bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Rhinoplasty on Labyrinthine Function
Authors: Tekin Ahmet Mahmut , Soylu Erkan , Dizdar Handan Turan , Yılmaz Fahrettin , Bayazit Yildirim Ahmet
Published: May 2018

Background

Rhinoplasty is a common surgical procedure that is requested and accepted by patients for cosmetic and functional reasons. Osteotomies are performed on nasal bone, maxillary crest, or vomer to fix the deviations of the nasal dorsum or septum. During the percussion of the osteotomes with the surgical mallet, the vibration energy diffuses to the cranium. Auditory and vestibular systems may be affected by these vibrations.

Objectives

To assess the effects of rhinoplasty, in which osteotomies were performed using a hammer, on the audiovestibular system.

Methods

Thirty adults who underwent rhinoplasty were included in the study group. Ten age and gender matched adults who had nasal surgery without surgical mallet or osteotome served as the control group. The patients in both groups were assessed using pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission testing, and vestibular-evoked myogenic potential, as well as video head impulse tests (vHIT) before the operation and 1 week after the operation.

Results

On auditory assessment, there was no significant difference between the study and control groups regarding pure tone thresholds at frequencies of 250 Hz to 8 kHz (P > 0.05) as well as otoacoustic emissions. The vestibular assessment performed by using vestibular-evoked myogenic potential and vHIT did not reveal a statistically significant difference between the groups, before surgery or after surgery (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Rhinoplasty appears to be a safe operation in terms of audiovestibular functions, and osteotomy, in which a hammer is usually used, does not have an impact on hearing or balance functions of the ear.

Level of Evidence: 2
pyABC: distributed, likelihood-free inference
Authors: Klinger Emmanuel , Rickert Dennis , Hasenauer Jan
Published: May 2018

Likelihood-free methods are often required for inference in systems biology. While approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) provides a theoretical solution, its practical application has often been challenging due to its high computational demands. To scale likelihood-free inference to computationally demanding stochastic models, we developed pyABC: a distributed and scalable ABC-Sequential Monte Carlo (ABC-SMC) framework. It implements a scalable, runtime-minimizing parallelization strategy for multi-core and distributed environments scaling to thousands of cores. The framework is accessible to non-expert users and also enables advanced users to experiment with and to custom implement many options of ABC-SMC schemes, such as acceptance threshold schedules, transition kernels and distance functions without alteration of pyABC’s source code. pyABC includes a web interface to visualize ongoing and finished ABC-SMC runs and exposes an API for data querying and post-processing.

Availability and Implementation

pyABC is written in Python 3 and is released under a 3-clause BSD license. The source code is hosted on https://github.com/icb-dcm/pyabc and the documentation on http://pyabc.readthedocs.io. It can be installed from the Python Package Index (PyPI).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
AC-DIAMOND v1: accelerating large-scale DNA–protein alignment
Authors: Mai Huijun , Zhang Yifan , Li Dinghua , Leung Henry Chi-Ming , Luo Ruibang , Wong Chi-Kwong , Ting Hing-Fung , Lam Tak-Wah
Published: May 2018

AC-DIAMOND (v1) is a DNA–protein alignment tool designed to tackle the efficiency challenge of aligning large amount of reads or contigs to protein databases. When compared with the previously most efficient method DIAMOND, AC-DIAMOND gains a 6- to 7-fold speed-up, while retaining a similar degree of sensitivity. The improvement is rooted at two aspects: first, using a compressed index of seeds with adaptive-length to speed-up the matching between query and reference sequences; second, adopting a compact form of dynamic programing to fully utilize the parallelism of the SIMD capability.

Availability and implementation

Software source codes and binaries available at https://github.com/Maihj/AC-DIAMOND/

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Risk Factors for Treatment Failure and Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients With Complicated Urinary Tract Infection: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study (RESCUING Study Group)
Authors: Eliakim-Raz Noa , Babitch Tanya , Shaw Evelyn , Addy Ibironke , Wiegand Irith , Vank Christiane , Torre-Vallejo Laura , Joan-Miquel Vigo , Steve Morris , Grier Sally , Stoddart Margaret , Nienke Cuperus , Leo van den Heuvel , Vuong Cuong , MacGowan Alasdair , Carratalà Jordi , Leibovici Leonard , Pujol Miquel ,   RESCUING Study Group, Tancheva Dora , Vatcheva-Dobrevska Rossitza , Tsiodras Sotirios , Roilides Emmanuel , Várkonyi Istvan , Bodnár Judit , Farkas Aniko , Zak-Doron Yael , Carmeli Yehuda , Mangoni Emanuele Durante , Mussini Cristina , Petrosillo Nicola , Vata Andrei , Hristea Adriana , Origüen Julia , Rodriguez-Baño Jesus , Yetkin Arzu , Saltoglu Nese
Published: May 2018

Background

Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) are responsible for a major share of all antibiotic consumption in hospitals. We aim to describe risk factors for treatment failure and mortality among patients with cUTIs.

Methods

A multinational, multicentre retrospective cohort study, conducted in 20 countries in Europe and the Middle East. Data were collected from patients’ files on hospitalised patients with a diagnosis of cUTI during 2013-2014. Primary outcome was treatment failure, secondary outcomes included 30 days all-cause mortality,among other outcomes. Multivariable analysis using a logistic model and the hospital as a random variable was performed to identify independent predictors for these outcomes.

Results

A total of 981 patients with cUTI were included. Treatment failure was observed in 26.6% (261/981), all cause 30-day mortality rate was 8.7% (85/976), most of these in patients with catheter related UTI (CaUTI). Risk factors for treatment failure in multivariable analysis were ICU admission (OR 5.07, 95% CI 3.18-8.07), septic shock (OR 1.92, 95% CI 0.93-3.98), corticosteroid treatment (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.12-3.54), bedridden (OR 2.11, 95%CI 1.4-3.18), older age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.0071.03-), metastatic cancer (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.46-5.73) and CaUTI (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.04-2.11). Management variables, such as inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment or days to starting antibiotics were not associated with treatment failure or 30-day mortality. More patients with pyelonephritis were given appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy than other CaUTI [110/171; 64.3% vs. 116/270; 43%, p <0.005], nevertheless, this afforded no advantage in treatment failure rates nor mortality in these patients.

Conclusions

In patients with cUTI we found no benefit of early appropriate empirical treatment on survival rates or other outcomes. Physicians might consider supportive treatment and watchful waiting in stable patients until the causative pathogen is defined.
Evaluating Mobility in Advanced Dementia: A Scoping Review and Feasibility Analysis
Authors: Van Ooteghem Karen , Musselman Kristin , Gold David , Marcil Meghan N , Keren Ron , Tartaglia Maria Carmela , Flint Alastair J , Iaboni Andrea
Published: May 2018

Background and Objectives

Mobility decline is a symptom of advanced dementia that affects function, safety, caregiving, and quality of life. Monitoring mobility status is essential for initiating timely and targeted interventions aimed at preventing excess disability in people with dementia (PWD). The physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms of dementia however, present unique challenges for mobility assessment. The goals of this review were to (a) identify and describe measures of mobility used for PWD and (b) assess measures’ feasibility for use in people with advanced dementia; a group whose degree of cognitive impairment results in severe functional deficits.

Research Design and Methods

Electronic searches of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsychInfo databases were conducted using keywords related to dementia, mobility, measurement, and validation. Descriptive characteristics were extracted and measures coded for mobility components. Tools were also evaluated for feasibility of use in advanced dementia and those deemed feasible, screened for psychometric strength.

Results

Thirty-eight measures were included and 68% of these tools were performance-based. Elements of mobility evaluated were walking (53% of measures), postural transitions (42%), standing (40%), mobility-related behavioral/psychological symptoms (24%), transfers (10%), bed mobility (5%), and wheeled mobility (3%). 36% of studies included people with advanced dementia. Only 18% of tools received high scores for feasibility.

Discussion and Implications

Existing measures provide only partial information regarding mobility and few target elements that become relevant as dementia progresses. Most measures are not feasible for people with advanced dementia, and the psychometric evaluation of these measures is limited. Further research is needed to develop a comprehensive, dementia-specific, mobility assessment tool.
Independent assessment and improvement of wheat genome sequence assemblies using Fosill jumping libraries
Authors: Lu Fu-Hao , McKenzie Neil , Kettleborough George , Heavens Darren , Clark Matthew D , Bevan Michael W
Published: May 2018

Background

The accurate sequencing and assembly of very large, often polyploid, genomes remains a challenging task, limiting long-range sequence information and phased sequence variation for applications such as plant breeding. The 15-Gb hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genome has been particularly challenging to sequence, and several different approaches have recently generated long-range assemblies. Mapping and understanding the types of assembly errors are important for optimising future sequencing and assembly approaches and for comparative genomics.

Results

Here we use a Fosill 38-kb jumping library to assess medium and longer–range order of different publicly available wheat genome assemblies. Modifications to the Fosill protocol generated longer Illumina sequences and enabled comprehensive genome coverage. Analyses of two independent Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC)-based chromosome-scale assemblies, two independent Illumina whole genome shotgun assemblies, and a hybrid Single Molecule Real Time (SMRT-PacBio) and short read (Illumina) assembly were carried out. We revealed a surprising scale and variety of discrepancies using Fosill mate-pair mapping and validated several of each class. In addition, Fosill mate-pairs were used to scaffold a whole genome Illumina assembly, leading to a 3-fold increase in N50 values.

Conclusions

Our analyses, using an independent means to validate different wheat genome assemblies, show that whole genome shotgun assemblies based solely on Illumina sequences are significantly more accurate by all measures compared to BAC-based chromosome-scale assemblies and hybrid SMRT-Illumina approaches. Although current whole genome assemblies are reasonably accurate and useful, additional improvements will be needed to generate complete assemblies of wheat genomes using open-source, computationally efficient, and cost-effective methods.
Benchmarking taxonomic assignments based on 16S rRNA gene profiling of the microbiota from commonly sampled environments
Authors: Almeida Alexandre , Mitchell Alex L , Tarkowska Aleksandra , Finn Robert D
Published: May 2018

Background

Taxonomic profiling of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences has been the accepted norm for inferring the composition of complex microbial ecosystems. Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) and mothur have been the most widely used taxonomic analysis tools for this purpose, with MAPseq and QIIME 2 being two recently released alternatives. However, no independent and direct comparison between these four main tools has been performed. Here, we compared the default classifiers of MAPseq, mothur, QIIME, and QIIME 2 using synthetic simulated datasets comprised of some of the most abundant genera found in the human gut, ocean, and soil environments. We evaluate their accuracy when paired with both different reference databases and variable sub-regions of the 16S rRNA gene.

Findings

We show that QIIME 2 provided the best recall and F-scores at genus and family levels, together with the lowest distance estimates between the observed and simulated samples. However, MAPseq showed the highest precision, with miscall rates consistently <2%. Notably, QIIME 2 was the most computationally expensive tool, with CPU time and memory usage almost 2 and 30 times higher than MAPseq, respectively. Using the SILVA database generally yielded a higher recall than using Greengenes, while assignment results of different 16S rRNA variable sub-regions varied up to 40% between samples analysed with the same pipeline.

Conclusions

Our results support the use of either QIIME 2 or MAPseq for optimal 16S rRNA gene profiling, and we suggest that the choice between the two should be based on the level of recall, precision, and/or computational performance required.
A gene catalogue of the Sprague-Dawley rat gut metagenome
Authors: Pan Hudan , Guo Ruijin , Zhu Jie , Wang Qi , Ju Yanmei , Xie Ying , Zheng Yanfang , Wang Zhifeng , Li Ting , Liu Zhongqiu , Lu Linlin , Li Fei , Tong Bin , Xiao Liang , Xu Xun , Li Runze , Yuan Zhongwen , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Kristiansen Karsten , Jia Huijue , Liu Liang
Published: May 2018

Background

Laboratory rats such as the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats are an important model for biomedical studies in relation to human physiological or pathogenic processes. Here we report the first catalog of microbial genes in fecal samples from Sprague-Dawley rats.

Findings

The catalog was established using 98 fecal samples from 49 SD rats, divided in 7 experimental groups, and collected at different time points 30 days apart. The established gene catalog comprises 5,130,167 non-redundant genes with an average length of 750 bp, among which 64.6% and 26.7% were annotated to phylum and genus levels, respectively. Functionally, 53.1%, 21.8%,and 31% of the genes could be annotated to KEGG orthologous groups, modules, and pathways, respectively.

Conclusions

A comparison of rat gut metagenome catalogue with human or mouse revealed a higher pairwise overlap between rats and humans (2.47%) than between mice and humans (1.19%) at the gene level. Ninety-seven percent of the functional pathways in the human catalog were present in the rat catalogue, underscoring the potential use of rats for biomedical research.
Cessation and reduction in smoking behavior: impact of creating a smoke-free home on smokers
Authors: Haardörfer R , Kreuter M , Berg C J , Escoffery C , Bundy Ł T , Hovell M , Mullen P D , Williams R , Kegler M C
Published: May 2018

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a creating a smoke-free home (SFH) on cessation and reduction of cigarette smoking on low-income smokers. This secondary data analysis uses data from study participants who were originally recruited through 2-1-1 information and referral call centers in Atlanta (Georgia, 2013), North Carolina (2014) and the Texas Gulf Coast (2015) across three randomized controlled trials testing an intervention aimed at creating SFHs, pooling data from 941 smokers. Participants who reported adopting a SFH were more likely to report quitting smoking than those who did not adopt a SFH. This was true at 3-month follow-up and even more pronounced at 6-month follow-up and persisted when considering only those who consistently reported no smoking at 3 and 6 months. Among those who did not stop smoking, the number of cigarettes per day declined significantly more and quit attempts were more frequent for those who created a SFH compared with those who did not. Findings suggest that creating a SFH facilitates cessation, reduces cigarette consumption and increases quit attempts. Future studies should assess the long-term impact of SFHs on sustaining cessation.
Analysis of an adaptive HDG method for the Brinkman problem
Authors: Araya Rodolfo , Solano Manuel , Vega Patrick
Published: May 2018

We introduce and analyze a hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method for the gradient-velocity-pressure formulation of the Brinkman problem. We present an a priori error analysis of the method, showing optimal order of convergence of the error. We also introduce an a posteriori error estimator, of the residual type, which helps us to improve the quality of the numerical solution. We establish reliability and local efficiency of our estimator for the $L^{2} $-error of the velocity gradient and the pressure and the $ H^{1} $-error of the velocity, with constants written explicitly in terms of the physical parameters and independent of the size of the mesh. In particular, our results are also valid for the Stokes problem. Finally, we provide numerical experiments showing the quality of our adaptive scheme.
Diophantine Inequalities for Generic Ternary Diagonal Forms
Authors: Schindler Damaris
Published: May 2018

Let $k\geq 2$ and consider the Diophantine inequality $$ \left|x_1^k-{\alpha}_2 x_2^k-{\alpha}_3 x_3^k\right| <{\theta}.$$Our goal is to find non-trivial solutions in the variables $x_i$, $1\leq i\leq 3$, all of size about $P$, assuming that ${\theta }$ is sufficiently large. We study this problem on average over ${\alpha }_3$ and generalize previous work by Bourgain on quadratic ternary diagonal forms to general degree $k$.
Stem cell therapies
Authors: Tyndall Alan , van Laar Jacob M.
Published: May 2018

Since the start of the international project in 1997, over 2000 patients have received a haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), mostly autologous, as treatment for a severe autoimmune disease, with overall 85% 5-year survival and 43% progression-free survival. Around 30% of patients in all disease subgroups had a complete response, often durable despite full immune reconstitution. In many cases, e.g. systemic sclerosis, morphological improvement such as reduction of skin collagen and normalization of microvasculature was documented, beyond any predicted known effects of intense immunosuppression alone. It is hoped that the results of the three running large prospective randomized controlled trials will allow modification of the protocols to reduce the high transplant-related mortality which relates to regimen intensity, age of patient, and comorbidity. Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been recently tested in various autoimmune diseases, exploiting their immune modulating properties and apparent low acute toxicity. MSC display immune privilege in that the patient requires no immunosuppression prior to allogeneic MSC infusion. Despite encouraging many small phase I/II studies, only 2 prospective controlled trials which achieved their primary endpoints have been published.
Large-vessel vasculitis
Authors: Pipitone Nicolò , Versari Annibale , Salvarani Carlo
Published: May 2018

Large-vessel vasculitis includes giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK). GCA affects patients aged over 50, mainly of white European ethnicity. GCA occurs together with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) more frequently than expected by chance. In both conditions, females are affected two to three times more often than males. GCA mainly involves large- and medium-sized arteries, particularly the branches of the proximal aorta including the temporal arteries. Vasculitic involvement results in the typical manifestations of GCA including temporal headache, jaw claudication, and visual loss. A systemic inflammatory response and a marked response to glucocorticoids is characteristic of GCA. GCA usually remits within 6 months to 2 years from disease onset. However, some patients have a chronic-relapsing course and may require longstanding treatment. Mortality is not increased, but there is significant morbidity mainly related to chronic glucocorticoid use and cranial ischaemic events, especially visual loss. The diagnosis of GCA rests on the characteristic clinical features and raised inflammatory markers, but temporal artery biopsy remains the gold standard to support the clinical suspicion. Imaging techniques are also used to demonstrate large-vessel involvement in GCA. Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment for GCA, but other therapeutic approaches have been proposed and novel ones are being developed.
TAK mainly involves the aorta and its main branches. Women are particularly affected with a female:male ratio of 9:1. In most patients, age of onset is between 20 and 30 years. Early manifestations of TAK are non-specific and include constitutional and musculoskeletal symptoms. Later on, vascular complications become manifest. Most patients develop vessel stenoses, particularly in the branches of the aortic artery, leading to manifestations of vascular hypoperfusion. Aneurysms occur in a minority of cases. There are no specific laboratory tests to diagnose TAK, although most patients have raised inflammatory markers, therefore, imaging techniques are required to secure the diagnosis. Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment of TAK. However, many patients have an insufficient response to glucocorticoids alone, or relapse when they are tapered or discontinued. Immunosuppressive agents and, in refractory cases, biological drugs can often attain disease control and prevent vascular complications. Revascularization procedures are required in patients with severe established stenoses or occlusions.
Anticorrelation between X-ray luminosity and pulsed fraction in the Small Magellanic Cloud pulsar SXP 1323
Authors: Yang Jun , Zezas Andreas , Coe Malcolm J , Drake Jeremy J , Hong JaeSub , Laycock Silas G T , Wik Daniel R
Published: May 2018

We report the evidence for the anticorrelation between pulsed fraction (PF) and luminosity of the X-ray pulsar SXP 1323, found for the first time in a luminosity range 1035–1037 erg s−1 from observations spanning 15 yr. The phenomenon of a decrease in X-ray PF when the source flux increases has been observed in our pipeline analysis of other X-ray pulsars in the Small Magellanic Cloud. It is expected that the luminosity under a certain value decreases as the PF decreases due to the propeller effect. Above the propeller region, an anticorrelation between the PF and the flux might occur either as a result of an increase in the unpulsed component of the total emission or a decrease of the pulsed component. Additional modes of accretion may also be possible, such as spherical accretion and a change in emission geometry. At higher mass accretion rates, the accretion disc could also extend closer to the neutron star surface, where a reduced inner radius leads to hotter inner disc emission. These modes of plasma accretion may affect the change in the beam configuration to fan-beam dominant emission.
The impact of symptoms on health-related quality of life in elderly pre-dialysis patients: effect and importance in the EQUAL study
Authors: Voskamp Pauline W M , van Diepen Merel , Evans Marie , Caskey Fergus J , Torino Claudia , Postorino Maurizio , Szymczak Maciej , Klinger Marian , Wallquist Carin , van de Luijtgaarden Moniek W M , Chesnaye Nicolas C , Wanner Christoph , Jager Kitty J , Dekker Friedo W
Published: May 2018

Background

Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients feel that symptoms are an important determinant of QoL. However, this relation is unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate the impact of the number and severity of symptoms on QoL in elderly pre-dialysis patients, assessed by both the effect of symptoms and their importance relative to kidney function, and other clinical variables on QoL.

Methods

The European Quality study (EQUAL study) is an ongoing European prospective follow-up study in late Stage 4/5 CKD patients aged ≥65 years. We used patients included between March 2012 and December 2015. Patients scored their symptoms with the Dialysis Symptom Index, and QoL with the research and development-36 (RAND-36) item Health Survey (RAND-36). The RAND-36 results in a physical component summary (PCS) and a mental component summary (MCS). We used linear regression to estimate the relation between symptoms and QoL at baseline and after 6 months, and to calculate the variance in QoL explained by symptoms.

Results

The baseline questionnaire was filled in by 1079 (73%) patients (median age 75 years, 66% male, 98% Caucasian), and the follow up questionnaire by 627 (42%) patients. At baseline, every additional symptom changed MCS with −0.81 [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.91 to −0.71] and PCS with −0.50 (95% CI: −0.62 to −0.39). In univariable analyses, number of symptoms explained 22% of MCS variance and 11% of PCS variance, whereas estimated glomerular filtration rate only explained 1%.

Conclusions

In elderly CKD Stage 4/5 patients, symptoms have a substantial impact on QoL. This indicates symptoms should have a more prominent role in clinical decision-making.
Set Existence Principles and Closure Conditions: Unravelling the Standard View of Reverse Mathematics†
Authors: Eastaugh Benedict
Published: May 2018

It is a striking fact from reverse mathematics that almost all theorems of countable and countably representable mathematics are equivalent to just five subsystems of second-order arithmetic. The standard view is that the significance of these equivalences lies in the set existence principles that are necessary and sufficient to prove those theorems. In this article I analyse the role of set existence principles in reverse mathematics, and argue that they are best understood as closure conditions on the powerset of the natural numbers.
First Extensive Microscopic Study of Butternut Defense Mechanisms Following Inoculation with the Canker Pathogen Ophiognomonia clavigignenti-juglandacearum Reveals Compartmentalization of Tissue Damage
Authors: Rioux Danny , Blais Martine , Nadeau-Thibodeau Nicolas , Lagacé Marie , DesRochers Pierre , Klimaszewska Krystyna , Bernier Louis
Published: May 2018

Ophiognomonia clavigignenti-juglandacearum endangers the survival of butternut (Juglans cinerea) throughout its native range. While screening for disease resistance, we found that artificial inoculations of 48 butternut seedlings with O. clavigignenti-juglandacearum induced the expression of external symptoms, but only after a period of dormancy. Before dormancy, compartmentalized tissues such as necrophylactic periderms (NPs) and xylem reaction zones (RZs) contributed to limiting pathogen invasion. Phenols were regularly detected in RZs, often in continuity with NPs during wound closure, and confocal microscopy revealed their presence in parenchyma cells, vessel plugs and cell walls. Vessels were blocked with tyloses and gels, particularly those present in RZs. Suberin was also detected in cells formed over the affected xylem by the callus at the inoculation point, in a few tylosis walls, and in longitudinal tubes that formed near NPs. Following dormancy, in all inoculated seedlings but one, defensive barriers were breached by O. clavigignenti-juglandacearum and then additional ones were produced in response to this new invasion. The results of this histopathological study indicate that trees inoculated in selection programs to test butternut canker resistance should go through at least one period of dormancy and that asymptomatic individuals should be dissected to better assess how they defend themselves against O. clavigignenti-juglandacearum.
Spatiotemporal Distribution and Environmental Drivers of Barley yellow dwarf virus and Vector Abundance in Kansas
Authors: Enders L. S. , Hefley T. J. , Girvin J. J. , Whitworth R. J. , Smith C. M.
Published: May 2018

Several aphid species transmit barley yellow dwarf, a globally destructive disease caused by viruses that infect cereal grain crops. Data from >400 samples collected across Kansas wheat fields in 2014 and 2015 were used to develop spatiotemporal models predicting the extent to which landcover, temperature and precipitation affect spring aphid vector abundance and presence of individuals carrying Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). The distribution of Rhopalosiphum padi abundance was not correlated with climate or landcover, but Sitobion avenae abundance was positively correlated with fall temperature and negatively correlated to spring temperature and precipitation. The abundance of Schizaphis graminum was negatively correlated with fall precipitation and winter temperature. The incidence of viruliferous (+BYDV) R. padi was positively correlated with fall precipitation but negatively correlated with winter precipitation. In contrast, the probability of +BYDV S. avenae was unaffected by precipitation but was positively correlated with fall temperatures and distance to forest or shrubland. R. padi and S. avenae were more prevalent at eastern sample sites where ground cover is more grassland than cropland, suggesting that grassland may provide over-summering sites for vectors and pose a risk as potential BYDV reservoirs. Nevertheless, land cover patterns were not strongly associated with differences in abundance or the probability that viruliferous aphids were present.
Advance care planning and anticipatory decision making in patients with Alzheimer disease
Authors: Slyer Jason T. , Archibald Ella , Moyo Fernea , Truglio-Londrigan Marie
Published: May 2018

Early advance care planning and anticipatory decision making in the Alzheimer disease (AD) trajectory is a strategy NPs can incorporate to improve managing uncertainty around common decisions. This article explores decisions patients and caregivers face along the AD trajectory and provides resources for patients, caregivers, and NPs.
Efficacy Using a Modified Technique for Tissue Stabilized-Guided Subcision for the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Cellulite of the Buttocks and Thighs
Authors: Ibrahim Omer , Haimovic Adele , Lee Nicole , Kaminer Michael S.
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Cellulite can be significantly improved using vacuum-assisted tissue stabilized-guided subcision (TS-GS). However, the treatment of shallow and linear cellulite has remained problematic.

OBJECTIVE

In this retrospective study, we describe a modified technique of vacuum-assisted TS-GS. The aim is to demonstrate that this new limited-release technique is an effective treatment for long ripples and interconnected shallow dimples, which are characteristic of mild-to-moderate cellulite.

METHODS

Patients with mild-to-moderate cellulite were treated with limited-release vacuum-assisted TS-GS. All subcisions were performed at the 6-mm depth and a minimum of 3 mm between each dimple. Using a 4-point scale, 2 raters graded cellulite improvement on evaluation of prephotographs and postphotographs.

RESULTS

A total of 23 female patients were included in this study. The pre- and post-treatment photographs were correctly identified in 22 of the 23 patients (95.6%). The average cellulite improvement was 2.9 of 4 for the buttocks and 2.8 of 4 for the posterior thighs. Global cellulite improvement was reported at 3.1 of 4.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that modified, limited-release, vacuum-assisted TS-GS can be an effective and safe method for the treatment of long ripples and shallow dimples that are characteristics of mild-to-moderate cellulite.
MACULAR HOLE FORMATION FOLLOWED BY SPONTANEOUS CLOSURE AFTER PNEUMATIC RETINOPEXY IN A PATIENT WITH DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA
Authors: Cohen Michael N. , Baumal Caroline R.
Published: May 2018

Purpose:

To report early formation and spontaneous closure of a full-thickness macular hole that developed after successful pneumatic retinopexy in a patient who had been undergoing treatment for diabetic macular edema.

Methods:

Case report of a 68-year-old man with bilateral nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy who was currently undergoing anti–vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for bilateral diabetic macular edema.

Results:

On presentation, visual acuity was 20/200 in the left eye, and examination revealed a bullous, macula-off retinal detachment with a single horseshoe tear at 12 o'clock in the left eye. Pneumatic retinopexy was performed followed by laser augmentation 3 days later. Three weeks postoperatively, he returned with visual acuity of 20/50 and a full-thickness macular hole in the left eye. Although he elected for initial observation, he returned 2 weeks later with visual acuity of 20/50 in both eyes and a retinal detachment with a single break at 10 o'clock in the right eye. The macular hole in the left eye had spontaneously resolved. Pneumatic retinopexy was performed to the right eye. Over 1 year after bilateral pneumatic retinopexy, his retina remains without recurrence of a macular hole in the left eye.

Conclusion:

In the early postoperative period after pneumatic retinopexy to repair a retinal detachment, a macular hole can form and spontaneously close.
Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Screening of Mycotoxin Genes From Ocular Isolates of Fusarium species
Authors: Anutarapongpan Orapin , Maestre-Mesa Jorge , Alfonso Eduardo C. , O'Brien Terrence P. , Miller Darlene
Published: May 2018

Purpose:

To identify mycotoxin genes among clinical ocular isolates of Fusarium species and to correlate these with clinical outcomes of Fusarium keratitis.

Methods:

Fifty-four clinical isolates of Fusarium were retrieved from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Ocular Microbiology Laboratory data bank. Multiplex polymerase chain reactions were run to confirm the identification of Fusarium species [internal transcribed spacer sequence, translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF) and β-tubulin] and to detect the presence of genes encoding production of fumonisin B mycotoxins (FUM1 and FUM8) and trichothecene mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol and nivalenol). The presence or absence of mycotoxins was compared with patient outcomes.

Results:

Forty-three (79%) of the 54 isolates were confirmed as Fusarium species, by an internal transcribed spacer sequence in 3 (5.6%) and by TEF in 43 (79.6%) of the 54 isolates. Fumonisin biosynthetic gene 1 (FUM1) was detected in 57.4% (n = 31/54) of the Fusarium isolates. No FUM8, deoxynivalenol genes, and nivalenol genes were detected among these in the clinical isolates group. Initial best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/25 to 20/80 in the FUM1 gene-negative group and from 20/20 to light perception in the FUM1 gene-positive group. There was no difference in the time to cure between both groups. The presence of FUM1 genes in 5 fungal isolates seemed to be associated with progression to penetrating keratoplasty in the 5 patients from whom the fungi were isolated. Fusarium solani was recovered from all patients requiring penetrating keratoplasty.

Conclusions:

Fumonisin B biosynthetic gene 1 may be common among clinical Fusarium isolates and contribute to worse initial visual acuity and high-risk progression to penetrating keratoplasty.
Ocular Surface Findings in Patients With Lichen Planopilaris
Authors: Gheisari Mehdi , Dadkhahfar Sahar , Fadakar Kaveh , Robati Reza Mahmoud , Moravvej Hamideh , Soleimani Mohammad , Mirshahi Reza
Published: May 2018

Purpose:

Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a chronic lymphocytic- mediated disorder that selectively involves hair follicles, leading to cicatricial alopecia. The eyelash follicle and meibomian gland (MG) might also be involved in the disease process leading to ocular surface problems.

Methods:

In this Cross-sectional case -control study, twenty-three patients with histologically confirmed LPP and 23 healthy controls were recruited in this controlled study. To quantify the signs and symptoms of LPP, we used the Lichen Planopilaris Activity Index. The ophthalmologic examination was performed by the same ophthalmologist at Farabi Eye Hospital.

Results:

Patients with LPP had a statistically significant lower tear breakup time (worse test outcome) compared with the control (7.1 6 4.1 vs. 9.6 6 4.4; respectively, P = 0.011). Both MG quality score and expressibility were higher in patients with LPP than in control subjects (14.1 6 4.3 vs. 9.3 6 4.4; P = 0.001; 1.5 6 1.0 vs. 0.4 6 0.8; P = 0.001; respectively). The Schirmer test score was not different between groups. A significant but weak correlation was found between the Lichen Planopilaris Activity Index and tear breakup time. Other ophthalmologic examinations including conjunctiva, lid margin shape, intraocular pressure, and funduscopy were normal in patients with LPP.

Conclusions:

Patients with LPP, scored worse in ocular surface tests. This finding warrants special scrutiny for dry eye and MG dysfunction in these patients.
Predicting Plasma Free Hemoglobin Levels in Patients Due to Medical Device–Related Hemolysis
Authors: Saylor David M. , Buehler Paul W. , Brown Ronald P. , Malinauskas Richard A.
Published: May 2018

Blood passage through medical devices can cause hemolysis and increased levels of plasma free hemoglobin (pfH) that may lead to adverse effects such as vasoconstriction and renal tubule injury. Although the hemolytic potential of devices is typically characterized in vitro using animal blood, the results can be impacted by various blood parameters, such as donor species. Moreover, it is unclear how to relate measured in vitro hemolysis levels to clinical performance because pfH accumulation in vivo depends on both hemolysis rate and availability of plasma haptoglobin (Hpt) that can bind and safely eliminate pfH. To help to address these uncertainties, we developed a biokinetic model linking in vivo hemolysis rates to time-dependent pfH and Hpt concentrations. The model was initially parameterized using studies that characterized baseline levels and evolution of pfH and Hpt after introduction of excess pfH in humans. With the biokinetic parameters specified, the model was applied to predict hemolysis rates in three patient groups undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. The congruity of the model with these clinical data suggests that it can infer in vivo hemolysis rates and provide insight into pfH levels that may cause concern. The model was subsequently used to evaluate acceptance threshold hemolysis values proposed in the literature for chronic circulatory assist blood pumps and to assess the impact of patient weight on pfH accumulation using simple scaling arguments, which suggested that identical hemolysis index values may increase pfH levels nearly threefold in 10 kg pediatric patients compared with 80 kg adults.
The ins and outs of an ‘outside-in’ view of allergies: atopic dermatitis and allergy prevention
Authors: Shaker Marcus , Murray Robert G.P. , Mann Julianne A.
Published: May 2018

Purpose of review

The skin barrier is a dynamic innate immune organ. This review summarizes the current understanding of how deficiencies associated with atopic dermatitis invite other atopic disorders of the allergic march.

Recent findings

Atopic dermatitis is characterized by skin barrier defects (such as mutations in filaggrin), intrinsic proallergic T-helper cell 2 immune dysregulation, and skin microbiome alterations. These factors promote the development of food allergy and asthma. Prevention of atopic dermatitis may involve topical emollients and oral probiotic supplementation, while some food allergies can be prevented by early introduction of potential food allergens to at-risk infants. Traditional therapies for atopic dermatitis involve skin hydration, emollients, and anti-inflammatory topical therapies including topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. Dupilumab is a new and promising targeted biologic medication approved for use in adults with more severe atopic dermatitis; however, additional research is needed to determine whether this medication should be incorporated more broadly into management of severe childhood atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis management involves early diagnosis, skin barrier function support, mitigation of cutaneous inflammation, and concomitant risk stratification for the development of food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and environmental allergies.
Can telerehabilitation games lead to functional improvement of upper extremities in individuals with Parkinson’s disease?
Authors: Cikajlo Imre , Hukić Alma , Dolinšek Irena , Zajc Dejana , Vesel Mateja , Krizmanič Tatjana , Blažica Bojan , Biasizzo Anton , Novak Franc , Peterlin Potisk Karmen
Published: May 2018

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is treated by medication, less with deep brain stimulation and physiotherapy. Different opinions on the clinical meaningfulness of the physiotherapy or recommended intensive physiotherapy were found. Our objectives were to design intensive target-based physiotherapy for upper extremities suitable for telerehabilitation services and examine the clinical meaningfulness of the exergaming at an unchanged medication plan. A telerehabilitation exergaming system using the Kinect sensor was developed; 28 patients with PD participated in the study. The system followed the participants’ movements and adapted the difficulty level of the game in real time. The outcomes of the study showed that seven out of 26 participants could set up the equipment at home alone. Clinical outcomes of Box and Blocks Test (mean: 47 vs. 52, P=0.002, Cohen’s d=0.40), UPDRS III (mean: 27 vs. 29, P=0.001, d=0.22), and daily activity Jebsen’s test; writing a letter (mean: 24.0 vs. 20.6, P=0.003, d=0.23); and moving light objects (mean: 4.4 vs. 3.9, P=0.006, d=0.46) were statistically significant (P<0.05) and considered clinically meaningful. The Nine-Hole Peg Test showed a statistically nonsignificant improvement (mean: 28.0 vs. 26.5, P=0.089, d=0.22). The participants claimed problems with mobility but less with activities of daily living and emotional well-being (PDQ-39). The findings lead to preliminary conclusions that exergaming is feasible, but may require technical assistance, whereas clinically meaningful results could be achieved according to validated instruments and an unchanged medication plan in individuals with PD.
Predicting self-reported disability level by a number of pain sites marked on pain drawing
Authors: Saltychev Mikhail , Laimi Katri
Published: May 2018

To evaluate the connection between the number of pain sites (head and neck, upper extremities, trunk, and lower extremities) marked on pain drawing and general disability level measured by a 12-item WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) score. A cross-sectional survey of 1988 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain was conducted. Analysis of variance with contrasts was performed along with regression analysis. Despite the relatively mild median disability level measured as WHODAS 2.0 total score at 25%, the majority of the participants experienced, in the last month, severe pain with 8.1 points on a 0–10 numeric rating scale. Only 1% had left the pain drawing unmarked. Otherwise, 15% had marks in one area, 34% in two, 23% in three, and 27% in all four areas. The characteristics of those groups were similar except for disability. Disability level was 30–50% worse when pain was experienced in all four sites. The analysis of variance showed that both the number of pain sites and pain severity affected disability level (P<0.0001). There were differences in disability levels between each group pair. The regression analysis showed a linear relationship between disability and number of pain sites – marking one area more predicted increase in WHODAS 2.0 total score approximately by 5%. The number of sites marked on a pain drawing correlated with disability severity. Increase in this number may serve as an easy screening predictor of functional deterioration in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
The Unmet Supportive Care Needs of Arab Australian and Arab Jordanian Cancer Survivors
Authors: Alananzeh Ibrahim M. , Levesque Janelle V. , Kwok Cannas , Salamonson Yenna , Everett Bronwyn
Published: May 2018

Background

Research exploring the unmet supportive care needs of Arab cancer survivors is limited, with most conducted with immigrant groups. No study has compared the unmet supportive care needs of immigrant Arab cancer survivors with Arab cancer survivors living in their native country.

Objective

To explore the unmet supportive care needs of both Arab Australian and Arab Jordanian cancer survivors.

Methods

Arab people living in Sydney, Australia, and Amman, Jordan, and diagnosed with cancer within the last 5 years were invited to complete a questionnaire that measured unmet supportive care needs, depression, and language acculturation. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of unmet supportive care needs.

Results

Seventy-seven Arab Jordanian and 66 Arab Australian cancer survivors were recruited. Australian participants were older than their Jordanian counterparts (61.5 vs 52.3 years; P < .001) and reported higher levels of overall unmet needs (44.9 vs 36.1; P = .012). Controlling for age and stage of cancer diagnosis, higher levels of depression (β = .34) and living in Australia (β = .26) were significant predictors of unmet needs and explained almost 17% of the variance.

Conclusions

These findings have extended our understanding of the unmet supportive care needs of Arab cancer survivors and confirm disparities in unmet needs in immigrant populations.

Implications for Practice

Greater attention is needed to ensure the supportive care needs are met for immigrant patients with cancer. Additional strategies to address physical and psychological needs are particularly needed in this group.
The Role of Anastomotic Vessels in Controlling Tissue Viability and Defining Tissue Necrosis with Special Reference to Complications following Injection of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Authors: Ashton Mark W. , Taylor G. Ian , Corlett Russell J.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Most target areas for facial volumization procedures relate to the anatomical location of the facial or ophthalmic artery. Occasionally, inadvertent injection of hyaluronic acid filler into the arterial circulation occurs and, unrecognized, is irreparably associated with disastrous vascular complications. Of note, the site of complications, irrespective of the injection site, is similar, and falls into only five areas of the face, all within the functional angiosome of the facial or ophthalmic artery.

Methods:

Retrospective and prospective studies were performed to assess the site and behavior of anastomotic vessels connecting the angiosomes of the face and their possible involvement in the pathogenesis of tissue necrosis. In vivo studies of pig and rabbit, and archival human total body and prospective selective lead oxide injections of the head and neck, were analyzed. Results were compared with documented patterns of necrosis following inadvertent hyaluronic acid intraarterial or intravenous injection.

Results:

Studies showed that the location of true and choke anastomoses connecting the facial artery with neighboring angiosomes predicted the tissue at risk of necrosis following inadvertent intraarterial hyaluronic acid injection.

Conclusion:

Complications related to hyaluronic acid injections are intimately associated with (1) the anatomical distribution of true and choke anastomoses connecting the facial artery to neighboring ophthalmic and maxillary angiosomes where choke vessels define the boundary of necrosis of an involved artery but true anastomoses allow free passage to a remote site; or possibly (2) retrograde perfusion of hyaluronic acid into avalvular facial veins, especially in the periorbital region, and thereby the ophthalmic vein, cavernous sinus, and brain.