bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of different air settings over fire-induced condition in a stairwell
Authors: da Silva Aristides Lopes , Xiong Shengwu , Aamir Hussain
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This work aims to report the effect of different inlet air velocity settings, and the position of the inlet areas under fire-induced conditions in stairwells.

Design/methodology/approach

The results are evaluated both experimentally and numerically. In sequence, the study also describes the results of three tests under different ventilation conditions, which were performed by simulating a fire of 0.9 m diameter in a stairwell access door. Detailed transient measurements of air temperature in the walls, air velocity settings at the ventilation outlet, smoke temperature through the fans and pressure through the exhaust fans were recorded for the study.

Findings

These data could be used as benchmark for future numerical validation studies. Based on computational fluid dynamics, the tests were performed using fire dynamics simulator codes, to compare the results of tests and simulations.

Originality/value

The numerical study was performed in confined floors close to the test areas of a typical stairwell, with different vents and a source of fire. The results show that the lack of symmetry in the air vents settings has greater influence on the plume than the total area of the air inlet.
Investigating a comparative evaluation approach in explaining loyalty
Authors: Jaiswal Anand Kumar , Lemmink Jos G.A.M.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the superiority of comparative evaluation or relative attitudinal measurement approach in which the respondent evaluates one object with direct comparison with other objects. The study uses comparative and non-comparative approaches to examine the effects of service quality, value, and customer satisfaction on attitudinal loyalty in a service setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the data collected from the survey of 300 customers of two large Indian banks.

Findings

The results provide partial support to the superiority of the comparative evaluation over non-comparative evaluation. Additionally, results indicate that service quality positively affects customer value, and both service quality and customer value have a direct positive effect on customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction drives attitudinal loyalty which in turn leads to customers’ willingness to pay more.

Research limitations/implications

In the study, two banks were used for comparative evaluation. Since consumers’ consideration set can consist of more than two alternatives, future studies can include more than two objects.

Practical implications

Non-comparative measurements do not always adequately explain customer loyalty and superior performance of firms. This could potentially lead to misinterpretations of effects of service quality improvement programs and thus sub-optimal management decisions. Managers should use comparative evaluation approach for measuring marketing variables wherever possible.

Originality/value

Although the use of comparative evaluation is suggested in the literature (Dick and Basu, 1994), extant research has not systematically examined its superiority over non-comparative evaluation. This study empirically tests the comparative evaluation approach against the non-comparative approach by examining a comprehensive model involving the interrelationships among service quality, value, customer satisfaction, and their impact on attitudinal loyalty and willingness to pay more.
The relationship between emotional intelligence, thinking style, and the quality of investors’ decisions using the log-linear method
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Mohammadi Nahid
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Investors’ decision-making is based on quantitative and rational analyses, and some other factors deriving from the market expectations are also contribute significantly on the shareholders’ response to market interactions. The present study aims to discover whether emotional intelligence and thinking style have a significant effect on the quality of investors’ decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

To gather data, a questionnaire was designed and developed and distributed among the participants during the first half of 2015. Moreover, the SAS software and the log-linear method was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that emotional intelligence, thinking style and quality of decision-making are not dependent and emotional intelligence and thinking style are not interdependent on each other.

Originality/value

The current study used a unique model to test the hypotheses, and the results may be different from those of previous studies.
The rotated Cartesian coordinate method to remove the axial singularity of cylindrical coordinates in finite‐difference schemes for elastic and viscoelastic waves
Authors: Zhuang Mingwei , Zhou Jianyang , Wei Songlin , Liu Qing Huo
Published: September 2017

When modelling the propagation of 3D non‐axisymmetric elastic and viscoelastic waves in cylindrical coordinates using the finite‐difference time‐domain method, a mathematical singularity occurs due to the presence of terms in the elastic and viscoelastic wave equations. For many years, this issue has been impeding the accurate numerical solution near the axis. In this work, we propose a simple but effective method for the treatment of this numerical singularity problem. By rotating the Cartesian coordinate system around the z‐axis in cylindrical coordinates, the numerical singularity problems in both 2D and 3D cylindrical coordinates can be removed. This algorithm has three advantages over the conventional treatment techniques: (i) the excitation source can be directly loaded at , (ii) the central difference scheme with second‐order accuracy is maintained, and (iii) the stability condition at the axis is consistent with the finite‐difference time‐domain in Cartesian coordinates. This method is verified by several 3D numerical examples. Results show that the rotating the Cartesian coordinate method is accurate and stable at the singularity axis. The improved finite‐difference time‐domain algorithm is also applied to sonic logging simulations in non‐axisymmetric formations and sources.
Effects of variations in fluid properties and fracture geometry on dispersion, anisotropy, and reflection in media with planar fractures
Authors: Gan Yuandi , Chesnokov Evgeni M.
Published: September 2017

Our objective was to discover the effect of variations in fluid properties and fracture geometry on the velocity of seismic wave propagation in fluid‐saturated media with parallel planar fractures. We used numerical models calculated by analytical solutions to examine the behaviour of P‐wave phase velocity dispersion in the normal direction to layering, in non‐porous and porous media with planar fractures. We also examined the anisotropy of low frequency phase and group velocities of fast and slow P‐waves and angular‐dependent reflection coefficients in media with planar fractures, under conditions of saturation by fluids with varying bulk moduli, densities, and fracture apertures. We defined several parametre , , and characterising dispersion, characterising anisotropy, characterising the difference between fast and slow modes, and R0 and characterising reflection. Our results show that the behaviour of dispersion shows wider stopbands in the case of gas saturation. Concavity indicator of dispersion for gas saturation was greater than that for liquid saturation and is usually greater than one. Anisotropy is more sensitive to bulk modulus contrast than to density contrast between the solid and the fluid, and is more sensitive to density contrast than to bulk modulus contrast. The case of gas saturation usually had a greater negative R0 and a greater value of compared with those of brine and heavy and light oil saturations. Our results are helpful in distinguishing fluid types saturating geophysical fractures and estimating the aperture and spacing of planar fractures. In seismic exploration, bulk modulus and fluid density can provide useful information in distinguishing among brine, oil, and gas; fracture geometry is important to estimate the permeability of reservoirs.
Taming the zebra: Unravelling the barriers to diagnosing aortic dissection
Authors: Rotella Joe‐Anthony , Yeoh Michael
Published: September 2017

Aortic dissection is a lethal cardiovascular emergency that continues to pose a diagnostic dilemma to the emergency physician. The condition is rare, can present atypically and is associated with a cumulative mortality for every hour that passes. While it is a recognised differential of acute chest pain, its prevalence in comparison to other causes often leads to the diagnosis being overlooked. The ED is a busy environment with high patient turnover and varying degrees of complexity and acuity. This increases susceptibility to cognitive bias and error‐producing conditions that can lead to delayed or missed diagnosis. In reported cases where aortic dissection has been missed, clinician awareness of the disease was not the primary issue but failure to respond to clinical cues suggestive of aortic dissection was. To improve patient outcomes for this condition, it is important for clinicians to be aware of pertinent cognitive bias and error‐producing conditions.
Body Composition and Inflammation in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Mandic Ante , Cavar Ivan , Skoro Ivana , Tomic Ivan , Ljubic Kristina , Coric Slavica , Mikulic Ivanka , Azinovic Igor , Pravdic Danijel
Published: September 2017

The volume state of dialysis patients is important in guiding the dialysis process. Volume overload in these patients is associated with inflammation. The objectives of the present study were to assess the body composition of patients on hemodialysis; to determine the concentrations of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in plasma and evaluate the association of BNP concentrations with volume overload; to determine the concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), albumin and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities as indicators of inflammatory or antioxidant processes. The study included 79 maintenance hemodialysis patients. Assessment of body compartments was carried out using a body composition monitor (BCM). After BCM measurements, blood samples were taken from the patients for laboratory tests. There were 40 (50.6%) volume‐overloaded patients (relative overhydration >15%). These patients had a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension (P < 0.05), significantly higher concentrations of BNP (P = 0.01), lower body mass index (P < 0.05) and lower fat tissue index (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between plasma BNP and CRP concentrations (ρ = 0.231; P < 0.05), and a negative correlation between (log) BNP and albumin (r = −0.021; P < 0.05), as well as (log) CRP and albumin concentrations (r = −3; P < 0.01). SOD activity was positively correlated with albumin concentrations (r = 0.254; P < 0.05). The concentrations of BNP in this study were associated with volume overload and inflammatory markers. Patients with a higher albumin concentration had higher SOD activity.
Transthyretin deposition promotes progression of osteoarthritis
Authors: Matsuzaki Tokio , Akasaki Yukio , Olmer Merissa , Alvarez‐Garcia Oscar , Reixach Natalia , Buxbaum Joel N. , Lotz Martin K.
Published: September 2017

Deposition of amyloid is a common aging‐associated phenomenon in several aging‐related diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease, and aging is its major risk factor. Transthyretin (TTR) is an amyloidogenic protein that is deposited in aging and OA‐affected human cartilage and promotes inflammatory and catabolic responses in cultured chondrocytes. Here, we investigated the role of TTR in vivo using transgenic mice overexpressing wild‐type human TTR (hTTR‐TG). Although TTR protein was detected in cartilage in hTTR‐TG mice, the TTR transgene was highly overexpressed in liver, but not in chondrocytes. OA was surgically induced by destabilizing the medial meniscus (DMM) in hTTR‐TG mice, wild‐type mice of the same strain (WT), and mice lacking endogenous Ttr genes. In the DMM model, both cartilage and synovitis histological scores were significantly increased in hTTR‐TG mice. Further, spontaneous degradation and OA‐like changes in cartilage and synovium developed in 18‐month‐old hTTR mice. Expression of cartilage catabolic (Adamts4, Mmp13) and inflammatory genes (Nos2, Il6) was significantly elevated in cartilage from 6‐month‐old hTTR‐TG mice compared with WT mice as was the level of phospho‐NF‐κB p65. Intra‐articular injection of aggregated TTR in WT mice increased synovitis and significantly increased expression of inflammatory genes in synovium. These findings are the first to show that TTR deposition increases disease severity in the murine DMM and aging model of OA.
Association of contextual cues with morphine reward increases neural and synaptic plasticity in the ventral hippocampus of rats
Authors: Alvandi Mina Sadighi , Bourmpoula Maria , Homberg Judith R. , Fathollahi Yaghoub
Published: September 2017

Drug addiction is associated with aberrant memory and permanent functional changes in neural circuits. It is known that exposure to drugs like morphine is associated with positive emotional states and reward‐related memory. However, the underlying mechanisms in terms of neural plasticity in the ventral hippocampus, a region involved in associative memory and emotional behaviors, are not fully understood. Therefore, we measured adult neurogenesis, dendritic spine density and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB mRNA expression as parameters for synaptic plasticity in the ventral hippocampus. Male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to the CPP (conditioned place preference) paradigm and received 10 mg/kg morphine. Half of the rats were used to evaluate neurogenesis by immunohistochemical markers Ki67 and doublecortin (DCX). The other half was used for Golgi staining to measure spine density and real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction to assess BDNF/TrkB expression levels. We found that morphine‐treated rats exhibited more place conditioning as compared with saline‐treated rats and animals that were exposed to the CPP without any injections. Locomotor activity did not change significantly. Morphine‐induced CPP significantly increased the number of Ki67 and DCX‐labeled cells in the ventral dentate gyrus. Additionally, we found increased dendritic spine density in both CA1 and dentate gyrus and an enhancement of BDNF/TrkB mRNA levels in the whole ventral hippocampus. Ki67, DCX and spine density were significantly correlated with CPP scores. In conclusion, we show that morphine‐induced reward‐related memory is associated with neural and synaptic plasticity changes in the ventral hippocampus. Such neural changes could underlie context‐induced drug relapse.
Amino acid modulation of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens mediates sex differences in nicotine withdrawal
Authors: Carcoba Luis M. , Flores Rodolfo J. , Natividad Luis A. , O'Dell Laura E.
Published: September 2017

The aversive effect of nicotine withdrawal is greater in female versus male rats, and we postulate that this sex difference is mediated in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Nicotine withdrawal induces decreases in NAc dopamine and increases in acetylcholine (ACh) levels in male rats. To our knowledge, these neurochemical markers of nicotine withdrawal have not been compared in female versus male rats. Given the role of amino acids in modulating NAc dopaminergic and cholinergic transmission, concomitant measures of gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate levels were also compared across sex. Rats received continuous nicotine exposure for 14 days, and then NAc dialysate was collected during baseline and following administration of the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine to precipitate withdrawal. Chronic nicotine exposure was associated with larger increases in baseline dopamine, GABA and glutamate levels in the NAc of female versus male rats, whereas baseline ACh was only increased in male rats. During withdrawal, both sexes displayed equivalent increases in NAc ACh levels. As expected, male rats displayed decreases in dopamine, coupled with increases in GABA and decreases in glutamate levels, suggesting the possibility of increased inhibitory tone in the NAc during withdrawal. Relative to males, female rats displayed larger decreases in NAc dopamine and related increases in GABAergic transmission. As female rats also showed elevated glutamate levels that persist during withdrawal, it is suggested that sex differences may arise from increased glutamatergic drive of inhibitory tone in the NAc. The findings provide a potential mechanism whereby the aversive effects of nicotine withdrawal are enhanced in female rats.
Single‐center experience of N‐linked Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation with a Summary of Molecularly Characterized Cases in Arabs
Authors: Bastaki Fatma , Bizzari Sami , Hamici Sana , Nair Pratibha , Mohamed Madiha , Saif Fatima , Malik Ethar Mustafa , Al‐Ali Mahmoud Taleb , Hamzeh Abdul Rezzak
Published: September 2017

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) represent an expanding group of conditions that result from defects in protein and lipid glycosylation. Different subgroups of CDG display considerable clinical and genetic heterogeneity due to the highly complex nature of cellular glycosylation. This is further complicated by ethno‐geographic differences in the mutational landscape of each of these subgroups. Ten Arab CDG patients from Latifa Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, were assessed using biochemical (glycosylation status of transferrin) and molecular approaches (next‐generation sequencing [NGS] and Sanger sequencing). In silico tools including CADD and PolyPhen‐2 were used to predict the functional consequences of uncovered mutations. In our sample of patients, five novel mutations were uncovered in the genes: MPDU1, PMM2, MAN1B1, and RFT1. In total, 9 mutations were harbored by the 10 patients in 7 genes. These are missense and nonsense mutations with deleterious functional consequences. This article integrates a single‐center experience within a list of reported CDG mutations in the Arab world, accompanied by full molecular and clinical details pertaining to the studied cases. It also sheds light on potential ethnic differences that were not noted before in regards to CDG in the Arab world.
Assessing bone development in preterm infants using quantitative ultrasonography showed a decline in the early postnatal period
Authors: Krikke Marieke , Yumani Dana , Rustenburg Christine , Cranendonk Anneke , Twisk Jos , Lafeber Harrie , van Weissenbruch Mirjam
Published: September 2017

Aim

Preterm infants have an insufficient bone mineral store at birth and this study explored their bone development during the early postnatal period.

Methods

The metacarpal speed of sound (mcSOS) and metacarpal bone transmission time (mcBTT) were used to assess bone development in 277 preterm infants, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands from 2007–2012.

Results

During the first nine postnatal weeks, the mcSOS declined from 10 to 38 m per second per week and the mcBTT declined from 20 to 71 nanoseconds per week. The pattern of change in both of these measurements showed a significant difference between infants born before 32 weeks of gestation (p = 0.048) and those born between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation (p = 0.008). There was a borderline significant difference in the pattern of change of the mcBTT in infants with a protein intake below 2 g/kg per day versus a higher intake (p = 0.050).

Conclusion

The mcSOS and mcBTT of preterm infants showed a small to moderate decline during the early postnatal period. Future studies should explore the clinical relevance of this decline and develop interventions to halt it.
Different protein kinase C isoenzymes mediate inhibition of cardiac rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current by different G‐protein coupled receptors
Authors: Liu Xueli , Wang Yuhong , Zhang Hua , Shen Li , Xu Yanfang
Published: September 2017

Background and Purpose

Elevated angiotensin II (Ang II) and sympathetic activity contributes to a high risk of ventricular arrhythmias in heart disease. The rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (IKr) carried by the hERG channels plays a critical role in cardiac repolarization, and decreased IKr is involved in increased cardiac arrhythmogenicity. Stimulation of α1A‐adrenoreceptors or angiotensin II AT1 receptors is known to inhibit IKr via PKC. Here, we have identified the PKC isoenzymes mediating the inhibition of IKr by activation of these two different GPCRs.

Experimental Approach

The whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique was used to record IKr in guinea pig cardiomyocytes and HEK293 cells co‐transfected with hERG and α1A‐adrenoreceptor or AT1 receptor genes.

Key Results

A broad spectrum PKC inhibitor Gö6983 (not inhibiting PKCε), a selective cPKC inhibitor Gö6976 and a PKCα‐specific inhibitor peptide, blocked the inhibition of IKr by the α1A‐adrenoreceptor agonist A61603. However, these inhibitors did not affect the reduction of IKr by activation of AT1 receptors, whereas the PKCε‐selective inhibitor peptide did block the effect. The effects of angiotensin II and the PKCε activator peptide were inhibited in mutant hERG channels in which 17 of the 18 PKC phosphorylation sites were deleted, whereas a deletion of the N‐terminus of the hERG channels selectively prevented the inhibition elicited by A61603 and the cPKC activator peptide.

Conclusions and Implications

Our results indicated that inhibition of IKr by activation of α1A‐adrenoreceptors or AT1 receptors were mediated by PKCα and PKCε isoforms respectively, through different molecular mechanisms.
Cost minimization analysis of a long‐term randomized clinical trial of patients treated with immediately loaded implant‐supported fixed prosthesis
Authors: Alfadda Sara A. , Furzer Jill E.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To document the long‐term costs from a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) on edentulous patients treated with mandibular 4‐implant‐supported fixed prosthesis and two loading protocols.

Methods

Taking the perspective of the individual patient, costs associated with treatment, complications, and patients’ time from 18 patients who received an immediate‐loading protocol and 21 patients treated with a conventional loading protocol were compared over 10 years of observation. All costs are in Canadian dollars and discounted to the RCT base year of 2006 at a rate of 1.5%.

Results

The complication rate in both arms was similar and relatively low. No statistically significant difference was observed in the total cost and discounted total cost, along with its five comprising parameters between the two arms.

Conclusions

Over the 10‐year time frame, the immediate loading of dental implants with mandibular fixed prosthesis proved to cost similar to the conventional loading protocol, underscoring the feasibility and reliability of this protocol from the patient's perspective. (REB protocol reference # 33395).
Effects of age and sex ratios on offspring recruitment rates in translocated black rhinoceros
Authors: Gedir Jay V. , Law Peter R. , du Preez Pierre , Linklater Wayne L.
Published: September 2017

Success of animal translocations depends on improving postrelease demographic rates toward establishment and subsequent growth of released populations. Short‐term metrics for evaluating translocation success and its drivers, like postrelease survival and fecundity, are unlikely to represent longer‐term outcomes. We used information theory to investigate 25 years of data on black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) translocations. We used the offspring recruitment rate (ORR) of translocated females—a metric integrating survival, fecundity, and offspring recruitment at sexual maturity—to detect determinants of success. Our unambiguously best model (AICω = 0.986) predicted that ORR increases with female age at release as a function of lower postrelease adult rhinoceros sex ratio (males:females). Delay of first postrelease reproduction and failure of some females to recruit any calves to sexual maturity most influenced the pattern of ORRs, and the leading causes of recruitment failure were postrelease female death (23% of all females) and failure to calve (24% of surviving females). We recommend translocating older females (≥6 years old) because they do not exhibit the reproductive delay and low ORRs of juveniles (<4 years old) or the higher rates of recruitment failure of juveniles and young adults (4–5.9 years old). Where translocation of juveniles is necessary, they should be released into female‐biased populations, where they have higher ORRs. Our study offers the unique advantage of a long‐term analysis across a large number of replicate populations—a science‐by‐management experiment as a proxy for a manipulative experiment, and a rare opportunity, particularly for a large, critically endangered taxon such as the black rhinoceros. Our findings differ from previous recommendations, reinforce the importance of long‐term data sets and comprehensive metrics of translocation success, and suggest attention be shifted from ecological to social constraints on population growth and species recovery, particularly when translocating species with polygynous breeding systems.
When should the diagnosis ‘contact urticaria’ be used?
Authors: Aalto‐Korte Kristiina
Published: September 2017

In the dermatological literature, the term ‘contact urticaria syndrome’ is often used with patients presenting no symptoms of contact urticaria, but symptoms of adjacent mucous membranes evolving to a systemic allergic reaction. Contact urticaria refers to a wheal and flare reaction following external contact with a causative substance. Its use should be restricted to skin: a skin reaction after direct skin contact.
All the Right Noises: Background Variability Helps Early Word Learning
Authors: Twomey Katherine E. , Ma Lizhi , Westermann Gert
Published: September 2017

Variability is prevalent in early language acquisition, but, whether it supports or hinders learning is unclear; while target variability has been shown to facilitate word learning, variability in competitor items has been shown to make the task harder. Here, we tested whether background variability could boost learning in a referent selection task. Two groups of 2‐year‐old children saw arrays of one novel and two known objects on a screen, and they heard a novel or known label. Stimuli were identical across conditions, with the exception that in theconstant colorcondition objects appeared on a uniform white background, and in thevariable colorcondition backgrounds were different, uniform colors. At test, only children in the variable condition showed evidence of retaining label‐object associations. These data support findings from the adult memory literature, which suggest that variability supports learning by decontextualizing representations. We argue that these data are consistent with dynamic systems accounts of learning in which low‐level entropy adds sufficient noise to the developmental system to precipitate a change in behavior.
Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound activates ERK1/2 and PI3K‐Akt signalling pathways and promotes the proliferation of human amnion‐derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Ling Li , Wei Tianqin , He Lianli , Wang Yaping , Wang Yan , Feng Xiushan , Zhang Wenqian , Xiong Zhengai
Published: September 2017

Objectives

This study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on the proliferation of human amnion‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAD‐MSCs).

Methods

Human amnion‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the amnion of term placentas and identified by flow cytometry and differentiation culture. Proliferation of hAD‐MSCs was investigated by Cell Counting Kit‐8, cell cycle and EdU assays. Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression levels.

Results

Human amnion‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were successfully isolated from the amnion and identified as multipotent mesenchymal stem cells. Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound promoted the proliferation of hAD‐MSCs. Cell cycle analysis showed that LIPUS promoted cells to enter S and G2/M phases from G0/G1 phase. Western blot results showed that LIPUS promoted the phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/2 and Akt and significantly upregulated expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E1, cyclin A2 and cyclin B1. ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) significantly reduced LIPUS‐induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt, respectively, which in turn reduced the LIPUS‐induced proliferation of hAD‐MSCs.

Conclusions

Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound can promote the proliferation of hAD‐MSCs, and ERK1/2 and PI3K‐Akt signalling pathways may play important roles in this process.
The role of complement‐fixing donor‐specific antibodies identified by a C1q assay after heart transplantation
Authors: Farrero Torres M. , Pando M.J. , Luo C. , Luikart H. , Valantine H. , Khush K.
Published: September 2017

Background

The development of donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) to human leukocyte antigens (HLA) has been associated with acute rejection and allograft failure after heart transplantation. Not all DSA, however, can fix complement.

Methods

To determine the association between complement‐fixing DSA and heart transplant outcomes, we retrospectively analyzed results obtained using the C1q solid‐phase assay that specifically detects complement‐fixing DSA in parallel with the standard IgG assay in 121 adult heart transplant recipients.

Results

The 52 recipients who developed post‐transplant DSA had a higher incidence of acute cellular rejection (58% vs 19%, P < .001) and antibody‐mediated rejection (29% vs 7%, P < .001) than the 69 recipients without DSA. The 24 recipients with C1q+ DSA had more antibody‐mediated rejection than the 28 recipients with C1q− DSA (46% vs 14%, P = .012), but there was no difference in the incidence of acute cellular rejection between these two groups. Patients with post‐transplant DSA had higher mortality than patients with no DSA (29% vs 13%, P = .031), mainly due to increased incidence of acute rejection. No differences in survival were found between recipients with C1q+ DSA and C1q− DSA.

Conclusions

Routine monitoring of DSA post‐transplant, and their characterization using the C1q assay, may provide prognostic information for acute rejection after heart transplantation.
Cytokeratin 20 immunocytochemistry on urine sediments: A potential low‐cost adjunct to cytology in the diagnosis of low‐grade urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Wadhwa N. , Diwaker P. , Lotha N. , Arora V. K. , Singh N.
Published: September 2017

Background

Urine cytology is the corner‐stone for the diagnosis of urothelial neoplasia; however, a substantial proportion of low‐grade carcinomas are reported as inconclusive owing to scant cellularity and subtle cytological features. Biomarkers applied on urine sediment smears of such patients are likely to be clinically relevant. Access to Food and Drug Administration approved urinary biomarkers in resource limited setting is poor. Detection of cytokeratin 20 (CK20) in urine sediments, although still a research tool, is a promising marker as immunocytochemistry is performed regularly in several Indian laboratories.

Objective

We tested the clinical utility of CK20 immunocytochemistry as a potential low‐cost adjunct to urine cytology in diagnosis of low‐grade urothelial carcinoma. One hundred and fifty fresh, voided urine specimens from 42 cases of biopsy proven urothelial neoplasia (14 high grade, 28 combined low‐grade [n=26]) and low malignant potential [n=2]), and 20 non‐neoplastic lesions were included in the study sample.

Results

Confident diagnosis of malignancy was possible in five (17.8%) low‐grade malignancies. Thirteen of 16 (81.3%) low‐grade malignancies with inconclusive cytology showed positive CK20 expression. This reduced the proportion of low‐grade cases with inconclusive cytology from 57.1% to 10.7% (P=.021). In addition, we could correctly classify one case of bladder lithiasis with false positive urine cytology. Discrepant CK20 staining (positive) was seen in one patient with acute cystitis.

Conclusions

CK20 expression in non‐umbrella cells is a robust marker of urinary bladder carcinoma. It has potential clinical utility for identification of low‐grade urothelial malignancy with inconclusive cytological diagnosis.
MEASURING THE WORLD NATURAL RATE OF INTEREST
Authors: Wynne Mark A. , Zhang Ren
Published: September 2017

This article makes the first attempt to estimate the time‐varying natural rate jointly with the output gap and trend potential output growth for the world as a whole using a simple unobserved components model broadly following the methodology developed by Laubach, T., and J. Williams (“Measuring the Natural Rate of Interest.” Review of Economics and Statistics, 85(4), 2003, 1063–1070). We find that the world natural rate has been trending down for the past few decades. Over a quarter of the variation in the natural rate is accounted for by the trend potential output growth rate. However, the relationship between the world natural interest rate and the world trend growth is modest and not statistically significant. (JEL E4, E52, E32, C32)
Development of a battery of tests to measure attitudes and intended behaviours of dental students towards people with disability or those in marginalised groups
Authors: Faulks D. , Dougall A. , Ting G. , Ari T. , Nunn J. , Friedman C. , John J. , Daly B. , Roger‐Leroi V. , Newton J. T.
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Recommended curricula in Special Care Dentistry (SCD) outline learning objectives that include the domain of attitudes and behaviours, but these are notoriously difficult to measure. The aims of this study were (i) to develop a test battery comprising adapted and new scales to evaluate values, attitudes and intentions of dental students towards people with disability and people in marginalised groups and (ii) to determine reliability (interitem consistency) and validity of the scales within the test battery.

Materials and Methods

A literature search identified pre‐existing measures and models for the assessment of attitudes in healthcare students. Adaptation of three pre‐existing scales was undertaken, and a new scale was developed based upon the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) using an elicitation survey. These scales underwent a process of content validation. The three adapted scales and the TPB scale were piloted by 130 students at 5 different professional stages, from 4 different countries.

Results

The scales were adjusted to ensure good internal reliability, variance, distribution, and face and content validity. In addition, the different scales showed good divergent validity.

Discussion

These results are positive, and the scales now need to be validated in the field.

Conclusions

It is hoped that these tools will be useful to educators in SCD to evaluate the impact of teaching and clinical exposure on their students.
Vestibulovaginal leiomyosarcoma in a mare
Authors: Husby K. A. , Huber M. J. , Phillips I. , Heidel J. R.
Published: September 2017

A 14‐year‐old Quarter Horse mare presented for a mass within the vestibule and vagina resulting in external compression and incomplete occlusion at the external urethral opening with subsequent difficulty urinating. Examination revealed an approximately 15 × 10 cm lobulated mass within the vestibule and caudal vagina attached via a broad base dorsally. Histopathology of the mass identified a low‐grade leiomyosarcoma. Complete resection was not possible, and surgical debulking of the mass was performed during standing sedation using a vessel‐sealing and dividing device. The mare was discharged 3 days post‐operatively without any complications. Recheck examinations performed at 1 month and 8 months’ post‐surgery revealed excellent healing of the surgical site and no apparent tumour regrowth.
The Elder Problem
Authors: Simmons Craig T. , Elder John W.
Published: September 2017

Article impact statement: A historical discussion on the genesis, evolution, and resolution to the Elder Problem variable density groundwater flow modeling benchmark.
Fibromyalgia Among Patients With Chronic Migraine and Chronic Tension‐Type Headache: A Multicenter Prospective Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Cho Soo‐Jin , Sohn Jong‐Hee , Bae Jong Seok , Chu Min Kyung
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To investigate the frequency and impact of fibromyalgia among patients with chronic migraine (CM) and chronic tension‐type headache (CTTH).

Background

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common comorbidity in patients with chronic headaches. CM and CTTH are the two common types of chronic headaches.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study in neurology outpatient clinics of four university hospitals and selected first‐visit 136 patients with CM and 35 patients with CTTH. FM was assessed based on the 2010 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria.

Results

The frequency of FM was significantly higher among patients with CM when compared to those with CTTH (91/136 [66.9%] vs 9/35 [25.7%], P < .001). Logistic regression analyses revealed an increased odds ratio (OR) for FM for patients with CM when compared to those with CTTH after adjustment for age, sex, anxiety, depression, and insomnia (OR = 3.6, 95% confidence interval = 1.1‐11.4). Furthermore, CM patients with FM had higher scores in FM Impact Questionnaire compared to CTTH patients with FM (51.5 ± 16.3 vs 43.7 ± 18.7, P = .015). Comorbidity of FM was associated with increased frequency of photophobia, phonophobia, anxiety, depression, and insomnia among patients with CM. Such association was not noted among patients with CTTH.

Conclusion

FM based on 2010 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria was more prevalent among patients with CM than those with CTTH. Some clinical features and comorbidities of CM varied with the presence of FM.
Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic schoolchildren in Bhutan
Authors: Wangda Sonam , Richter James M. , Kuenzang Pema , Wangchuk Kinley , Choden Tashi , Tenzin Karma , Malaty Hoda M.
Published: September 2017

Aim

Bhutan is a small mountainous country between Tibet and India with relatively homogenous population. According to the World Health Organization, gastric cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer death in Bhutan. This study examined the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori among children in Bhutan with emphasis on water source and living conditions.

Methods

A cross‐sectional sero‐epidemiologic study was conducted among schoolchildren who attended public schools in Thimphu, Bhutan. Between 2015 and 2016, blood samples from schoolchildren were collected after obtaining an informed consent from the school management and the children's parents. Demographic information, parents’ education, family size living in the same household, and aspects of household environment including type of latrines, boiling drinking water were collected. All serum samples were tested for H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) by commercial ELISA kits.

Results

There were 327 children between 4 and 19 years of age participated, 44% boys, mean age = 13.6 ± 3 years. The overall prevalence of H. pylori was 66% with no difference between boys and girls (66 vs 64%, respectively), P = .42. H. pylori prevalence was 75% among both 4‐7 and 15‐19 years and not statically different from that of the 8‐10 or 11‐14 age groups (59% and 63%, respectively), P = .1. H. pylori prevalence was inversely correlated with the level of mother's education (70% vs 55%) for those without and with a college education, respectively (OR = 2.3; 95%CI = 0.9‐1.7), P = .08. The total number of people living in the same household did not correlate with H. pylori sero‐prevalence, but households had less than 3 children had lower prevalence than those with 3 or more children (62% vs 71%, respectively OR = 1.7, 95% CI = [1.0‐2.6], P = .05).

Conclusions

H. pylori infection is prevalent among all age group children in Bhutan. The results suggest that transmission of H. pylori is related to personal care practices that directly correlate with the mothers’ education and crowded living condition with children. Our results are important to developing prevention strategies for gastric cancer in Bhutan.
Effect of biopsy site on detection of gastric cancer high‐risk groups by OLGA and OLGIM stages
Authors: Kim Young‐Il , Kook Myeong‐Cherl , Cho Soo‐Jeong , Lee Jong Yeul , Kim Chan Gyoo , Joo Jungnam , Choi Il Ju
Published: September 2017

Background/Aims

The operative link for gastritis assessment (OLGA) and operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) staging systems are recommended to assess the severity of gastritis, but the optimal biopsy sites have not been clearly defined. We aimed to investigate whether the scoring of the OLGA and OLGIM stages was affected by the use of different biopsy sites.

Methods

Between 2014 and 2015, to determine OLGA and OLGIM stages, seven biopsy samples were obtained from the antrum (lesser and greater curvatures [LG] of the antrum and lesser curvature of the angle) and corpus (LG and anterior and posterior walls [AP]) in 247 patients diagnosed with gastritis, gastric adenoma, or adenocarcinoma. The OLGA and OLGIM stages were scored using four different protocols: antrum + angle + corpus LG, antrum + angle + corpus AP, antrum + corpus LG, and antrum + corpus AP. High‐risk group included patients who had OLGA or OLGIM stages III and IV.

Results

For the OLGA stage, the angle + antrum + corpus LG protocol placed more patients in the high‐risk group (64.4%) than the angle + antrum + corpus AP (55.5%, P < .001), antrum+corpus LG (59.5%, P = .031), and antrum + corpus AP (47.8%, P < .001) protocols. Likewise, for the OLGIM stage, the angle + antrum + corpus LG protocol placed more patients in the high‐risk group (48.6%) than the angle + antrum + corpus AP (46.2%, P = .134), antrum + corpus LG (36.8%, P < .001), and antrum + corpus AP (37.2%, P < .001) protocols.

Conclusions

To prevent underestimation of OLGA and OLGIM stages, it is necessary to include an angle biopsy, and to obtain corpus biopsy specimens from lesser and greater curvature sites rather than from anterior and posterior wall sites.
Cervical and middle dorsal actinomycetomas from Guerrero State, Mexico
Authors: Estrada‐Chávez Guadalupe E. , Estrada Roberto , Fernandez Ramon , Arenas Roberto , Reyes Alain , Guevara Cindy , Chávez‐López Guadalupe
Published: September 2017

Background

Mycetomas are frequent subcutaneous mycoses with typical clinical characteristics such as sinuses, blood‐stained, serous, or purulent exudates as well as local swelling. Even though the most commonly affected areas are the lower limbs, we report four cases affecting the neck and midback regions, of which three were young females. We draw attention to the importance of early identification of these cases for prevention and specific treatment in order to avoid severe consequences or irreversible complications such as quadriplegia.

Objective

To document the occurrence of cervical spine and middle dorsal thoracic mycetomas, as well as their severity, clinical manifestations, and secondary complications.

Material and Methods

This was an observational and descriptive study in which we reviewed cases with neck and middle dorsal thoracic mycetomas diagnosed at the Acapulco General Hospital of Guerrero State, Mexico. We describe the cases including the mechanism of inoculation, neurological symptoms, and severity.

Conclusions

We describe three cases initially diagnosed clinically as cervical mycetomas and one in the middle dorsal thoracic region. All the cases were diagnosed at the Acapulco General Hospital of Guerrero State in Mexico.
An R848 adjuvanted influenza vaccine promotes early activation of B cells in the draining lymph nodes of non‐human primate neonates
Authors: Holbrook Beth C. , Aycock S. Tyler , Machiele Emily , Clemens Elene , Gries Danielle , Jorgensen Matthew J. , Hadimani Mallinath B. , King S. Bruce , Alexander‐Miller Martha A.
Published: September 2017

Impaired immune responsiveness is a significant barrier to vaccination of neonates. By way of example, the low seroconversion observed following influenza vaccination has led to restriction of its use to infants over 6 months of age, leaving younger infants vulnerable to infection. Our previous studies using a non‐human primate neonate model demonstrated that the immune response elicited following vaccination with inactivated influenza virus could be robustly increased by inclusion of the Toll‐like receptor agonist flagellin or R848, either delivered individually or in combination. When delivered individually, R848 was found to be the more effective of the two. To gain insights into the mechanism through which these adjuvants functioned in vivo, we assessed the initiation of the immune response, i.e. at 24 hr, in the draining lymph node of neonate non‐human primates. Significant up‐regulation of co‐stimulatory molecules on dendritic cells could be detected, but only when both adjuvants were present. In contrast, R848 alone could increase the number of cells in the lymph node, presumably through enhanced recruitment, as well as B‐cell activation at this early time‐point. These changes were not observed with flagellin and the dual adjuvanted vaccine did not promote increases beyond those observed with R848 alone. In vitro studies showed that R848 could promote B‐cell activation, supporting a model wherein a direct effect on neonate B‐cell activation is an important component of the in vivo potency of R848 in neonates.
Subjective Probability Density Functions from FX Option Prices: Predictive Power and Performance on a Carry Trade Strategy
Authors: Santos André , Guerra João , Neves Tiago
Published: September 2017

In this article, we extracted the risk‐neutral densities (RNDs) and subjective probability density functions of the US Dollar/Brazilian Real (USD/BRL) exchange rate and evaluated its performance in predicting the future realizations of the USD/BRL exchange rate. The RNDs were estimated using two structural models and three nonstructural models. In the first category, we included the Variance Gamma‐OU model and the CGMY Gamma‐OU model. In the second category, we included the density functional based on confluent hypergeometric function model, the mixture of lognormal distributions model, and the smoothed implied volatility smile. The density functional based on confluent hypergeometric function and the CGMY Gamma‐OU produced 1‐month term densities (RND and subjective probability density function) with the highest forecasting power of the 1‐month USD/BRL exchange rate. Finally, we applied the CGMY Gamma‐OU model to extract a sample of subjective cumulative probabilities of 1‐month USD/BRL movements, and used them as explanatory variables in predictive time series models, whose dependent variable was the 1‐month carry trade return. Its predictive power was then tested and confirmed in three trading strategies that over performed the standard carry trade strategy in terms of annualized cumulative returns.