report our work on using human breath to differentiate ARDS and non-ARDS causes of respiratory failure. A fully automated portable 2-dimensional gas chromatography device with high peak capacity, high sensitivity, and rapid analysis capability was designed and made in-house for on-site analysis of patients’ breath. A total of 85 breath samples from 48 ARDS patients and controls were collected. Ninety-seven elution peaks were separated and detected in 13 minutes. An algorithm based on machine learning, principal component analysis (PCA), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was developed. As compared to the adjudications done by physicians based on the Berlin criteria, our device and algorithm achieved an overall accuracy of 87.1% with 94.1% positive predictive value and 82.4% negative predictive value. The high overall accuracy and high positive predicative value suggest that the breath analysis method can accurately diagnose ARDS. The ability to continuously and non-invasively monitor exhaled breath for early diagnosis, disease trajectory tracking, and outcome prediction monitoring of ARDS may have a significant impact on changing practice and improving patient outcomes.
AngularQA: Protein Model Quality Assessment with LSTM Networks
Authors: Conover Matthew , Staples Max , Si Dong , Sun Miao , Cao Renzhi
Published: February 2019

Quality Assessment (QA) plays an important role in protein structure prediction. Traditional protein QA methods suffer from searching databases or comparing with other models for making predictions, which usually fail. We propose a novel protein single-model QA method which is built on a new representation that converts raw atom information into a series of carbon-alpha (Cα) atoms with side-chain information, defined by their dihedral angles and bond lengths to the prior residue. An LSTM network is used to predict the quality by treating each amino acid as a time-step and consider the final value returned by the LSTM cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time anyone has attempted to use an LSTM model on the QA problem; furthermore, we use a new representation which has not been studied for QA. In addition to angles, we make use of sequence properties like secondary structure at each time-step, without using any database. Our model achieves an overall correlation of 0.651 on the CASP12 testing dataset. Our experiment points out new directions for QA problem and our method could be widely used for protein structure prediction problem. The software is freely available at GitHub:https://github.com/caorenzhi/AngularQA
Vancomycin Relieves Mycophenolate Mofetil-Induced Gastrointestinal Toxicity by Eliminating Gut Bacterial β-Glucuronidase Activity
Authors: Taylor Michael R. , Flannigan Kyle L. , Rahim Hannah , Mohamud Amina , Lewis Ian A. , Hirota Simon A. , Greenway Steven C.
Published: February 2019

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is commonly prescribed after transplantation and has proven advantages over other immunosuppressive drugs but gastrointestinal (GI) side effects frequently limit its use. The pathways involved in the metabolism of the prodrug MMF and the bioactive derivative mycophenolic acid (MPA) are well characterized but the mechanism responsible for toxicity is unknown. Here we extend our previous observation that an intact gut microbiome is required for MMF-induced toxicity and demonstrate that gut bacterial metabolism is responsible for the GI inflammation and weight loss associated with MMF exposure. In mice consuming MMF, the introduction of vancomycin alone was sufficient to prevent or reverse MMF-induced weight loss and colonic inflammation. MMF induced the expansion of bacteria expressing β-glucuronidase (GUS) in the cecum and proximal colon. GUS activity, which is responsible for the catabolism of glucuronidated MPA (MPAG) to free MPA, was increased in the presence of MMF and eliminated by vancomycin. Vancomycin eliminated multipleBacteroides spp. that flourished in the presence of MMF and prevented the breakdown of MPAG without negatively affecting serum MPA levels. Human data suggests that increased stool GUS activity can be associated with MMF-related toxicity. Our work provides a mechanism for the GI toxicity associated with MMF and a future direction for the development of therapeutics.
The linkages between business strategies, culture, and compensation using Miles & Snow’s and Hofstede culture framework in conglomerate firms
Authors: Verma Pratima , Sharma R.R.K.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the linkages among different employee benefits, business strategies and organizational cultures. The manufacturing and service sectors in the conglomerate industry are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) are used for the statistical verification of the hypotheses, whereas Levene’s test and Wilk–Shapiro tests are conducted to verify the assumptions of ANOVA.

Findings

The results reported indicate that the social class benefits (SCB) and long-term benefits (LTB) are high in defenders as compared to prospectors and innovators, whereas group incentive schemes (GIS) are lower in the defender, and power distance and uncertainty avoidance are higher in the defender as compared to prospector and innovator.

Practical implications

This paper highlights that if mismatch among the employee benefits, strategy and culture occurs, then it becomes a hurdle to the good performance of organization and employee. The proposed model focuses on the effective coherence among the strategy, culture and benefits for leveraging the business processes. This research along with enriching the already existing literature would also act as a guidelines to practitioners implementing organizational change and development and to the academicians for extending the research in this area.

Originality/value

It has been established in the study that employee benefits (SCB, LTB, GIS and result-oriented benefits) are completely different for innovators, defenders and prospectors for conglomerate firms.
The incentive mechanism of knowledge sharing in the industrial construction supply chain based on a supervisory mechanism
Authors: Wang Qiankun , Shi Qiao
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Knowledge sharing is an important way to improve the knowledge system of industrial construction, and the supervision mechanism is an important way to improve the efficiency of knowledge sharing. However, some research works and practices indicate that the effects of applying the supervision mechanism are not obvious. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to propose an incentive method of knowledge sharing based on the supervision mechanism for promoting knowledge sharing among member enterprises in the industrial construction supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

A basic incentive model and an optimization model of knowledge sharing in the industrial construction supply chain based on the supervision mechanism were developed via the principal–agent theory. Weighted coefficients of explicit and implicit knowledge sharing were introduced into the basic model, while the supervision reward was added into the basic model of the optimization model. The effect of these two models was compared and analyzed via numerical simulation.

Findings

The optimal incentive coefficient and effort level of knowledge sharing can be obtained by solving the two aforementioned models. The results of the comparison between the two models indicate that the introduction of a supervisory reward improved the effort level and expected earnings produced by knowledge sharing, but reduced the confirmed equal earnings of member enterprises in the industrial construction supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

Mutual transformation between tacit and explicit knowledge was not considered, and supervisory costs were also not considered, in the estimation of the output of knowledge sharing.

Practical implications

The new models proposed by this study provide theoretical guidance for the design of knowledge sharing incentive measures in the industrial construction supply chain based on the supervision mechanism. The findings suggest that member enterprises should pay attention to the costs of knowledge sharing, in order to obtain more benefits.

Originality/value

This study introduced the weight coefficients of explicit and implicit knowledge sharing into a previous incentive model, proposed an incentive optimization model of knowledge sharing in the industrial construction supply chain based on a supervisory mechanism, and revealed the change rules of related variables that affect the model with the change in weight coefficients. The findings verify the effectiveness of introducing supervisory reward measures and extend the range of theoretical application.
NSF ADVANCE and gender equity
Authors: DeAro Jessie , Bird Sharon , Mitchell Ryan Shermaine
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Supporting the advancement of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in ways that help to ensure the health, prosperity, welfare and security of the nation has been central to the mission of the US National Science Foundation (NSF) since 1950, the year Congress created the agency. Preparing a highly qualified and diverse STEM workforce plays a central role in supporting this mission. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Over the past several decades, many positive steps have been taken throughout the US education system to help ensure a more diverse STEM workforce. Even so, women remain underrepresented among STEM faculty in higher education, especially at the upper ranks. Contributing to women’s underrepresentation are systemic obstacles to the recruitment, retention and promotion of women of different racial, ethnic, disability, sexual orientations and nationality statuses.

Findings

The NSF ADVANCE Program is designed to address these barriers. Success for ADVANCE is, therefore, best defined in terms of the changes made to the structures and climates of academic workplaces, rather than in numbers of women hired, retained or promoted in any one institution at a given point in time.

Originality/value

This introduction briefly examines the origins of ADVANCE, key transitions in the program over time, its reach nationally and internationally, and its future.
A scale development study of CSR: hotel employees’ perceptions
Authors: Ko Annie , Chan Andrew , Wong Simon C.K.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This study aimed to develop an industry-specific, original, valid and reliable scale for measuring hotel employees’ perceptions of CSR activities undertaken by their organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the solid grounding of a conceptual framework and a systematic scale development process, both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. Data were collected from 18 in-depth interviews with CSR/HR managers and employees working in world-renowned international hotel companies and local hotel groups in Hong Kong. A pilot study of 204 employee samples was subjected to exploratory factor analysis to determine the underlying factorial structure of the scale. A further 732 usable samples in the main survey were used to assess the latent structure and validity of the scale using confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The scale revealed sound psychometric properties based on the findings from reliability and validity tests. The results of the analysis validated previous research that employees’ perceptions of CSR are a multidimensional construct and the five-dimensional model for the hotel industry consists of employees, guests, local community, the natural environment and owners/investors.

Practical implications

The developed scale can help organizational behavior researchers to examine the causal relationship between an organization’s CSR activities and employees’ outcomes, thereby enhancing further development of predictive and prescriptive studies that provide prescription to hotel managers with instrumental reason to pursue CSR in an organizational setting.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first scale development studies of employees’ perceptions in the context of the hotel industry.
Offenders’ perceptions of the UK prison smoking ban
Authors: Dugdale Stephanie , Semper Heather , Povey Rachel , Elison-Davies Sarah , Davies Glyn , Ward Jonathan
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Despite overall reductions in levels of smoking in the UK, rates of offender smoking remain high. In 2016, it was announced that prisons in England and Wales would gradually introduce a smoking ban. The purpose of this paper is to explore offenders’ perceptions around the upcoming smoking ban.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of eight focus groups were conducted in four prisons across the North of England. Both smoking and non-smoking offenders participated in the focus groups, and thematic analysis was used to explore the findings.

Findings

Themes generated from the data were “freedom and rights”, “the prison environment” and “guiding support”. Participants discussed how the smoking ban was viewed as a punishment and restricted their freedom, with perceptions as to why the ban was being implemented centring around others trying to control them. Participants expressed concerns around the financial implications of the smoking ban on already stretched prison resources. Participants also recommended improving the nicotine replacement therapy on offer, and increasing the range of leisure activities within the prison to prepare for the smoking ban.

Originality/value

Overall, it was apparent that participants’ awareness of the smoking ban was generally poor. It is recommended that offenders need to be made more aware of the smoking cessation support they will receive and given the opportunity to ask questions about the smoking ban. Increasing offenders’ awareness of the ban may reduce stress associated with a perceived lack of choice around their smoking behaviours.