bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytokine profiling in the sub-silicone oil fluid after vitrectomy surgeries for refractory retinal diseases
Authors: Kaneko Hiroki , Takayama Kei , Asami Tetsu , Ito Yasuki , Tsunekawa Taichi , Iwase Takeshi , Funahashi Yasuhito , Ueno Shinji , Nonobe Norie , Yasuda Shunsuke , Suzumura Ayana , Shimizu Hideyuki , Kimoto Reona , Hwang Shiang-Jyi , Terasaki Hiroko
Published: May 2017

Silicone oil (SO) is an intraocular surgical adjuvant that reduces the surgical complications in refractory retinal diseases, although membrane and cellular proliferation is often seen even in SO-filled eyes. We hypothesised that the fluid in the space between the SO and the retina, named the “sub-silicone oil fluid (SOF)”, enhances these biological responses. We proposed a safe method for SOF extraction. We also analysed inflammatory cytokine expressions and SOF osmotic pressures from eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and macular hole-associated retinal detachment (MHRD). Interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12p40, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the SOF with PVR were significantly higher than in those with RRD or MHRD. Fibroblast growth factor-2, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-8, VEGF, and transforming growth factor beta 1 levels in eyes with exacerbated PDR indicated a significantly higher expression than those with simple PDR. IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha in eyes with exacerbated PVR demonstrated a significantly higher expression than in those with simple PVR. However, there was no difference in SOF osmotic pressure between group of each disease. These studies indicate that disease-specific SOF is a significant reflection of disease status.
Prediction of the glass transition temperature and design of phase diagrams of butadiene rubber and styrene–butadiene rubber via molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Ryu Myung Shin , Kim Hyoung Gyu , Kim Hyun You , Min Kyung-Shin , Kim Hak Joo , Lee Hyuck Mo
Published: May 2017

In this study, we developed an equation to evaluate the pseudo-ternaryTgof quaternary SBR and plotted the ternary contourTgplot for SBR with a variety of styrene compositions.
Two-dimensional self-assembly of diacetylenic acid derivatives and their light-induced polymerization on HOPG surfaces
Authors: Guo C. , Xue J. D. , Cheng L. X. , Liu R. C. , Kang S. Z. , Zeng Q. D. , Li M.
Published: May 2017

The effect of UV illumination time on the polymerization efficiency and the structural change of DA-25.
An extended π-system and enhanced electronic delocalization on symmetric [Ru3O(CH3COO)6(L)3]ncomplexes combined with azanaphthalene ligands
Authors: Possato Bruna , Deflon Victor M. , Naal Zeki , Formiga André L. B. , Nikolaou Sofia
Published: May 2017

The electronic density of the metallic core relies on the basicity of the ligands through σ-donation, while part of this electronic density is delocalized to the periphery through π-interactions.
Synthesis, structures and biomolecular interactions of new silver(i) 5,5-diethylbarbiturate complexes of monophosphines targeting Gram-positive bacteria and breast cancer cells
Authors: Yilmaz Veysel T. , Icsel Ceyda , Batur Jenaidullah , Aydinlik Seyma , Cengiz Murat , Buyukgungor Orhan
Published: May 2017

New silver(i) 5,5-diethylbarbiturate complexes exhibit very high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and kill MCF-7 cells, damaging mitochondria and DNA.
Control of aurophilic interaction: conformations and electronic structures of one-dimensional supramolecular architectures
Authors: Imoto Hiroaki , Nishiyama Shintaro , Yumura Takashi , Watase Seiji , Matsukawa Kimihiro , Naka Kensuke
Published: May 2017

Experimental and theoretical studies demonstrated that higher-ordered structures of one-dimensional aurophilic chains directly influenced their electronic structures.
Controlling the oxidation of bis-tridentate cobalt(ii) complexes having bis(2-pyridylalkyl)amines: ligand vs. metal oxidation
Authors: Anjana S. , Donring S. , Sanjib P. , Varghese B. , Murthy Narasimha N.
Published: May 2017

Two bis-tridentate chelated cobalt(ii) complexes, which differ in the ligand structure by a methylene group, activate molecular oxygen (O2), and give different oxidation products.
Electrocatalysis of polysulfide conversion by sulfur-deficient MoS2 nanoflakes for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Lin Haibin , Yang Liuqing , Jiang Xi , Li Guochun , Zhang Tianran , Yao Qiaofeng , Zheng Guangyuan Wesley , Lee Jim Yang
Published: May 2017

Sulfur-deficient MoS2 nanoflakes as an electrocatalyst improve the polysulfide conversion kinetics and hence the performance of lithium–sulfur batteries.
Computational design of 2D functional covalent–organic framework membranes for water desalination
Authors: Zhang Kang , He Zhongjin , Gupta Krishna M. , Jiang Jianwen
Published: May 2017

A computational study is reported for water desalination through 2D covalent–organic framework membranes.
Perovskite quantum dots encapsulated in electrospun fiber membranes as multifunctional supersensitive sensors for biomolecules, metal ions and pH
Authors: Wang Yuanwei , Zhu Yihua , Huang Jianfei , Cai Jin , Zhu Jingrun , Yang Xiaoling , Shen Jianhua , Li Chunzhong
Published: May 2017

Electrospun PMMA fiber membrane encapsulated with CsPbBr3 exhibits excellent FRET detection performance on trypsin, Cu2+ and pH.
Syntheses, structures, and thermoelectric properties of ternary tellurides: RECuTe2 (RE = Tb–Er)
Authors: Lin Hua , Chen Hong , Ma Ni , Zheng Yu-Jun , Shen Jin-Ni , Yu Ju-Song , Wu Xin-Tao , Wu Li-Ming
Published: May 2017

Four new compounds with the general formula RECuTe2 and the influence of the electronegativity of rare-earth metals on thermoelectric properties are reported for the first time.
MOF-templated nitrogen-doped porous carbon materials as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions
Authors: Wang Suhong , Liu Lin , Wang Shi-Ming , Han Zhengbo
Published: May 2017

A series of MOF-templated nitrogen-doped porous carbon materials (NPCs) have been synthesized and assayed as high performance electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORRs) in alkaline media.
Cu(i)-catalyzed Michael addition of ketiminoesters to β-trifluoromethyl β,β-disubstituted enones: rapid access to 1-pyrrolines bearing a quaternary all-carbon stereocenter
Authors: Liu Bing , Zhang Zhan-Ming , Xu Bing , Xu Shan , Wu Hai-Hong , Liu Yuanyuan , Zhang Junliang
Published: May 2017

Chiral pyrrolines with two contiguous stereocenters, including a trifluoromethylated quaternary all-carbon stereocenter, were provided from β-trifluoromethyl β,β-disubstituted enones and glycine ketoimino ester.
Iodine-catalyzed cascade annulation of alkynes with sodium arylsulfinates: assembly of 3-sulfenylcoumarin and 3-sulfenylquinolinone derivatives
Authors: Wu Wanqing , An Yanni , Li Jianxiao , Yang Shaorong , Zhu Zhongzhi , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: May 2017

An efficient and environmentally benign iodine-catalyzed cascade cyclization has been achieved to afford functionalized 3-sulfenylcoumarin and 3-sulfenylquinolinone derivatives.
Synthesis of a poly(amidoxime-hydroxamic acid) cellulose derivative and its application in heavy metal ion removal
Authors: Jiao Chenlu , Zhang Zhaofa , Tao Jin , Zhang Desuo , Chen Yuyue , Lin Hong
Published: May 2017

A new poly(amidoxime-hydroxamic acid) chelating cellulosic adsorbent was synthesized through grafting only one monomer, followed by the oximation reaction.
The influence of fractal nature on schwertmannite adsorption properties
Authors: Zhang Chunyong , Zhang Zhefeng , Chen Mengna , Fu Degang
Published: May 2017

Schwertmannite (SCH), a ferric oxyhydroxy sulfate mineral, had attracted extensive interests due to its excellent adsorption performance in decontamination processes.
A superior fluorescent sensor for Al3+ and UO22+ based on a Co(ii) metal–organic framework with exposed pyrimidyl Lewis base sites
Authors: Chen Wen-Miao , Meng Xiao-Ling , Zhuang Gui-Lin , Wang Zhi , Kurmoo Mohamedally , Zhao Quan-Qin , Wang Xing-Po , Shan Bairong , Tung Chen-Ho , Sun Di
Published: May 2017

A superior bifunctional luminescent sensor for Al3+ and UO22+ was built based on a Co(ii) MOF with exposed Lewis basic pyrimidyl sites.
Nanoconfinement of redox reactions enables rapid zinc iodide energy storage with high efficiency
Authors: Lee Juhan , Srimuk Pattarachai , Fleischmann Simon , Ridder Alexander , Zeiger Marco , Presser Volker
Published: May 2017

We introduce a hybrid energy storage system combining zinc iodide (ZnI2) as redox electrolyte with a nanoporous activated carbon fiber (ACF) cathode and a zinc disk anode.
Dynamic response to initial stage blindness in visual system development
Authors: Long Erping , Zhang Xiayin , Liu Zhenzhen , Wu Xiaohang , Tan Xuhua , Lin Duoru , Cao Qianzhong , Chen Jingjing , Lin Zhuoling , Wang Dongni , Li Xiaoyan , Li Jing , Wang Jinghui , Li Wangting , Lin Haotian , Chen Weirong , Liu Yizhi
Published: May 2017

Sensitive periods and experience-dependent plasticity have become core issues in visual system development. Converging evidence indicates that visual experience is an indispensable factor in establishing mature visual system circuitry during sensitive periods and the visual system exhibits substantial plasticity while facing deprivation. The mechanisms that underlie the environmental regulation of visual system development and plasticity are of great interest but need further exploration. Here, we investigated a unique sample of human infants who experienced initial stage blindness (beginning at birth and lasting for 2–8 months) before the removal of bilateral cataracts. Retinal thickness (RT), axial length (AL), refractive status, visual grating acuity and genetic integrity were recorded during the preoperative period or at surgery and then during follow-up. The results showed that the development of the retina is malleable and associated with external environmental influences. Our work supported that the retina might play critical roles in the development of the experience-dependent visual system and its malleability might partly contribute to the sensitive period plasticity.
60 GHz digitally controllable and sequentially rotated fed antenna array
Authors: Kim H. , Lee Y. , Kim B. , Baek K. , Ko S. , Yang T. , Lee J. , Nam S.
Published: May 2017

Sixteen‐chain sequentially rotated fed antenna array on low‐temperature cofired ceramic substrate is presented. A 60 GHz broadband circular polarised (CP) stacked rectangular patch antenna is implemented as an element. All the feedlines have the same length which is differentiated from conventional T‐junction divider feeder. By this way, several drawbacks of conventional sequential rotated array can be overcome such as phase error occurrence, amplitude mismatch, and axial ratio bandwidth degradation. Moreover, digitally controlled by phase shifters, beamforming performance can be evaluated. The simulated and measured S11 shows broad bandwidth from 57 to 66 GHz. In addition, the radiation patterns show a peak gain of 17.2 dBi and a wide coverage of ±63°.
Design of patch loaded with metallic posts inside dielectric resonator antenna
Authors: Kim Tae‐Wan , Aziz Rao Shahid , Park Seong‐Ook
Published: May 2017

A new hybrid‐antenna that is capable of wide‐bandwidth operation and is small size is presented. The structure of the proposed antenna consists of a cylindrical dielectric resonator, metallic posts that are embedded in the resonator, and a rectangular patch. The proposed design generates three resonances: the full‐cylindrical HE11δ, half‐HE11δ‐like mode, and radiation by the patch antenna. An electromagnetic analysis using a finite integration method (CST microwave studio) was performed to investigate the resonances. Furthermore, a prototype of antenna has fabricated for the experimental verification. The simulation results are in close agreement with the experimental findings. The proposed antenna offers a fractional bandwidth of 16.5% at the centre frequency of 9.27 GHz and a peak gain is >4.56 dBi in the matching band.
Spinal Neurocytoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Guedira Khalil , Matar Nidhal , Salem Maher , Chelly Ines , Zemmel Ihsen
Published: May 2017

Extraventricular locations of neurocytoma are extremely rare, especially in the spinal cord, which has been reported in only sporadic cases. In this article, we report a new pediatric case of a spinal neurocytoma in a 12-year-old girl and briefly review the relevant literature.
Anasarca as the Initial Manifestation of Tuberculous Pericarditis in a Child
Authors: Pilania Rakesh , Mahajan Sachin , Das Ashim , Vaishnavi Kalthi , Kumar Rakesh , Bhatia Anmol , Dayal Devi
Published: May 2017

Pericarditis is a rare manifestation of tuberculosis in children. The usual clinical features include fever, cough, tachypnea, chest pain, and pedal edema. Very rarely, generalized edema may occur as a presenting feature. We describe a 10-year-old boy, who presented with anasarca and had received treatment with corticosteroids for a mistaken diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome and was subsequently diagnosed with tuberculous pericardial effusion. The rarity of manifestations and the difficulties encountered to diagnose tuberculous pericarditis prompted us to report this case. The report may serve to sensitize pediatricians to consider systematic investigations to reach the diagnosis in children presenting with anasarca and avoid the empiric use of steroids in anasarca.
Researching Sexual Violence against Older People: Reflecting on the use of Freedom of Information Requests in a Feminist Study
Authors: Bows Hannah
Published: May 2017

Domestic and sexual violence research has traditionally been associated with feminist qualitative methodology; however, quantitative methods are increasingly used by feminists in research examining the prevalence of and issues related to rape and sexual assault, either as standalone methods or in combination with other, qualitative methods (i.e. mixed methods). Freedom of Information (FOI) requests are a data collection tool that allow citizens to obtain data held by public authorities in the UK and are particularly useful for uncovering information on marginalised groups who may be difficult to recruit in qualitative research. Whilst they are frequently used by journalists, their potential is yet to be fully realised by social researchers. This paper reflects on the use of Freedom of Information requests in a mixed-method feminist study exploring sexual violence against people aged 60 years and over.
Feminist Data Studies: Using Digital Methods for Ethical, Reflexive and Situated Socio-Cultural Research
Authors: Leurs Koen
Published: May 2017

What could a social-justice oriented, feminist data studies look like? The current datalogical turn foregrounds the digital datafication of everyday life, increasing algorithmic processing and data as an emergent regime of power/knowledge. Scholars celebrate the politics of big data knowledge production for its omnipotent objectivity or dismiss it outright as data fundamentalism that may lead to methodological genocide. In this feminist and postcolonial intervention into gender-, race- and geography-blind ‘big data’ ideologies, I call for ethical, anti-oppressive digital data-driven research in the social sciences and humanities. I argue that a reflexive data scholarship can emerge from the reintegration of feminist and postcolonial science studies and ethics of care ideals. Although it is not a panacea for all ails of data mining, I offer a road map for an alternative data-analysis practice that is more power-sensitive and accountable. By incorporating a people-centric and context-aware perspective that acknowledges relationships of dependency, reflects on temptations, and scrutinises benefits and harm, an ‘asymmetrically reciprocal’ (Young, 1997) research encounter may be achieved. I bring this perspective to bear on experiences of a two-year research project with eighty-four young Londoners on digital identities and living in a highly diverse city. I align awareness of uneven relations of power and knowledge with the messy relation of dependency between human and non-human actors in data analysis. This framework productively recognises that digital data cannot be expected to speak for itself, that data do not emerge from a vacuum, and that isolated data patterns cannot be the end-goal of a situated and reflexive research endeavor. Data-driven research, in turn, shows the urgency for renewed feminist ethical reflection on how digital mediation impacts upon responsibility, intersectional power relations, human subjectivity and the autonomy of research participants over their own data.
Modulational instability of ion-acoustic waves in magnetoplasma with pressure of relativistic electrons
Authors: Abdikian A.
Published: May 2017

In this research, the modulation of a weakly three-dimensional electrostatic ion-acoustic wave (IAW) is studied in dense magnetoplasma consisting of relativistic degenerate inertialess electrons and nondegenerate inertial thermal ions. It is assumed that the degeneracy pressure law for electrons follows the Chandrasekhar equation of state. The standard reductive perturbation theory has been applied to obtain the corresponding three-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equation, where the nonlinearity is in balance with the dispersive terms. This equation governs the dynamics and shows the slow modulation of the IAWs. This equation also been influenced not only by the external magnetic field but also by the usual plasma parameters. The numerical results indicate that new instability regimes arise when we consider the relativistic parameter ( μe), the ion to electron temperature ratio (σi), and the normalized ion cyclotron frequency (ωci) which though cannot be observed in the unmagnetized case can considerably modify the profiles of the envelope magneto acoustic solitons. Also, some significant explicit critical frequencies are obtained, which permit us to consider new regimes different from the usual unmagnetized plasma for propagation of IAWs in the magnetoplasma, which may exist in space or astrophysics.
Effect of thermoelastic damping on silicon, GaAs, diamond and SiC micromechanical resonators
Authors: Denu Garuma Abdisa , Fu Jiao , Liu Zongchen , Mirani Jibran Hussain , Wang Hongxing
Published: May 2017

The effect of thermoelastic damping as a main dissipation mechanism in single crystalline silicon, GaAs, diamond, SiC and SiO2 micromechanical resonators are studied. Numerical simulation is performed to compare quality factors of the given materials. Results using Zener’s well-known approximation and recent developments of Lifshitz and Roukes models were used to model thermoelasticity effects. In the later model, the effect of thermal diffusion length is taken into account for determination of thermoelastic damping. Our results show that larger discrepancy is obtained between the two models for SiO2. The difference is pronounced when beam aspect ratio (L/w) is smaller. Such progresses will find potential applications in optimal design of high quality factor micrometer- and nanometer-scale electromechanical systems.
Origin of stretched-exponential photoluminescence relaxation in size-separated silicon nanocrystals
Authors: Brown Samuel L. , Krishnan Retheesh , Elbaradei Ahmed , Sivaguru Jayaraman , Sibi Mukund P. , Hobbie Erik K.
Published: May 2017

A detailed understanding of the photoluminescence (PL) from silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) is convoluted by the complexity of the decay mechanism, including a stretched-exponential relaxation and the presence of both nanosecond and microsecond time scales. In this publication, we analyze the microsecond PL decay of size-resolved SiNC fractions in both full-spectrum (FS) and spectrally resolved (SR) configurations, where the stretching exponent and lifetime are used to deduce a probability distribution function (PDF) of decay rates. For the PL decay measured at peak emission, we find a systematic shift and narrowing of the PDF in comparison to the FS measurements. In a similar fashion, we resolve the PL lifetime of the ‘blue’, ‘peak’, and ‘red’ regions of the spectrum and map PL decays of different photon energy onto their corresponding location in the PDF. A general trend is observed where higher and lower photon energies are correlated with shorter and longer lifetimes, respectively, which we relate to the PL line width and electron-phonon coupling.
Tests as boundary signifiers: level 6 tests and the primary secondary divide
Authors: Coldwell Mike , Willis Ben
Published: May 2017

This paper addresses the question: How do teachers and school leaders respond to high stakes testing of pupils transitioning from primary to secondary school? It explores how a new test, the Level 6 test, operated with regard to primary/secondary school relationships in England. It draws on an analysis of qualitative interviews with teachers and school leaders in 20 primary schools that took part in the test, 40 school leaders that chose not to and 20 secondary‐school leaders. Theoretical work on social boundaries is utilised to develop an argument that this test and its results acted as a boundary signifier, crystallising many of the tensions between primary and secondary schools. These tensions included the role of accountability regimes in requiring schools to demonstrate progress; narrowing of the curriculum and teaching to the test; and the extent to which test results can provide a true representation of pupil attainment. We conclude by suggesting the potential of the boundary signifier concept in relation to other tests at the primary/secondary boundary and other key transition points in education, and consider whether such tests can act as an ideal boundary object, serving to help overcome, rather than cement, barriers between schools.
Learning from where ‘eye’ remotely look or point: Impact on number line estimation error in adults
Authors: Gallagher-Mitchell Thomas , Simms Victoria , Litchfield Damien
Published: May 2017

In this article, we present an investigation into the use of visual cues during number line estimation and their influence on cognitive processes for reducing number line estimation error. Participants completed a 0-1000 number line estimation task before and after a brief intervention in which they observed static-visual or dynamic-visual cues (control, anchor, gaze cursor, mouse cursor) and also made estimation marks to test effective number-target estimation. Results indicated that a significant pre-test to post-test reduction in estimation error was present for dynamic-visual cues of modelled eye-gaze and mouse cursor. However, there was no significant performance difference between pre- and post-test for the control or static anchor conditions. Findings are discussed in relation to the extent to which anchor points alone are meaningful in promoting successful segmentation of the number line and whether dynamic cues promote the utility of these locations in reducing error through attentional guidance.
Analysis of interphase node proteins in fission yeast by quantitative and superresolution fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Akamatsu Matthew , Lin Yu , Bewersdorf Joerg , Pollard Thomas D.
Published: May 2017

We used quantitative confocal microscopy and FPALM superresolution microscopy of live fission yeast to investigate the structures and assembly of two types of interphase nodes—multiprotein complexes associated with the plasma membrane that merge together and mature into the precursors of the cytokinetic contractile ring. During the long G2 phase of the cell cycle, seven different interphase node proteins maintain constant concentrations as they accumulate in proportion to cell volume. During mitosis, the total numbers of type 1 node proteins (cell cycle kinases Cdr1p, Cdr2p, Wee1p, and anillin Mid1p) are constant even when the nodes disassemble. Quantitative measurements provide strong evidence that both types of nodes have defined sizes and numbers of constituent proteins, as observed for cytokinesis nodes. Type 1 nodes assemble in two phases—a burst at the end of mitosis, followed by steady increase during interphase to double the initial number. Type 2 nodes containing Blt1p, Rho-GEF Gef2p, and kinesin Klp8p remain intact throughout the cell cycle and are constituents of the contractile ring. They are released from the contractile ring as it disassembles and then associate with type 1 nodes around the equator of the cell during interphase.
CWDPRNP: a tool for cervid prion sequence analysis in program R
Authors: Miller William L , Walter W David
Published: May 2017

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal, neurological disease caused by an infectious prion protein, which affects economically and ecologically important members of the family Cervidae. Single nucleotide polymorphisms within the prion protein gene have been linked to differential susceptibility to the disease in many species. Wildlife managers are seeking to determine the frequencies of disease-associated alleles and genotypes and delineate spatial genetic patterns. The CWDPRNP package, implemented in program R, provides a unified framework for analyzing prion protein gene variability and spatial structure.

Availability and implementation

The CWDPRNP package, manual and example data files are available at http://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/labs/walter-lab/additional-labs/population-genetics-lab. This package is available for all commonly used platforms.
Preeclampsia mediates the association between shorter height and increased risk of preterm delivery
Authors: Morisaki Naho , Ogawa Kohei , Urayama Kevin Y , Sago Haruhiko , Sato Shoji , Saito Shigeru
Published: May 2017

Background

Maternal short stature has been observed to increase the risk of preterm birth; however, the aetiology behind this phenomenon is unknown. We investigated whether preeclampsia, an obstetric complication that often leads to preterm delivery and is reported to have an inverse association with women’s height, mediates this association.

Methods

We studied 218 412 women with no underlying diseases before pregnancy, who delivered singletons from 2005 to 2011 and were included in the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology perinatal database, which is a national multi-centre-based delivery database among tertiary hospitals. We assessed the risk of preterm delivery in relation to height using multivariate analysis, and how the association was mediated by risk of preeclampsia using mediation analysis.

Results

Each 5-cm decrement in height was associated with significantly higher risk of preterm delivery [relative risk 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 1.27] and shorter gestational age (−0.30; 95% CI: −0.44, −0.16 weeks). Mediation analysis showed that the effect of shorter height on increased risk of preterm delivery, due to an indirect effect mediated through increased risk of preeclampsia, was substantial for shorter gestational age (48%), as well as risk of preterm delivery (28%). When examining the three subtypes of preterm delivery separately, mediated effect was largest for provider-initiated preterm delivery without premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (34%), compared with spontaneous preterm delivery without PROM (17%) or preterm delivery with PROM (0%).

Conclusions

Preeclampsia partially mediates the association between maternal short stature and preterm delivery.
Religion and Spirituality in Pediatrics
Authors: Barton Sarah Jean , Selman Lucy , Maslow Gary , Barfield Raymond
Published: May 2017

This chapter responds to the sparse attention paid to the connections between religion, spirituality, and pediatric quality of life in healthcare settings. Key points of spiritual distress in the context of pediatrics, including intensive care settings, diagnostic meetings, and oncology, are explored. In order to envision a robust embrace of religious and spiritual issues in pediatric care, this chapter analyzes core themes from the perspectives of caregivers and clinicians. Building on these themes as well as current best practices from the literature, this chapter proposes an expanded vision and accompanying concrete practices to improve attention to and integration of religion and spirituality in pediatric care. The chapter concludes that an expansion of creative engagement with the religious and spiritual components of pediatric healthcare would foster more interdisciplinary, holistic practices of care.
18F-FDOPA PET/MRI for monitoring early response to bevacizumab in children with recurrent brain tumors
Authors: Gauvain Karen , Ponisio Maria Rosana , Barone Amy , Grimaldi Michael , Parent Ephraim , Leeds Hayden , Goyal Manu , Rubin Joshua , McConathy Jonathan
Published: May 2017

Background

Noninvasively predicting early response to therapy in recurrent pediatric brain tumors provides a challenge. 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]fluoro-L-phenylalanine (18F-FDOPA) PET/MRI has not been previously studied as a tool to evaluate early response to antiangiogenic therapy in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using 18F-FDOPA PET/MRI to assess response to bevacizumab in children with relapsed brain tumors.

Materials and Methods

Six patients with recurrent gliomas (5 low-grade, 1 high-grade) planned to undergo treatment with bevacizumab were enrolled. 18F-FDOPA PET/MRI scans were obtained prior to and 4 weeks following the start of treatment, and these were compared with the clinical response determined at the 3-month MRI. The primary PET measure was metabolic tumor volume (MTV) at 10 to 15 min after 18F-FDOPA injection. For each tumor, the MTV was determined by manually defining initial tumor volumes of interest (VOI) and then applying a 1.5-fold threshold relative to the mean standardized uptake value (SUV) of a VOI in the frontal lobe contralateral to the tumor.

Results

18F-FDOPA PET/MRI was well tolerated by all patients. All tumors were well visualized with 18F-FDOPA on the initial study, with peak tumor uptake occurring approximately 10 min after injection. Maximum and mean SUVs as well as tumor-to-brain ratios were not predictors of response at 3 months. Changes in MTVs after therapy ranged from 23% to 98% (n = 5). There is a trend towards the percent MTV change seen on the 4-week scan correlating with progression-free survival.

Conclusion

18F-FDOPA PET/MRI was well tolerated in pediatric patients and merits further investigation as an early predictor of response to therapy.
Acetabular Labral Tears
Authors: Lewis Cara L , Sahrmann Shirley A
Published: May 2017

Anterior hip or groin pain is a common complaint for which people are referred for physical therapy, with the hip region being involved in approximately 5% to 9% of injuries in high school athletes.1 Although anterior hip pain is known to result from a number of musculoskeletal and systemic pathologies, a tear of the acetabular labrum is a recent addition to the list that is of particular interest to physical therapists. This mechanically induced pathology is thought to result from excessive forces at the hip joint2,3 and has been proposed as part of a continuum of hip joint disease that may result in articular cartilage degeneration.2 Although the number of recent articles in the orthopedic literature identifying acetabular labral tears as a source of hip pain is increasing, labral tears often evade detection, resulting in a long duration of symptoms, greater than 2 years on average, before diagnosis.4–8 Studies have shown that 22% of athletes with groin pain9 and 55% of patients with mechanical hip pain of unknown etiology2 were found to have a labral tear upon further evaluation. In order to provide the most appropriate intervention for patients with anterior hip or groin pain, physical therapists should be knowledgeable about all of the possible sources and causes of this pain, including a tear of the acetabular labrum and the possible factors contributing to these tears. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review the anatomy and function of the acetabular labrum and present current concepts on the etiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of labral tears.
CORRELATION OF STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME MEASURES IN A PHASE ONE TRIAL OF CILIARY NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR IN TYPE 2 IDIOPATHIC MACULAR TELANGIECTASIA
Authors: Sallo Ferenc B. , Leung Irene , Clemons Traci E. , Peto Tunde , Chew Emily Y. , Pauleikhoff Daniel , Bird Alan C. ,   for the MacTel CNTF Research Group
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

Macular telangiectasia Type 2 is a bilateral, progressive, potentially blinding retinal disease characterized by both vascular and neurodegenerative signs. Both the area of the break in the ellipsoid zone seen in “en face” optical coherence tomographic (OCT) images and microperimetric focal retinal sensitivity loss have been proposed as potential measures of progression in macular telangiectasia. The authors aimed to assess the characteristics and interrelationship of these structural and functional disease markers from the data collected in a phase one clinical trial of ciliary neurotrophic factor in macular telangiectasia.

Methods:

Orthogonal topographic (en face) maps of the ellipsoid zone were generated from Heidelberg Spectralis OCT volume scans (15 × 10° area, 30-μm B-scan intervals) or Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT 4000 512 × 128 cube scans. Mesopic microperimetry was performed on CenterVue MAIA perimeters, using a Goldmann III stimulus in a custom test grid. Structural and functional data were analyzed by two methods: by calculating aggregate loss and by simple thresholding. The alignment quality of structural and functional data was also evaluated.

Results:

Overall, the break area showed a good correlation with aggregate sensitivity loss (ρ = 0.834, P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval 0.716–0.906) but also with the number of test points below a threshold value (e.g., <20 dB: ρ = 0.843, P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval 0.755–0.902). Significant misalignment of the MAIA test grid was apparent in 13/48 visits of 7/14 eyes.

Conclusion:

The authors found a good correlation between ellipsoid zone break area and function loss. En face OCT mapping of the ellipsoid zone appears to demonstrate structural change before mesopic microperimetry can detect a focal loss of retinal sensitivity. Thresholding offers a quick alternative to calculating aggregate sensitivity loss.
Corneal Endothelial Cells Have an Absolute Requirement for Cysteine for Survival
Authors: Okumura Naoki , Inoue Ryota , Kakutani Kazuya , Nakahara Makiko , Kinoshita Shigeru , Hamuro Junji , Koizumi Noriko
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to evaluate which amino acid(s) among the 20 standard protein amino acids is indispensable for the survival of cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs).

Methods:

HCECs were cultured in amino acid screening media that were missing 1 specific amino acid, and cell growth was evaluated. After this first selection, we conducted a further evaluation of cell growth in response to the addition of 4 amino acids (cysteine, methionine, valine, and arginine) to amino acid-free culture media. We then evaluated the antioxidant effect of cysteine compared with other antioxidants in terms of apoptosis of HCECs, rabbit corneal endothelial cell (CECs), monkey CECs, and ex vivo human donor corneas.

Results:

Culture in an amino acid-free Dulbecco Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) decreased the cell numbers to 11.0% when compared with culture in normal DMEM. Removal of cysteine, methionine, valine, or arginine from DMEM significantly suppressed cell numbers (27.7%, 61.4%, 75.5%, and 60.6%, respectively) (P < 0.01), whereas removal of other amino acids did not significantly decrease cell numbers. A lack of cysteine induced apoptosis, but addition of antioxidants reversed this. Removal of cysteine induced in vitro apoptosis in HCECs, rabbit CECs, monkey CECs, and ex vivo human donor corneas, whereas the presence of cysteine almost completely suppressed this apoptosis.

Conclusions:

Cysteine seems to be an indispensable amino acid for HCEC growth and survival. Its necessity might reflect a high requirement for antioxidants to protect HCECs from oxidative stress, as HCECs have high aerobic metabolic activity.
Drivers Motivating Community Health Improvement Plan Completion by Local Public Health Agencies and Community Partners in the Rocky Mountain Region and Western Plains
Authors: Hill Anne , Wolf Holly J. , Scallan Elaine , Case Jenny , Kellar-Guenther Yvonne
Published: May 2017

Context:

There are numerous drivers that motivate completion of community health improvement plans (CHIPs). Some are more obvious and include voluntary public health accreditation, state requirements, federal and state funding, and nonprofit hospital requirements through IRS regulations. Less is known about other drivers, including involvement of diverse partners and belief in best practices, that may motivate CHIP completion.

Objective:

This research investigated the drivers that motivated CHIP completion based on experiences of 51 local public health agencies (LPHAs).

Design:

An explanatory mixed-methods design, including closed- and open-ended survey questions and key informant interviews, was used to understand the drivers that motivated CHIP completion. Analysis of survey data involved descriptive statistics. Classical content analysis was used for qualitative data to clarify survey findings.

Setting:

The surveys and key informant interviews were conducted in the Rocky Mountain Region and Western Plains among 51 medium and large LPHAs in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

Participants:

More than 50% of respondents were public health directors; the balance of the respondents were division/program directors, accreditation coordinators, and public health planners.

Main Outcome Measures:

CHIP completion.

Results:

Most LPHAs in the Rocky Mountains and Western Plains have embraced developing and publishing a CHIP, with 80% having completed their plan and another 13% working on it. CHIP completion is motivated by a belief in best practices, with LPHAs and partners seeing the benefit of quality improvement activities linked to the CHIP and the investment of nonprofit hospitals in the process. Completing a CHIP is strengthened through engagement of diverse partners and a well-functioning partnership.

Conclusion:

The future of CHIP creation depends on LPHAs and partners investing in the CHIP as a best practice, dedicating personnel to CHIP activities, and enhancing leadership skills to contribute to a synergistic partnership by effectively working and communicating with diverse partners and developing and achieving common goals.
Community Engagement Framework for Community Assessment and Improvement Planning
Authors: Smith Lillian U.
Published: May 2017

As the emphasis on community-based public health expands, academics and practitioners are challenged to include the community throughout assessment and improvement planning activities. The volatility of community-based government programs and the emergence of new initiatives further complicate community involvement. Many communities have grown tired of being participants, of strategies focused on assessments that never reach implementation or goals, and of being abandoned when funding ends. A framework that melds lessons learned from previous programs and existing models with Web-based resources and new initiatives provides insights for sustainable and agile community-based solutions. Other implications include ways to align multiple assessment and planning requirements through one framework. This article describes the components and distinctions of a community engagement framework for assessment and planning conceptualized through the experiences of public health practice and academic partners in South Carolina.
Comparing Health Care Resource Use between Implant and Autologous Reconstruction of the Irradiated Breast: A National Claims-Based Assessment
Authors: Aliu Oluseyi , Zhong Lin , Chetta Matthew D. , Sears Erika D. , Ballard Tiffany , Waljee Jennifer F. , Chung Kevin C. , Momoh Adeyiza O.
Published: May 2017

Background:

In the debate on reconstruction of the irradiated breast, there is little information on associated health care resource use. Nationwide data were used to examine health care resource use associated with implant and autologous reconstruction. It was hypothesized that failure rates would contribute the most to higher average cumulative cost with either reconstruction method.

Methods:

From the 2009 to 2013 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database, irradiated breast cancer patients who underwent implant or autologous reconstruction were selected. In a 24-month follow-up period, the cumulative costs of health care services used were tallied and described. Regression models stratified by reconstruction method were then used to estimate the influence of failure on cumulative cost of reconstruction.

Results:

There were 2964 study patients. Most (78 percent) underwent implant reconstruction. The unadjusted mean costs for implant and autologous reconstructions were $22,868 and $30,527, respectively. Thirty-two percent of implant reconstructions failed, compared with 5 percent of autologous cases. Twelve percent of the implant reconstructions had two or more failures and required subsequent autologous reconstruction. The cost of implant reconstruction failure requiring a flap was $47,214, and the cost for autologous failures was $48,344. In aggregate, failures constituted more than 20 percent of the cumulative costs of implant reconstruction compared with less than 5 percent for autologous reconstruction.

Conclusions:

More than one in 10 patients who had implant reconstruction in the setting of radiation therapy to the breast eventually required a flap for failure. These findings make a case for autologous reconstruction being primarily considered in irradiated patients who have this option available.
Comparison of Outcomes with Tissue Expander, Immediate Implant, and Autologous Breast Reconstruction in Greater Than 1000 Nipple-Sparing Mastectomies
Authors: Frey Jordan D. , Choi Mihye , Salibian Ara A. , Karp Nolan S.
Published: May 2017

Background:

Nipple-sparing mastectomy permits complete preservation of the nipple-areola complex with excellent aesthetic results and with oncologic safety similar to that associated with traditional mastectomy techniques. However, outcomes have not been directly compared for tissue expander–, immediate implant–, and autologous tissue–based breast reconstruction after nipple-sparing mastectomy.

Methods:

All patients undergoing nipple-sparing mastectomy from 2006 to June of 2016 were identified at a single institution. Demographics and outcomes were analyzed and compared among different types of breast reconstruction.

Results:

A total of 1028 nipple-sparing mastectomies were performed. Of these, 533 (51.8 percent) were tissue expander–based, 263 (25.6 percent) were autologous tissue–based, and 232 (22.6 percent) were immediate implant–based reconstructions. Tissue expander–based reconstructions had significantly more minor cellulitis (p = 0.0002) but less complete nipple necrosis (p = 0.0126) and major mastectomy flap necrosis (p < 0.0001) compared with autologous tissue–based reconstructions. Compared to immediate implant–based reconstruction, tissue expander–based reconstructions had significantly more minor cellulitis (p = 0.0006) but less complete nipple necrosis (p = 0.0005) and major (p < 0.0001) and minor (p = 0.0028) mastectomy flap necrosis (p = 0.0059). Immediate implant–based reconstructions had significantly more minor cellulitis (p = 0.0051), minor mastectomy flap necrosis (p = 0.0425), and partial nipple necrosis (p = 0.0437) compared with autologous tissue–based reconstructions. Outcomes were otherwise equivalent among the three groups.

Conclusions:

Tissue expander, immediate implant, and autologous tissue breast reconstruction techniques may all be safely offered with nipple-sparing mastectomy. However, reconstructive complications appear to be greater with immediate implant– and autologous tissue–based techniques compared with tissue expander–based reconstruction.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Urinary Excretion of MicroRNA-126 Is a Biomarker for Hemangioma Proliferation
Authors: Biswas Ayan , Pan Xueliang , Meyer Melissa , Khanna Savita , Roy Sashwati , Pearson Gregory , Kirschner Richard , Witman Patricia , Faith Esteban Fernandez , Sen Chandan K. , Gordillo Gayle M.
Published: May 2017

Background:

Hemangiomas are unique endothelial cell tumors that involute spontaneously, which makes interpreting their response to therapies difficult. The objective of this work was to identify a potential biomarker in the urine of children with infantile hemangiomas that would facilitate testing new therapies.

Methods:

A prospective longitudinal study in children with hemangiomas and age-matched healthy controls was performed to determine whether microRNA-126, which is highly abundant in fetal endothelial cells, was more abundant in the urine of affected children. Prospective ultrasound measurements of hemangioma size and blood flow velocity were obtained as secondary endpoints to document longitudinal changes in untreated hemangiomas.

Results:

Urinary microRNA-126 levels were significantly elevated in children with proliferating hemangiomas, and relative levels of urinary microRNA abundance correlated with hemangioma size. Hemangiomas had elevated levels of microRNA abundance compared with healthy controls. Ultrasound data revealed that hemangioma proliferation typically stopped between 6 and 9 months of age. When hemangioma proliferation stopped, urinary microRNA-126 levels in children with hemangiomas dropped to levels observed in healthy age-matched controls.

Conclusions:

These are the first reported results to identify a potential microRNA biomarker in the urine of children with hemangiomas. Measurement of urinary levels of microRNA-126 could potentially be used to monitor hemangioma response to therapies.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Diagnostic, II.
A Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Study of Juvéderm Voluma for Enhancement of Malar Volume in Chinese Subjects
Authors: Li Dong , Wang Xiaojun , Wu Yan , Sun Jiaming , Li Qin , Guo Shuzhong , Jia Yi , Murphy Diane K.
Published: May 2017

Background:

Hyaluronic acid gels are used to restore volume to the midface, but there are few data published on this use in Asian subjects.

Methods:

This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness in Chinese subjects of Juvéderm Voluma, a 20-mg/ml hyaluronic acid gel formulated for midface volumizing. This prospective, multicenter study randomized 119 subjects aged 18 years or older to a treatment group and 27 subjects to a no-treatment control group. The primary effectiveness endpoint was the objectively measured magnitude of change from baseline in volume of the midface area (right and left combined) calculated by digital analysis at month 6 using three-dimensional images for all subjects in both groups. Effectiveness was protocol-defined as a mean change for the treatment group that was significantly greater than that for the control group at month 6 using a one-side two-group t test performed at the 5 percent level.

Results:

With a median volume of 2 ml of Voluma injected, the primary effectiveness endpoint was met, with the mean change from baseline to 6 months in malar volume for the treatment group (1.83 ml) being significantly greater than that for the control group (0.11 ml; p < 0.001). The secondary effectiveness endpoints of responder rate (malar volumization rated improved or much improved) using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale as assessed at month 6 by the investigator and by the subject were 98.2 and 93.8 percent, respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events were mild injection-site swelling and bruising.

Conclusion:

Juvéderm Voluma is effective and well tolerated for midface augmentation in Chinese subjects.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, II.