bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kombinierte operative Therapie eines Zangennagels (pincer nail) mit Matrixverödung, Nagelspaltung und Schienung
Authors: Markeeva Evgenia , Hinterberger Louisa , Vogt Thomas , Rass Knuth
Published: February 2015

Zangennägel oder pincer nails (engl.: pincer, Kneifzange; auch: Röhrennägel) stellen eine seltene Nageldeformität dar. Durch eine hyperkonvexe Nagelkrümmung, die entlang der Longitudinalachse nach distal zunimmt, kommt es zu einem „kneifzangenartigen“ Einfassen des Nagelbetts. Pincer nails (PN) können ein‐ oder beidseitig an Finger‐ und/oder Zehennägel auftreten, es können mehrere oder auch alle Nägel betroffen sein. Die häufigste Ursache für Röhrennägel sind im Bereich der Füße zu enge Schuhe und im Bereich der Hände degenerative Veränderungen der Fingergelenke.

Die Therapie von PN beinhaltet konservative und operative Methoden. Zu den konservativen Methoden gehört das Aufweichen der Nagelplatte mit 40%igem Harnstoff. Weniger ausgeprägte Deformationen können mit Metall‐ oder Kunststoffspangen korrigiert werden. Bei ausgeprägten oder therapieresistenten Fällen kommen operative Verfahren zum Einsatz wie die seitliche Verschmälerung der Nagelplatte mit oder ohne Verödung des Nagelbettes. Ferner ist auch eine Verbreiterung des Nagelbetts durch Abtragen eines ggf. vorhandenen Osteophyten beschrieben.

Wir stellen die operative Behandlung eines PN des rechten Daumens durch bilaterale Nagelresektion, Verödung der Nagelmatrix mit Trichloressigsäure und medianer Nagelspaltung mit konsekutiver Nagelschienung vor.
Risikofaktoren für ein vermindertes Ansprechen in der Behandlung des Erysipels
Authors: Linke Miriam , Booken Nina
Published: February 2015

Hintergrund

Das Erysipel kann in den meisten Fällen mittels der initialen antibiotischen Therapie adäquat behandelt werden. Allerdings wird der Kliniker immer wieder mit komplizierten Verläufen dieser Erkrankung, in denen die Patienten nicht auf die initiale Antibiose ansprechen, konfrontiert. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, Risikofaktoren zu detektieren, die mit einem verminderten Ansprechen der Therapie und damit mit einem komplizierteren Behandlungsverlauf assoziiert sind.

Patienten und Methodik

Es erfolgte eine retrospektive Auswertung von 98 Patienten mit einem Erysipel, die mit einer Standardtherapie stationär behandelt wurden. Wir führten einen Vergleich der Patientengruppen mit einem unterschiedlichen Ansprechen des Erysipels bezüglich deren klinischer Gesichtspunkte, Vorerkrankungen und Laborparameter durch.

Ergebnisse

Patienten mit einem bullösen oder hämorrhagischen Erysipel (p = 0,0008), mit einer Stauungsdermatitis (p = 0,01) sowie einer chronisch venösen Insuffizienz (p = 0,0004) zeigten ein signifikant vermindertes Ansprechen auf das initiale Therapieschema bestehend aus einer Monotherapie mit Cefuroxim bzw. Clindamycin. Des Weiteren zeigte sich eine signifikante Abhängigkeit der Ansprechrate auf die initiale Therapie bezogen auf die Höhe des C‐reaktiven Proteins (p = 0,007) und der neutrophilen Granulozyten (p = 0,02).

Schlussfolgerung

Bei Patienten mit einem klinisch komplizierten Erysipel, erhöhten laborchemischen Parametern oder einer bestehenden lokalen Vorschädigung ist zu diskutieren, diese Patienten nach einem forcierteren Antibiotikaschema zu behandeln.
Beliefs, perceptions and psychosocial impact of acne amongst Singaporean students in tertiary institutions
Authors: Su Peiqi , Chen Wee Aw Derrick , Lee Siew Hui , Han Sim Toh Matthias Paul
Published: February 2015

Background

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition which can have a negative impact on a patient's quality of life.

Patients and Methods

A survey was distributed among students at tertiary institutions. Data was collected on participants’ own rating of acne grade and how acne affected their social life. A clinician on‐site graded the participants’ acne.

Results

Of the 429 students who participated in the survey, 59.8 % felt embarrassed or self‐conscious because of their acne. There was a low but statistically significant correlation (Spearman's Correlation Coefficient = 0.471, p < 0.001) between participants’ and clinicians’ grading of acne.

Conclusions

Acne vulgaris causes a considerable amount of psychosocial stress. There are unfounded beliefs surrounding acne and unawareness of treatment options available.
Vorstellungen, Wahrnehmung und psychosoziale Auswirkungen von Akne bei singapurischen Hochschulstudenten
Authors: Su Peiqi , Wee Aw Derrick Chen , Hui Lee Siew , Han Sim Toh Matthias Paul
Published: February 2015

Hintergrund

Acne vulgaris ist eine häufige Hauterkrankung, die negative Auswirkungen auf die Lebensqualität des Patienten haben kann.

Patienten und Methodik

Unter Hochschulstudenten wurde eine Umfrage durchgeführt. Die Daten wurden mittels Selbsteinschätzung der Patienten in Bezug auf den Schweregrad ihrer Akne wie auch auf die möglichen Auswirkungen ihrer Akne auf ihr gesellschaftliches Leben erhoben. Ein Klinikarzt vor Ort stufte den Schweregrad der Akne ein.

Ergebnisse

59,8 % der insgesamt 429 an der Umfrage teilnehmenden Studenten schämten sich aufgrund ihrer Akne oder fühlten sich ihretwegen gehemmt. Zwischen der Einstufung des Aknegrades durch die Teilnehmer selbst und der der Klinikärzte konnte eine niedrige, aber statistisch relevante Korrelation (Spearman‘s Korrelationskoeffizient = 0,471, p < 0.001) festgestellt werden.

Schlussfolgerungen

Acne vulgaris verursacht beträchtlich hohen psychosozialen Stress. Rund um den Begriff der Akne existieren gegenstandslose Vorstellungen, ebenso besteht eine Unwissenheit über mögliche, verfügbare Therapieoptionen.
Personality and overweight in 6–12‐year‐old children
Authors: Hampson S. E. , Vollrath M. E. , Júlíusson P. B.
Published: February 2015

Background

Personality may be an important yet understudied influence on childhood obesity.

Objective

We investigated the association between children's personality traits and weight status in a sample of 1533 6–12 year olds.

Methods

Mothers rated their child's personality using the Norwegian Hierarchical Personality Inventory for Children, and reported on their child's height and weight.

Results

Relative to their normal weight peers, overweight children were rated lower on energy, optimism, compliance, concentration, perseverance, and self‐confidence, and higher on egocentricity, irritability, and anxiety.

Conclusions

These findings suggest possible mechanisms to investigate in future research relating personality to childhood obesity.
Pannenberg, Particularity and Eschatology: Shifting the Debate
Authors: Tonstad Linn Marie
Published: February 2015

Wolfhart Pannenberg's account of the eschatological transition in his Systematic Theology describes how human beings are transformed by passing through a purifying fire that destroys whatever in them is incompatible with the life of God. I argue that this representation of human transformation renders individual existence too discontinuous between life as it now is and the life to come, makes redeemed interhuman sociality unimportant, and transforms access to salvation for non‐Christians into a matter of works. As a result, Pannenberg cannot preserve the kind of particularity he needs for his own theological aims: ensuring the significance of history, affirming finitude and developing a non‐oppositional understanding of the relation between the finite and the infinite.
Pouched Mitral Isthmus Is Associated with Incomplete Linear Block in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Mechanical Mitral Valve Replacement
Authors: DENG WEN‐NING , CHEN KE , BAI RONG , ZHANG ZHI‐JUN , LI SONG‐NAN , WEN ZHAO‐YING , ZHANG CHEN , YU RONG‐HUI , LONG DE‐YONG , TANG RI‐BO , SANG CAI‐HUA , LIU NIAN , GUO XUE‐YUAN , WU XIAO‐YAN , NIE JUN‐GANG , DU XIN , DONG JIAN‐ZENG , MA CHANG‐SHENG
Published: February 2015

Pouched Mitral Isthmus and Ablation Block

Background

Previous studies have described the impact of mitral isthmus (MI) anatomy on the likelihood of achieving MI linear block in patients with native mitral valves (NMV) who underwent atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. However, none have investigated that issue in AF patients with mechanical mitral valve replacements (MMVR).

Methods and Results

Twenty‐nine consecutive patients who developed symptomatic persistent AF post‐MMVR and referred for ablation were enrolled. Twenty‐nine patients with NMV who underwent ablation of persistent AF during the same period were matched. With preprocedural cardiac computed tomographic imaging, MI anatomical features of all the participants were analyzed. Pouched MI was observed in 19 (65.5%) MMVR patients versus to 6 (20.7%) controls (P = 0.001). Bidirectional linear block across MI was achieved in 21 (72.4%) MMVR patients and 22 (75.9%) in the controls (P = 0.764). In the multivariable analysis, pouched MI was an independent predictor of incomplete MI block.

Conclusions

Pouched MI accounts for the majority of AF patients with MMVR and may be associated with incomplete bidirectional linear block of MI.
Eumycetoma and actinomycetoma – an update on causative agents, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics and therapy
Authors: Nenoff P. , van de Sande W.W.J. , Fahal A.H. , Reinel D. , Schöfer H.
Published: February 2015

Mycetoma is a chronic putrid infection of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue concerning predominantly the feet, and more rarely other body parts. Mycetoma can be caused by both fungi (eumycetoma) and bacteria (actinomycetoma). Mode of infection is an inoculation of the causative microorganism via small injuries of the skin. The clinical correlate of both forms of mycetoma is tumescence with abscesses, painless nodules, sinuses and discharge. The latter is commonly serous‐purulent and contains grains (filamentous granules) which can be expressed for diagnostic purposes. Distinctive for both eumycetoma and actinomycetoma, are the formation of grains. Grains represent microcolonies of the microorganism in vivo in the vital tissue. The most successful treatment option for eumycetomas offers itraconazole in a dosage of 200 mg twice daily. This triazole antifungal is considered as ‘gold standard’ for eumycetomas. Alternatively, the cheaper ketoconazole was widely used, however, it was currently stopped by the FDA. Actinomycetomas should be treated by the combination of trimethoprim‐sulphamethoxazole (co‐trimoxazole 80/400 to 160/800 mg per day) and amikacin 15 mg/kg body weight per day. Mycetomas are neglected infections of the poor. They are more than a medical challenge. In rural areas of Africa, Asia and South America mycetomas lead to socio‐economic consequences involving the affected patients, their families and the society in general.
The effects of systematic educational interventions about nasogastric tube feeding on caregivers' knowledge and skills and the incidence of feeding complications
Authors: Chang Shu‐Chen , Huang Chin‐Yi , Lin Ching‐Hsiung , Tu Shu‐Ling , Chao Mei‐Shih , Chen Mei‐Hua
Published: February 2015

Aims and objectives

To compare the influence of a systematic nursing intervention on primary caregivers' knowledge and skills about nasogastric tube feeding and the number of nasogastric tube‐related complications with that of routine nursing instructions

Background

To ensure the quality of care and reduce the incidence of complications, it is crucial that primary caregivers receive comprehensive health education about nasogastric tube feeding before hospital discharge.

Design

A quasi‐experimental research with pretest/post‐test evaluations.

Methods

The control group included 127 inpatients whose caregivers received routine education about nasogastric tube feeding, while the experimental group included 106 inpatients whose caregivers received systematic nursing intervention including comprehensive educational pamphlets and video education. The evaluation questionnaire included demographic variables, a nasogastric tube care knowledge scale, and a nasogastric tube skills assessment scale. The post‐test was administered after the caregiver performed nasogastric tube feeding for the first time, and complications were noted at follow‐up within three months of discharge.

Results

In terms of post‐test knowledge and skills, the experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group, despite no difference in the pretests. In addition, the incidence rates for constipation, diarrhoea and abdominal distention were lower in the experimental group.

Conclusions

Systematic nursing intervention, including comprehensive educational pamphlets and video education, significantly improved the knowledge and skills of primary caregivers for nasogastric tube feeding. The increased ability of caregivers may have contributed to less incidence of complication.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results of this study underlined the importance of developing nasogastric tube‐related nursing interventions and educational strategies for clinical nurses, home care nurses and caregivers. The research tool used here may serve as a reference for assessing the technical operations of healthcare professionals and the knowledge and skills of caregivers.
Individual Differences in Accurately Judging Personality From Text
Authors: Hall Judith A. , Goh Jin X. , Mast Marianne Schmid , Hagedorn Christian
Published: February 2015

This research examines correlates of accuracy in judging Big Five traits from first‐person text excerpts. Participants in six studies were recruited from psychology courses or online. In each study, participants performed a task of judging personality from text and performed other ability tasks and/or filled out questionnaires. Participants who were more accurate in judging personality from text were more likely to be female; had personalities that were more agreeable, conscientious, and feminine, and less neurotic and dominant (all controlling for participant gender); scored higher on empathic concern; self‐reported more interest in, and attentiveness to, people's personalities in their daily lives; and reported reading more for pleasure, especially fiction. Accuracy was not associated with SAT scores but had a significant relation to vocabulary knowledge. Accuracy did not correlate with tests of judging personality and emotion based on audiovisual cues. This research is the first to address individual differences in accurate judgment of personality from text, thus adding to the literature on correlates of the good judge of personality.
Comparison between Ki‐67 index and mitotic index for predicting outcome in canine mast cell tumours
Authors: van Lelyveld S. , Warland J. , Miller R. , Maw H. , Foale R. , Goodfellow M. , Dobson J.
Published: February 2015

OBJECTIVES

To assess correlation between Ki67 index and mitotic index and determine which more accurately predicts survival in canine mast cell tumours.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of cases from threeUKreferral hospitals. Correlation between Ki67 index and mitotic index was assessed and survival analysis performed.

RESULTS

A total of 162 dogs were included: 57 dogs died with 37 due to mast cell tumour. Correlation between Ki67 index and mitotic index was moderate, while the agreement was poor. A high Ki67 index was considered sensitive (86 · 5%) at predicting mast cell tumour‐related death, but poorly specific (57 · 9%). Mitotic index(>5) was poorly sensitive (32 · 4%), but highly specific (96%). A mitotic index ofê2 had a 75 · 7% sensitivity and an 80 · 0% specificity. Ki67 index showed a statistically significant survival difference within the mitotic index <2 (P = 0 · 009) group. Ki67 index did not predict survival rate in tumours with mitotic index ofê2.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Correlation between Ki67 and mitotic index is moderate. High mitotic index accurately predicted death, but many dogs with low mitotic index also died. Low Ki67 accurately predicted survival, but high Ki67 should not be considered a poor prognostic indicator. A three‐tier mitotic index assessment may more accurately predict death due to mast cell tumour.
Prediction, context, and competition in visual recognition
Authors: Trapp Sabrina , Bar Moshe
Published: February 2015

Perception is substantially facilitated by top‐down influences, typically seen as predictions. Here, we outline that the process is competitive in nature, in that sensory input initially activates multiple possible interpretations, or perceptual hypotheses, of its causes. This raises the question of how the selection of the correct interpretation from among those multiple hypotheses is achieved. We first review previous findings in support of such a competitive nature of perceptual processing, and then propose which neural regions might provide a platform for rising and using expectations to resolve this competition. Specifically, we propose that it is the rapid extraction and top‐down dissemination of a global context signal from the frontal cortices, particularly the orbitofrontal cortex, that affords the quick and reliable resolution of the initial competition among likely alternatives toward a singular percept.
Epigenetic heredity: RNA‐mediated modes of phenotypic variation
Authors: Rassoulzadegan Minoo , Cuzin François
Published: February 2015

In addition to the Mendelian mutations, several instances of heritable phenotypic variation have been reported. We have observed, in mice, a role for sperm RNAs in the induction of such stable phenotypic variation. When experimentally transferred by RNA microinjection into fertilized mouse eggs, the noncoding RNAs homologous in sequence to the target locus are efficient inducers of variation at the transcriptional level. Transmission of the phenotypic variation to progeny is highly efficient and independent of gender. Here, we have summarized these finding and how they relate to other reports of epigenetic variation.
Allergenicity of pasteurized whole raw Hen's egg compared with fresh whole raw Hen's egg
Authors: Netting Merryn , Donato Adaweyah , Makrides Maria , Gold Michael , Quinn Patrick , Penttila Irmeli
Published: February 2015

Background

Oral food challenges for diagnosis and management of egg allergy using fresh egg are common; however, to limit the risk of foodborne infection, many allergy units use pasteurized raw egg. Pasteurization and drying processes have the potential to affect the structure of egg proteins in egg powder and thus the allergenicity when compared to fresh egg. Our aim was to compare the binding of serum IgE from egg‐allergic children to in vitro digested and undigested pasteurized whole raw egg powder with unpasteurized fresh whole raw egg.

Methods

Egg proteins from in vitro digested or undigested pasteurized whole raw egg powder, fresh whole egg, egg white and egg yolk were separated by SDS‐PAGE, transferred onto nitrocellulose membrane and incubated overnight with pooled sera from egg‐allergic children.

Results

In both the raw egg samples and the pasteurized whole egg powder, protein bands corresponding to known molecular weights of the major egg allergens were present. Pasteurized whole raw egg powder was bound by serum IgE in a similar manner to unpasteurized whole raw egg and was unaffected by in vitro digestion. Serum IgE also bound egg yolk, indicating sensitization to both egg yolk and egg white proteins.

Conclusions

The main egg allergens are present in pasteurized whole raw egg powder, and serum IgE of egg‐allergic children binds to them in a similar pattern to those in fresh whole raw egg. Pasteurized whole raw egg powder is a suitable substitute for raw egg in clinical practice for oral food challenges.
Lymphatic endothelial cancerization in papillary thyroid carcinoma: Hidden evidence of lymphatic invasion
Authors: Mai Kien T. , Truong Luan D. , Ball Christopher G. , Olberg Bernhard , Lai Chi K. , Purgina Bibianna
Published: February 2015

We hypothesize that cystic structures in metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) develop along the framework of lymphatic channels. To investigate this phenomenon, different categories of PTC were immunostained for D2‐40 and TTF1. In this study, reactivity for D2‐40 was considered as positive when there is membranous staining as often seen in lymphatic endothelial cells. Thirty cases of PTC with lymph node metastasis or with potential for lymphatic invasion and 20 cases metastatic PTC in lymph nodes were reviewed and found to show double/mosaic immunoreactivity for TTF1/D2‐40 in 40–100% of cases. PTC metastasis in lymph nodes with cysts and some branching lymphatic‐like channels lined by follicular cells with or without nuclear features of PTC were diffusely reactive to TTF1, and focally to D2‐40. For primary and metastatic PTC, focal membranous D2‐40 reactivity was also demonstrated in cysts or cleft linings. For25 thyroid neoplasms with no known potential for lymphatic invasion, there was no such immunoreactivity. The mosaic or double immunoreactivity for TTF1/D2‐40 suggests lymphatic cancerization and possible endothelial mimicry of follicular cells. Mosaic/double immunoreactivity is helpful to detect the hidden pattern of lymphatic invasion masquerading as ‘benign‐appearing’ follicles and supports our hypothesis of malignant cells developing along the lymphatic framework.
Lung function following very preterm birth in the era of ‘new’ bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Simpson Shannon J. , Hall Graham L. , Wilson Andrew C.
Published: February 2015

One of the most significant complications of preterm birth is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The pathophysiology of BPD has changed in recent years as advances in neonatal care have led to increased survival of smaller, more preterm, infants who display alterations to alveolar and pulmonary microvascular development. It is becoming clear that infants with ‘new’ BPD experience lung disease that persists into later childhood, however, the oldest of these children are just now entering young adulthood and therefore the longer term pulmonary implications remain unknown. The role of lung function testing in the identification and subsequent management of patients with lung disease resulting from a neonatal classification of BPD is reviewed based on the underlying pathophysiology of the disease.
Determination of HLA‐A, ‐C, ‐B, ‐DRB1 allele and haplotype frequency in Japanese population based on family study
Authors: Ikeda N. , Kojima H. , Nishikawa M. , Hayashi K. , Futagami T. , Tsujino T. , Kusunoki Y. , Fujii N. , Suegami S. , Miyazaki Y. , Middleton D. , Tanaka H. , Saji H.
Published: February 2015

The present study investigates the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) allele and haplotype frequencies in Japanese population. We carried out the frequency analysis in 5824 families living across Japanese archipelago. The studied population has mainly been typed for the purpose of transplant, especially the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We determined HLA class I (A, B, and C) and HLA class II (DRB1) using Luminex technology. The haplotypes were directly counted by segregation. A total of 44 HLA‐A, 29 HLA‐C, 75 HLA‐B, and 42 HLA‐DRB1 alleles were identified. In the HLA haplotypes of A‐C‐B‐DRB1 and C‐B, the pattern of linkage disequilibrium peculiar to Japanese population has been confirmed. Moreover, the haplotype frequencies based on family study was compared with the frequencies estimated by maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), and the equivalent results were obtained. The allele and haplotype frequencies obtained in this study could be useful for anthropology, transplantation therapy, and disease association studies.
Understanding the Combined Impacts of Aggregation and Spatial Non‐Stationarity: The Case of Migration‐Environment Associations in RuralSouthAfrica
Authors: Maclaurin Galen , Leyk Stefan , Hunter Lori
Published: February 2015

Socio‐demographic data are typically collected at various levels of aggregation, leading to the modifiable areal unit problem. Spatial non‐stationarity of statistical associations between variables further influences the demographic analyses. This study investigates the implications of these two phenomena within the context of migration‐environment associations. Global and local statistical models are fit across increasing levels of aggregation using household level survey data from rural South Africa. We raise the issue ofoperational scale sensitivity, which describes how the explanatory power of certain variables depends on the aggregation level. We find that as units of analysis (households) are aggregated, some variables become non‐significant in the global models, while others are less sensitive to aggregation. Local model results show that aggregation reduces spatial variation in migration‐related local associations but also affects variables differently. Spatial non‐stationarity appears to be the driving force behind this phenomenon as the results from the global model mask this relationship. Operational scale sensitivity appears related to the underlying spatial autocorrelation of the non‐aggregated variables but also to the way a variable is constructed. Understanding operational scale sensitivity can help to refine the process of selecting variables related to the scale of analysis and better understand the effects of spatial non‐stationarity on statistical relationships.
Oral and IV Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography of the digestive tract â€“ a useful completion of the B-mode examination: a literature review and an exhaustive illustration through images
Authors: Neciu Cristian , Badea Radu , Chiorean Liliana , Badea Alexandru Florin , Opincaru Iulian
Published: February 2015

Contrast enhanced ultrasonography, using IV and/or oral/rectal contrast agents, represents a technical development of the US method, which has proved its applicability in the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the normal and pathological circulatory bed, as well as of the digestive lumen. The use of microbubbles and harmonics opens a new horizon in the detection and characterization of the inflammatory and tumoral conditions of the digestive tract. The interpretation of the data requires corroboration with the grey scale aspect of the examined lesion/area, as well as with the clinical context of the case and the results of other diagnosis techniques. The purpose of this paper is to review the main applications of CEUS in digestive tract pathology by analyzing the significant literature and guidelines in the light of our personal experience and demonstrating it through suggestive images.
Prenatal diagnosis of congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS). Five case report.
Authors: Aslan Halil , Ekiz Ali , Acar Deniz Kanber , Aydiner Burchan , Kaya Basak , Sezer Salim
Published: February 2015

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is an extremely rare life-threatening condition. Laryngeal atresia appears to be the most frequent cause. Generally the diagnosis is made with severely enlarged and highly echogenic lungs and additional ultrasound findings. The prognosis of the affected infants is often poor. Five cases are reported here that were diagnosed in a tertiary center between 2008 and 2014.
Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasia â€“ a challenging diagnosis in a patient with paraneoplastic rheumatoid arthritis. Case report.
Authors: Grigorescu Ioana , Cismaru Andrei , Chira Romeo , Catinean Adrian , Dumitrascu Dan Lucian
Published: February 2015

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasias (IPMNs) of the pancreas are potentially malignant tumors, and associated also with extrapancreatic carcinomas. We present the case of a 80 year old man with IPMN and late onset of rheumatoid arthritis. The particularity of this case is the discordance between the clinical picture and the imaging worrisome features, together with the surgery-requiring mixed-type of IPMN, despite the late possible paraneoplastic onset of rheumatoid arthritis.
Cystic schwannoma of the axillary region: imaging findings of a rare disease. Case report.
Authors: Tatar Idil Gunes , Yilmaz Kerim Bora , Arikok Ataturker , Bayar Bahattin , Akinci Melih , Balas Sener , Ergul Zafer , Ergun Onur , Hekimoglu Baki
Published: February 2015

Schwannomas are well capsulated, benign, and slowly growing tumors which originate from Schwann cells of peripheral nerve sheath. The incidence of schwannomas in the axillary region is not common. This rarity causes misdiagnosis at the ra- diological evaluation. In this case we present the imaging and histopathological findings of a cystic schwannoma located in the axillary fossa of a 47-year-old female patient mimicking complex cyst, lymphadenopathy or hydatid cyst in radiological evaluation. Although lymphadenopathy, lymphatic malformation, lipoma, cyst, hidradenitis suppurativa or dermatofibroma are the most frequent lesions to be considered, peripheral nerve sheath should also be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of axillary masses.
The value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the characterization of vascular pattern of solid pancreatic lesions
Authors: Ardelean Melania , Sirli Roxana , Sporea Ioan , Bota Simona , Danila Mirela , Popescu Alina , Timar Bogdan , Buzas Roxana , Mazilu Octavian , Ardelean Ovidiu , Lighezan Daniel
Published: February 2015

The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of CEUS in the characterization of pancreatic solid lesions, considering cross sectional imaging techniques (CE-CT/MRI) as the “gold standard” methods. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective, monocentric study that included 91 solid pancreatic lesions which were evaluated by CEUS and by a second- line contrast imaging technique (CT or MRI), considered as the reference method. Results: The rate of a conclusive diagnosis based on a typical enhancement pattern was 94% (78/83 cases). In 72 cases out of 83 (86.7%) there was a perfect concordance between CEUS and the “gold-standard” imaging method (CE-CT/MRI). In our study, 88% (73/83) of the pancreatic lesions were categorized as malignant due to their typical wash-out aspect in the late phase. The overall accuracy of CEUS for the differential diagnosis of solid pancreatic tumors was approximately 81%. The accuracy of CEUS for the diagnosis of hypoen- hancing pancreatic tumors was approximately 89.1%; while for the diagnosis of hyperenhancing pancreatic tumors it was ap- proximately 72.8%. Conclusion: CEUS allows the differentiation between hypo- vs. hyperenhancing pancreatic solid lesions, with a considerable diagnostic accuracy, a fundamental step in the precise diagnosis of pancreatic tumors.
Broadband low reflectance stepped-cone nanostructures by nanosphere lithography
Authors: Kim Janghyuk , Kim Byung-Jae , Kim Jihyun , Lee Suyeon , Park Q-Han
Published: February 2015

The authors demonstrated broadband low reflectance through a two-step surface texturing technique that combines nanosphere lithography with dry-etching. Through this, various stepped-cone nanostructures were fabricated on the surface of GaAs to suppress its reflectance, with the shape and height of these nanostructures being precisely controlled by altering the diameter of the etch mask (SiO2 nanospheres) and the etching time. The effects of this stepped-cone nanostructure were analyzed by measuring its reflectance spectra in conjunction with finite-difference time-domain calculations. This found that the average reflectance at wavelengths of 300–2500 nm is reduced from 38.1% to 2.6% due to enhanced light scattering and a gradual change in refractive index. This novel method is therefore considered to represent an easily scalable approach to fabricating broadband antireflective surfaces for solar cell applications.
Response to Comment on “Late Pleistocene human skeleton and mtDNA link Paleoamericans and modern Native Americans”
Authors: Kemp Brian M. , Lindo John , Bolnick Deborah A. , Malhi Ripan S. , Chatters James C.
Published: February 2015

Prüfer and Meyer raise concerns over the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) results we reported for the Hoyo Negro individual, citing failure of a portion of these data to conform to their expectations of ancient DNA (aDNA). Because damage patterns in aDNA vary, outright rejection of our findings on this basis is unwarranted, especially in light of our other observations.
Arctic impact
Authors: Gramling Carolyn
Published: February 2015

Is the melting Arctic really bringing frigid winters to North America and Eurasia? Scientists struggle to piece together an atmospheric puzzle.
Quantitative Western blotting: Improving your data quality and reproducibility
Authors: Harkany Tibor , Hagner-McWhirter Åsa
Published: February 2015

Western blots have been around for over 30 years and are used in practically every life science laboratory. Equally well known, but often not satisfactorily addressed, are the challenges of reproducibility and the difficulty in obtaining accurate quantitative data and reliable results from Western blot experiments. In this webinar we will explore the issues of reproducibility in immunoblotting in more depth and discuss how to obtain higher quality data, with a focus on those key factors necessary to create consistent, quantifiable results. Our expert panelists will discuss new methodologies and recent advances that have allowed the coefficients of variation (CVs) for Western blotting experiments to be reduced below 10% (currently, CVs are often in the 35%–45% range).
New jitters over megaquakes in Himalayas
Authors: Pulla Priyanka
Published: February 2015

Large earthquakes in teeming region could strike anywhere, anytime.
The hitchhiker's guide to the Anthropocene
Adventures in the Anthropocene A Journey to the Heart of the Planet We Made
Gaia Vince
Milkweed Editions, 2014. 465 pp.
Authors: Young Hillary
Published: February 2015

Finding our place in the world we created
Aqueous formation and manipulation of the iron-oxo Keggin ion
Authors: Sadeghi Omid , Zakharov Lev N. , Nyman May
Published: February 2015

From iron clusters to iron mineral

Growing a mineral out of solution, either in the lab or in nature, requires the assembly of atoms or clusters of ions. The structure of some common iron oxides hints that tiny iron-oxygen clusters may serve as mineral building blocks, but isolating these often unstable clusters is challenging. Sadeghi
et al.
not only isolated but were able to control the growth and dissolution of an iron-oxygen cluster that is a likely precursor to the most common iron oxide mineral, ferrihydrite.

Science
, this issue p.
1359
Why the Pacific is cool
Authors: Booth Ben B.
Published: February 2015

Natural ocean variability modulates global warming

[Also see Report by

Steinman
et al.

]
Climbing Jacob's ladder
Authors: Romney David K. , Miller Scott J.
Published: February 2015

Protein design enables the stabilization of a transient molecular state

[Also see Report by

Pearson
et al.

]
What is the question?
Authors: Leek Jeffery T. , Peng Roger D.
Published: February 2015

Mistaking the type of question being considered is the most common error in data analysis
Mothers shape ecological communities
Authors: Dantzer Ben
Published: February 2015

Individual hormonal responses affect the distributions and abundances of bird species

[Also see Report by

Duckworth
et al.

]
Shape-shifting liquid crystals
Authors: Verduzco Rafael
Published: February 2015

A new approach to photopatterning liquid crystals produces programmable, shape-shifting soft solids

[Also see Report by

Ware
et al.

]
Wider attention for GOF science
Authors: Fineberg Harvey V.
Published: February 2015

In October 2014, the U.S. government paused funding for so-called gain-of-function (GOF) research involving pathogens with pandemic potential, to allow for a systematic assessment of its benefits and risks. The topic raises critical questions for society as a whole, and decisions cannot be left with the scientific community alone.
Draft Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus Strain P23, a Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium of Duckweed
Authors: Sugawara Masayuki , Hosoyama Akira , Yamazoe Atsushi , Morikawa Masaaki
Published: February 2015

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
strain P23 is a plant growth-promoting bacterium, which was isolated from the surface of duckweed. We report here the draft genome sequence of strain P23. The genome data will serve as a valuable reference for understanding the molecular mechanism of plant growth promotion in aquatic plants.
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY: IMPACT ON SERVICE USE IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Authors: Gardener Carole , Farquhar Morag , Butcher Hanne Holt , Moore Caroline , Ewing Gail , White Patrick , Howson Sophie , Mahadeva Ravi , Booth Sara , Burge Peter , Mendonca Silvia ,   on behalf of the Living with Breathlessness study team
Published: February 2015

Introduction

There is a high prevalence of anxiety and depression among people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Anxiety and depression are associated with negative health outcomes and increased service use, particularly hospital admissions. Other demographic and health variables are also significant in this relationship. However, less is known about the nature of these relationships when COPD is advanced.

Aim:

To identify the relationship between anxiety and depression and service use in patients with advanced COPD, and the role of demographic and health variables.

Methods:

A population-based cohort of patients with advanced COPD recruited to the mixed–method Living with Breathlessness Study completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and reported hospital and community service use and experiences. Patient demographics and health variables were also collected. Quantitative analyses will explore relationships between anxiety and depression, service use, and demographic and health variables. Purposively sampled qualitative data analysed using a framework approach.

Results

235 patients recruited: mean age 71.6 (SD 10.3); 61% male; mean MMRC dyspnea scale 3.68 (SD 1.040); mean CAT score 23.4 9 (SD7.5). Anxiety and depression scores (HADS) were higher than population norms. Relationships between anxiety and depression, service use, demographic and health variables will be reported quantitatively and qualitatively.

Conclusion(s)

This analysis will provide new evidence on psychological health and service use in patients with advanced COPD. As part of an ongoing longitudinal study this data will inform trajectories of change in patient psychological health and service use to enable responsive service planning.
ENABLING PATIENT-CENTRED CARE IN ADVANCED COPD: IDENTIFYING CARE AND SUPPORT NEEDS
Authors: Farquhar Morag , Moore Caroline , Gardener Carole , Butcher Hanne Holt , Ewing Gail , White Patrick , Booth Sara , Howson Sophie , Mahadeva Ravi , Mendonca Silvia ,   on behalf of the Living with Breathlessness study team
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic progressive condition with high symptom-burden, accounting for one death every 20 minutes in England and Wales. Patient-centred care takes into account patient needs and preferences but we lack fundamental research on needs in advanced non-malignant disease and the clinical practice tools required to enable such care.

Aim

To describe unmet care and support needs in advanced COPD and identify mechanisms for need-identification to enable patient-centred care.

Method

Mixed-method interviews with the population-based Living with Breathlessness study cohort of patients with advanced COPD, their informal carers and key clinicians. Validated patient measures of function, need and service use analysed using descriptive statistics. Purposively sampled multiple-perspective qualitative data on needs and experiences of care analysed using a framework approach.

Results

235 patients recruited: mean age 71.6 years (SD 10.3), 61% male, mean MMRC dyspnoea scale 3.68 (SD 1.04) and CAT 23.4 (SD 7.5). Patients identified symptoms unreported to clinicians and unmet needs for support with practical tasks, personal care, psychological support and information. Patients' ability to spontaneously articulate need was limited. Descriptions of service contacts could be characterised as predominantly reactive: “care” was invisible to some. Service contacts appeared to be driven by organisational and medical agendas rather than patient-centred.

Conclusion(s)

Shifting the focus beyond organisational and medical agendas in advanced COPD to more patient-centred approaches requires the proactive identification of need, prompted by clinicians. This could be facilitated by a brief structured holistic tool, grounded in patient data, yet feasible for use in clinical practice.
CONDUCTING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH INTERVIEWS WITH PALLIATIVE AND END OF LIFE CARE PATIENTS IN THE HOME SETTING; REFLECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AN ACADEMIC PALLIATIVE CARE RESEARCH CENTRE
Authors: Sivell S , Prout H , Baillie J , Byrne A , Edwards M , Harrop E , Hopewell-Kelly N , Noble S , Sampson C , Nelson A
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Within palliative and end-of-life research, qualitative research interviews are often undertaken in the home. Despite practical and ethical challenges, little attention has been given in the literature to the impact of the home setting on both participants and researchers.

Aim(s) and method(s)

We present the views and experiences of researchers from an academic palliative care research centre on conducting qualitative research with vulnerable populations in the home. Our researchers come from a range of backgrounds (including nursing, occupational therapy, social science, psychology and palliative medicine) with varying degrees of experience.

Results

We reflect on several important ethical and practical issues, including ways in which to build rapport in often singular encounters and applying sensitivity and flexibility in difficult circumstances. The research interview has the potential to become therapeutic for the participant. However, interviewers need to be aware of unintentional power relationships between the researcher and the patient, and the implications for data quality, as well as both patients' and interviewers' physical and emotional well-being.

Conclusion(s)

In this setting, and with this particular patient group, less attention should be paid to interviewers' professional stance of neutrality and non-disclosure and more to allowing appropriate social contact, and humanity. However, care needs to be taken to avoid creating a false rapport and therapeutic environment. We offer a list of recommendations to address both practical and ethical concerns for researchers working in this field.
Abstracts from the tri-service emergency medicine conference, 2014
Authors: Smith Jason E
Published: February 2015

The 2014 Tri-Service Emergency Medicine Conference was held at the Royal Air Force, Linton on Ouse, from 14 October to 16 October 2014. Abstracts were invited from military trainees in emergency medicine, and subjected to standardised assessment and scoring. The authors of the eight highest scoring abstracts were invited to present their abstracts in the final conference session.

The top eight scoring abstracts that were presented in the session are included below. The prize for the best abstract was awarded to Captain Pip Lewis, Royal Army Medical Corps, for her work on intraosseous access.
Enteral administration of monosodium phosphate, monopotassium phosphate and monocalcium phosphate for the treatment of hypophosphataemia in lactating dairy cattle
Authors: Idink M. J. , Grünberg W.
Published: February 2015

Hypohosphataemia is a frequent finding in early lactating and anorectic dairy cows. Sodium phosphate is commonly used for oral phosphorus (P) supplementation, although other phosphate salts may present useful treatment alternatives. Objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy of monopotassium phosphate (KH2 PO4) and monocalcium phosphate (Ca(H2 PO4)2) to monosodium phosphate (NaH2 PO4) in P‐depleted cows. Furthermore, the effect of concentrated NaH2 PO4 on the reticular groove reflex was studied. Six healthy but P‐depleted dairy cows underwent four treatments in randomised order. Treatments consisted of intraruminal administration of NaH2 PO4, KH2 PO4 and Ca(H2 PO4)2 providing the equivalent of 60 g P. A fourth treatment consisting of concentrated NaH2 PO4 combined with acetaminophen as a marker substance was administered orally to determine whether the reticular groove reflex could be induced. Intraruminal administration of NaH2 PO4 and KH2 PO4 resulted in similar increases in plasma Pi concentrations ([Pi]) while intraruminal Ca(H2 PO4)2 resulted in lower increases in plasma [Pi]. Oral and intraruminal administration of NaH2 PO4 resulted in similar times to peak plasma [Pi] and acetaminophen concentration, indicating that concentrated NaH2 PO4 administered orally did not trigger the reticular groove reflex. These results suggest that oral administration of KH2 PO4 is equally effective as NaH2 PO4. Oral administration of Ca(H2 PO4)2 in contrast has a less pronounced effect on the plasma [Pi].
Diary of a poultry intern
Authors: Garton William
Published: February 2015

William Garton, poultry intern at Minster Vets, found that surveillance and education occupied much of his time in February.
Effects of a weight loss program on body composition and the metabolic profile in obese postmenopausal women displaying various obesity phenotypes: a MONET group study
Authors: Normandin Eve , Doucet Eric , Rabasa-Lhoret Rémi , Brochu Martin
Published: February 2015

Obesity is a heterogeneous condition, since the metabolic profile may differ greatly from one individual to another. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of a 6-month diet-induced weight loss program on body composition and the metabolic profile in obese individuals displaying different obesity phenotypes. Secondary analyses were done on 129 obese (% body fat: 46% ± 4%) postmenopausal women (age: 57 ± 4 years). Outcome measures included body composition, body fat distribution, glucose homeostasis, fasting lipids, and blood pressure. Obesity phenotypes were determined based on lean body mass (LBM) index (LBMI = LBM/height2) and visceral fat (VF) accumulation, as follows: 1, lower VF and lower LBMI (n = 35); 2, lower VF and higher LBMI (n = 19); 3, higher VF and lower LBMI (n = 14); and 4, higher VF and higher LBMI (n = 61). All groups had significantly improved measures of body composition after the intervention (P < 0.0001). Greater decreases in LBM and LBMI were observed in the higher LBMI groups than in the lower LBMI groups (P < 0.0001). Similarly, decreases in VF were greater in the higher VF groups than in the lower VF groups (P < 0.05). Overall, fasting insulin levels and glucose disposal improved following the intervention, with higher LBMI groups showing a trend for greater improvements (P = 0.06 and 0.07, respectively). Overall, no difference was observed among the different obesity phenotypes regarding improvements in the metabolic profile in response to weight loss. Individuals displaying higher VF or higher LBMI at baseline experienced significantly greater decreases for these variables after the intervention.