bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
East Asian Gothic: a definition
Authors: Balmain Colette
Published: November 2017

This paper offers a definition of East Asian Gothic cinema in which a shared cultural mythology, based upon cultural proximity and intra-regional homologies, provides a cinematic template of ghosts and ghouls together with a grotesque menagerie of shapeshifting animals, imagined as either deities or demons. East Asian Gothic is an umbrella term which encompasses the cinemas of PRC, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, acknowledging the difficult histories and conflicts between the nations, as well as film making practices and industries. This is in opposition to critical work which views East Asian gothic and horror films as extensions of Japanese horror, and therefore J-Horror as a meta-genre; for example David Kalat in J-Horror (2007) and Axelle Carolyn in It Lives Again! Horror Films in the New Millennium (2008), or focus almost solely on the relationship between contemporary Western and East Asian Horror cinema through an analysis of the remake. In order to demonstrate the transnational and regional flows that form East Asian gothic cinema, this paper focuses in on one of the oldest and most enduring gothic figures found in literature and mythology across East Asia, the nine-tailed fox: known as the huli jin in China, gumiho in Korea and kitsune in Japan. While much has been written about the vengeful ghost, little attention has been paid to that of the fox-spirit even though ‘she’ is ubiquitous in East Asian popular culture. On screen, the fox-spirit (also known as the fox fairy) is either represented as a variation of the femme fatale or the sacrificial woman—or indeed both in some cases—creating a parallel between existing gender relation and the gothic imaginary. This paper explores the representation of the fox-spirit in contemporary Chinese cinema, at two ends of the spectrum in terms of budget and ambition, the big budget, CGI spectacular, Painted Skin (Hua Pi; dir. Gordon Chan, China/Hong Kong/Singapore, 2008) and the low-budget, low fi, The Extreme Fox (dir. Wellson Chin, Hong Kong, 2014) in order to map out the multiple border crossings which are constitutive of East Asian Gothic: while Painted Skin is representative of a global, or globalising trend, in East Asian Gothic Cinema, The Extreme Fox can be understood as resistant to globalisation through the emphasis on the local and the regional.
Giant negative electrocaloric effect in PbZrO3/0.88BaTiO3–0.12Bi(Mg1/2,Ti1/2)O3 multilayered composite ferroelectric thin film for solid-state refrigeration
Authors: Huang D. , Wang J. B. , Zhong X. L. , Li B. , Zhang Y. , Jin C. , Zheng D. F. , Meng X. J.
Published: November 2017

A giant negative electrocaloric (EC) effect in a PbZrO3/(0.88BaTiO3–0.12 Bi(Mg1/2,Ti1/2)O3) (PZ/(BT-BMT)) multilayered composite ferroelectric (MCFE) thin film which is grown on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrates by the sol-gel method is investigated in this work. The negative EC effect in the PZ/(BMT-BT) MCFE thin film is greatly higher than that in the PZ AFE thin film with an adiabatic temperature change (ATC) ΔT = 1.5 K. The ATC ΔT of the PZ/(BMT-BT) MCFE thin film is −32 K under the applied electric field change ΔE = 1151 kV/cm. The result is conducive to enhance the EC refrigeration efficiency greatly.
Emergence of ferrimagnetic half-metallicity in two-dimensional MXene Mo3N2F2
Authors: Li Sheng-shi , Hu Shu-jun , Ji Wei-xiao , Li Ping , Zhang Kun , Zhang Chang-wen , Yan Shi-shen
Published: November 2017

Ferrimagnetic half-metal is more promising in spintronic devices than its ferromagnetic counterpart due to its lower stray fields and favorable robustness of magnetism. In comparison to the three-dimensional counterpart, the realization on two-dimensional ferrimagnetic half-metal remains blank up to date. Here, based on first-principles calculations and Monte Carlo simulations, we predict a ferrimagnetic half-metallicity in two-dimensional MXene Mo3N2F2 with a Curie temperature of 237 K and a considerable magnetic anisotropy energy. The ferrimagnetic coupling is mainly from the interactions of itinerant d electron between different Mo layers, and thus endows a 100% spin-polarization at the Fermi level with a sizable half-metallic gap of 0.47 eV. Such ferrimagnetic half-metallicity is also robust against external strains. Additionally, diverse magnetic and electronic characters can be controlled, depending on a differently terminated Mo3N2F2 surface. These findings provide an ideal platform to design spintronic devices related to two-dimensional ferrimagnetic half-metals.
Laser impulse coupling measurements at 400 fs and 80 ps using the LULI facility at 1057 nm wavelength
Authors: Phipps C. R. , Boustie M. , Chevalier J.-M. , Baton S. , Brambrink E. , Berthe L. , Schneider M. , Videau L. , Boyer S. A. E. , Scharring S.
Published: November 2017

At the École Polytechnique « LULI » facility, we have measured the impulse coupling coefficient Cm (target momentum per joule of incident laser light) with several target materials in vacuum, at 1057 nm and 400 fs and 80 ps pulse duration. A total of 64 laser shots were completed in a two-week experimental campaign, divided between the two pulse durations and among the materials. Our main purpose was to resolve wide discrepancies among reported values for Cm in the 100 ps region, where many applications exist. A secondary purpose was to compare Cm at 400 fs and 80 ps pulse duration. The 80 ps pulse was obtained by partial compression. Materials were Al, Ta, W, Au, and POM (polyoxymethylene, trade name Delrin). One application of these results is to pulsed laser ablation propulsion in space, including space debris re-entry, where narrow ranges in Cm and specific impulse Isp spell the difference between dramatic and uneconomical performance. We had difficulty measuring mass loss from single shots. Imparted momentum in single laser shots was determined using pendulum deflection and photonic Doppler velocimetry. Cm was smaller at the 400 fs pulse duration than at 80 ps. To our surprise, Cm for Al at 80 ps was at most 30 N/MW with 30 kJ/m2 incident fluence. On the other extreme, polyoxymethylene (POM, trade name Delrin) demonstrated 770 N/MW under these conditions. Together, these results offer the possibility of designing a Cm value suited to an application, by mixing the materials appropriately.
Parametric analysis of magnetic islands subject to halo-current perturbation in disrupting tokamak plasmas
Authors: Ivanov N. V. , Kakurin A. M.
Published: November 2017

Results of simulation and parametric analysis of magnetic island production by helical magnetic perturbation generated under non-axisymmetric halo current are presented. Predictions are made for a cylindrical ITER-size plasma in conditions of disruption. Calculations are carried out with the TEAR code based on the visco-resistive MHD approximation. The radial distribution of the magnetic flux perturbation is calculated with account of the external helical field produced by halo current. The equations for the magnetic flux perturbation describe the dynamics of the tearing mode depending on plasma rotation. In sequence, this rotation is affected by electromagnetic forces depending on the tearing mode magnetic field and external magnetic perturbation. The coupled diffusion-type equations for the helical flux function and for the plasma rotation velocity are numerically treated in a similar way. The magnetic island behavior is analyzed for different plasma parameters expected at the Current Quench stage of disruption. The calculated width of the produced magnetic islands extends to a significant part of plasma minor radius.
Huddle test measurement of a near Johnson noise limited geophone
Authors: Kirchhoff R. , Mow-Lowry C. M. , Adya V. B. , Bergmann G. , Cooper S. , Hanke M. M. , Koch P. , Köhlenbeck S. M. , Lehmann J. , Oppermann P. , Wöhler J. , Wu D. S. , Lück H. , Strain K. A.
Published: November 2017

In this paper, the sensor noise of two geophone configurations (L-22D and L-4C geophones from Sercel with custom built amplifiers) was measured by performing two huddle tests. It is shown that the accuracy of the results can be significantly improved by performing the huddle test in a seismically quiet environment and by using a large number of reference sensors to remove the seismic foreground signal from the data. Using these two techniques, the measured sensor noise of the two geophone configurations matched the calculated predictions remarkably well in the bandwidth of interest (0.01 Hz–100 Hz). Low noise operational amplifiers OPA188 were utilized to amplify the L-4C geophone to give a sensor that was characterized to be near Johnson noise limited in the bandwidth of interest with a noise value of 10−11 m/Hz at 1 Hz.
Global existence and asymptotic behavior of solutions to a two-species chemotaxis system with two chemicals
Authors: Zhang Qingshan , Liu Xiaopan , Yang Xiaofei
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we investigate the competitive parabolic-elliptic-parabolic-elliptic two-species chemotaxis system with two chemicals in a smooth bounded domain Ω⊂Rn (n≥1). The existence of global bounded classical solution is proved under mild assumptions on the initial data and appropriate conditions on the strength of the damping death effects. Moreover, for the case when both competition parameters a1 and a2 lie in 0,1, it is shown that such solution stabilizes to spatially homogeneous equilibria in the large time limit.
High accuracy position adjustment and vibration isolation actuator with the controlled ferrofluid
Authors: Wu Shuai , Li Chunfang , Zhao Xiangyu , Jiao Zongxia
Published: November 2017

An actuator for microposition adjustment and vibration isolation using the controlled ferrofluid is reported in this letter. The proposed actuator levitates on the ferrofluid which is affected by the combined dynamic magnetic field which is formed by coupling a permanent magnetic field with a controlled electromagnetic field. A controlled electromagnetic field is superposed on the permanent magnetic field in order to change the shape of the ferrofluid to ultimately move the actuator. The experimental results indicate that the proposed actuator can adjust the position with high accuracy and has a good dynamic performance. The proposed actuator can bear over 2 N loads, and the positioning accuracy is within 0.1 μm. The stroke of the actuator is about of ±30 μm with no load, and the stroke increases to ±75 μm at 2 N load. Its dynamic band with –3 dB amplitude attenuation and –90° phase is over 40 Hz. In addition, the displacement has a very good linear relationship with the input current. The results also demonstrate that the actuator can isolate vibration in a wide frequency range, as the low frequency vibration can be compensated by the active motion control, while the high frequency vibration can be attenuated by the elasticity and damping effects of the ferrofluid. Consequently, the proposed actuator has a significant potential for applications where the high accuracy micro-position adjustment and vibration isolation are needed.
Herbicidal control of bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) in an ecologically sensitive environment
Authors: Jusaitis Manfred
Published: November 2017

Asparagus asparagoides (bridal creeper) is a highly invasive noxious environmental weed in southern Australia. It poses a severe threat to biodiversity and conservation in temperate natural ecosystems. Pterostylis arenicola, a threatened terrestrial orchid endemic to South Australia, is directly imperilled by this weed in most of its remnant populations. The coincident growth phenologies of orchid and weed make for an ecologically sensitive environment when considering methods of weed control or eradication. To minimise impact on the orchid and its ecosystem, this paper examines the efficacy of herbicide application for A. asparagoides control using the weed wiping technique, comparing it to the conventional spray application method. The most prolonged control of A. asparagoides was achieved after a single wipe-application of 1.5 g a.i. (active ingredient) L−1 metsulfuron methyl, either alone or in combination with 120 g a.i. L−1 glyphosate, both treatments giving significantly better weed control five years after treatment than comparable spray applications. An investigation of the effect of glyphosate on cultures of the mycorrhizal fungus isolated from P. arenicola indicated a significant decline in mycelial growth with increasing herbicide concentration over the range 0.5–3.0 kg a.i. ha−1. These results provide further incentive for the use of ecologically sensitive herbicide application techniques, such as weed wiping, in areas of high conservation concern.
Atypical activation of dendritic cells by
Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Götz Anton , Tang Mei San , Ty Maureen C. , Arama Charles , Ongoiba Aissata , Doumtabe Didier , Traore Boubacar , Crompton Peter D. , Loke P’ng , Rodriguez Ana
Published: November 2017

Significance

With more than 200 million cases per year worldwide and more than 400,000 deaths, mostly affecting children in sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is still one of the most prevalent infectious diseases. Infection with the malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
is characterized by high inflammation but also the failure of the immune system to form efficient memory, leading to recurring infections. No efficient vaccine is available to date. Here we have studied the response of dendritic cells (DCs), an essential cell type in the orchestration of immune and vaccine responses. We found that
P. falciparum
induces a distinct transcriptional profile compared with a classical inflammatory stimulus in primary human DCs, leading to a highly atypical response, which may contribute to parasite immune evasion during malaria.
Effect of dietary fermented mushroom bed on egg production in laying hens
Authors: Yoshida Shu , Mitani Hiroaki , Kamata Masato , Ohtsuka Akira , Otomaru Konosuke , Obi Takeshi , Kanouchi Hiroaki
Published: November 2017

Egg productivity is declined by stress. It has been reported that some food supplements can improve the egg productivity due to a reduction of environmental stress. We evaluated the effect of fermented waste mushroom bed (FWMB) as a dietary additive on egg productivity. Hens were fed control food (control group, n = 100) or 3% FWMB-added food (FWMB group, n = 100) for 16 months. The number of eggs, soft-shelled eggs, and broken eggs were recorded for 15 months. We also evaluated stress-related markers (ovotransferrin, lipid peroxide, and the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio). The FWMB group had slightly increased egg production compared with control hens. The FWMB group produced significantly less broken and soft-shelled eggs than the control group. All stress-related markers were significantly lower in the FWMB group than in the control group. Gut flora was also affected by FWMB feeding. The increased egg production and decreased proportion of broken and soft-shelled eggs might be related to the prevention of stressful conditions by FWMB.
Minority identities and negative attitudes toward immigrants: prejudice and spatial difference amongst the coloured population in South Africa
Authors: Isaacs-Martin Wendy
Published: November 2017

South African communities, and their social identities, are overwhelmingly constructed around and projected through racial classifiers. Historical and political developments promoted segregationist, exclusionist policies that culminated in restricted but permanent primordialist, racial and ethnic classifications arguing that each group has a unique but constant culture and identity. Such racialized limitations problematized ‘mixed race’ individuals classifying them in an empty epithet of ‘Coloured’ that lacked racial ‘purity’ and therefore as a group were inferior and peripheral. From the perspective of a reference group – in South Africa that is informed by a racialized hierarchy – peripheral identities were subjected to negative stereotypes. Therefore, it is assumed that as the Coloured community experienced negative stereotyping, there would be an acute sensitivity to perceptions of prejudice. Using racial and ethnic identifiers as an overarching process to scaffold Gordon Allport’s hypothesis of intergroup contact and prejudice as a point of departure the question posed is whether members of Coloured population are prejudiced of other marginalised minorities, particularly black African and Asian immigrants in South Africa? The purpose of this study is to determine if significant social distance attitudes exist from the perspective of the Coloured population toward African immigrants. In 2014, an amended Bogardus Social Distance Scale was administered to (n = 214) individuals who identify themselves as Coloured in former segregated suburbs in Port Elizabeth to examine prejudice within the communities. The conclusion reached is that social distance attitudes of selected members of the Coloured population are prejudiced toward those outside of the community. The findings are that prejudice against a particular group is not uniform but that this behaviour toward others is influenced by persistent reference group racism.
Brazilian think tanks and the rise of austerity discourse
Authors: Ladi Stella , Lazarou Elena , Hauck Juliana
Published: November 2017

This article discusses the role of think tanks in the production of ideas guiding recent change in Brazil’s economic policy. It claims that think tanks are significant policy-making agents preparing the society for change – via their communicative discourse – but also attempting to influence the interaction between political elites – via their coordinative discourse. The polarization of think tanks’ communicative discourse in regard to austerity during two critical junctures for Brazil is analysed. Discursive institutionalism is applied in order to interpret data from four Brazilian think tanks: the Institute of Applied Economic Research, the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies, the Fernand Braudel Institute and the Brazilian Institute of Economy. These think tanks have very different organizational and ideological characteristics but a polarization of the discussion around austerity can be observed in the discourse of all four of them. The scale ranges from an active defence of the Brazilian development model to a full-scale endorsement of austerity.
Combining ballast water treatment and ballast water exchange: Reducing colonization pressure and propagule pressure of phytoplankton organisms
Authors: Paolucci Esteban M. , Ron Leila , MacIsaac Hugh J.
Published: November 2017

Species richness and species abundance (colonization pressure and propagule pressure, respectively) are commonly used to characterize invasion risk for ballast-water-mediated introductions, which can be high if either parameter is high. For practical reasons, the adopted IMO-D2 standard for organisms in discharged ballast water only considers total abundance of biological indicators, without consideration of species richness or source community. Here we explore the effect of ballast-water source, ballast water exchange, chlorination, or a combination of both (hybrid treatment) on both colonization pressure and propagule pressure for one IMO-D2 size class (≥10 µm and <50 µm; phytoplankton). A strong reduction of propagule pressure was observed in all experimental trials and taxonomic groups, probably owing to environment conditions inside ballast tanks and treatment effects. However, only the hybrid treatment met the IMO-D2 standard for propagule pressure, while also significantly reducing colonization pressure, from 25 initial groups to 16 final groups. In this treatment, dinoflagellates and diatoms dominated final composition. The impact of different treatments on colonization pressure and propagule pressure was always lower when the vessel was ballasted in a brackish than freshwater port. Our study demonstrates that even treated ballast water compliant with the IMO-D2 standard may still harbor a diverse phytoplankton community, albeit with low individual species abundances. These results might be similar even using a type approved ballast water management systems which usually includes a filter for >50 µm organisms as a pre-treatment.
Effective Log-Free Zero Density Estimates for Automorphic L-Functions and the Sato–Tate Conjecture
Authors: Lemke Oliver Robert J , Thorner Jesse
Published: November 2017

Let $K/\mathbb{Q}$ be a number field. Let π and π′ be cuspidal automorphic representations of $\textrm{GL}_{d}(\mathbb{A}_{K})$ and $\textrm{GL}_{d^{\prime }}(\mathbb{A}_{K})$. We prove an unconditional and effective log-free zero density estimate for all automorphic L-functions L(s, π) and prove a similar estimate for Rankin–Selberg L-functions L(s, π × π′) when π or π′ satisfies the Ramanujan conjecture. As applications, we make effective Moreno’s analog of Hoheisel’s short interval prime number theorem and extend it to the context of the Sato–Tate conjecture; additionally, we bound the least prime in the Sato–Tate conjecture in analogy with Linnik’s theorem on the least prime in an arithmetic progression. We also prove effective log-free density estimates for automorphic L-functions averaged over twists by Dirichlet characters, which allows us to prove an “average Hoheisel” result for GLdL-functions.
Microglia Activation and Gene Expression Alteration of Neurotrophins in the Hippocampus Following Early-Life Exposure to E-Cigarette Aerosols in a Murine Model
Authors: Zelikoff Judith T , Parmalee Nancy L , Corbett Kevin , Gordon Terry , Klein Catherine B , Aschner Michael
Published: November 2017

Recent epidemiological data indicate that the popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), and consequently nicotine use, is rising in both adolescent and adult populations. As nicotine is a known developmental neurotoxin, these products present a potential threat for those exposed during early life stages. Despite this, few studies have evaluated the toxicity of e-cigarettes on the developing central nervous system. The goal of this study was to assess neurotoxicity resulting from early-life exposure to electronic cigarette aerosols in an in vivo model. Specifically, studies here focused on neuro-parameters related to neuroinflammation and neurotrophins. To accomplish this, pregnant and neonatal C57BL/6 mice were exposed to aerosols produced from classic tobacco flavor e-cigarette cartridges (with [13 mg/ml] and without nicotine) during gestation (∼3 weeks) and lactation (∼3 weeks) via whole-body inhalation. Exposure to e-cigarette aerosols with and without nicotine caused significant reductions in hippocampal gene expression of Ngfr and Bdnf, as well as in serum levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-6. Exposure to e-cigarette aerosols without nicotine enhanced expression of Iba-1, a specific marker of microglia, in the cornus ammonis 1 region of the hippocampus. Overall, our novel results indicate that exposure to e-cigarette aerosols, with and without nicotine, poses a considerable risk to the developing central nervous system. Consequently, e-cigarettes should be considered a potential public health threat, especially early in life, requiring further research and policy considerations.
Lessons in Effector and NLR Biology of Plant-Microbe Systems
Authors: Białas Aleksandra , Zess Erin K. , De la Concepcion Juan Carlos , Franceschetti Marina , Pennington Helen G. , Yoshida Kentaro , Upson Jessica L. , Chanclud Emilie , Wu Chih-Hang , Langner Thorsten , Maqbool Abbas , Varden Freya A. , Derevnina Lida , Belhaj Khaoula , Fujisaki Koki , Saitoh Hiromasa , Terauchi Ryohei , Banfield Mark J. , Kamoun Sophien
Published: November 2017

A diversity of plant-associated organisms secrete effectors—proteins and metabolites that modulate plant physiology to favor host infection and colonization. However, effectors can also activate plant immune receptors, notably nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat region (NLR)-containing proteins, enabling plants to fight off invading organisms. This interplay between effectors, their host targets, and the matching immune receptors is shaped by intricate molecular mechanisms and exceptionally dynamic coevolution. In this article, we focus on three effectors, AVR-Pik, AVR-Pia, and AVR-Pii, from the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae (syn. Pyricularia oryzae), and their corresponding rice NLR immune receptors, Pik, Pia, and Pii, to highlight general concepts of plant-microbe interactions. We draw 12 lessons in effector and NLR biology that have emerged from studying these three little effectors and are broadly applicable to other plant-microbe systems.
Opioid Dependence and Pregnancy: Minimizing Stress on the Fetal Brain
Authors: McCarthy J.J. , Leamon M.H. , Finnegan L.P. , Fassbender C.
Published: November 2017

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;216(3):226–231)

A 127% increase in women presenting for delivery who were opioid-dependent occurred between 1998 and 2011. This is associated with increased risk for comorbid medical conditions and mortality. The US Government Accountability Office published a report identifying gaps in knowledge concerning the care of women and neonates at risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). There are 3 situations in which chronic opioid use and/or exposure occurs: pain management, active untreated opioid use disorder (OUD) and OUD treated with methadone or buprenorphine. Each situation should be treated differently when assessing effects on neonates. This paper, informed by published research and clinical practice in a methadone/buprenorphine treatment program including a specialized pregnancy program, reviewed these different types of opioid dependence in pregnant women and identified areas in which more research is needed.
Drug Delivery to the Human and Mouse Uterus Using Immunoliposome Targeted to the Oxytocin Receptor
Authors: Paul J.W. , Hua S. , Ilicic M. , Tolosa J.M. , Butler T. , Robertson S. , Smith R.
Published: November 2017

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;216(3):283.e1–283.e14)

There is a need for pharmacotherapy during preterm labor, postpartum hemorrhage and other obstetric complications that is safe, effective and specifically targets uterine myocytes with minimal side effects. One emerging mode to deliver agents to specific tissues is targeted liposomes, which are artificial vesicles composed of ≥1 phospholipid bilayers. This study examined the possibility of developing a method for targeting uterine myometrial tissue with therapeutic agents using an immunoliposome platform.
Targeted Nanoparticles in Pregnancy: A New Frontier in Perinatal Therapeutics
Authors: Refuerzo J.S. , Longo M. , Godin B.
Published: November 2017

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;216(3):204–205)

This editorial advocates for the continued collective effort in perinatal medicine to employ principles of nanomedicine to improve maternal and fetal care. Nanomedicine may be able to increase the safety and efficacy of a drug by manipulating physical and chemical properties of the particles (such as size and surface chemistry) to vector it preferentially to the affected tissue, minimizing fetal exposure and combating risks associated with systemic drug toxicities to the mother and the developing fetus. Such targeted delivery of drugs to the maternal organs could revolutionize the treatment of high-risk patients for conditions such as growth abnormalities and preterm labor.
The Epidemiology and Outcomes of Women With Postpartum Hemorrhage Requiring Massive Transfusion With 8 or More Units of Red Cells: A National Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Green L. , Knight M. , Seeney F.M. , Hopkinson C. , Collins P.W. , Collis R.E. , Simpson N.A.B. , Weeks A. , Stanworth S.S.
Published: November 2017

(BJOG. 2016;123:2164–2170)

The frequency of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and the rates of severe adverse outcomes associated with PPH have increased in developed countries over the last 10 to 15 years. PPH also remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The multifactorial approach to treating PPH consists of early identification and supportive resuscitation, along with pharmacological, mechanical and surgical methods to control bleeding. A population-based cross-sectional study was undertaken using the United Kingdom Obstetric Surveillance System to determine the incidence of massive transfusion (MT) in obstetrics in the UK and to determine the management practices used and the outcomes for parturients receiving MT.
Incidence of Fever in Labor and Risk of Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Towers C.V. , Yates A. , Zite N. , Smith C. , Chernicky L. , Howard B.
Published: November 2017

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;216(6):596.e1–596.e5)

Maternal fever alone during labor may be a sign of chorioamnionitis and an indication for antibiotic therapy. However, there are no published obstetrical guidelines devoted to the management of chorioamnionitis. Reports of physician diagnosed chorioamnionitis may underestimate rates (3.1% whereas a few large studies suggest it to be closer to 7%), and clinical management varies across institutions. Therefore, in the present study, authors evaluated the rate of fever during labor and assessed risk for early-onset neonatal sepsis in newborns delivered from mothers with intrapartum fever compared with those delivered from mothers without fever.
An Economic Analysis of Immediate Delivery and Expectant Monitoring in Women With Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, Between 34 and 37 Weeks of Gestation (HYPITAT-II)
Authors: van Baaren G-J , Broekhuijsen K. , van Pampus M.G. , Ganzevoort W. , Sikkema J.M. , Woiski M.D. , Oudijk M.A. , Bloemenkamp K.W.M. , Scheepers H.C.J. , Bremer H.A. , Rijnders R.J.P. , van Loon A.J. , Perquin D.A.M. , Sporken J.M.J. , Papatsonis D.N.M. , van Huizen M.E. , Vredevoogd C.B. , Brons J.T.J. , Kaplan M. , van Kaam A.H. , Groen H. , Porath M. , van den Berg P.P. , Mol B.W.J. , Franssen M.T.M. , Langenveld J.
Published: November 2017

(BJOG. 2017;124:453–461)

An economic analysis of the previously reported HYPITAT-II study was undertaken to assess the relative costs of delivering a preterm fetus versus expectant monitoring in women with nonsevere hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The HYPAT-II study included 703 pregnant women in the Netherlands between 34 and 37 weeks gestation with preterm nonsevere hypertensive disorders. They were randomly allocated to either immediate delivery upon diagnosis (n=352) or expectant monitoring of the mother and fetus (n=351). The HYPAT-II study found that expectant monitoring was the more clinically effective strategy as it resulted in significantly fewer cases of respiratory distress syndrome in the infant with a relatively small impact on maternal health. This current study was performed simultaneously with the HYPITAT-II trial with the goal of determining which of the 2 treatments was more cost effective.
The Effect of Maternal Low Flow Oxygen Administration During the Second Stage of Labour on Umbilical Cord Artery pH: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Qian G. , Xu X. , Chen L. , Xia S. , Wang A. , Chuai Y. , Jiang W.
Published: November 2017

(BJOG. 2017;124:678–685)

Oxygen is routinely used in the United States for intrauterine resuscitation when fetal heart rate (FHR) abnormalities are present. In fact, an American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Practice Bulletin recommended its use as a component of intrauterine resuscitation. It is also commonly used by obstetricians prophylactically during the second stage of labor. However, its efficacy has been debated. Some studies have shown increased maternal oxygen levels with no increase in fetal levels while other studies did report an increase in fetal oxygen saturation when maternal oxygen supplementation was administered. No randomized controlled trials have looked at the effects of supplemental maternal oxygen on nonreassuring FHR and just 2 small trials investigated the effect of prophylactic oxygen administration during the second stage of labor. Finally, hyperoxia has been shown to cause vasoconstriction, including vessels of the placenta and umbilical cord, which could lead to the conclusion that oxygen administration during intrauterine resuscitation may be harmful. This randomized, controlled study evaluated the effects on umbilical artery pH of low flow maternal oxygen administration during the second stage of labor.
Preprocedural Ultrasound Assessment Does Not Improve Trainee Performance of Spinal Anesthesia for Obstetrical Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Turkstra T.P. , Marmai K.L. , Armstrong K.P. , Kumar K. , Singh S.I.
Published: November 2017

(J Clin Anesth. 2017;37:21–24)

Although spinal ultrasound can assist with identification of axial anatomical structures and intervertebral spaces, there are ergonomic challenges with needle angulation and depth. In fact, some studies with residents have suggested that there is no benefit to using ultrasound assistance for epidural placement. However, these studies were limited by small size or specificity to center. In the present study, the authors evaluated the impact of additional information provided by preprocedural ultrasound examination among trainee anesthesiologists performing spinal anesthesia in obstetric patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery in a blinded, randomized controlled trial.
Perimortem Caesarean Section: 2 Cases performed in New Zealand Hospitals
Authors: De Silva P.H. , Maharaj D. , Langdana F.
Published: November 2017

(Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2016;56(6):662–665)

Cardiac disease in pregnancy is a leading cause of indirect death in developed countries. Because the gravid uterus can impair chest compression effectiveness, ventilation, and venous return to the heart during resuscitation efforts during cardiac arrest, it is recommended that perimortem cesarean section (PMCS) be undertaken in such situations, in order to improve resuscitation efforts. The current guideline advises that PMCS be considered at 4 minutes of resuscitation if spontaneous circulation has not been restored, with the goal of delivering the fetus within 1 to 2 minutes. Although PMCS is relatively rare (it is estimated that PMCS is necessary every 53,000 maternities) it is still crucial that clinicians are trained to detect and intervene when PMCS is required. The present case report discussed 2 of 8 PMCS performed in New Zealand hospitals between 2006 and 2013.
Minimizing Blood Loss at Cesarean Hysterectomy for Placenta Previa Percreta
Authors: Belfort M.A. , Shamshiraz A.A. , Fox K.
Published: November 2017

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;216(1):78.e1–78.e2)

When performing a cesarean hysterectomy for placenta percreta, a classical hysterotomy is often created, which can lead to significant blood loss (500 to 800 mL) before performing the hysterectomy. Reducing blood loss during this part of the surgery could lower overall blood loss and therefore the quantity of blood product transfusion and/or crystalloid/colloid infusion.
Role of epigenetics and DNA-damage in asthma
Authors: Zahiruddin Adil S. , Grant J. Andrew , Sur Sanjiv
Published: November 2017

Purpose of review

Although asthma is a common disease worldwide, its pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. There is increasing evidence of the interaction between epigenetics, DNA-damage, and environmental allergens in the development of asthma. In this review, we will focus on the role of epigenetics and DNA-damage in asthma.

Recent findings

There is growing evidence of environmental allergens, particularly house dust mite, stimulating oxidative DNA damage in airway epithelial cells. The repair of this DNA damage has been implicated in the secretion of Th2 cytokines and the induction of allergic inflammation.

Studies of the role of epigenetics, DNA-damage, and environmental allergens have begun to reveal the their complex interactions and their roles in the development of asthma. Further study in these areas may lead to novel prevention and treatment approaches.
Using Choice Architecture to Integrate Substance Use Services with Primary Care: Commentary on Donohue et al.
Authors: Beletsky Leo
Published: November 2017

At a time when death and disability linked to problematic substance use have reached crisis levels, integration of substance use disorder (SUD) services into primary care settings is a clear national priority. Incentive-based interventions can catalyze such adoption, but have thus far demonstrated limited efficaciousness. Behavioral Economics can inform efforts to incentivize healthcare providers to adopt SUD interventions. Choice architecture principles dictate pegging rewards to defined quality metrics, improving provider information about effective and cost-effective practices, and reducing barriers to SUD service provision through technological tools, tackling stigma, and addressing real and perceived regulatory burdens and risks. Additional research is needed to inform these and other key elements in the choice environment designed to facilitate the integration of SUD care into primary care. Success in the deployment of the “cascade of care” model in primary care settings during the HIV/AIDS epidemic provides room for optimism, but also underscores the urgency of rapid scale-up in diagnostic and treatment services for SUD to address the burgeoning opioid crisis.
VANGL1 Is Not Associated With the Susceptibility of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in the Chinese Population
Authors: Xu Leilei , Sheng Fei , Xia Chao , Feng Zhenhua , Qiu Yong , Zhu Zezhang
Published: November 2017

Study Design.

A case-control study.

Objective.

To replicate the association between the VANGL1 gene and the susceptibility of AIS in the Chinese population.

Summary of Background Data.

The mutations of VANGL1 gene were recently reported to be associated with AIS in the Danish population. However, there is a lack of replication in other populations. Further analysis of the functional role of VANGL1 in AIS was warranted.

Methods.

A total of 1481 female AIS patients and 1372 age-matched healthy controls were included in this study. single nucleotide variant (SNV)s c.407T > A and c.1318T > G were genotyped using allelic-specific multiple ligase detection reactions. single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)s covering VANGL1 gene were selected using Haploview (v2.6). The associations between theses SNPs and AIS were investigated through Cochran-Armitage trend test by PLINK (v1.90). Relative mRNA expression of VANGL1 in the paraspinal muscles was analyzed for 30 patients and 24 age-matched controls. The difference of mRNA expression level between the two groups was analyzed with the Student t test.

Results.

There was no case of mutation for all the subjects. A total of 22 SNPs covering VANGL1 were analyzed. All the SNPs were found to have comparable distribution of genotype and allele frequency in the cases and the controls. Moreover, there was no significant difference regarding the mRNA expression of VANGL1 in the two groups.

Conclusion.

VANGL1 gene is not associated with AIS in the Chinese population. Replication studies in other ethnic groups are warranted to further clarify the role of the VANGL1 gene in AIS.

Level of Evidence: 4
What is in the Literature?
Authors: Bromberg Mark B.
Published: November 2017

This edition of “What is in the Literature?” will focus on motor neuron disease (MND), including adult forms [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), progressive bulbar palsy (PBA), and monomelic mononeuropathy (MMND)], and childhood forms [spinal muscle atrophy (SMA)].
The Use of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A in Aesthetics: Key Clinical Postulates
Authors: Nestor Mark S. , Kleinfelder Raymond E. , Pickett Andy
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

The most common aesthetic procedure performed worldwide is the injection of botulinum neurotoxin Type A (BoNT-A). Aesthetic providers must fully comprehend the objective scientific data, theoretical mechanisms of action, and differences between brands of BoNT-A.

OBJECTIVE

To determine and review the relevant clinical postulates for the use of botulinum toxin in aesthetics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The BoNT-A clinical postulates presented here discuss how each brand of BoNT-A acts identically, how the molecular potency may vary between the different products, how patient age, gender, genetics, and muscle mass cause variation in toxin receptor number and density, and how both practitioner and patient can affect toxin distribution.

RESULTS

A total of 8 clinical postulates have been identified that are key to understanding the use of botulinum toxin in aesthetics and to obtaining the best clinical results.

CONCLUSION

All of these factors affect the potential efficacy of the injected toxin and hence the aesthetic results obtained.
Non-BRCA1/2 Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes: A New Frontier with Clinical Consequences for Plastic Surgeons
Authors: Frey Jordan D. , Salibian Ara A. , Schnabel Freya R. , Choi Mihye , Karp Nolan S.
Published: November 2017

Twenty percent of breast cancer cases may be related to a genetic mutation conferring an increased risk of malignancy. The most common and prominent breast cancer susceptibility genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2, found in nearly 40% of such cases. However, continued interest and investigation of cancer genetics has led to the identification of a myriad of different breast cancer susceptibility genes. Additional genes, each with unique significance and associated characteristics, continue to be recognized. Concurrently, advanced genetic testing, while still controversial, has become more accessible and cost-effective. As oncologic and reconstructive advances continue to be made in prophylactic breast reconstructive surgery, patients may present to plastic surgeons with an increasingly more diverse array of genetic diagnoses to discuss breast reconstruction. It is therefore imperative that plastic surgeons be familiar with these breast cancer susceptibility genes and their clinical implications. We, therefore, aim to review the most common non-BRCA1/2 breast cancer susceptibility genetic mutations in an effort to assist plastic surgeons in counseling and managing this unique patient population. Included in this review are syndromic breast cancer susceptibility genes such as TP53, PTEN, CDH1, and STK11, among others. Nonsyndromic breast cancer susceptibility genes herein reviewed include PALB2, CHEK2, and ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene. With this knowledge, plastic surgeons can play a central role in the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, including successful breast reconstruction, of all patients carrying genetic mutations conferring increased risk for breast malignancies.
The Boomerang-shaped Pectoralis Major Musculocutaneous Flap for Reconstruction of Circular Defect of Cervical Skin
Authors: Azuma Shuchi , Arikawa Masaki , Miyamoto Shimpei
Published: November 2017

We report on a patient with a recurrence of oral cancer involving a cervical lymph node. The patient’s postexcision cervical skin defect was nearly circular in shape, and the size was about 12 cm in diameter. The defect was successfully reconstructed with a boomerang-shaped pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap whose skin paddle included multiple intercostal perforators of the internal mammary vessels. This flap design is effective for reconstructing an extensive neck skin defect and enables primary closure of the donor site with minimal deformity.
PARACENTRAL ACUTE MIDDLE MACULOPATHY IN PRIMARY CONGENITAL GLAUCOMA
Authors: Aribas Yavuz K. , Aktas Zeynep , Bayrakceken Kemal , Atalay Tuba , Ozdek Sengul
Published: November 2017

Purpose:

To report a case of primary congenital glaucoma associated with paracentral acute middle maculopathy.

Methods:

A case report.

Results:

A 14-year-old girl with undiagnosed primary congenital glaucoma was referred for the evaluation of sudden vision loss a week after the initial symptoms. Visual acuity was counting fingers at 2 m in the right eye. Examination of her right eye revealed corneal stromal scar like Haab striae, splinter hemorrhage at the temporal border of the optic disk, perivenular hemorrhage, and fern-like white area at the macula. On optical coherence tomography of the right eye, hyperreflective plaques at the level of the inner nuclear layer/outer plexiform layer were present, corresponding to the opaque areas in fundoscopy. On optical coherence tomography angiography of the right eye, ischemic areas in deep capillary plexuses were present. These findings in optical coherence tomography angiography and optical coherence tomography were consistent with paracentral acute middle maculopathy.

Conclusion:

This is the first case of primary congenital glaucoma associated with paracentral acute middle maculopathy in the literature, and primary congenital glaucoma might be a predisposing factor.
CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS PANOPHTHALMITIS AFTER INTRAVITREAL ANTI–VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR INJECTION
Authors: Kancherla Swarupa , Ross Ahmara , Stefko Susan T. , Martel Joseph N.
Published: November 2017

Purpose:

This report describes a fulminant infection with Clostridium perfringens after an intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor injection.

Methods:

This is a retrospective case review.

Results:

Our patient's rapid infection eventually led to enucleation, despite broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.

Conclusion:

Reporting rare causes and common clinical findings of C. perfringens ocular infection may lead to earlier detection and intervention.
BULL'S EYE MACULOPATHY WITH MUTATIONS IN RDS/PRPH2 AND ROM-1
Authors: Essilfie Juliet O. , Sanfilippo Christian J. , Sarraf David
Published: November 2017

Purpose:

To report a case of bull's eye maculopathy associated with mutations in RDS/PRPH2 and ROM-1 genes.

Methods:

We present a case report of a patient with a characteristic maculopathy and describe the multimodal retinal imaging findings including spectral domain optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence and full-field electrophysiology. The results of genetic testing are also reported.

Results:

A 60-year-old woman presented with decreased vision and a remarkable bull's eye maculopathy with retinal examination. Fundus autofluorescence illustrated a striking pattern of speckled hyperautofluorescence and hypoautofluorescence that highlighted the bull's eye maculopathy in each eye and guided genetic testing, which confirmed a mutation of the RDS/PRPH2 gene and a novel mutation of the ROM-1 gene.

Conclusion:

Multimodal imaging including fundus autofluorescence may guide genetic testing in patients with a characteristic maculopathy. RDS/PRPH2 genetic mutation can be associated with a bull's eye maculopathy with a signature fundus autofluorescence presentation.