bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical therapy vs conservative therapy for patients with acute injury of lateral ankle ligament: A meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Liu Feng‐Qi , Diao Nai‐Cheng
Published: March 2019

The goal of this meta‐analysis was to explore the overall safety and efficacy of surgical therapy vs conservative therapy for acute injury of the lateral ankle ligament based on eligible studies. Eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases using appropriate updated index words to January 2018. We also searched relevant publication sources. Eligible studies included randomised controlled trials and comparative studies. Mean difference or relative risk (RR), along with 95% confidence interval (CI), was used to analyse the main outcomes. A total of 13 studies were eligible for this meta‐analysis, with 834 patients in the surgical therapy group and 930 patients in the conservative therapy group. Compared with patients receiving conservative treatment, patients undergoing surgical treatment had a significant higher American Orthopedic Foot And Ankle Society (AOFAS) score (weighted mean difference(WMD): 10.33, 95% CI: 6.83‐13.83) and an effective rate (RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04‐1.28). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of recurrent ankle injury (RR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.62‐1.65), limited range of motion (RR: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.83‐2.50), deep vein thrombosis (RR: 1.33, 95% CI: 0.73‐2.41), and wound infection or necrosis (RR: 3.99, 95% CI: 0.45‐35.34). However, compared with patients receiving conservative treatment, patients undergoing surgical therapy had significantly increased rates of complications (RR: 3.31, 95% CI: 2.55‐4.28), ankylosis (RR: 3.63, 95% CI: 2.16‐6.08), scare tenderness (RR: 10.16, 95% CI: 3.89‐26.52) and sensory loss (RR: 5.66, 95% CI: 2.76‐11.59). The results demonstrated that surgical treatment increased the AOFAS score and effective rate compared with conservative treatment. Besides, surgical treatment increased the rate of complications. Nevertheless, more high‐quality randomised controlled trials with a larger sample size conducted at multiple centres with a long‐term follow up are needed to confirm our conclusions.
Association of Sensory and Cognitive Impairment With Healthcare Utilization and Cost in Older Adults
Authors: Deardorff William James , Liu Phillip L. , Sloane Richard , Van Houtven Courtney , Pieper Carl F. , Hastings Susan Nicole , Cohen Harvey J. , Whitson Heather E.
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between self‐reported vision impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI), and dual‐sensory impairment (DSI), stratified by dementia status, on hospital admissions, hospice use, and healthcare costs.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey from 1999 to 2006.

PARTICIPANTS

Rotating panel of community‐dwelling Medicare beneficiaries, aged 65 years and older (N = 24 009).

MEASUREMENTS

VI and HI were ascertained by self‐report. Dementia status was determined by self‐report or diagnosis codes in claims data. Primary outcomes included any inpatient admission over a 2‐year period, hospice use over a 2‐year period, annual Medicare fee‐for‐service costs, and total healthcare costs (which included information from Medicare claims data and other self‐reported payments).

RESULTS

Self‐reported DSI was present in 30.2% (n = 263/871) of participants with dementia and 17.8% (n = 4112/23 138) of participants without dementia. In multivariable logistic regression models, HI, VI, or DSI was generally associated with increased odds of hospitalization and hospice use regardless of dementia status. In a generalized linear model adjusted for demographics, annual total healthcare costs were greater for those with DSI and dementia compared to those with DSI without dementia ($28 875 vs $3340, respectively). Presence of any sensory impairment was generally associated with higher healthcare costs. In a model adjusted for demographics, Medicaid status, and chronic medical conditions, DSI compared with no sensory impairment was associated with a small, but statistically significant, difference in total healthcare spending in those without dementia ($1151 vs $1056; P < .001) but not in those with dementia ($11 303 vs $10 466; P = .395).

CONCLUSION

Older adults with sensory and cognitive impairments constitute a particularly prevalent and vulnerable population who are at increased risk of hospitalization and contribute to higher healthcare spending. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1617–1624, 2019
Combination therapy using subcision, needling, and platelet‐rich plasma in the management of grade 4 atrophic acne scars: A pilot study
Authors: Bhargava Shashank , Kroumpouzos George , Varma Krishnendra , Kumar Ujjwal
Published: March 2019

Background

Multimodality therapies including minimally invasive modalities are increasingly used in atrophic scarring.

Objective

To evaluate the role of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) as adjunctive therapy to a combined subcision and needling treatment in severe (grade 4) atrophic acne scarring.

Methods

A total of 30 patients with grade 4 acne scars were randomly divided into two groups, 15 patients each: Group A underwent three sequential treatments of subcision and needling while Group B, three sequential treatments of subcision, needling, and topical application of PRP that were performed at 3‐week intervals. Scar grading was assessed 3 months following the final session. Participant's assessment of treatment response was registered.

Results

Scar improvement ≥50% was reported significantly more often by Group B than Group A patients (P = 0.025). Regarding physician‐based assessment of scar grading post‐therapy (number of patients with two grades improvement vs one grade or no improvement), there was a trend toward more improvement in Group B (P = 0.195). Physician's evaluation of acne scar improvement correlated with the patient's assessment of improvement: 60% of Group A and 66.6% of Group B patients appreciated an improvement of 25%‐49% and 50%‐74%, respectively. Mean duration of postprocedure erythema/edema was shorter among Group B than Group A patients (16.1 vs 32.9 hours, respectively). Overall, substantial improvement was noticed in rolling and boxcar scars with only a mild change in icepick scars.

Conclusion

Platelet‐rich plasma appears to add to the improvement of grade 4 atrophic acne scars when combined with needling and subcision. These findings require further evaluation by future studies.
Increase in the number of patients diagnosed using the new classification of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Japan
Authors: Mayama Michinori , Morikawa Mamoru , Umazume Takeshi , Nakagawa Kinuko , Hosokawa Ami , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Chiba Kentaro , Kawaguchi Satoshi , Watari Hidemichi
Published: March 2019

Aim

This study aimed to examine how the number of patients diagnosed with pre‐eclampsia increased according to the Japanese classification of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) that was revised in 2018. The effect of new classification on perinatal outcomes was also analyzed.

Methods

We enrolled 181 women with HDP who delivered at Hokkaido University Hospital between February 2011 and December 2017. All women were reclassified on the basis of the new classification, in which proteinuria was not required to diagnose pre‐eclampsia in patients with maternal organ damage. The number and reasons of reclassification and the admission rate to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and gestational age (GA) at the onset of HDP and at delivery were analyzed.

Results

In this cohort, 17 (9.4%) of 181 women with HDP were reclassified. Low platelet count (41.2%) and uteroplacental dysfunction (41.2%) were the two main causes for reclassification. GA at the onset of HDP (33.6 [29.9–36.1] weeks vs 37.4 [35.7–38.4] weeks; P < 0.001) and at delivery (35.9 [32.4–37.3] weeks vs 38.1 [37.3–39.6] weeks; P < 0.001) were significantly earlier in women with reclassification than women without reclassification. The NICU admission rate was higher in women with reclassification than women without reclassification (70.6% vs 20.4%; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Almost 10% of pregnant women were newly diagnosed with pre‐eclampsia as per the new Japanese classification of HDP. Women with reclassification as pre‐eclampsia had a greater risk of preterm delivery and NICU admission than those who were not reclassified.
Patient‐Specific, Risk‐Based Prevention, Maintenance, and Supportive Care: A Need for Action and Innovation in Education
Authors: Afshari Fatemeh S. , Campbell Stephen D. , Curtis Donald A. , Garcia Lily T. , Knoernschild Kent L. , Yuan Judy Chia‐Chun
Published: March 2019

Purpose

To develop a competency‐based curriculum framework for prevention, supportive care, and maintenance for use in educational and patient care programs and to seek consensus on an overarching competency statement that embraces these critical learning and patient care concepts.

Materials and Methods

A preliminary survey of current preventive and maintenance practices in U.S. dental and prosthodontic programs was completed and summarized with quantitative analysis. The American College of Prosthodontists organized a one‐day consensus workshop with 14 participants from various U.S. dental schools with diverse backgrounds to develop a curriculum framework. The curriculum framework was used in the development of a joint competency statement using an iterative, online consensus process of debate and feedback.

Results

The preliminary survey helped frame the initiative and identify potential educational needs and gaps. Consensus was achieved for a recommended competency statement: “Graduates must be competent in promoting oral health through risk assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and management of the hard tissue, soft tissue, and prostheses, and as part of professional recall and home maintenance.” This competency statement complements the proposed curriculum framework designed around 3 domains—caries prevention, periodontal supportive care, and prosthesis supportive care—with a set of recommended learning objectives.

Conclusions

Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) learning standards do not outline patient‐customized, evidence‐based recall and home maintenance programs that highlight prevention of dental caries, periodontal supportive care, prosthesis maintenance, and patient education. The proposed competency‐based curricular framework serves as an initial step in addressing student learning and patient care within the context of a recall system and home maintenance program while offering schools the needed flexibility for implementation within their curriculum.
Intra‐arterial renal infusion of autologous mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of chronic kidney disease in cats: Phase I clinical trial
Authors: Thomson Abigail L. , Berent Allyson C. , Weisse Chick , Langston Catherine E.
Published: March 2019

Background

There are no known treatments that halt or reverse chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. In rodent models, stem cell treatment has been associated with improvement in renal function parameters, especially when stem cells were delivered intra‐arterially to the kidney. To date, only IV and intrarenal stem cell infusions have been studied in cats with CKD with no clinically relevant improvement noted.

Objective

To assess the safety and feasibility of intra‐arterial delivery of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in stromal vascular fraction (SVF) to the kidney in cats with CKD.

Animals

Five client‐owned domestic cats with International Renal Interest Society stage III CKD.

Methods

Prospective cohort study (phase I clinical trial). Adipose tissue was harvested from study animals on day 0. On days 2 and 14, an infusion of MSC in SVF was administered into the renal artery via the femoral or carotid artery using fluoroscopic guidance. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentration, plasma iohexol clearance, and quality of life assessments were monitored between days 0 and 90.

Results

The procedure was performed successfully in all cats. No severe adverse events were observed in any cat during the study period.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Intra‐arterial infusion of MSC into the renal artery in CKD cats was feasible and safe within a 3‐month postoperative period. Efficacy and long‐term safety have yet to be established. This procedure requires careful technique and training.
Colour plumage polymorphism in the Booted Eagle: inheritance pattern and temporal stability of the morph frequencies
Authors: Bosch J. , Mestre J. , Baiges C. , Martínez J. E. , Calvo J. F. , Jiménez‐Franco M. V.
Published: March 2019

Colour polymorphism occurs in several animal taxa and in around 3.5% of bird species. This phenomenon is disproportionately high in raptors, affecting approximately 30% of species. However, there are only four research studies in wildAccipitridaespecies and two inFalconidaespecies on colour plumage polymorphism. Here, we used the data collected over 23 years (1995‐2017) for non‐tagged individuals of three Spanish Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) populations in order to evaluate the stability of morph frequencies during the study period, also for each sex and between sexes, and also the inheritance pattern of colour plumage polymorphism. Our results showed that morph ratios appeared stable over time and between sexes. In one of the studied populations, we found a biased proportion between dark males and dark females, with very few dark males. Our results suggest that this species follows the typical Mendelian inheritance pattern, the light allele being dominant, for which we propose a system involving two loci with epistasis and two alleles per loci. This system would explain all the cases of colour morphs observed in our studied populations and also that described in the main raptor identification guides. Although our results showed no sex‐linked morph inheritance, the offspring produced in mixed pairs with light males and dark females appear significantly linked to the colour morph of the female with a ratio 1:1.49 light/dark, contrarily to the ratio of 4.35:1 predicted by the Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium equation. This fact suggests a transmission ratio distortion (TRD) phenomenon in heterozygous light morph males. Further investigation using molecular genetic markers will be necessary to check the genotypes of breeding adults and their offspring to confirm the inheritance mechanisms operating in this species.
Oviposition behaviour by a spider‐ectoparasitoid, Zatypota maculata, exploits the specialized prey capture technique of its spider host
Authors: Takasuka K. , Matsumoto R. , Maeto K.
Published: March 2019

Oviposition on or into a living animal is an arduous undertaking for parasitoids, including in terms of counterattack or evasion by the host. Parasitoids of active spiders protected by their own webs (polysphinctine spider‐ectoparasitoids in the family Ichneumonidae) need to avoid entanglement with the spider's web to gain access to the spider host for oviposition. These circumstances have driven the evolution of offensive behaviours highly adapted to the web architecture of each spider host. We discovered offensive oviposition behaviour in a member of the Polysphincta‐group, Zatypota maculata, parasitizing a theridiid spider, Nihonhimea japonica, which constructs a ‘knockdown 3D web’. It consists of a non‐viscid 3D structure above, with a retreat (a dead leaf) hung at the centre, and a non‐viscid sheet below as a capturing device. When a prey insect is knocked down and then trapped by the sheet, the spider immediately drops onto the underside of the sheet by penetrating it to bite and wrap the prey. Zatypota maculata exhibits two behaviours to deal with this type of web: (1) the wasp climbs the 3D cobweb, creeps up slowly onto the spider's retreat, taking a long time so that the spider does not escape, and finally enters the retreat to sting the spider (creeping‐style); (2) the wasp dives from outside of the web onto the sheet, as a knocked‐down prey item would, to lure the spider out, before stinging it at the moment of contact (diving‐style). We discuss these unique offensive behaviours and compare them with behaviours of other polysphinctines and spider‐hunting aculeates. Ovicide by means of removal of pre‐existing eggs was also observed under experimental conditions.
Elevated urinary bisphenol A levels are associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease among adults in the United States
Authors: Kim Donghee , Yoo Eric R. , Li Andrew A. , Cholankeril George , Tighe Sean P. , Kim Won , Harrison Stephen A. , Ahmed Aijaz
Published: March 2019

Background and Aims

The relationship between bisphenol A (BPA) and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is undefined. We studied the impact of BPA on NAFLD.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005‐2014 among adults in the United States (US). NAFLD was diagnosed using the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and the US fatty liver index (USFLI) in the absence of other causes of chronic liver diseases. The first sample using HSI consisted of 7605 adults. The second sample using USFLI consisted of 3631 participants with availability of fasting data.

Results

Of the first 7605 participants (mean age 47 years, 48.4% male), the prevalence of NAFLD and abnormally elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels was correlated with urinary BPA levels (P < 0.05). Compared to the reference group with lowest quartile of urinary BPA levels, those with the third and fourth quartiles were 81% and 53% more likely to develop NAFLD defined by HSI. In a multivariate model, the ORs for NAFLD in the third and fourth quartiles were 1.69 (95% CI 1.39‐2.04) and 1.44 (95% CI 1.19‐1.76) respectively (P for trend <0.001). In the second sample using USFLI, high BPA levels (fourth quartile) remained an independent predictor of NAFLD (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.05‐1.98, P for trend = 0.012).

Conclusions

High levels of urinary BPA were associated with NAFLD in a nationally representative sample of adults in the US. The pathophysiology remains unclear and warrants further investigation.
In search of historical roots of the meteorite impact theory: Franz von Paula Gruithuisen as the first proponent of an impact cratering model for the Moon in the 1820s
Authors: Racki Grzegorz , Koeberl Christian
Published: March 2019

Franz von Paula Gruithuisen (1774–1852), the Bavarian medic, physician, and astronomer, enfant terrible of German science, is known for his insightful observations and many extravagant conceptions. However, since the seminal monograph of Baldwin (1949), he is also referenced for early contributions to the meteoritic origin concept of lunar craters. His most commonly cited paper of 1828 is analyzed here for the first time in some detail. For Gruithuisen, impact phenomena were only an outcome of a more general cosmogenic theory, which assumed planet and satellite growth by concentric shell‐like coalescence of the cosmic bodies. The aggregation theory thus defined was initiated in 1794 by Chladni, developed by the Bierberstein brothers and Anton Zach. Gruithuisen was notably the first person to formulate a nascent concept of lunar crater mechanics. This cratering process, as he thought, is based on an uneven gravitational subsidence of concentrically layered spherical impactors (=the solid core of comet) into the plastic sediments. Only the more resistant and heavy central portion of the body was submerging deeper, and therefore, the circular terrace‐like rim of the ring mountains was formed. Gruithuisen tried also to recognize terrestrial equivalents of large‐scale crater‐like mountains on the Moon, and speculated on other impact consequences, such as a catastrophic influence on the history of the biosphere and a cometary source of the terrestrial hydrosphere. These ideas found several conceptual followers in the vital German science of the last decades of 19th century. Thus, despite principal errors in the gravitationally penetrative cratering model, we confirm the claim of recognition of Gruithuisen as one of the founders of the impact hypothesis.
Museums, memory and meaning‐creation: (re)constructing the Tajik nation
Authors: Blakkisrud Helge , Kuziev Faruh
Published: March 2019

To overcome the traumas of the 1992–1997 civil war, the Tajik authorities have turned to history to anchor their post‐independence nation‐building project. This article explores the role of the National Museum of Tajikistan, examining how the museum discursively contributes to ‘nationalising’ history and cultural heritage for the benefit of the current Tajik nation‐building project. Three main discursive strategies for such (re)construction of Tajik national identity are identified: (1) the representation of the Tajiks as a transhistorical community; (2) implicit claims of the site‐specificity of the historical events depicted in the museum, by representing these as having taken place within the territory of present‐day Tajikistan, thereby linking the nation to this territory; and (3) meaning‐creation, endowing museum objects with meanings that fit into and reinforce the grand narrative promulgated by the museum. We conclude that the National Museum of Tajikistan demonstrates a rich and promising, although so far largely unexplored, repertoire of representing Tajik nationness as reflected in historical artefacts and objects of culture: the museum is indeed an active participant in shaping discursive strategies for (re)constructing the nation.
Rice OsDOF15 contributes to ethylene‐inhibited primary root elongation under salt stress
Authors: Qin Hua , Wang Juan , Chen Xinbing , Wang Fangfang , Peng Peng , Zhou Yun , Miao Yuchen , Zhang Yuqiong , Gao Yadi , Qi Yidong , Zhou Jiahao , Huang Rongfeng
Published: March 2019

In early seedlings, the primary root adapts rapidly to environmental changes through the modulation of endogenous hormone levels. The phytohormone ethylene inhibits primary root elongation, but the underlying molecular mechanism of how ethylene‐reduced root growth is modulated in environmental changes remains poorly understood.

Here, we show that a novel rice (Oryza sativa)DOFtranscription factor OsDOF15 positively regulates primary root elongation by regulating cell proliferation in the root meristem, via restricting ethylene biosynthesis. Loss‐of‐function ofOsDOF15impaired primary root elongation and cell proliferation in the root meristem, whereasOsDOF15overexpression enhanced these processes, indicating that OsDOF15 is a key regulator of primary root elongation.

This regulation involves the direct interaction of OsDOF15 with the promoter ofOsACS1, resulting in the repression of ethylene biosynthesis. The control of ethylene biosynthesis by OsDOF15 in turn regulates cell proliferation in the root meristem.OsDOF15transcription is repressed by salt stress, and OsDOF15‐mediated ethylene biosynthesis plays a role in inhibition of primary root elongation by salt stress.

Thus, our data reveal how the ethylene‐inhibited primary root elongation is finely controlled by OsDOF15 in response to environmental signal, a novel mechanism of plants responding to salt stress and transmitting the information to ethylene biosynthesis to restrict root elongation.
Link between Brugada phenocopy and myocardial ischemia: Results from the International Registry on Brugada Phenocopy
Authors: Xu Grace , Gottschalk Byron H. , Pérez‐Riera Andrés , Barbosa‐Barros Raimundo , Dendramis Gregory , Carrizo Aldo G. , Agrawal Sahil , Bayés de Luna Antonio , Jastrzębski Marek , Tomcsányi János , Baranchuk Adrian
Published: March 2019

Background

Brugada phenocopies clinical entities that have indistinguishable electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns from true congenital Brugada syndrome. However, they are induced by other clinical circumstances such as myocardial ischemia. The purpose of our study was to examine the clinical features and pathogenesis of ischemia‐induced Brugada phenocopy (BrP).

Methods

Data from 17 cases of ischemia‐induced BrP were collected from the International Registry (www.brugadaphenocopy.com). Data were extracted from these publications and authors were contacted to provide further insight into each case.

Results

Of the patients included in this study, 71% were male. Mean age was 59 ± 11 years (range: 38–76). Type‐1 Brugada ECG pattern occurred in 15/17 (88%) of the cases, while a type‐2 Brugada ECG pattern was observed in the other 2/17 (12%). In all cases, the Brugada ECG pattern resolved upon correction of the ischemia, indicating ischemia as the inducing circumstance. No arrhythmic events have been detected acutely or during the follow‐up. Reported time to resolution ranged from 2 minutes to 5 hours. Provocative challenges using sodium channel blocking agents were performed in 7/17 cases (41%), and all failed to induce a Brugada ECG pattern (BrP Class A). The remaining 10/17 cases (59%) did not undergo provocative testing due to various clinical reasons.

Conclusions

Myocardial ischemia is a commonly reported etiology of BrP. Importantly, this study found no association between BrP induced by myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac death or malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
Residents’ Reactions to Earthquake Early Warnings in Japan
Authors: Nakayachi Kazuya , Becker Julia S. , Potter Sally H. , Dixon Maximilian
Published: March 2019

This article empirically examines the effectiveness of earthquake early warning (EEW) in Japan based on experiences of residents who received warnings before earthquake shaking occurred. In Study 1, a survey (N = 299) was conducted to investigate residents’ experiences of, and reactions to, an EEW issued in Gunma and neighboring regions on June 17, 2018. The main results were as follows. (1) People's primary reactions to the EEW were mental, not physical, and thus motionless. Most residents stayed still, not for safety reasons, but because they were focusing on mentally bracing themselves. (2) Residents perceived the EEW to be effective because it enabled them to mentally prepare, rather than take physical protective actions, before strong shaking arrived. (3) In future, residents anticipate that on receipt of an EEW they would undertake mental preparation as opposed to physical protective actions. In Study 2, a survey (N = 450) was conducted on another EEW issued for an earthquake offshore of Chiba Prefecture on July 7, 2018. Results were in line with those of Study 1, suggesting that the findings described above are robust. Finally, given people's lack of impetus to undertake protective action on receipt of an EEW, this article discusses ways to enhance such actions.
Risk and the Five Hard Problems of Cybersecurity
Authors: Scala Natalie M. , Reilly Allison C. , Goethals Paul L. , Cukier Michel
Published: March 2019

This perspectives article addresses risk in cyber defense and identifies opportunities to incorporate risk analysis principles into the cybersecurity field. The Science of Security (SoS) initiative at the National Security Agency seeks to further and promote interdisciplinary research in cybersecurity. SoS organizes its research into the Five Hard Problems (5HP): (1) scalability and composability; (2) policy‐governed secure collaboration; (3) security‐metrics–driven evaluation, design, development, and deployment; (4) resilient architectures; and (5) understanding and accounting for human behavior. However, a vast majority of the research sponsored by SoS does not consider risk and when it does so, only implicitly. Therefore, we identify opportunities for risk analysis in each hard problem and propose approaches to address these objectives. Such collaborations between risk and cybersecurity researchers will enable growth and insight in both fields, as risk analysts may apply existing methodology in a new realm, while the cybersecurity community benefits from accepted practices for describing, quantifying, working with, and mitigating risk.
Variations of SOC and MBC observed in an incubated brown loam soil managed under different tillage systems for 12 years
Authors: Li Xiaosha , Han Huifang , Ning Tangyuan , Shen Ying , Lal Rattal
Published: March 2019

To assess changes in organic carbon pools, an incubation experiment was conducted under different temperatures and field moisture capacity (FMC) on a brown loam soil from three tillage practices used for 12 years: no‐till (NT), subsoiling (ST) and conventional tillage (CT). Total microbial respiration was measured for incubated soil with and without the input of straw. Results indicated that soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) under ST, NT and CT was higher in soil with straw input than that without, while the microbial quotient (MQ or MBC: SOC) and metabolic quotient (qCO2) content under CT followed the opposite trend. Lower temperature, lower moisture and with straw input contributed to the increases in SOC concentration, especially under NT and ST systems. The SOC concentrations under ST, with temperatures of 30 and 35°C after incubation at 55% FMC, were greater than those under CT by 28.4% and 30.6%, respectively. The increase in MBC was highest at 35°C for 55%, 65% and 75% FMC; in soil under ST, MBC was greater than that under CT by 199.3%, 50.7% and 23.8%, respectively. At 30°C, the lower qCO2 was obtained in soil incubated under NT and ST. The highest MQ among three tillage practices was measured under ST at 55% FMC, NT at 65% FMC and CT at 75% FMC with straw input. These data indicate the benefits of enhancing the MQ; the low FMC was beneficial to ST treatment. Under higher temperature and drought stress conditions, the adaptive capacity of ST and NT is better than that of CT.
Chronic granulomatous pneumonia and lung rupture secondary to aspiration of activated charcoal in a French Bulldog
Authors: Caudill Megan N. , Stilwell Justin M. , Howerth Elizabeth W. , Garner Bridget
Published: March 2019

A 4‐year‐old, spayed female French Bulldog was presented for respiratory distress and suspected aspiration pneumonia after oral administration of activated charcoal for possible ingestion of a suspected toxic dose of trazodone. The patient had a moderate volume of pleural effusion, which contained free and intracellular black particulate matter consistent with charcoal. Due to presumed charcoal aspiration with subsequent lung rupture, the right middle and right caudal lung lobes were surgically removed. Histology revealed abundant black debris consistent with charcoal and severe granulomatous inflammation. Based on the clinical, gross, and histologic findings, a diagnosis of severe, chronic, locally extensive, aspiration pneumonia and lung rupture with secondary pleuritis and mediastinitis due to charcoal aspiration was made. Aspiration pneumonia is the main complication of activated charcoal administration, which can incite extensive, granulomatous inflammation in the respiratory tract. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report describing the cytologic and histologic findings associated with inadvertent charcoal aspiration in a veterinary species.
Top‐down or bottom up: decreased stimulus salience increases responses to predictable stimuli of auditory thalamic neurons
Authors: Kommajosyula Srinivasa P. , Cai Rui , Bartlett Edward , Caspary Donald M.
Published: March 2019

Key points

Temporal imprecision leads to deficits in the comprehension of signals in cluttered acoustic environments, and the elderly are shown to use cognitive resources to disambiguate these signals.

To mimic ageing in young rats, we delivered sound signals that are temporally degraded, which led to temporally imprecise neural codes.

Instead of adaptation to repeated stimuli, with degraded signals, there was a relative increase in firing rates, similar to that seen in aged rats.

We interpret this increase with repetition as a repair mechanism for strengthening the internal representations of degraded signals by the higher‐order structures.

To better understand speech in challenging environments, older adults increasingly use top‐down cognitive and contextual resources. The medial geniculate body (MGB) integrates ascending inputs with descending predictions to dynamically gate auditory representations based on salience and context. A previous MGB single‐unit study found an increased preference for predictable sinusoidal amplitude modulated (SAM) stimuli in aged rats relative to young rats. The results suggested that the age‐degraded/jittered up‐stream acoustic code may engender an increased preference for predictable/repeating acoustic signals, possibly reflecting increased use of top‐down resources. In the present study, we recorded from units in young‐adult MGB, comparing responses to standard SAM with those evoked by less salient SAM (degraded) stimuli. We hypothesized that degrading the SAM stimulus would simulate the degraded ascending acoustic code seen in the elderly, increasing the preference for predictable stimuli. Single units were recorded from clusters of advanceable tetrodes implanted above the MGB of young‐adult awake rats. Less salient SAM significantly increased the preference for predictable stimuli, especially at higher modulation frequencies. Rather than adaptation, higher modulation frequencies elicited increased numbers of spikes with each successive trial/repeat of the less salient SAM. These findings are consistent with previous findings obtained in aged rats suggesting that less salient acoustic signals engage the additional use of top‐down resources, as reflected by an increased preference for repeating stimuli that enhance the representation of complex environmental/communication sounds.
Re-description of two new tydeid records (Acari: Trombidiformes) with a key to Tydoidea species of Turkey
Authors: Ueckermann Eddie Albert , Cobanoğlu Sultan , ÖĞRETEN AYHAN
Published: March 2019

Brachytydeus maga Kuznetzov and Tydeus plumosus Karg are re-described as new records for Turkey. The male and tritonymph of the latter are also re-described. A key to all the tydeoid species of Turkey is given. The identity of the Turkish specimens of Tydeus californicus (Banks) is questioned.
Raking early reflection signals for late reverberation and noise reduction
Authors: Kowalczyk Konrad
Published: March 2019

In acoustic environments the microphones capture a source signal corrupted by room reverberation and noise. This letter presents two optimum spatial filters which jointly reduce late reverberation and noise for the sound source recorded from distance in a reverberant room. The proposed rake filters are derived by incorporating spatial information about early reflection paths into the multichannel filter design. The results of performed numerical and real experiments indicate that the proposed rake filtering improves the reduction of detrimental late reverberation and noise, and increases the perceptual quality of the recorded speech.
Ceftriaxone and Cefotaxime Have Similar Effects on the Intestinal Microbiota in Human Volunteers Treated by Standard-Dose Regimens
Authors: Burdet Charles , Grall Nathalie , Linard Morgane , Bridier-Nahmias Antoine , Benhayoun Michèle , Bourabha Khadija , Magnan Mélanie , Clermont Olivier , d’Humières Camille , Tenaillon Olivier , Denamur Erick , Massias Laurent , Tubiana Sarah , Alavoine Loubna , Andremont Antoine , Mentré France , Duval Xavier ,   for the CEREMI Group, Andremont Antoine , Burdet Charles , Duval Xavier , Fantin Bruno , Grall Nathalie , Marcault Estelle , Massias Laurent , Mentré France , Tubiana Sarah , Alavoine Loubna , Benhayoun Michèle , Djerdjour Fatima , Ecobichon Jean-Luc , Ilic-Habensus Emila , Laparra Albane , Mandic Milica , Nisus Marie Ella , Raine Sandra , Ralaimazava Pascal , Vignali Valérie , Andremont Antoine , d’Humières Camille , Grall Nathalie , Riberty Julie , Bourabha Khadija , Nahmias Antoine Bridier , Clermont Olivier , Denamur Erick , Magnan Mélanie , Tenaillon Olivier , Massias Laurent , Marcault Estelle , Schneider Marion , Vivaldo Isabelle , Burdet Charles , Linard Morgane , Mentré France
Published: March 2019

Ceftriaxone has a higher biliary elimination than cefotaxime (40% versus 10%), which may result in a more pronounced impact on the intestinal microbiota. We performed a monocenter, randomized open-label clinical trial in 22 healthy volunteers treated by intravenous ceftriaxone (1 g/24 h) or cefotaxime (1 g/8 h) for 3 days.
Late Paleoproterozoic granulite-facies metamorphism in the North Altyn Tagh area, southeastern Tarim craton: Pressure-temperature paths, zircon U-Pb ages, and tectonic implications
Authors: Wu Hailin , Zhu Wenbin , Ge Rongfeng
Published: March 2019

Granulite occupies the root of orogenic belts, and understanding its formation and evolution may provide critical information on orogenic processes. Previous studies have mainly focused on garnet-bearing high-pressure and medium-pressure granulites, whereas the metamorphic evolution and pressure-temperature (P-T) paths of garnet-absent, low-pressure granulites are more difficult to constrain. Here, we present zircon U-Pb ages and mineral chemistry for a suite of newly discovered two-pyroxene granulites in the North Altyn Tagh area, southeastern Tarim craton, northwestern China. Conventional geothermobarometry and phase equilibrium modeling revealed that these rocks experienced a peak granulite-facies metamorphism at T = 790–890 °C and P = 8–11 kbar. The mineral compositions and retrograde symplectites record a clockwise cooling and exhumation path, possibly involving near-isothermal decompression followed by near-isobaric cooling. Zircon U-Pb dating yielded a ca. 1.97 Ga metamorphic age, which likely represents the initial cooling age, based on Ti-in-zircon thermometry. Combined with regional geological records, we interpret that these granulites originated from the basement rocks of a late Paleoproterozoic magmatic arc that was subsequently involved in a collisional orogen in the southern Tarim craton, presumably related to the assembly of the Columbia/Nuna supercontinent. The clockwise P-T paths of the granulites record crustal thickening and burial followed by crustal thinning and exhumation in the upper plate of the collisional orogen. Our data indicate that the initial exhumation of this orogen probably occurred no later than ca. 1.97 Ga, which is supported by widespread 1.93–1.85 Ga postorogenic magmatism in this area.
Wake up and smell the coffee: caffeine supplementation and exercise performance—an umbrella review of 21 published meta-analyses
Authors: Grgic Jozo , Grgic Ivana , Pickering Craig , Schoenfeld Brad J , Bishop David J , Pedisic Zeljko
Published: March 2019

Objective

To systematically review, summarise and appraise findings of published meta-analyses that examined the effects of caffeine on exercise performance.

Design

Umbrella review.

Data sources

Twelve databases.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Meta-analyses that examined the effects of caffeine ingestion on exercise performance.

Results

Eleven reviews (with a total of 21 meta-analyses) were included, all being of moderate or high methodological quality (assessed using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 checklist). In the meta-analyses, caffeine was ergogenic for aerobic endurance, muscle strength, muscle endurance, power, jumping performance and exercise speed. However, not all analyses provided a definite direction for the effect of caffeine when considering the 95% prediction interval. Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria the quality of evidence was generally categorised as moderate (with some low to very low quality of evidence). Most individual studies included in the published meta-analyses were conducted among young men.

Summary/conclusion

Synthesis of the currently available meta-analyses suggest that caffeine ingestion improves exercise performance in a broad range of exercise tasks. Ergogenic effects of caffeine on muscle endurance, muscle strength, anaerobic power and aerobic endurance were substantiated by moderate quality of evidence coming from moderate-to-high quality systematic reviews. For other outcomes, we found moderate quality reviews that presented evidence of very low or low quality. It seems that the magnitude of the effect of caffeine is generally greater for aerobic as compared with anaerobic exercise. More primary studies should be conducted among women, middle-aged and older adults to improve the generalisability of these findings.
Clinical evaluation of education relating to nutrition and skeletal loading in competitive male road cyclists at risk of relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S): 6-month randomised controlled trial
Authors: Keay Nicola , Francis Gavin , Entwistle Ian , Hind Karen
Published: March 2019

Objective

To clinically evaluate education to improve eating behaviour and skeletal loading exercise in male cyclists at risk of poor bone health and impaired performance due to relative energy deficiency in sports.

Methods

Early race season, 50 competitive male road cyclists were matched, in pairs, based on Z-scores for lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD). One member of each pair was randomly allocated to receive educational interventions. After the season, 45 cyclists returned for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans and blood tests. Least significant change was applied to identify clinically meaningful BMD changes. Cyclists completed a follow-up sport-specific questionnaire and clinical interview to ascertain adherence to the interventions.

Results

The questionnaire and clinical interview categorised behaviour changes as positive, negative or unchanged. Positive changes in nutrition and skeletal loading were associated with a statistically significant increase of 2.0% in lumbar spine BMD; 7 of 11 cyclists’ increases were clinically meaningful. Negative changes in both behaviours were associated with a significant decrease of 2.7% in lumbar BMD; all nine cyclists’ BMD decreases were clinically meaningful. Regarding performance, taking account of functional threshold power, changes in nutritional behaviour accounted for gains or losses of 95 British Cycling racing points. Cyclists reported psychological barriers to change in behaviours, specifically fear of negatively impacting performance.

Conclusions

Educational nutritional and skeletal loading interventions can improve bone health, well-being and race performance in male cyclists over a 6-month race season. Psychological support may be required to help some athletes change behaviour.
Resilience in medical doctors: a systematic review
Authors: McKinley Nicola , Karayiannis Paul Nicholas , Convie Liam , Clarke Mike , Kirk Stephen J , Campbell William Jeffrey
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Resilience can be difficult to conceptualise and little is known about resilience in medical doctors.

Aims

This systematic review discusses the existing literature on influences on resilience levels of medical doctors.

Methods

The bibliographic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched from 2008 to November 2018 using keyword search terms resilience* AND (“medical physician*” OR doctor* OR surgeon* OR medical trainee* or clinician*).

Results

Twenty-four studies were deemed eligible for inclusion. A narrative synthesis was performed. The following influences on resilience in doctors were identified: demographics, personality factors, organisational or environmental factors, social support, leisure activities, overcoming previous adversity and interventions to improve resilience.

Conclusions

Resilience is not limited to a doctor’s own personal resource. Published studies also highlight the influence of other modifiable factors.
Low detection rate of advanced neoplasia within 5 years after polypectomy of small serrated adenoma
Authors: Jin Duochen , Cao Hailong , Shah Bikash Kumar , Chen Danfeng , Zhang Yujie , Liu Tianyu , Dong Wenxiao , Wang Sinan , Qi Yanrong , Wang Bangmao
Published: March 2019

Aim

Patients with small serrated adenomas (SAs) (<10 mm) often undergo surveillance colonoscopy before the routine recommended time. We aimed to determine the appropriate surveillance intervals following polypectomy of small SAs for symptomatic patients.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 638 patients, including 122 cases and 516 controls. Subjects in the case group had small SAs at baseline colonoscopy, including sessile SA/polyps and traditional SAs, while subjects in the control group had negative findings. All patients underwent at least one surveillance colonoscopy during the following 5 years.

Results

There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of advanced neoplasia between the two groups over a 5-year duration (3.6% vs 2.6%, p=0.455). Moreover, both groups also showed a low prevalence of SA formation over 1–5 years (3.6% vs 1.0%, p=0.145). Patients with baseline SA tended to undergo the first surveillance colonoscopy earlier than those without adenoma (≤1 year vs 1 to ≤3 years). Seventy-one (11.1%) of the total included subjects underwent inadequate initial colonoscopy, and 30 (42.3%) underwent early surveillance of adenoma formation within 1 year. Patients with a family history of colorectal cancer (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.48 to 14.71, p=0.017) or inadequate baseline colonoscopy (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.202 to 8.409, p=0.035) were at a higher risk of metachronous adenoma formation during the surveillance period.

Conclusion

Patients with small SAs at baseline gain little benefit from follow-up of colonoscopy within 5 years after complete polypectomy.
MRI of skeletal muscles in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: characteristic findings and diagnostic performance in dermatomyositis
Authors: Ukichi Taro , Yoshida Ken , Matsushima Satoshi , Kawakami Go , Noda Kentaro , Furuya Kazuhiro , Kurosaka Daitaro
Published: March 2019

Objective

To define the characteristic findings on MRI of skeletal muscles in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) relative to those in patients with other idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and to assess their diagnostic performance in DM.

Methods

Thirty-six patients with DM, 17 patients with amyopathic DM, 19 patients with polymyositis and 16 patients with non-IIM classified by the 2017 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology criteria were included in this study. The following MRI findings (short-tau inversion recovery [STIR] and gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted imaging [Gd-T1WI]) for proximal limb muscles were compared between the disease groups and between myositis-specific autoantibodies/myositis-associated autoantibodies (MSAs/MAAs)-positive and MSAs/MAAs-negative groups: structures with high signal intensity (HSI) (subcutaneous, fascia, muscle); distributions of HSI areas in muscle (diffuse, patchy, peripheral) and patterns of HSI in muscle (honeycomb, foggy, strong HSI). Univariate, multivariate and receiver-operating characteristic [ROC] analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of MRI in DM.

Results

The characteristic MRI findings in patients with DM were subcutaneous HSI, fascial HSI, peripheral distribution and honeycomb pattern. The MRI findings in the MSAs/MAAs-positive group included more frequent fascial HSI but less frequent foggy pattern compared with the MSAs/MAAs-negative group. Likelihood of DM score ≥ 3 (obtained by counting the number of characteristic MRI findings in patients with DM) showed good diagnostic performance in DM (STIR: sensitivity 72.2%, specificity 88.5%, area under ROC curve [AUC] 84.9%; Gd-T1WI: sensitivity 81.2%, specificity 91.5%, AUC 89.9%).

Conclusion

The characteristic MRI findings of skeletal muscles can predict patients with DM as well as patients with MSAs/MAAs.