bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonography of a ureteral and bladder fungal granuloma caused byScedosporium apiospermumin a basset hound
Authors: Kochenburger Jaya , Eriksson Christian , Greenberg Marc , Hoyt Laura
Published: June 2017

A 5‐year‐old, spayed female, Basset Hound was referred for evaluation of a urinary bladder mass. Ultrasonographic images revealed a large, inhomogeneous, hypoechoic mass associated with the dorsal wall of the neck of the urinary bladder and left ureter. Partial cystectomy and left ureteral reimplantation were performed. Histopathology showed a severe inflammatory mass lesion forming multiple granulomas. A DNA sequencing test revealedScedosporium apiospermumas the causative agent. Susceptibility tests on the isolated strain indicated susceptibility to voriconazole. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report describingS. apiospermumas a cause of granulomas involving the canine ureterovesicular junction.
Basic School Skills Inventory-3: Validity and Reliability Study
Authors: Yıldız F. Ülkü , Çağdaş Aysel , Kayılı Gökhan
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study is to perform the validity-reliability analysis of the three subtests of Basic School Skills Inventory 3 – Mathematics, Classroom Behavior and Daily Life skills – and do its adaptation for four to six year-old Turkish children. The sample of the study included 595 four to six year-old Turkish children attending public and private schools. The schools were selected from among the central towns of the province Konya based on random sampling method considering the social-economic conditions. For the reliability of the subtests of the Basic School Skills Inventory - that’s Mathematics, Classroom Behavior and Daily Life and Skills – analyses were made to determine the internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha), split-test reliability and test-retest reliability coefficient. The validity of the inventory was measured using construct, content and concurrent validity. The results showed that the Basic School Skills Inventory - Mathematics, Daily Life and Classroom Behavior Skills – was a reliable and valid instrument for Turkish children aged four to six years.
Structure and thermophysical properties of GaN films deposited by reactive sputtering using a metal Ga target
Authors: Isosaki Yuji , Yamashita Yuichiro , Yagi Takashi , Jia Junjun , Taketoshi Naoyuki , Nakamura Shinichi , Shigesato Yuzo
Published: June 2017

The influence of dislocation density and impurities on the thermal conductivity of epitaxial GaN thin films on c-plane sapphire substrates was studied. GaN thin films with nominal thicknesses of 100, 300, and 1500 nm were fabricated by reactive direct current magnetron sputtering using a Ga metal target and a mixture gas of Ar and N2. A 300-nm-thick GaN film was also fabricated using a mixture gas of Ar–N2–H2. For all the 300- and 1500-nm-thick films, epitaxial growth was confirmed from the sixfold symmetry spots in the pole figure and selected area electron diffraction patterns. Rocking curves of GaN(0002) of these films showed highly oriented growth along the c-axis. The dislocation density deduced from the rocking curves of GaN(101¯0) ranged from 1011 to 1012 cm−2. In the cases where a mixture gas of Ar–N2 was used, films included O and H impurities on the order of 1022 atoms cm−3 in a layer of approximately 50–100 nm thickness near the substrate, and a low-impurity region with impurities on the order of 1021 atoms cm−3 existed above the high-impurity region. The addition of H2 to the sputtering gas led to a reduction in the impurity concentration to a level on the order of 1021 atoms cm−3; it also prevented the formation of the high-impurity region near the substrate. The thermal conductivity of GaN thin films on c-plane sapphire substrates was measured by the pulsed-light-heating thermoreflectance method. The thermal conductivity of the low-impurity region in the 300- and 1500-nm-thick films ranged from 14 to 18 W m−1 K−1. The dislocation density and the oxygen impurities in our films were attributed to inhibitory factors of the thermal conductivity. The breakdown of the bonding network caused by the formations of Ga-NH2 and Ga-OH was not a negligible inhibitory factor of heat conduction.
Broadband classification and statistics of echoes from aggregations of fish measured by long-range, mid-frequency sonar
Authors: Jones Benjamin A. , Stanton Timothy K. , Colosi John A. , Gauss Roger C. , Fialkowski Joseph M. , Michael Jech J.
Published: June 2017

For horizontal-looking sonar systems operating at mid-frequencies (1–10 kHz), scattering by fish with resonant gas-filled swimbladders can dominate seafloor and surface reverberation at long-ranges (i.e., distances much greater than the water depth). This source of scattering, which can be difficult to distinguish from other sources of scattering in the water column or at the boundaries, can add spatio-temporal variability to an already complex acoustic record. Sparsely distributed, spatially compact fish aggregations were measured in the Gulf of Maine using a long-range broadband sonar with continuous spectral coverage from 1.5 to 5 kHz. Observed echoes, that are at least 15 decibels above background levels in the horizontal-looking sonar data, are classified spectrally by the resonance features as due to swimbladder-bearing fish. Contemporaneous multi-frequency echosounder measurements (18, 38, and 120 kHz) and net samples are used in conjunction with physics-based acoustic models to validate this approach. Furthermore, the fish aggregations are statistically characterized in the long-range data by highly non-Rayleigh distributions of the echo magnitudes. These distributions are accurately predicted by a computationally efficient, physics-based model. The model accounts for beam-pattern and waveguide effects as well as the scattering response of aggregations of fish.
Low frequency acoustic properties of Posidonia oceanica seagrass leaf blades
Authors: Johnson Jay R. , Venegas Gabriel R. , Wilson Preston S. , Hermand Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2017

The acoustics of seagrass meadows impacts naval and oceanographic sonar applications. To study this environment, a one-dimensional resonator was used to assess the low-frequency (1–5 kHz) acoustic response of the leaf blades of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica in water. Three separate collections of plants from Crete, Greece, and Sicily, Italy were investigated. A high consistency in effective sound speed was observed within each collection while a strong variability was observed between different collections. Average size, mass, and epiphytic coverage within each collection were quantified, and discoloration and stiffness are discussed qualitatively with respect to the observed acoustic variability.
Passive bottom reflection-loss estimation using ship noise and a vertical line array
Authors: Muzi Lanfranco , Siderius Martin , Verlinden Christopher M.
Published: June 2017

An existing technique for passive bottom-loss estimation from natural marine surface noise (generated by waves and wind) is adapted to use noise generated by ships. The original approach—based on beamforming of the noise field recorded by a vertical line array of hydrophones—is retained; however, additional processing is needed in order for the field generated by a passing ship to show features that are similar to those of the natural surface-noise field. A necessary requisite is that the ship position, relative to the array, varies over as wide a range of steering angles as possible, ideally passing directly over the array to ensure coverage of the steepest angles. The methodology is illustrated through simulation and applied to data from a field experiment conducted offshore of San Diego, CA in 2009.
Signal Biosynthesis Inhibition with Ambuic Acid as a Strategy To Target Antibiotic-Resistant Infections
Authors: Todd Daniel A. , Parlet Corey P. , Crosby Heidi A. , Malone Cheryl L. , Heilmann Kristopher P. , Horswill Alexander R. , Cech Nadja B.
Published: June 2017

There has been major interest by the scientific community in antivirulence approaches against bacterial infections. However, partly due to a lack of viable lead compounds, antivirulence therapeutics have yet to reach the clinic. Here we investigate the development of an antivirulence lead targeting quorum sensing signal biosynthesis, a process that is conserved in Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. Some preliminary studies suggest that the small molecule ambuic acid is a signal biosynthesis inhibitor. To confirm this, we constructed a methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strain that decouples autoinducing peptide (AIP) production from regulation and demonstrate that AIP production is inhibited in this mutant. Quantitative mass spectrometric measurements show that ambuic acid inhibits signal biosynthesis (50% inhibitory concentration [IC
50
] of 2.5 ± 0.1 μM) against a clinically relevant USA300 MRSA strain. Quantitative real-time PCR confirms that this compound selectively targets the quorum sensing regulon. We show that a 5-μg dose of ambuic acid reduces MRSA-induced abscess formation in a mouse model and verify its quorum sensing inhibitory activity
in vivo
. Finally, we employed mass spectrometry to identify or confirm the structure of quorum sensing signaling peptides in three strains each of
S. aureus
and
Staphylococcus epidermidis
and single strains of
Enterococcus faecalis
,
Listeria monocytogenes
,
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
, and
Staphylococcus lugdunensis
. By measuring AIP production by these strains, we show that ambuic acid possesses broad-spectrum efficacy against multiple Gram-positive bacterial pathogens but does not inhibit quorum sensing in some commensal bacteria. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the promise of ambuic acid as a lead for the development of antivirulence therapeutics.
Pharmacokinetic Assessment of Vancomycin Loading Dose in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Álvarez Osvaldo , Plaza-Plaza Jose Cristian , Ramirez Manuel , Peralta Alexis , Amador Cristián A. , Amador Roberto
Published: June 2017

The vancomycin loading dose (LD) of 25 to 30 mg/kg is a frequently practiced strategy to achieve effective concentrations from the first-treatment dose. However, considering only the body weight for dosing might be inadequate in critically ill patients due to pharmacokinetics changes. We sought to assess achieving optimal trough serum levels of vancomycin and AUC
0–24
/MIC in the first 24 h of treatment by using an LD based on population pharmacokinetic parameters of critically ill patients. We performed a concurrent cohort study over 22 months of patients with severe sepsis who received intravenous vancomycin. The patients were treated with three different strategies to initiate vancomycin: without an LD (group A), with an LD of 25 to 30 mg/kg (group B), and with an LD based on population pharmacokinetic parameters of the critically ill patient (group C). An optimal trough serum concentration was achieved in 5, 9, and 83% of patients in groups A, B, and C, respectively. The number of patients that reached optimal AUC
0–24
was 2 of 18 (11%), 5 of 11 (46%), and 11 of 12 (92%) in groups A, B, and C, respectively. The statistical analysis for both parameters revealed significant differences in group C with respect to other groups. The administration of the LD calculated from population pharmacokinetic parameters from the beginning of therapy is a more efficient strategy to obtain adequate trough serum concentrations and AUC
0–24
/MIC in critical patients.
High Accumulation and
In Vivo
Recycling of the New Antimalarial Albitiazolium Lead to Rapid Parasite Death
Authors: Wein Sharon , Taudon Nicolas , Maynadier Marjorie , Tran Van Ba Christophe , Margout Delphine , Bordat Yann , Fraisse Laurent , Wengelnik Kai , Cerdan Rachel , Bressolle-Gomeni Françoise , Vial Henri J.
Published: June 2017

Albitiazolium is the lead compound of bisthiazolium choline analogues and exerts powerful
in vitro
and
in vivo
antimalarial activities. Here we provide new insight into the fate of albitiazolium
in vivo
in mice and how it exerts its pharmacological activity. We show that the drug exhibits rapid and potent activity and has very favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Pharmacokinetic studies in
Plasmodium vinckei
-infected mice indicated that albitiazolium rapidly and specifically accumulates to a great extent (cellular accumulation ratio, >150) in infected erythrocytes. Unexpectedly, plasma concentrations and the area under concentration-time curves increased by 15% and 69% when mice were infected at 0.9% and 8.9% parasitemia, respectively. Albitiazolium that had accumulated in infected erythrocytes and in the spleen was released into the plasma, where it was then available for another round of pharmacological activity. This recycling of the accumulated drug, after the rupture of the infected erythrocytes, likely extends its pharmacological effect. We also established a new viability assay in the
P. vinckei
-infected mouse model to discriminate between fast- and slow-acting antimalarials. We found that albitiazolium impaired parasite viability in less than 6 and 3 h at the ring and late stages, respectively, while parasite morphology was affected more belatedly. This highlights that viability and morphology are two parameters that can be differentially affected by a drug treatment, an element that should be taken into account when screening new antimalarial drugs.
NP108, an Antimicrobial Polymer with Activity against Methicillin- and Mupirocin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Mercer Derry K. , Katvars Laura K. , Hewitt Fiona , Smith Daniel W. , Robertson Jennifer , O'Neil Deborah A.
Published: June 2017

Staphylococcus aureus
is a clinically significant human pathogen that causes infectious diseases ranging from skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and health care-associated infections (HAI) to potentially fatal bacteremia and endocarditis. Nasal carriage of
S. aureus
, especially for persistent carriage, is associated with an increased risk of subsequent infection, particularly nosocomial and surgical site infections (SSI), usually via autoinfection. NP108 is a cationic antimicrobial polymer composed of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) amino acid building blocks. NP108 is broad spectrum and rapidly bactericidal (3-log kill in ≤3 h), killing bacteria by membrane disruption and cell lysis. NP108, contrary to many antibiotics, shows equally effective antimicrobial activity against a variety of
S. aureus
(MIC
100
= 8 to 500 mg/liter) and
S. epidermidis
(MIC
100
= 4 to 8 mg/liter) isolates, whether exponentially growing or in stationary phase. NP108 is antimicrobially active under nutrient-limiting conditions similar to those found in the anterior nares (MIC
100
= 8 mg/liter) and kills antibiotic-resilient small colony variants (MIC
100
= 32 mg/liter) and
S. aureus
biofilms (prevention, MIC
100
= 1 to 4 mg/liter; eradication, MIC
100
≥ 31.25 mg/liter). NP108 is active against isolates of
S. aureus
resistant to the current standard-of-care decolonization agent, mupirocin, with no significant increase in the MIC
100
. NP108 is water soluble and has been formulated into compatible aqueous gel vehicles for human use in which antimicrobial efficacy is retained (2.0% [wt/vol]). NP108 is a potential nonantibiotic antimicrobial alternative to antibiotics for the nasal decolonization of
S. aureus
, with clear advantages in its mechanism of action over the existing gold standard, mupirocin.
Selective Killing of Dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Marine Natural Products
Authors: Rodrigues Felix Carolina , Gupta Rashmi , Geden Sandra , Roberts Jill , Winder Priscilla , Pomponi Shirley A. , Diaz Maria Cristina , Reed John K. , Wright Amy E. , Rohde Kyle H.
Published: June 2017

The dormant phenotype acquired by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
during infection poses a major challenge in disease treatment, since these bacilli show tolerance to front-line drugs. Therefore, it is imperative to find novel compounds that effectively kill dormant bacteria. By screening 4,400 marine natural product samples against dual-fluorescent
M. tuberculosis
under both replicating and nonreplicating conditions, we have identified compounds that are selectively active against dormant
M. tuberculosis
. This validates our strategy of screening all compounds in both assays as opposed to using the dormancy model as a secondary screen. Bioassay-guided deconvolution enabled the identification of unique pharmacophores active in each screening model. To confirm the activity of samples against dormant
M. tuberculosis
, we used a luciferase reporter assay and enumerated CFU. The structures of five purified active compounds were defined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry. We identified two lipid compounds with potent activity toward dormant and actively growing
M. tuberculosis
strains. One of these was commercially obtained and showed similar activity against
M. tuberculosis
in both screening models. Furthermore, puupehenone-like molecules were purified with potent and selective activity against dormant
M. tuberculosis
. In conclusion, we have identified and characterized antimycobacterial compounds from marine organisms with novel activity profiles which appear to target
M. tuberculosis
pathways that are conditionally essential for dormancy survival.
Drug Sensitivity and Resistance Mechanism in Aspergillus Section
Nigri
Strains from Japan
Authors: Hashimoto Aki , Hagiwara Daisuke , Watanabe Akira , Yahiro Maki , Yikelamu Alimu , Yaguchi Takashi , Kamei Katsuhiko
Published: June 2017

Aspergillus niger
and its related species, known as
Aspergillus
section
Nigri
, are ubiquitously distributed across the globe and are often isolated from clinical specimens. In Japan,
Aspergillus
section
Nigri
is second most often isolated from clinical specimens following
Aspergillus fumigatus
. We determined the species of
Aspergillus
section
Nigri
isolated in Japan by DNA sequencing of partial β-tubulin genes and investigated drug susceptibility by the CLSI M38-A2 method. The collection contained 20
Aspergillus niger
, 59
Aspergillus welwitschiae
, and 39
Aspergillus tubingensis
strains. Drug susceptibility testing revealed 30 to 55% of
A. niger
, 6.8 to 18.6% of
A. welwitschiae
, and 79.5 to 89.7% of
A. tubingensis
isolates to be less susceptible (so-called resistant) to itraconazole (ITC) and/or voriconazole (VRC) according to the epidemiologic cutoff values (ECVs) proposed for
A. niger
previously. MIC distributions of ITC or VRC showed no remarkable differences between clinical and environmental isolates. When the
cyp51A
sequences were compared between susceptible and resistant strains, 18 amino acid mutations were specific for resistant isolates of
A. niger
and
A. tubingensis
; however, none of them were confirmed to be associated with azole resistance. Three nonrelated
A. welwitschiae
isolates possessed a partial deletion in
cyp51A
, likely attributable to being more susceptible to azoles than other isolates. One of five ITC-resistant
A. tubingensis
isolates showed higher expression of
cyp51A
than did susceptible strains. Our results show that
cyp51A
point mutations may have no association with azole resistance but that in some cases the overexpression of
cyp51A
may lead to the azole resistance in these species.
Inhibition of Host Cell Lysosome Spreading by Trypanosoma cruzi Metacyclic Stage-Specific Surface Molecule gp90 Downregulates Parasite Invasion
Authors: Rodrigues João Paulo Ferreira , Sant'ana Guilherme Hideki Takahashi , Juliano Maria Aparecida , Yoshida Nobuko
Published: June 2017

Successful infection by
Trypanosoma cruzi
, the agent of Chagas' disease, is critically dependent on host cell invasion by metacyclic trypomastigote (MT) forms. Two main metacyclic stage-specific surface molecules, gp82 and gp90, play determinant roles in target cell invasion
in vitro
and in oral
T. cruzi
infection in mice. The structure and properties of gp82, which is highly conserved among
T. cruzi
strains, are well known. Information on gp90 is still rather sparse. Here, we attempted to fill that gap. gp90, purified from poorly invasive G strain MT and expressing gp90 at high levels, inhibited HeLa cell lysosome spreading and the gp82-mediated internalization of a highly invasive CL strain MT expressing low levels of a diverse gp90 molecule. A recombinant protein containing the conserved C-terminal domain of gp90 exhibited the same properties as the native G strain gp90: it counteracted the host cell lysosome spreading induced by recombinant gp82 and exhibited an inhibitory effect on HeLa cell invasion by CL strain MT. Assays to identify the gp90 sequence associated with the property of downregulating MT invasion, using synthetic peptides spanning the gp90 C-terminal domain, revealed the sequence GVLYTADKEW. These data, plus the findings that lysosome spreading was induced upon HeLa cell interaction with CL strain MT, but not with G strain MT, and that in mixed infection CL strain MT internalization was inhibited by G strain MT, suggest that the inhibition of target cell lysosome spreading is the mechanism by which the gp90 molecule exerts its downregulatory role.
Follicular dendritic sarcoma masquerading as fibrosing mediastinitis
Authors: Cingam Shashank Reddy , Al Shaarani Majd , Takalkar Amol , Peddi Prakash
Published: June 2017

Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM) is a rare disorder resulting from abnormal immunological-mediated fibro-proliferative reaction in the mediastinum. Here, we describe a case of a 46-year-old female with an incidentally found 11×9 cm posterior mediastinal mass. Multiple biopsies of this unresectable, 18-fluorodeoxyglucose avid mass revealed marked fibrosis without any evidence of malignancy, suggesting idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis as our initial diagnosis. Multiple interventions including a trial of steroids, fluconazole, and azathioprine to target fibrosing mediastinitis were not successful. Repeat biopsy was consistent with primary mediastinal follicular dendritic cell sarcoma. The manuscript highlights the heightened need for suspecting occult malignancies in cases of FM presenting with an indeterminate cause.
Cytomegalovirus duodenitis in immunocompetent patients: what else should we look for?
Authors: Costa Dalila , Fernandes Dália , Furtado Antónia , Santa Cruz Andre
Published: June 2017

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a well-recognised complication of immunodeficiency, although the burden of CMV disease in immunocompetent adults is still unknown. We present the case of a 54-year-old male patient admitted due to severe diarrhoea, epigastric pain and fever. Initial diagnostic workup revealed pericardial and pleural effusion, enlarged abdominal lymph nodes and mild elevation of liver enzymes. CMV serology was IgM positive, and upper endoscopy revealed proximal enteritis. Histology and immunohistochemistry of duodenal samples confirmed CMV disease. An extensive investigation of possible immunodeficiency was conducted with positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealing an abnormal hypermetabolic pulmonary nodule. The patient underwent a right superior lobectomy which, on analysis, confirmed an atypical bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumour. We report this case to reinforce the importance of considering CMV infection as a differential diagnosis in apparent immunocompetent patients and to emphasise the importance of looking for any condition that may cause any degree of immune dysfunction.
Go-karting injury: a case of laryngeal trauma
Authors: Brimioulle Marina , King Matthew , Bowles Philippe , Saunders Nicholas
Published: June 2017

We report a case of accidental strangulation and crush injury to the anterior neck resulting in laryngeal trauma. This extremely uncommon mechanism of injury provides a safety warning regarding precautions with neck wear, and the unusual resulting injury represents an opportunity to review best practice in management of laryngeal trauma.
Sulfhaemoglobinaemia caused by ferrous sulfate
Authors: Derbas Laith , Warsame Mohamed , Omar Mohannad Abu , Zafar Yousaf , Howell Gregory
Published: June 2017

A 78-year-old man was referred from his primary care clinic to the emergency department due to bluish discolouration of his lips and decreased oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry. The patient was asymptomatic. Physical exam was normal except for lip cyanosis. A CT pulmonary angiogram was negative for pulmonary embolism. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis with co-oximetry showed low oxyhaemoglobin, normal partial pressure of oxygen and methaemoglobinaemia, but an unexplained ‘gap’ in total haemoglobin saturation. This gap was felt to be due to sulfhaemoglobinaemia. After a thorough review of his medications, ferrous sulfate was stopped which resulted in resolution in patient’s cyanosis and normalisation of his ABG after 7 weeks.
A case of hepatic, renal and duodenal penetration by a Celect inferior vena caval filter
Authors: McKelvie Mark , Thayur Nagendra , Sebastian Arun , Howard Adam
Published: June 2017

Inferior vena caval (IVC) filters are used as a mechanical option for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) when standard anticoagulation therapy is either contraindicated or VTE recurs despite adequate anticoagulation. Filters are not without risk, however. Reported complications include filter migration and fracture of filter components, leading to IVC rupture and penetration into pericaval tissues (notably kidney, heart, pericardium, thoracic cavity, liver, bowel and aorta). Here we describe an extreme case of multiple organ penetration by a standard Celect caval filter.
Bilateral persistent fetal vasculature: mimicker of retinoblastoma
Authors: Kumar Jogender , Yadav Arushi
Published: June 2017

We describe a case of bilateral persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) in a 3-month-old boy who presented with bilateral white pupillary reflex and a possible diagnosis of retinoblastoma. On ultrasonography, there was an echogenic band in the posterior segment of both eyes which connected the posterior surface of the lens capsule to the optic disc. Colour Doppler revealed the presence of vascularity in the band along its entire length. No calcification or mass lesion was seen. These findings are diagnostic of PFV. Most cases of PFV are unilateral and sporadic in nature and closely mimic retinoblastoma. Although rare, PFV should be considered in the differential diagnosis when examining a case of bilateral leukocoria. Paediatricians should be aware of this rare but serious entity.
Retroperitoneal haemangiopericytoma
Authors: Resorlu Mustafa , Toprak Canan Akgun , Ozturk Muhsin Ozgun , Arslan Muhammet
Published: June 2017

A 55-year-old woman, diagnosed with a renal mass by abdominal ultrasonography (USG) in an external medical centre, presented to our hospital. The medical history was unremarkable except for diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The haemogram and urine tests were normal. The only pathology revealed in routine biochemistry tests was increased glucose level (164â€‰mg/dL). The repeat USG performed in our hospital revealed a solid hypoechoic mass lesion approximately 4â€‰cm in diameter closely adjacent to the right kidney. At Doppler ultrasonography, the tumour demonstrated intense vascularisation. An abdominal CT scan was performed to characterise the lesion. The CT scan revealed a 42Ã—39â€‰mm mass lesion with regular contours adjacent to the right kidney. In the arterial phase, the tumour demonstrated intense enhancement and in the delayed phase the images showed washout (figure 1). The patient underwent surgery and after histopathological examination retroperitoneal haemangiopericytoma was diagnosed and no relapse or distant organ metastasis was detected throughout the 2-year follow-up.
Transition structures and timing of transfer from paediatric to adult-based care after kidney transplantation in Germany: a qualitative study
Authors: Prüfe Jenny , Dierks Marie-Luise , Bethe Dirk , Oldhafer Martina , Müther Silvia , Thumfart Julia , Feldkötter Markus , Büscher Anja , Sauerstein Katja , Hansen Matthias , Pohl Martin , Drube Jens , Thiel Florian , Rieger Susanne , John Ulrike , Taylan Christina , Dittrich Katalin , Hollenbach Sabine , Klaus Günter , Fehrenbach Henry , Kranz Birgitta , Montoya Carmen , Lange-Sperandio Bärbel , Ruckenbrod Bettina , Billing Heiko , Staude Hagen , Brunkhorst Reinhard , Rusai Krisztina , Pape Lars , Kreuzer Martin
Published: June 2017

Objectives

It is known that transition, as a shift of care, marks a vulnerable phase in the adolescents’ lives with an increased risk for non-adherence and allograft failure. Still, the transition process of adolescents and young adults living with a kidney transplant in Germany is not well defined. The present research aims to assess transition-relevant structures for this group of young people. Special attention is paid to the timing of the process.

Setting

In an observational study, we visited 21 departments of paediatric nephrology in Germany. Participants were doctors (n=19), nurses (n=14) and psychosocial staff (n=16) who were responsible for transition in the relevant centres. Structural elements were surveyed using a short questionnaire. The experiential viewpoint was collected by interviews which were transcribedverbatim before thematic analysis was performed.

Results

This study highlights that professionals working within paediatric nephrology in Germany are well aware of the importance of successful transition. Key elements of transitional care are well understood and mutually agreed on. Nonetheless, implementation within daily routine seems challenging, and the absence of written, structured procedures may hamper successful transition.

Conclusions

While professionals aim for an individual timing of transfer based on medical, social, emotional and structural aspects, rigid regulations on transfer age as given by the relevant health authorities add on to the challenge.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN Registry no 22988897; results (phase I) and pre-results (phase II).
A randomised comparison of Conventional versus Intentional straTegy in patients with high Risk prEdiction of Side branch OccLusion in coronary bifurcation interVEntion: rationale and design of the CIT-RESOLVE trial
Authors: Zhang Dong , Yin Dong , Song Chenxi , Zhu Chengang , Kirtane Ajay J , Xu Bo , Dou Kefei
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The intentional strategy (aggressive side branch (SB) protection strategy: elective two-stent strategy or jailed balloon technique) is thought to be associated with lower SB occlusion rate than conventional strategy (provisional two-stent strategy or jailed wire technique). However, most previous studies showed comparable outcomes between the two strategies, probably due to no risk classification of SB occlusion when enrolling patients. There is still no randomised trial compared the intentional and conventional strategy when treating bifurcation lesions with high risk of SB occlusion. We aim to investigate if intentional strategy is associated with significant reduction of SB occlusion rate compared with conventional strategy in high-risk patients.

Methods and analysis

The Conventional versus Intentional straTegy in patients with high Risk prEdiction of Side branch OccLusion in coronary bifurcation interVEntion (CIT-RESOLVE) is a prospective, randomised, single-blind, multicentre clinical trial comparing the rate of SB occlusion between the intentional strategy group and the conventional strategy group (positive control group) in a consecutive cohort of patients with high risk of side branch occlusion defined by V-RESOLVE score, which is a validated angiographic scoring system to evaluate the risk of SB occlusion in bifurcation intervention and used as one of the inclusion criteria to select patients with high SB occlusion risk (V-RESOLVE score ≥12). A total of 21 hospitals from 10 provinces in China participated in the present study. 566 patients meeting all inclusion/exclusion criteria are randomised to either intentional strategy group or conventional strategy group. The primary endpoint is SB occlusion (defined as any decrease in thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade or absence of flow in SB after main vessel stenting). All patients are followed up for 12-month postdischarge.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by all local ethics committee. The ethics committee have approved the study protocol, evaluated the risk to benefit ratio, allowed operators with a minimum annual volume of 200 cases to participate in the percutaneous coronary intervention procedure and permitted them to perform both conventional and intentional strategies. Written informed consent would be acquired from all participants. The findings of the trial will be shared by the participant hospitals and disseminated through peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT02644434; Pre-results.
FIRST-line support for Assistance in Breathing in Children (FIRST-ABC): protocol for a multicentre randomised feasibility trial of non-invasive respiratory support in critically ill children
Authors: Ramnarayan Padmanabhan , Lister Paula , Dominguez Troy , Habibi Parviz , Edmonds Naomi , Canter Ruth , Mouncey Paul , Peters Mark J
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Over 18 000 children are admitted annually to UK paediatric intensive care units (PICUs), of whom nearly 75% receive respiratory support (invasive and/or non-invasive). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has traditionally been used to provide first-line non-invasive respiratory support (NRS) in PICUs; however, high-flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC), a novel mode of NRS, has recently gained popularity despite the lack of high-quality trial evidence to support its effectiveness. This feasibility study aims to inform the design and conduct of a future definitive randomised clinical trial (RCT) comparing the two modes of respiratory support.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a three-centre randomised feasibility study over 12 months. Patients admitted to participating PICUs who satisfy eligibility criteria will be recruited to either group A (primary respiratory failure) or group B (postextubation). Consent will be obtained from parents/guardians prior to randomisation in ‘planned’ group B, and deferred in emergency situations (group A and ‘rescue’ group B). Participants will be randomised (1:1) to either CPAP or HFNC using sealed, opaque envelopes, from a computer-generated randomisation sequence with variable block sizes. The study protocol specifies algorithms for the initiation, maintenance and weaning of HFNC and CPAP. The primary outcomes are related to feasibility, including the number of eligible patients in each group, feasibility of randomising >50% of eligible patients and measures of adherence to the treatment protocols. Data will also be collected on patient outcomes (eg, mortality and length of PICU stay) to inform the selection of an appropriate outcome measure in a future RCT. We aim to recruit 120 patients to the study.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was granted by the National Research Ethics Service Committee North East—Tyne&Wear South (15/NE/0296). Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, national and international conferences.

Trials registration number

NCT02612415; pre-results.
Physical activity during pregnancy and infant’s birth weight: results from the 3D Birth Cohort
Authors: Bisson Michèle , Croteau Jordie , Guinhouya Benjamin C , Bujold Emmanuel , Audibert François , Fraser William D , Marc Isabelle
Published: June 2017

Aim

To evaluate the association between maternal physical activity and infant’s birth weight or risk of inappropriate weight for gestational age (GA), and whether this association differs by infant’s sex, maternal body mass index (BMI) or pregnancy complications in a prospective cohort study.

Methods

1913 pregnant women from the 3D Birth Cohort (Québec, Canada) completed the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire at each trimester. Energy expenditure (metabolic equivalent of task (MET)*hours/week) for total activity, sports and exercise and vigorous intensity activities was calculated. The associations with birth weight and risk of inappropriate weight for GA were evaluated by regression modelling. Interactions were tested with infant’s sex, maternal prepregnancy BMI, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders and prematurity.

Results

Each 1 MET/hours/week increase in sports and exercise in the first trimester was associated with a 2.5 g reduction in infant’s birth weight (95% CI −4.8 to −0.3) but was not associated with the risk of small weight for GA. In contrast, although not significant, a 17% reduction in the risk of large weight for GA was observed with increasing sports and exercise. Furthermore, in women with subsequent pre-eclampsia (but not normotensive or hypertensive women), each 1 MET/hours/week increment spent in any vigorous exercise in the first trimester reduced the infant’s birth weight by 19.8 g (95% CI −35.2 to −4.3).

Conclusions

Pregnant women with higher sports and exercise levels in the first trimester delivered infants with a lower birth weight. The risk of reducing infant’s birth weight with vigorous exercise in women who develop pre-eclampsia later in pregnancy requires evaluation.
Plasma levels of intact and cleaved urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) in men with clinically localised prostate cancer
Authors: Kristensen Gitte , Berg Kasper Drimer , Lippert Solvej , Christensen Ib Jarle , Brasso Klaus , Høyer-Hansen Gunilla , Røder Martin Andreas
Published: June 2017

Aims

Lymph node metastasis (N1) is an adverse prognostic factor for men with clinically localised prostate cancer (PCa), but the prediction of N1 disease remains difficult. Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) plays an important role in angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. We analysed whether plasma levels of the soluble uPAR forms uPAR(I-III), uPAR(II-III) and uPAR(I) were associated with the risk of N1 disease in men with clinically localised PCa.

Methods

The present study includes all men (n=518) who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for clinically localised PCa, 29 of whom had N1 disease. Soluble uPAR forms were measured using three time-resolved fluorescence immunoassays. The prognostic value of the different uPAR forms together with clinicopathological parameters for N1 disease were analysed using logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) regression analysis and quantified using the areas under the ROC curve (AUC).

Results

All soluble uPAR levels were significantly (p=0.03) higher in patients with N1 disease compared with patients with N0/x disease. ROC curves including clinical tumour stage, biopsy Gleason score, prostate-specific antigen and percent positive biopsies had an AUC of 87.7% for prediction of N1 disease. With the addition of uPAR(I) to the model, the AUC increased to 88.4%.

Conclusions

Addition of uPAR(I) level to known diagnostic parameters did not increase the prediction of N1 disease following RP in men with clinically localised PCa. Our results indicate that the plasma levels at diagnosis of the different uPAR forms do not hold important predictive or prognostic information in men with clinically localised PCa.
A fragmentation model of earthquake-like behavior in internet access activity
Authors: Paguirigan Antonino A. , Angco Marc Jordan G. , Bantang Johnrob Y.
Published: June 2017

We present a fragmentation model that generates almost any inverse power-law size distribution, including dual-scaled versions, consistent with the underlying dynamics of systems with earthquake-like behavior. We apply the model to explain the dual-scaled power-law statistics observed in an Internet access dataset that covers more than 32 million requests. The non-Poissonian statistics of the requested data sizes [Formula: see text] and the amount of time [Formula: see text] needed for complete processing are consistent with the Gutenberg–Richter–law. Inter-event times [Formula: see text] between subsequent requests are also shown to exhibit power-law distributions consistent with the generalized Omori law. Thus, the dataset is similar to the earthquake data except that two power-law regimes are observed. Using the proposed model, we are able to identify underlying dynamics responsible in generating the observed dual power-law distributions. The model is universal enough for its applicability to any physical and human dynamics that is limited by finite resources such as space, energy, time or opportunity.
Plagiarism Detection with Genetic-Based Parameter Tuning
Authors: Sanchez-Perez Miguel A. , Gelbukh Alexander , Sidorov Grigori , Gómez-Adorno Helena
Published: June 2017

A crucial step in plagiarism detection is text alignment. This task consists in finding similar text fragments between two given documents. We introduce an optimization methodology based on genetic algorithms to improve the performance of a plagiarism detection model by optimizing its input parameters. The implementation of the genetic algorithm is based on nonbinary representation of individuals, elitism selection, uniform crossover, and high mutation rate. The obtained parameter settings allow the plagiarism detection model to achieve better results than the state-of-the-art approaches.
Cheeger isoperimetric constant of Gromov hyperbolic manifolds and graphs
Authors: Martínez-Pérez Alvaro , Rodríguez José M.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we study the relationship of hyperbolicity and (Cheeger) isoperimetric inequality in the context of Riemannian manifolds and graphs. We characterize the hyperbolic manifolds and graphs (with bounded local geometry) verifying this isoperimetric inequality, in terms of their Gromov boundary. Furthermore, we characterize the trees with isoperimetric inequality (without any hypothesis). As an application of our results, we obtain the solvability of the Dirichlet problem at infinity for these Riemannian manifolds and graphs, and that the Martin boundary is homeomorphic to the Gromov boundary.
A multiplicity result for a fractional Kirchhoff equation in ℝN with a general nonlinearity
Authors: Ambrosio Vincenzo , Isernia Teresa
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we deal with the following fractional Kirchhoff equation [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is a small positive parameter and [Formula: see text] is an odd function satisfying Berestycki–Lions type assumptions. By using minimax arguments, we establish a multiplicity result for the above equation, provided that [Formula: see text] is sufficiently small.
On ideal lattices, Gröbner bases and generalized hash functions
Authors: Francis Maria , Dukkipati Ambedkar
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we draw connections between ideal lattices and multivariate polynomial rings over integers using Gröbner bases. Univariate ideal lattices are ideals in the residue class ring, [Formula: see text] (here [Formula: see text] is a monic polynomial) and cryptographic primitives have been built based on these objects. Ideal lattices in the univariate case are generalizations of cyclic lattices. We introduce the notion of multivariate cyclic lattices and show that ideal lattices are a generalization of them in the multivariate case too. Based on multivariate ideal lattices, we construct hash functions using Gröbner basis techniques. We define a worst case problem, shortest substitution problem with respect to an ideal in [Formula: see text], and use its computational hardness to establish the collision resistance of the hash functions.
Isometry groups of combinatorial codes
Authors: Dyshko Serhii
Published: June 2017

Two isometry groups of combinatorial codes are described: the group of isometries, that is, the group of Hamming isometries from a code to itself and the group of monomial isometries, which is the group of those isometries of a code to itself that extend to monomial maps. Unlike the case of classical linear codes, where these groups are the same, it is shown that for combinatorial codes the groups can be arbitrarily different. In particular, there exist codes with the richest possible group of isometries and the trivial group of monomial isometries. In the paper, the two groups are characterized and codes with predefined isometry groups are constructed.
Primitivity of PRESENT and other lightweight ciphers
Authors: Aragona Riccardo , Calderini Marco , Tortora Antonio , Tota Maria
Published: June 2017

We provide two sufficient conditions to guarantee that the round functions of a translation-based cipher generate a primitive group. Furthermore, under the same hypotheses, and assuming that a round of the cipher is strongly proper and consists of [Formula: see text]-bit S-Boxes, with [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], we prove that such a group is the alternating group. As an immediate consequence, we deduce that the round functions of some lightweight translation-based ciphers, such as the PRESENT cipher, generate the alternating group.
Fitting potential energy surfaces to sum-of-products form with neural networks using exponential neurons
Authors: Brown Alex , Pradhan E.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the use of the neural network (NN) method with exponential neurons for directly fitting ab initio data to generate potential energy surfaces (PESs) in sum-of-product form will be discussed. The utility of the approach will be highlighted using fits of CS2, HFCO, and HONO ground state PESs based upon high-level ab initio data. Using a generic interface between the neural network PES fitting, which is performed in MATLAB, and the Heidelberg multi-configuration time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) software package, the PESs have been tested via comparison of vibrational energies to experimental measurements. The review demonstrates the potential of the PES fitting method, combined with MCTDH, to tackle high-dimensional quantum dynamics problems.
Quantum correlations and Bell’s inequality violation in a Heisenberg spin dimer via neutron scattering
Authors: Cruz C.
Published: June 2017

The characterization of quantum information quantifiers has attracted a considerable attention of the scientific community, since they are a useful tool to verify the presence of quantum correlations in a quantum system. In this context, in the present work we show a theoretical study of some quantifiers, such as entanglement witness, entanglement of formation, Bell’s inequality violation and geometric quantum discord as a function of the diffractive properties of neutron scattering. We provide one path toward identifying the presence of quantum correlations and quantum nonlocality in a molecular magnet as a Heisenberg spin-[Formula: see text] dimer, by diffractive properties typically obtained via neutron scattering experiments.
Generalized almost para-contact manifolds
Authors: Ṣahin Bayram , Ṣahin Fulya
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we study generalized almost para-contact manifolds and obtain normality conditions in terms of classical tensor fields. We show that such manifolds naturally carry certain Lie bialgebroid/quasi-Lie algebroid structures on them and we relate these new generalized manifolds with classical almost para-contact manifolds. The paper contains several examples and a short review for relations between generalized geometry and string theory.
Cohomology of the vector fields Lie algebras on ℝ acting on trilinear differential operators, vanishing on 𝔞𝔣𝔣(1)
Authors: Basdouri Imed , Nasri Elamine , Mechi Hassen
Published: June 2017

The main topic of this paper is to compute the first relative cohomology group of the Lie algebra of smooth vector fields [Formula: see text], with coefficients in the space of trilinear differential operators that act on tensor densities, [Formula: see text], vanishing on the Lie algebra [Formula: see text].