bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stars with fast Galactic rotation observed in Gaia TGAS: a signature driven by the Perseus arm?
Authors: Hunt Jason A. S. , Kawata Daisuke , Monari Giacomo , Grand Robert J. J. , Famaey Benoit , Siebert Arnaud
Published: December 2016

We report on the detection of a small overdensity of stars in velocity space with systematically higher Galactocentric rotation velocity than the Sun by about 20 km s−1 in the Gaia Data Release 1 Tycho–Gaia astrometric solution data. We find these fast Galactic rotators more clearly outside of the Solar radius, compared to inside of the Solar radius. In addition, the velocity of the fast Galactic rotators is independent of the Galactocentric distance up to R − R0 ∼ 0.6 kpc. Comparing with numerical models, we qualitatively discuss that a possible cause of this feature is the co-rotation resonance of the Perseus spiral arm, where the stars in the peri-centre phase in the trailing side of the Perseus spiral arm experience an extended period of acceleration owing to the torque from the Perseus arm.
The earliest drawings of datable auroras and a two-tail comet from the Syriac Chronicle of Zūqnīn
Authors: Hayakawa Hisashi , Mitsuma Yasuyuki , Fujiwara Yasunori , Kawamura Akito Davis , Kataoka Ryuho , Ebihara Yusuke , Kosaka Shunsuke , Iwahashi Kiyomi , Tamazawa Harufumi , Isobe Hiroaki
Published: December 2016

People have probably been watching the sky since the beginning of human history. Observers in pre-telescopic ages recorded anomalous events, which now provide uniquely valuable information for modern scientists. Records that include drawings are particularly useful, since the verbal expressions recorded by pre-telescopic observers, who did not know the physical nature of the phenomena, are often ambiguous. However, drawings concerning specific datable events in the historical documents are far fewer than the verbal records. Therefore, in this paper we show the possible earliest drawings of datable auroras and a two-tail comet included in a manuscript of the Chronicle of Zūqnīn, a Syriac chronicle up to 775/776 CE, to interpret their nature. Careful perusing the original Syriac autograph manuscript, MS Vat.Sir.162, provide not only historical facts in the realm around Amida, but also information concerning low-latitude aurora observations due to extreme space weather events and the existence of sun-grazing comets.
Assessing Prescribing Trends of Adjuvant Medication Therapy in Outpatients With a Diagnosis of Noncancer Chronic Pain
Authors: Rasu Rafia S. , Vossen Rachel K. , Knell Maureen E.
Published: December 2016

Background:

Chronic pain affects over 100 million adults in the United States, yet continues to be difficult to treat. Concerns continue to mount over the use of opioids to treat noncancer chronic pain (NCCP). Guidelines support the use of adjuvant medications as one of the preferred options for treating chronic pain over opioids.

Objectives:

To examine reported usage of adjuvants in the treatment of chronic pain via the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS).

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective, cross-sectional study evaluating reported usage of adjuvant pain medications for the treatment of NCCP was conducted using NAMCS data from 2000 to 2007. Weighted samples were analyzed with regard to several patient variables. Logistic regression models provided 95% confidence intervals and an adjusted odds ratio to determine statistically significant differences in reported usage for the evaluated patient variables.

Results:

In total, 244,797,406 weighted visits were included for analysis. The analysis showed an almost 2-fold increase in adjuvant use during the study period. Statistically significant differences were identified for several factors evaluated. Younger age, female sex, care from a nonprimary care physician, comorbidities with pain, and >5 current medications were associated with higher rates adjuvant therapy use.

Discussion:

Overall adjuvant usage dramatically increased during the study period. Analysis of data demonstrated adjuvant use in chronic pain varied based patient-specific characteristics. These results may allow clinicians, policy makers, and medical educators to identify potential gaps in adjuvant use in certain populations and target areas for clinical, populations-based, and educational improvements in managing NCCP.
The Association Between Headaches and Temporomandibular Disorders is Confounded by Bruxism and Somatic Symptoms
Authors: van der Meer Hedwig A. , Speksnijder Caroline M. , Engelbert Raoul H. H. , Lobbezoo Frank , Nijhuis-van der Sanden Maria W.G. , Visscher Corine M.
Published: December 2016

Objectives:

The objective of this observational study was to establish the possible presence of confounders on the association between temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and headaches in a patient population from a TMD and Orofacial Pain Clinic.

Materials and Methods:

Several subtypes of headaches have been diagnosed: self-reported headache, (probable) migraine, (probable) tension-type headache, and secondary headache attributed to TMD. The presence of TMD was subdivided into 2 subtypes: painful TMD and function-related TMD. The associations between the subtypes of TMD and headaches were evaluated by single regression models. To study the influence of possible confounding factors on this association, the regression models were extended with age, sex, bruxism, stress, depression, and somatic symptoms.

Results:

Of the included patients (n=203), 67.5% experienced headaches. In the subsample of patients with a painful TMD (n=58), the prevalence of self-reported headaches increased to 82.8%. The associations found between self-reported headache and (1) painful TMD and (2) function-related TMD were confounded by the presence of somatic symptoms. For probable migraine, both somatic symptoms and bruxism confounded the initial association found with painful TMD.

Discussion:

The findings of this study imply that there is a central working mechanism overlapping TMD and headache. Health care providers should not regard these disorders separately, but rather look at the bigger picture to appreciate the complex nature of the diagnostic and therapeutic process.
Using Reflective Practice to Understand LGBTQ Client Needs
Authors: Summers Michele L.
Published: December 2016

Nurse practitioners as well as all nurses need to assess their values, be knowledgeable of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer issues and current guidelines of care, and communicate with clients and their families in such a way as to create trusting and safe environments, free from barriers for quality healthcare. Nursing literature supports reflective practice as a means of reducing bias, as well as improving patient–provider trust and quality care. Understanding the primary care needs of specific populations is necessary to fulfill the nursing code of ethics.
Achille Civatte: A Master of the Microscope
Authors: Nguyen Jannett , Korta Dorota Z.
Published: December 2016

Achille Civatte (1877–1956) was one of the most highly regarded dermatologists of the 20th century. We provide a succinct account of Civatte's academic life and contributions to the field of dermatopathology, in addition to briefly discussing his son, Jean Civatte, who himself became a highly regarded dermatologist.
Variables in Cryosurgery Technique Associated With Clearance of Actinic Keratosis
Authors: Berman Brian , Shabbir Arsalan Qazi , MacNeil Tanya , Knudsen Kim Mark
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND

Cryosurgery is the most commonly used method to treat actinic keratosis (AK). Cryosurgical methods are not standardized.

OBJECTIVE

To examine differences in the spray techniques used for liquid nitrogen cryosurgery when treating AKs of the head, and the effect of these variations in technique on rates of complete clearance of AKs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were those from the FIELD-1 study, who received cryosurgery as per the investigators' usual practice to all AKs. This was followed by topical treatment with either vehicle gel or ingenol mebutate gel, 0.015%, after 3 weeks. The investigator recorded the average duration of cryosurgery spray used, the number of freeze–thaw cycles, and the distance from the tip of the spray device to the AK. Clearance rates were determined at Week 11.

RESULTS

Less-aggressive freezing techniques were used for AKs on the face than for those on the scalp. However, higher rates of complete clearance on the face and scalp were associated with more-aggressive freezing techniques.

CONCLUSION

Patients with AKs on the face receive less-aggressive cryosurgery than do patients with AKs on the scalp.
Association between expression of inflammatory markers in normal breast tissue and mammographic density among premenopausal and postmenopausal women
Authors: Hanna Mirette , Dumas Isabelle , Orain Michèle , Jacob Simon , Têtu Bernard , Sanschagrin François , Bureau Alexandre , Poirier Brigitte , Diorio Caroline
Published: December 2016

Objective:

Inflammatory markers may be associated with breast cancer risk. We assessed the association between expression levels of proinflammatory (interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, cyclooxygenase 2, leptin, serum amyloid A1, interleukin 8, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and anti-inflammatory markers (transforming growth factor-β, interleukin 10, and lactoferrin) in normal breast tissue with mammographic density, a strong breast cancer risk indicator, among 163 breast cancer patients.

Methods:

The expression of inflammatory markers was visually evaluated on immunohistochemistry stained slides. The percent mammographic density (PMD) was estimated by a computer-assisted method in the contralateral cancer-free breast. We used generalized linear models to estimate means of PMD by median expression levels of the inflammatory markers while adjusting for age and waist circumference.

Results:

Higher expression levels (above median) of the proinflammatory marker interleukin 6 were associated with higher PMD among all women (24.1% vs 18.5%, P = 0.007). Similarly, higher expression levels (above median) of the proinflammatory markers (interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, and interleukin 8) were associated with higher PMD among premenopausal women (absolute difference in the PMD of 8.8% [P = 0.006], 7.7% [P = 0.022], 6.7% [P = 0.037], and 16.5% [P = 0.032], respectively). Higher expression levels (above median) of the anti-inflammatory marker transforming growth factor-β were associated with lower PMD among all (18.8% vs 24.3%, P = 0.005) and postmenopausal women (14.5% vs 20.7%, P = 0.013).

Conclusions:

Our results provide support for the hypothesized role of inflammatory markers in breast carcinogenesis through their effects on mammographic density. Inflammatory markers could be targeted in future breast cancer prevention interventions.
PENETRATING INJURY FROM PLASTIC AIRSOFT PELLET SHOWS BEAM-HARDENING ARTIFACT ON COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Gupta Divakar , Tailor Tina D. , Francis Courtney , Kanal Kalpana , Klesert Todd
Published: December 2016

Purpose:

To describe a case of left eye corneal perforation, cataract, hyphema, and intraocular foreign body after airsoft pellet injury.

Methods:

The authors reviewed the medical history and diagnostic imaging of a 12-year-old boy injured by a pellet from an airsoft gun. Typically, plastic airsoft pellets cause blunt trauma to the globe, which can lead to visual disability from corneal abrasion or hyphema. Initial computed tomography of the left orbit showed a 6.1 mm × 7.6-mm radiodense foreign body with beam-hardening artifact, a radiographic feature associated with metallic objects.

Results:

The patient was taken to the operating room for globe repair, lensectomy, vitrectomy, and removal of intraocular foreign body. The removed foreign body was a plastic airsoft pellet.

Conclusion:

This is the first report of a plastic intraocular foreign body showing beam-hardening artifact. This finding may have implications in the diagnosis and management of retained intraocular or intraorbital plastic foreign bodies.
LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM RESTORATION AFTER A TRIPLE TEAR
Authors: Zahid Sarwar , Dolz Marco Rosa , Freund K. Bailey
Published: December 2016

Purpose:

To demonstrate longitudinal multimodal imaging findings in a case of neovascular age-related macular degeneration presenting with multiple retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears showing progressive RPE restoration.

Methods:

Observational clinical case report.

Results:

A 79-year-old woman diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration developed 3 consecutive RPE tears in her right eye during the course of treatment with intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. The RPE tears initially appeared hypoautofluorescent on fundus autofluorescence. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed contractile folds of the RPE with adjacent subretinal fluid and overlying ellipsoid zone disruption. Over an 8-year follow-up period, the RPE defects progressively resolved with a return of patchy fundus autofluorescence. Eye-tracked spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed gradual restoration of the RPE band defects over an enlarging Type 1 neovascular lesion.

Conclusion:

Some RPE tears may show observable remodeling and restoration over time. These changes may be followed longitudinally with multimodal imaging, including eye-tracked spectral domain optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence.
Spontaneous Dislocation of Trabeculectomy Scleral Flap in the Anterior Chamber in a Patient With Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum
Authors: Danieliute Lina , Tsagkataki Myrto , Nikita Eleni
Published: December 2016

We report a case of a 54-year-old man, known to have pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), who had a trabeculectomy in his left eye for secondary glaucoma following blunt trauma. Ten years after augmented trabeculectomy, the patient presented to casualty clinic with an inferiorly dislocated, anterior chamber (AC), scleral trabeculectomy flap. Corrected vision was hand movement with an intraocular pressure of 17 mm Hg. There was significant AC inflammation (cells 2+). Gonioscopy revealed a residual mobile scleral flap. The bleb was cystic with no leak. To our knowledge this is the first report of a trabeculectomy scleral flap dislocation into the AC in a patient with PXE. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this complication in patients with PXE.
Look Who Is Talking Now: Eliciting the Concept of Fatherhood Among Filipino Fathers Using Metaphor Analysis
Authors: Villamor Neil Jupiter E. , de Guzman Allan B. , Matienzo Evangeline T.
Published: December 2016

Background:

Although the increased interest in investigating the dynamics of fatherhood in developed nations has been documented in the literature, its collective meaning and implications in nursing remain largely unknown in the context of East Asia, especially in developing countries such as the Philippines.

Purpose:

Capitalizing on the unique power of metaphors to improve the understanding of complex and abstract ideas and to shape healthcare practices, this qualitative semiotic investigation intended to define the essence of fatherhood from the perspective of Filipino fathers.

Methods:

This study focused on a group of 28 first-time and 22 second-time fathers who were recruited from the largest maternal and newborn tertiary government hospital in the Philippines. To capture the richness and thickness of fatherhood as a subjective human reality, doodling and elicitation interviews were employed to promote data triangulation. Furthermore, semiosis was used as the data analytic framework to better understand the ontology and epistemology of the elicited metaphors. In addition, a member-checking procedure was employed to validate the themes that emerged from the inductive approach.

Results:

This study provides a conceptualization of “The House of Fatherhood,” which illustrates the uniqueness of the experience of fatherhood as identity defining, maturity enabling, and duality affirming.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice:

The pillars of fatherhood that were identified in this article provide a valuable framework for Filipino healthcare providers and program administrators in the field of maternal and child nursing to identify scaffolding measures and other support mechanisms to address the needs and concerns of Filipino fathers and their journey to fatherhood in a more effective and holistic way.
Association Between Discrimination and Objective and Subjective Sleep Measures in the Midlife in the United States Study Adult Sample
Authors: Owens Sherry L. , Hunte Haslyn E.R. , Sterkel Amanda , Johnson Dayna A. , Johnson-Lawrence Vicki
Published: December 2016

Objective

Evidence suggests that sleep quality is worse in nonwhite minorities compared with whites. Poor sleep is associated with higher levels of perceived interpersonal discrimination, which is consistently reported among minorities. However, the literature is limited in exploring discrimination with both objective and subjective sleep outcomes in the same sample. We examined the relationship between discrimination and markers of subjective and objective sleep in a racially diverse sample.

Methods

The analytic sample included 441 participants of the Midlife in the United States II (MIDUS) study (M [SD] age, 46.6 [1.03]; female, 57.9%; male, 42.1%; nonwhite, 31.7%). Complete data were available for 361 participants. Sleep measures included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency derived from 7-day actigraphy. Discrimination was measured with the Williams Everyday Discrimination Scale. Ordinary least squares and logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between discrimination and the subjective and objective measures of sleep.

Results

After adjusting for covariates, respondents with higher discrimination scores were significantly more likely to experience poor sleep efficiency (odds ratio, 1.12; p = .005) and report poorer sleep quality (odds ratio, 1.09; p = .029) on the basis of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Higher discrimination scores were also associated with longer wake after sleep onset (b = 0.032, p < .01) and more sleep difficulties (b = 0.049, p = .01). Discrimination attenuated all differences in the sleep measures between whites and nonwhites except for sleep efficiency.

Conclusions

The findings support the model that discrimination acts as a stressor that can disrupt subjective and objective sleep. These results suggest that interpersonal discrimination explains some variance in worse sleep among nonwhites compared with whites.
The Effect of Allopurinol on Renal Function
Authors: Krishnamurthy Aneesa , Lazaro Deana , Stefanov Dimitre G. , Blumenthal David , Gerber Donald , Patel Sheetal
Published: December 2016

Background

Hyperuricemia is associated with development of gout, hypertension, and renal disease. The impact of allopurinol, a urate-lowering therapy, on renal function is unclear, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease who are at higher risk of hypersensitivity reaction.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of allopurinol on kidney function in hyperuricemic male veterans.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study using pharmacy, medical, and laboratory records of veterans enrolled at the Veterans Administration New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn campus. Fifty patients with hyperuricemia defined as a serum uric acid greater than 7 mg/dL (average of ~9 mg/dL), newly started on allopurinol for any reason, with evidence of treatment compliance, were matched by age, race, sex, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) to 50 hyperuricemic control subjects. The retrospective cases were observed from October 2000 until November 2006, at which time there was a change in the laboratory analyzer, making further comparisons inappropriate.

Results

On average, patients treated with a mean 221 (SD, 96) mg/d dose of allopurinol achieved 11.9 mL/min higher GFR (95% confidence interval, 4.8–11.9 mg/d dose; P = 0.01) than did the control group. Treatment effect was found to depend on the initial EGFR, as indicated by the significant treatment by initial EGFR interaction (P = 0.004) and increased with a higher initial EGFR. The allopurinol-treated group had a 0.10 mg/dL lower final creatinine level (95% confidence interval, 0.003–0.20 mg/dL; P = 0.04) than did the control subjects, adjusted for initial creatinine and age. The average length of follow-up was 3.4 years. There were 5 mild adverse events in the treated cases.

Conclusions

Treatment of hyperuricemic patients with allopurinol over an average of 3.4 years resulted in a significant improvement of kidney function in this male cohort from the Veterans Administration Healthcare System. Clinicians should consider this potential benefit of allopurinol in the treatment of patients with hyperuricemia, those with overall maintained renal function.
McClintock: An integrated pipeline for detecting transposable element insertions in whole genome shotgun sequencing data
Authors: Nelson Michael G. , Linheiro Raquel S. , Bergman Casey M.
Published: December 2016

Background

Transposable element (TE) insertions are among the most challenging type of variants to detect in genomic data because of their repetitive nature and complex mechanisms of replication. Nevertheless, the recent availability of large resequencing datasets has spurred the development of many new methods to detect TE insertions in whole genome shotgun sequences. These methods generate output in diverse formats and have a large number of software and data dependencies, making their comparative evaluation challenging for potential users.

Results

Here we develop an integrated bioinformatics pipeline for the detection of TE insertions in whole genome shotgun data, called McClintock (https://github.com/bergmanlab/mcclintock), that automatically runs and generates standardized output for multiple TE detection methods. We demonstrate the utility of the McClintock system by performing comparative evaluation of six TE detection methods using simulated and real genome data from the model microbal eukaryote,Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We find substantial variation among McClintock component methods in their ability to detect non-reference insertions in the yeast genome, but show that non-reference TEs at nearly all biologically-realistic locations can be detected in simulated data by combining multiple methods that use split-read and read-pair evidence. In general, our results reveal that split-read methods detect fewer non-reference TE insertions than read-pair methods, but generally have much higher positional accuracy. Analysis of a large sample of real yeast genomes reveals that most, but not all, McClintock component methods can recover known aspects of TE biology in yeast such as the transpositional activity status of families, tRNA gene target preferences, and target site duplication structure, albeit with varying levels of positional accuracy.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that no single TE detection method currently provides comprehensive detection of non-reference TEs, even in the context of a simplified model eukaryotic genome likeS. cerevisiae. In spite of these limitations, the McClintock system provides a framework for testing, developing and integrating results from multiple TE detection methods to achieve this ultimate aim, as well as useful guidance for yeast researchers to select appropriate TE detection tools.
More Than Money: Motivating Physician Behavior Change in Accountable Care Organizations
Authors: PHIPPS‐TAYLOR MADELEINE , SHORTELL STEPHEN M.
Published: December 2016

Policy Points:

For accountable care organizations (ACOs) to be successful they need to change the behavior of their physicians. To stimulate this change, a broad range of motivators are being used, including ways to see a greater impact on patients (social purpose) and opportunities to be a more effective physician (mastery), in addition to personal financial incentives.

From our analysis of case studies, it does not appear that the full range of motivators is being deployed by ACOs, which suggests an opportunity to develop more sophisticated and wider‐ranging portfolios of motivators for greater impact.

Context

There are approximately 800 accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the United States. In order to achieve the ACO goals of reduced cost, improved outcomes of care, and better population health, it is critical to change how physicians within ACOs deliver care. While knowledge of ACO development and evolution is growing, relatively little is known about the motivational drivers that are being used to effect change among participating physicians.

Methods

We synthesized 9 well‐established and empirically tested theories of motivation into an overarching framework of 6 motivator domains. This framework was then used to explore the types of motivators that leaders use to stimulate change within 4 case study ACOs. We explored the organizational characteristics, strategies, and motivators for changing physicians’ behaviors through in‐depth interviews and document review.

Findings

The case study ACOs more strongly emphasized nonfinancial motivators for changing physician behavior than financial incentives. These motivators included mastery and social purpose, which were used frequently across all case study sites. Overall, the ACO case studies illustrated variability across all motivational domains. While there was evidence of changing motivators as a result of the ACO, the case study ACOs found it difficult to comprehensively change the use of motivators, in part due to dispersed managerial attention and the complexity and diversity of programs and contracts that fragmented efforts to improve.

Conclusions

Motivating behavior change within ACOs goes beyond financial incentives. ACOs are using a broad range of motivators, including creating ways to make a greater impact on patients and opportunities to be a more effective physician. Overall, it does not appear that ACOs are deploying the full range of available motivators. This suggests an opportunity to develop more sophisticated and wider‐ranging portfolios of motivators to drive behavior change.
Influence of tooth bleaching on dental enamel microhardness: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zanolla J , Marques ABC , da Costa DC , de Souza AS , Coutinho M
Published: December 2016

Several studies have investigated the effect of bleaching on dental tissues. The evaluation of the effect of home bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide is important for assessing alterations in enamel microhardness that may affect dental health in terms of resistance to masticatory forces. This meta‐analysis was performed in order to determine scientific evidence regarding the effects of home vital bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide gel on the microhardness of human dental enamel. A systematic electronic literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases using search terms. Two independent researchers evaluated the information and methodological quality of the studies. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established for article selection; further, only studies published in English were selected. Thirteen studies that met all of the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and underwent statistical analysis. The results of this meta‐analysis showed no significant changes in enamel microhardness when using the 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching gel over periods of 7, 14 and 21 days.
Comparing QT interval variability of semiautomated and high‐precision ECG methodologies in seven thorough QT studies—implications for the power of studies intended for definitive evaluation of a drug's QT effect
Authors: Meiser Karin , Jordaan Pierre , Latypova Sasha , Darpo Borje
Published: December 2016

Background

In studies of drug effects on electrocardiographic parameters, the level of precision in measuring QTc interval changes will influence a study's ability to detect small effects.

Methods

Variability data from investigational, placebo and moxifloxacin treatments from seven thorough QT studies performed by the same sponsor were analyzed with the objective to compare the performance of two commonly used approaches for ECG interval measurements: semiautomated (SA) and the high‐precision QT (HPQT) analysis. Five studies were crossover and two parallel. Harmonized procedures were implemented to ensure similar experimental conditions across studies. ECG replicates were extracted serially from continuous 12‐lead recordings at predefined time points from subjects supinely resting. The variability estimates were based on the time‐point analysis of change‐from‐baseline QTcF as the dependent variable for the standard primary analysis of previous thorough QT studies. The residual variances were extracted for each study and ECG technique.

Results

High‐precision QT resulted in a substantial reduction in ∆QTc variability as compared to SA. A reduction in residual variability or approximately 50% was achieved in both crossover and parallel studies, both for the active comparison (drug vs. placebo) and for assay sensitivity (moxifloxacin vs. placebo) data.

Conclusions

High‐precision QT technique significantly reduces QT interval variability and thereby the number of subjects needed to exclude small effects in QT studies. Based on this assessment, the sample size required to exclude a QTc effect >10 ms with 90% power is reduced from 35 with SA to 18 with HPQT, if a 3 ms underlying drug effect is assumed.
Inflammasome activation in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)
Authors: Barclay William , Shinohara Mari L.
Published: December 2016

The aptly named inflammasomes are powerful signaling complexes that sense inflammatory signals under a myriad of conditions, including those from infections and endogenous sources. The inflammasomes promote inflammation by maturation and release of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines, IL‐1β and IL‐18. Several inflammasomes have been identified so far, but this review focuses mainly on the NLRP3 inflammasome. By still ill‐defined activation mechanisms, a sensor molecule, NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR and PYD domains‐containing protein 3), responds to danger signals and rapidly recruits ASC (apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a CARD) and pro‐caspase‐1 to form a large oligomeric signaling platform—the inflammasome. Involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome in infections, metabolic disorders, autoinflammation, and autoimmunity, underscores its position as a central player in sensing microbial and damage signals and coordinating pro‐inflammatory immune responses. Indeed, evidence in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suggests inflammasome activation occurs during disease. Experiments with the mouse model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), specifically describe the NLRP3 inflammasome as critical and necessary to disease development. This review discusses recent studies in EAE and MS which describe associations of inflammasome activation with promotion of T cell pathogenicity, infiltration of cells into the central nervous system (CNS) and direct neurodegeneration during EAE and MS.
What do we know about the inflammasome in humans?
Authors: Amin Jay , Boche Delphine , Rakic Sonja
Published: December 2016

The inflammasome complex is part of the innate immune system, which serves to protect the host against harm from pathogens and damaged cells. It is a term first proposed by Tschopp's group in 2002, with numerous original research articles and reviews published on the topic since. There have been many types of inflammasome identified, but all result in the common pathway of activation of caspases and interleukin 1β along with possible cell death called pyroptosis. Despite a growing body of research investigating the structure and function of the inflammasome in animal models, there is still limited evidence identifying inflammasome components in human physiology and disease. In this review, we explore the molecular structure and mechanism of activation of the inflammasome with a particular focus on inflammasome complexes expressed in humans. Inflammasome components have been identified in several human peripheral and brain tissues using both in vivo and ex vivo work, and the inflammasome complex has been shown to be associated with several genetic and acquired inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the information available on the inflammasome with an emphasis on the importance of prioritizing work on human tissue. There is a huge demand for more effective treatments for a number of inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Modulation of the inflammasome has been proposed as a novel treatment for several of these diseases and there are currently clinical trials ongoing to test this theory.
Drawing Family Boundaries: Children's Perspectives on Family Relationships in Rural and Urban Ethiopia
Authors: Kassa Sophia Chanyalew
Published: December 2016

This article explores how children conceptualise and practice family relationships in two social settings in Ethiopia. Based on ethnographic data, it discusses (i) how urban and rural children construct family; (ii) what family activities children do and which social positions they assume; and (iii) the convergence and divergence of meanings and practices of family relationships between urban and rural Ethiopia. The analysis demonstrates how ‘normative family’ and actual ‘family practices’ are shaped by socio‐cultural, material and spatial contexts. Insights drawn also reveal the complex ways in which access to material resources, geographical distance, rural‐urban locations and cultural traits such as patterns of marriage and child relocation practices shape family relationships.
Effects of preference heterogeneity among landowners on spatial conservation prioritization
Authors: Nielsen Anne Sofie Elberg , Strange Niels , Bruun Hans Henrik , Jacobsen Jette Bredahl
Published: December 2016

The participation of private landowners in conservation is crucial to efficient biodiversity conservation. This is especially the case in settings where the share of private ownership is large and the economic costs associated with land acquisition are high. We used probit regression analysis and historical participation data to examine the likelihood of participation of Danish forest owners in a voluntary conservation program. We used the results to spatially predict the likelihood of participation of all forest owners in Denmark. We merged spatial data on the presence of forest, cadastral information on participation contracts, and individual‐level socioeconomic information about the forest owners and their households. We included predicted participation in a probability model for species survival. Uninformed and informed (included land owner characteristics) models were then incorporated into a spatial prioritization for conservation of unmanaged forests. The choice models are based on sociodemographic data on the entire population of Danish forest owners and historical data on their participation in conservation schemes. Inclusion in the model of information on private landowners’ willingness to supply land for conservation yielded at intermediate budget levels up to 30% more expected species coverage than the uninformed prioritization scheme. Our landowner‐choice model provides an example of moving toward more implementable conservation planning.
Prediction of the soil water retention curve for structured soil from saturation to oven‐dryness
Authors: Karup D. , Moldrup P. , Tuller M. , Arthur E. , de Jonge L.W.
Published: December 2016

The soil water retention curve (SWRC) is the most fundamental soil hydraulic function required for modelling soil–plant–atmospheric water flow and transport processes. The SWRC is intimately linked to the distribution of the size of pores, the composition of the solid phase and the soil specific surface area. Detailed measurement of the SWRC is impractical in many cases because of the excessively long equilibration times inherent to most standard methods, especially for fine textured soil. Consequently, it is more efficient to predict the SWRC based on easy‐to‐measure basic soil properties. In this research we evaluated a new two‐stage approach developed recently to predict the SWRC based on measurements for disturbed repacked soil samples. Our study involved undisturbed structured soil and took into account the effects of bulk density, organic matter content and particle‐size distribution. Independently measured SWRCs for 171 undisturbed soil samples with organic matter contents that ranged from 3 to 14% were used for model validation. The results indicate that consideration of the silt and organic matter fractions, in addition to the clay fraction, improved predictions for the dry‐end SWRC. The dry‐end results revealed that the smallest matric potential at hypothetical ‘zero‐water‐content’ varies between −45 000 and −125 000 m (pF 6.65–7.1) even for soils with similar clay mineralogy. The sensitivity analysis of the two‐stage approach indicated that predicted SWRC results are more sensitive to bulk density than to organic matter content or soil texture. For the soils studied, the two‐stage approach showed reasonable agreement with measured data, with a root mean square error of 0.04 cm3 cm−3 for the matric potential range from pF 1 to pF 6.6.

Highlights

Is a new approach to modelling the soil water retention (SWR) curve applicable to structured soil?

The model accurately predicts the full SWR curve with an RMSE of 0.04 cm3 cm−3.

Prediction accuracy of the wet part of the SWR curve was sensitive to variation in bulk density.

The pF at zero water content, which affects the prediction of dry SWR, ranged from 6.65 to 7.10.
Treatment of intractable chronic cluster headache by occipital nerve stimulation: a cohort of 51 patients
Authors: Miller S. , Watkins L. , Matharu M.
Published: December 2016

Background and purpose

Chronic cluster headache is a rare, highly disabling primary headache condition. When medically intractable, occipital nerve stimulation can offer effective treatment. Open‐label series have provided data on small cohorts only.

Methods

We analyzed 51 subjects to evaluate the long‐term outcomes of highly intractable chronic cluster headache with occipital nerve stimulation. Patients with intractable chronic cluster headache were implanted with occipital nerve stimulators during the period 2007–2014. The primary endpoint was improvement in daily attack frequency. Secondary endpoints included attack severity, attack duration, quality‐of‐life measures, headache disability scores and adverse events.

Results

We studied 51 patients [35 males; mean age at implant 47.78 (range 31–70) years; mean follow‐up 39.17 (range 2–81) months]. Nineteen patients had other chronic headache types in addition in chronic cluster headache. At final follow‐up, there was a 46.1% improvement in attack frequency (P < 0001) across all patients, 49.5% (P < 0.001) in those with cluster headache alone and 40.3% (P = 0.036) in those with multiple phenotypes. There were no significant differences in response in those with or without multiple headache types. The overall response rate (defined as at least a 50% improvement in attack frequency) was 52.9%. Significant reductions were also seen in attack duration and severity. Improvements were noted in headache disability scores and quality‐of‐life measures. Triptan use of responders dropped by 62.56%, resulting in significant cost savings. Adverse event rates were highly favorable.

Conclusion

Occipital nerve stimulation appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment for highly intractable chronic cluster headache even after a mean follow‐up of over 3 years.
Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of connectivity patterns: A basis for prioritizing conservation efforts for threatened populations
Authors: Gubili Chrysoula , Mariani Stefano , Weckworth Byron V. , Galpern Paul , McDevitt Allan D. , Hebblewhite Mark , Nickel Barry , Musiani Marco
Published: December 2016

Ecosystem fragmentation and habitat loss have been the focus of landscape management due to restrictions on contemporary connectivity and dispersal of populations. Here, we used an individual approach to determine the drivers of genetic differentiation in caribou of the Canadian Rockies. We modelled the effects of isolation by distance, landscape resistance and predation risk and evaluated the consequences of individual migratory behaviour (seasonally migratory vs. sedentary) on gene flow in this threatened species. We applied distance‐based and reciprocal causal modelling approaches, testing alternative hypotheses on the effects of geographic, topographic, environmental and local population‐specific variables on genetic differentiation and relatedness among individuals. Overall, gene flow was restricted to neighbouring local populations, with spatial coordinates, local population size, groups and elevation explaining connectivity among individuals. Landscape resistance, geographic distances and predation risk were correlated with genetic distances, with correlations threefold higher for sedentary than for migratory caribou. As local caribou populations are increasingly isolated, our results indicate the need to address genetic connectivity, especially for populations with individuals displaying different migratory behaviours, whilst maintaining quality habitat both within and across the ranges of threatened populations.
Urbanization drives community shifts towards thermophilic and dispersive species at local and landscape scales
Authors: Piano Elena , De Wolf Katrien , Bona Francesca , Bonte Dries , Bowler Diana E. , Isaia Marco , Lens Luc , Merckx Thomas , Mertens Daan , van Kerckvoorde Marc , De Meester Luc , Hendrickx Frederik
Published: December 2016

The increasing conversion of agricultural and natural areas to human‐dominated urban landscapes is predicted to lead to a major decline in biodiversity worldwide. Two conditions that typically differ between urban environments and the surrounding landscape are increased temperature, and high patch isolation and habitat turnover rates. However, the extent and spatial scale at which these altered conditions shape biotic communities through selection and/or filtering on species traits are currently poorly understood. We sampled carabid beetles at 81 sites in Belgium using a hierarchically nested sampling design wherein three local‐scale (200 × 200 m) urbanization levels were repeatedly sampled across three landscape‐scale (3 × 3 km) urbanization levels. First, we showed that communities sampled in the most urbanized locations and landscapes displayed a distinct species composition at both local and landscape scale. Second, we related community means of species‐specific thermal preferences and dispersal capacity (based on European distribution and wing morphology, respectively) to the urbanization gradients. We showed that urban communities consisted on average of species with a preference for higher temperatures and with better dispersal capacities compared to rural communities. These shifts were caused by an increased number of species tolerating higher temperatures, a decreased richness of species with low thermal preference, and an almost complete depletion of species with very low‐dispersal capacity in the most urbanized localities. Effects of urbanization were most clearly detected at the local scale, although more subtle effects could also be found at the scale of entire landscapes. Our results demonstrate that urbanization may fundamentally and consistently alter species composition by exerting a strong filtering effect on species dispersal characteristics and favouring replacement by warm‐dwelling species.
Full Blood Count – Internal QC Protocol: a review by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs (RCPAQAP) Pty Ltd – Haematology
Authors: Sioufi J. , Badrick T. , Sinclair L. , Marsden K.
Published: December 2016

Introduction

The RCPAQAP (Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Program) Haematology has undertaken an exercise to review the internal quality control protocol for full blood count (FBC) instrumentation as well as review the action taken by laboratories when nonconforming results are evident in the RCPAQAP proficiency testing reports.

Method

A questionnaire was sent to laboratories enrolled in the RCPAQAP FBC module. Laboratories were asked to provide information with regard to the type of control measures used within their testing environment that would trigger alerts for nonconforming events. The questionnaire also reviewed the action taken by laboratories in response to nonconforming test results in their external QA reports.

Results

A total of 253 of the 850 laboratories enrolled in the FBC module returned a response to the questionnaire, which identified variation in the QC protocol used to identify nonconforming events on the FBC analyser, including the type of controls, control levels processed and the frequency of use.

Conclusion

This questionnaire identified variation in the internal QC protocol used by laboratories, including the types of control measures used and the rules applied to identify nonconforming events. However, the majority of laboratories appear to follow the most favourable choice of actions supplied when reviewing results of external QA data.
A method comparison study between two hemoglobinometer models (Hemocue Hb 301 and Hb 201+) to measure hemoglobin concentrations and estimate anemia prevalence among women in Preah Vihear, Cambodia
Authors: Rappaport A. I. , Karakochuk C. D. , Whitfield K. C. , Kheang K. M. , Green T. J.
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration is often measured in global health and nutrition surveys to determine anemia prevalence using a portable hemoglobinometer such as the Hemocue® Hb 201+. More recently, a newer model was released (Hemocue Hb 301) utilizing slightly different methods to measure Hb as compared to the older model. The objective was to measure bias and concordance between Hb concentrations using the Hemocue Hb 301 and Hb 201+ models in a rural field setting.

Methods

Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was measured using one finger prick of blood (approximately 10 μL) from 175 Cambodian women (18–49 years) using three Hemocue Hb 201+ and three Hb 301 machines. Bias and concordance were measured and plotted.

Results

Overall, mean ± SD Hb concentration was 116 ± 13 g/L using the Hb 201+ and 118 ± 12 g/L using the Hb 301; and anemia prevalence (Hb < 120 g/L) was 58% (n = 102) and 58% (n = 101), respectively. Overall bias ± SD was 2.0 ± 10.5 g/L and concordance (95% CI) was 0.63 (0.54, 0.72). Despite the 2 g/L bias detected between models, anemia prevalence was very similar in both models.

Conclusions

The two models measured anemia prevalence comparably in this population of women in rural Cambodia.