bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of the Third Stage of Labor: How Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping Can Affect Neonatal Outcome
Authors: Kresch Mitchell
Published: June 2017

This review presents the effects of delayed umbilical cord clamping on neonatal transitional physiology. The effects of delayed cord clamping on short- and long-term neonatal outcomes are then discussed. There is ample evidence over the last 50 years that delayed cord clamping in preterm infants is beneficial for both short-term and long-term outcomes. Providing ventilation in the initial steps of neonatal resuscitation prior to clamping of the umbilical cord has a physiologic basis and results in better outcomes for newborns. The challenge now is to design equipment and strategies that can allow initial resuscitation very close to the mother while the umbilical cord is still attached to the placenta.
Calcified Liver Metastases from a Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Lung (Atypical Carcinoid) – A Case Report
Authors: Reiter Rolf , Maul Jochen , Preis Jan , Blaeker Hendrik , Grozdanovic Zarko
Published: June 2017

Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors with an incidence rate of 0.2–2/100 000 population/year in Western countries (M. E. Caplin et al. Ann Oncol 2015; 26:1604–20). They account for 1–2% of all neoplasms of the lung and constitute one-fourth to one-third of all NETs. Atypical carcinoids are far less common than typical carcinoids and predominantly occur in male smokers aged 50 –70 years. Most pulmonary NETs are asymptomatic due to their peripheral location. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. Medical management should take hormone-related symptoms into account.
„Morbus Google“ vs. e-Health: Qualitative Untersuchung zur Akzeptanz und Implementierung von Online-Nachsorge in der stationären Rehabilitation
Authors: Hennemann Severin , Beutel Manfred , Zwerenz Rüdiger
Published: June 2017

Hintergrund Internet- und mobilbasierte Gesundheitsinterventionen (IMIs) können z. B. in Form von Nachsorgeangeboten das Behandlungsangebot der Rehabilitation erweitern. Für die Implementierung ist jedoch deren Akzeptanz eine wesentliche Voraussetzung, die daher bei Rehabilitanden und Mitarbeitern qualitativ untersucht wurde.

Methodik In 3 Rehabilitationskliniken mit verschiedenen Indikationen und Altersgruppen wurden n=15 Rehabilitanden in Einzelinterviews und n=29 Mitarbeiter verschiedener Berufsgruppen in Fokusgruppen nach einem semi-strukturierten Leitfaden auf Basis der “Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology“ interviewt.

Ergebnisse Vorteile einer Online-Nachsorge wurden in den Möglichkeiten zur Aufbereitung von Informationen, Motivation, Verlaufsbeobachtung und Korrektur von Gesundheitsverhalten gesehen, weniger als ein Anwendungsbereich bei beruflichen Problemlagen. Vorbehalte zeigten sich v. a. bezüglich der therapeutischen Beziehung. Tendenziell war die Akzeptanz bei Rehabilitanden höher als bei Mitarbeitern.

Schlussfolgerung Die gefundenen Barrieren der Inanspruchnahme bzw. Anwendung von IMIs gehen über technische und demografische Aspekte hinaus. Sie sind wichtige Informationen für die gezielte Förderung der Akzeptanz sowohl bei Rehabilitanden wie auch bei Mitarbeitern.
Bedeutung der Sonografie in der Palliativmedizin (Palliative Sonografie) Teil 2
Authors: Nuernberg Dieter , Jenssen Christian , Fröhlich Eckhart , Ignee Andre , Mathis Gebhard , Dietrich Christoph
Published: June 2017

In Ergänzung zum ersten Teil dieser Übersicht, der auf sonografisch gestützte Interventionen in der Palliativmedizin fokussierte, erläutert die vorliegende Arbeit Indikationen und Möglichkeiten der Sonografie in der Palliativmedizin unter vier wesentlichen Aspekten:
Die Schweiß- und Duftdrüsen
Authors: Corts Magga
Published: June 2017

Die Schweißdrüsen (Glandulae sudoriferae eccrinae) befinden sich zwischen Oberhaut (Epidermis) und Unterhaut (Subkutis), also in der Lederhaut (Dermis / Korium). Die Schweißdrüse hat einen Durchmesser von ca. 0,4 mm und ist knäuelartig gewunden. Sie ist für die Schweißsekretion verantwortlich. Die Duftdrüsen stellen einer Sonderform dar.
Accuracy of High-Field Intraoperative MRI in the Detectability of Residual Tumor in Glioma Grade IV Resections
Authors: Heßelmann Volker , Mager Ann-Kathrin , Goetz Claudia , Detsch Oliver , Theisgen Hannah-Katharina , Friese Michael , Schwindt Wolfram , Gottschalk Joachim , Kremer Paul
Published: June 2017

Objective To assess the sensitivity/specificity of tumor detection by T1 contrast enhancement in intraoperative MRI (ioMRI) in comparison to histopathological assessment as the gold standard in patients receiving surgical resection of grade IV glioblastoma.

Materials and Methods 68 patients with a primary or a recurrent glioblastoma scheduled for surgery including fluorescence guidance and neuronavigation were included (mean age: 59 years, 26 female, 42 male patients). The ioMRI after the first resection included transverse FLAIR, DWI, T2-FFE and T1 – 3 d FFE +/- GD-DPTA. The second resection was performed whenever residual contrast-enhancing tissue was detected on ioMRI. Resected tissue samples were histopathologically evaluated (gold standard). Additionally, we evaluated the early postoperative MRI scan acquired within 48 h post-OP for remaining enhancing tissue and compared them with the ioMRI scan.

Results In 43 patients ioMRI indicated residual tumorous tissue, which could be confirmed in the histological specimens of the second resection. In 16 (4 with recurrent, 12 with primary glioblastoma) cases, ioMRI revealed truly negative results without residual tumor and follow-up MRI confirmed complete resection. In 7 cases (3 with recurrent, 4 with primary glioblastoma) ioMRI revealed a suspicious result without tumorous tissue in the histopathological workup. In 2 (1 for each group) patients, residual tumorous tissue was detected in spite of negative ioMRI. IoMRI had a sensitivity of 95 % (94 % recurrent and 96 % for primary glioblastoma) and a specificity of 69.5 % (57 % and 75 %, respectively). The positive predictive value was 86 % (84 % for recurrent and 87 % for primary glioblastoma), and the negative predictive value was 88 % (80 % and 92 %, respectively).

Conclusion ioMRI is effective for detecting remaining tumorous tissue after glioma resection. However, scars and leakage of contrast agent can be misleading and limit specificity.

Key points 

Citation Format
Keine reine Hautsache!
Authors: Sylvester Corinna
Published: June 2017

Neben Psoriasis machen Frau F. Schlafstörungen, Kopfschmerzen, Hypertonie sowie rezidivierende Blasenentzündungen und Thrombophlebitiden zu schaffen. Bei der EAV-Messung weisen viele Meridiane zu wenig Energie und Blockaden auf. Der Bioresonanztest deckt verschiedenste Pathogene auf. Die Behandlung zielt schwerpunktmäßig darauf ab, die Regulationsfähigkeit des Organismus wiederherzustellen und Pathogene auszuleiten.
Richtig abrechnen
Authors: Bosch Susanne
Published: June 2017

Damit Klienten eine Chance auf Kostenerstattung haben, sollten sie sich zu Beginn der Behandlung umfassend bei ihrer Versicherungsgesellschaft informieren. Muss die Behandlung zunächst bewilligt werden, muss der Klient die benötigten Unterlagen beim behandelnden Arzt oder seiner Versicherung einholen. Erstattungsfähige Rechnungen müssen nach GebüH gestellt werden. Dabei ist es wichtig, zu wissen, welche Abrechnungsziffern kombinierbar sind und welche nicht.
Heißes Eisen
Authors: Lück-Knobloch Heike
Published: June 2017

Kein Nährstoff fehlt dem Menschen häufiger als Eisen, doch bis heute wird eine Eisenmangelanämie häufig übersehen. Meist sind Blutungen oder Mangelernährung verantwortlich, aber auch Darmentzündungen und Verwertungsstörungen müssen abgeklärt werden. Vier Schritte führen in der Regel zum Therapieerfolg: Diagnose, Beseitigung der Ursache, Eisensupplementierung und Ernährungsumstellung.
Vorsicht Juckbohne!
Authors: Stumpf Ursula
Published: June 2017

Die traditionelle Heilpflanze ist im Internet erhältlich, birgt aber als Rausch- und Giftdroge bislang unvertretbare Risiken. Nur als Homöopathikum ist sie zu empfehlen.
Weniger vorauszahlen, mehr sparen
Authors: Dornbusch Hans-Ludwig
Published: June 2017

Selbstständige Heilpraktiker müssen nach § 37 Einkommensteuergesetz (EStG) vierteljährlich Einkommensteuer-Vorauszahlungen leisten. Eine Einzugsermächtigung an das Finanzamt ist oft nicht sinnvoll. Bei Begleichung über Geldanlagen oder Kredite sollten Sie den letztmöglichen Zahlungstermin wählen. Eine Kürzung der Einkommensteuer-Vorauszahlungen können Sie beantragen, wenn Sie aufgrund geringerer Einnahmen oder höherer Ausgaben weniger Gewinn erwirtschaften.
A quantum method for thermal rate constant calculations from stationary phase approximation of the thermal flux-flux correlation function integral
Authors: Aieta Chiara , Ceotto Michele
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a quantum mechanical approximation to the calculation of thermal rate constants. The rate is derived from a suitable stationary phase approximation to the time integral of the thermal flux-flux correlation function. The goal is to obtain an expression that barely depends on the position of the flux operators, i.e., of the dividing surfaces, so that it can be applied also to complex systems by arbitrarily locating the dividing surfaces. The approach is tested on one and two dimensional systems where quantum effects are predominant over a wide range of temperatures. The results are quite accurate, i.e., within a few percent of the exact values for a reasonable range of dividing surface positions.
Probing the remarkable thermal kinetics of visual rhodopsin with E181Q and S186A mutants
Authors: Guo Ying , Hendrickson Heidi P. , Videla Pablo E. , Chen Ya-Na , Ho Junming , Sekharan Sivakumar , Batista Victor S. , Tully John C. , Yan Elsa C. Y.
Published: June 2017

We recently reported a very unusual temperature dependence of the rate of thermal reaction of wild type bovine rhodopsin: the Arrhenius plot exhibits a sharp “elbow” at 47 °C and, in the upper temperature range, an unexpectedly large activation energy (114 ± 8 kcal/mol) and an enormous prefactor (1072±5 s−1). In this report, we present new measurements and a theoretical model that establish convincingly that this behavior results from a collective, entropy-driven breakup of the rigid hydrogen bonding networks (HBNs) that hinder the reaction at lower temperatures. For E181Q and S186A, two rhodopsin mutants that disrupt the HBNs near the binding pocket of the 11-cis retinyl chromophore, we observe significant decreases in the activation energy (∼90 kcal/mol) and prefactor (∼1060 s−1), consistent with the conclusion that the reaction rate is enhanced by breakup of the HBN. The results provide insights into the molecular mechanism of dim-light vision and eye diseases caused by inherited mutations in the rhodopsin gene that perturb the HBNs.
Correlated natural transition orbital framework for low-scaling excitation energy calculations (CorNFLEx)
Authors: Baudin Pablo , Kristensen Kasper
Published: June 2017

We present a new framework for calculating coupled cluster (CC) excitation energies at a reduced computational cost. It relies on correlated natural transition orbitals (NTOs), denoted CIS(D′)-NTOs, which are obtained by diagonalizing generalized hole and particle density matrices determined from configuration interaction singles (CIS) information and additional terms that represent correlation effects. A transition-specific reduced orbital space is determined based on the eigenvalues of the CIS(D′)-NTOs, and a standard CC excitation energy calculation is then performed in that reduced orbital space. The new method is denoted CorNFLEx (Correlated Natural transition orbital Framework for Low-scaling Excitation energy calculations). We calculate second-order approximate CC singles and doubles (CC2) excitation energies for a test set of organic molecules and demonstrate that CorNFLEx yields excitation energies of CC2 quality at a significantly reduced computational cost, even for relatively small systems and delocalized electronic transitions. In order to illustrate the potential of the method for large molecules, we also apply CorNFLEx to calculate CC2 excitation energies for a series of solvated formamide clusters (up to 4836 basis functions).
Capillary breakup of armored liquid filaments
Authors: Zou Jun , Lin Fangye , Ji Chen
Published: June 2017

An armored liquid filament is a liquid column wherein particles reside on the liquid-air interface rather than in the bulk of the filament, as is true of a suspension filament. Herein, the capillary breakup of armored liquid filaments is studied using a high-speed camera, where the thinning process can be divided into three stages: the armored liquid stage, the transition stage, and the liquid stage. At the armored liquid stage, the thinning is approximately uniform along the filament. In the transition stage, local deformation occurs and thinning is accelerated owing to the large curvature along the filament. Finally, at the liquid stage, the thinning behavior is similar to that of particle-free filaments. The main focus in the present work is on the armored liquid stage, wherein the volume density of particles in the liquid filament remains nearly constant. In addition, the relative distances between particles in the axial direction on the filament do not change at this stage. By defining an effective surface tension γeff, a model is established to estimate the neck thinning process at this stage.
The linear stability of Hunt-Rayleigh-Bénard flow
Authors: Qi Tian-Yu , Liu Chan , Ni Ming-Jiu , Yang Juan-Cheng
Published: June 2017

The stability of a pressure driven flow in a duct heated from below and subjected to a vertical magnetic field (Hunt-Rayleigh-Bénard flow) is studied. We use the Chebyshev collocation approach to solve the eigenvalue problem for the small-amplitude perturbations. It is demonstrated that the magnetic field can stabilize the flow, while the temperature field can disturb the flow. There exists a threshold for the Hartmann number below which the growth rate changes with the Prandtl number non-monotonously (first increases and then decreases) with a critical Prandtl number for the maximum growth rate. By comparing the Re–α neutral curves at different Rayleigh numbers, we find that the critical Reynolds number decreases with the increase in the Rayleigh number, which has an obvious influence on the long-wave instability and a little influence on the short-wave instability. The dominant mode of the long-wave instability changes from the boundary layer instability to the inflectional instability with the increase in the growth rate, which forms a new flow map. We also compare the Ra–α curves and find that the critical Rayleigh number decreases with the increase in the Reynolds number. The obtained results gain an insight into the flow stability affected by the temperature field and the magnetic field.
Deep-core photoabsorption and photofragmentation of tetrachloromethane near the Cl K-edge
Authors: Stolte W. C. , Santos A. C. F. , de Souza G. G. B. , Sant’Anna M. M. , Leung K. T.
Published: June 2017

The fragmentation of the tetrachloromethane molecule following core-shell photoexcitation and photoionization in the neighborhood of the chlorine K-edge has been studied by using time-of-flight mass spectroscopy and monochromatic synchrotron radiation. Branching ratios for ionic dissociation were derived for all the detected ions, which are informative of the decay dynamics and photofragmentation patterns of the core-excited species. In addition, the absorption yield has been measured with a new assignment of the spectral features. The structure that appears above the Cl 1s ionization potential in the photoionization spectrum has been ascribed to the existing connection with electron-CCl4 scattering through experimental data and calculations for low-energy electron-molecule cross sections. In addition, the production of the doubly ionized Cl fragment, Cl2+, as a function of the photon energy has been analysed in the terms of a simple and an appealing physical picture, the half-collision model.
Modeling the nonlinear dielectric response of glass formers
Authors: Buchenau U.
Published: June 2017

The recently developed pragmatical model of asymmetric double-well potentials with a finite lifetime is applied to nonlinear dielectric data in polar undercooled liquids. The viscous effects from the finite lifetime provide a crossover from the cooperative jumps of many molecules at short times to the motion of statistically independent molecules at long times. The model allows us to determine the size of cooperatively rearranging regions from nonlinear ω-data and throws new light on a known inconsistency between nonlinear ω and 3ω-signals for glycerol and propylene carbonate.
Study of “source sheath” problem in PIC/MC simulation: Spherical geometry
Authors: Trunec David , Zikán Petr , Wagner Jakub , Bonaventura Zdeněk
Published: June 2017

A method for treatment of boundary conditions and particle loading in a self-consistent semi-infinite Particle-In-Cell/Monte Carlo simulation is presented. A non-ionizing, collisional plasma in contact with an electrode was assumed. The simulation was performed for a spherical probe with constant probe potential. The motion of charged particles was calculated in three dimensions, but only the radial charge distribution and thus only radial electric field were assumed. The particle loading has to be done with an appropriate velocity distribution with a radial drift velocity. This drift velocity has to be calculated from the probe current, and therefore, a self-consistent (iterative) approach is necessary. Furthermore, correct values of particle densities and electric field potential at the outer boundary of the computational domain have to be set using asymptotic formulae for particle density and electric field potential. This approach removes the “source sheath” which is created artificially, if incorrect boundary conditions and velocity distributions of loaded particles are used. This approach is, however, feasible only for the case of a negative probe where asymptotic formulae are known.
Two-probe atomic-force microscope manipulator and its applications
Authors: Zhukov A. A. , Stolyarov V. S. , Kononenko O. V.
Published: June 2017

We report on a manipulator based on a two-probe atomic force microscope (AFM) with an individual feedback system for each probe. This manipulator works under an upright optical microscope with 3 mm focal distance. The design of the microscope helps us tomanipulate nanowires using the microscope probes as a two-prong fork. The AFM feedback is realized based on the dynamic full-time contact mode. The applications of the manipulator and advantages of its two-probe design are presented.
UK healthcare professionals’ uncertainties, barriers and facilitators to the introduction of targeted human papillomavirus vaccination for men who have sex with men
Authors: Nadarzynski Tom , Llewellyn Carrie , Richardson Daniel , Pollard Alex , Smith Helen
Published: June 2017

Background: Female-only human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination will fail to protect men who have sex with men (MSM) against HPV and its sequelae (i.e. genital warts and anal cancers). In the absence of gender-neutral HPV vaccination, targeted vaccination at sexual health clinics for MSM offers a valuable preventive opportunity. This study aimed to identify sexual healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) perceived barriers and facilitators for MSM-targeted HPV vaccination. Methods: Nineteen telephone interviews with UK-based self-referred HCPs (13 doctors, three nurses, three health advisers) were conducted in October and November 2014. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed thematically by two researchers. Results: HCPs were unsure about selection criteria, acceptable healthcare settings and the source of vaccination funding for the introduction of MSM-targeted HPV vaccination. Lack of political and public support, MSMs’ limited access to HPV vaccination and disclosure of sexual orientation to HCPs, identification of eligible MSM, patients’ poor HPV awareness and motivation to complete HPV vaccination were perceived as significant barriers. HCPs believed that the introduction of official guidelines on HPV vaccination for MSM, awareness campaigns and integrated clinic procedures could improve vaccination coverage. Conclusion: HCPs recognised a need to protect MSM against HPV. However, several challenges and obstacles associated with the introduction of MSM-targeted HPV vaccination in the UK were reported. HCPs’ perspectives and concerns need to be addressed when developing policies and guidelines for a potential MSM-targeted HPV vaccination. Future research needs to examine whether negative views of HCPs towards MSM-targeted HPV vaccination are associated with lower HPV vaccine uptake and completion rates in MSM.
Ecosystem-based management and the wealth of ecosystems
Authors: Yun Seong Do , Hutniczak Barbara , Abbott Joshua K. , Fenichel Eli P.
Published: June 2017

Significance

Ecosystems store vast quantities of wealth, but difficulties measuring wealth held in ecosystems prevent its inclusion in accounting systems. Ecosystem-based management endeavors to manage ecosystems holistically. However, ecosystem-based management lacks headline indicators to evaluate performance. We unify the inclusive wealth and ecosystem-based management paradigms, allowing apples-to-apples comparisons between the wealth of the ecosystem and other forms of wealth, while providing a headline performance index for evaluating the performance of ecosystem-based management. We project that the Baltic Sea fishery ecosystem yields increasing stores of wealth over the next 50 y under the ecosystem-based management-inspired multispecies maximum sustainable yield management beginning in 2017, whereas the previous single-species management generally results in declining wealth.
Recent evolution of extreme cestode growth suppression by a vertebrate host
Authors: Weber Jesse N. , Steinel Natalie C. , Shim Kum Chuan , Bolnick Daniel I.
Published: June 2017

Significance

Large parasites are a persistent source of morbidity and mortality in humans, domesticated animals, and wildlife. Hosts are subject to strong natural selection to eliminate or tolerate these parasite infections. Here, we document the recent evolution of a striking form of resistance by a vertebrate host (threespine stickleback) against its cestode parasite (
Schistocephalus solidus
). After the Pleistocene glacial retreat, marine stickleback colonized freshwater lakes, encountered
Schistocephalus
, and evolved varying levels of resistance to it. We show that heavily and rarely infected populations of stickleback can similarly resist
Schistocephalus
colonization, but rarely infected fish suppress parasite growth by orders of magnitude. These populations represent ends of a natural continuum of cestode growth suppression which is associated with reduced infection prevalence.
Manipulating the ABCs of self-assembly via low-χ block polymer design
Authors: Chang Alice B. , Bates Christopher M. , Lee Byeongdu , Garland Carol M. , Jones Simon C. , Spencer Russell K. W. , Matsen Mark W. , Grubbs Robert H.
Published: June 2017

Significance

Molecular sequence and interactions dictate the mesoscale structure of all self-assembling soft materials. Block polymers harness this relationship to access a rich variety of nanostructured materials but typically require energetically unfavorable (high-χ) interactions between blocks. Contrary to this convention, we demonstrate that ABC triblock terpolymers featuring low-χ interactions between end blocks can self-assemble into a unique mixed morphology that subverts the demands of chain connectivity. As a consequence of block–block mixing, the characteristic length scales of these self-assembled structures exhibit an unusual trend: As the total polymer size increases, the domain spacing decreases. These developments expand the vocabulary of block polymer design and open additional avenues for manipulating the self-assembly of synthetic macromolecules.
Cellular differentiation state modulates the mRNA export activity of SR proteins
Authors: Botti Valentina , McNicoll François , Steiner Michaela C. , Richter Florian M. , Solovyeva Anfisa , Wegener Marius , Schwich Oliver D. , Poser Ina , Zarnack Kathi , Wittig Ilka , Neugebauer Karla M. , Müller-McNicoll Michaela
Published: June 2017

SR proteins function in nuclear pre-mRNA processing, mRNA export, and translation. To investigate their cellular dynamics, we developed a quantitative assay, which detects differences in nucleocytoplasmic shuttling among seven canonical SR protein family members. As expected, SRSF2 and SRSF5 shuttle poorly in HeLa cells but surprisingly display considerable shuttling in pluripotent murine P19 cells. Combining individual-resolution cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP) and mass spectrometry, we show that elevated arginine methylation of SRSF5 and lower phosphorylation levels of cobound SRSF2 enhance shuttling of SRSF5 in P19 cells by modulating protein–protein and protein–RNA interactions. Moreover, SRSF5 is bound to pluripotency-specific transcripts such as Lin28a and Pou5f1/Oct4 in the cytoplasm. SRSF5 depletion reduces and overexpression increases their cytoplasmic mRNA levels, suggesting that enhanced mRNA export by SRSF5 is required for the expression of pluripotency factors. Remarkably, neural differentiation of P19 cells leads to dramatically reduced SRSF5 shuttling. Our findings indicate that posttranslational modification of SR proteins underlies the regulation of their mRNA export activities and distinguishes pluripotent from differentiated cells.
EpiCompare: an online tool to define and explore genomic regions with tissue or cell type-specific epigenomic features
Authors: He Yu , Wang Ting
Published: June 2017

Motivation

The Human Reference Epigenome Map, generated by the Roadmap Epigenomics Consortium, contains thousands of genome-wide epigenomic datasets that describe epigenomes of a variety of different human tissue and cell types. This map has allowed investigators to obtain a much deeper and more comprehensive view of our regulatory genome, e.g. defining regulatory elements including all promoters and enhancers for a given tissue or cell type. An outstanding task is to combine and compare different epigenomes in order to identify regions with epigenomic features specific to certain types of tissues or cells, e.g. lineage-specific regulatory elements. Currently available tools do not directly address this question. This need motivated us to develop a tool that allows investigators to easily identify regions with epigenetic features unique to specific epigenomes that they choose, making detection of common regulatory elements and/or cell type-specific regulatory elements an interactive and dynamic experience.

Results

An online tool EpiCompare was developed to assist investigators in exploring the specificity of epigenomic features across selected tissue and cell types. Investigators can design their test by choosing different combinations of epigenomes, and choosing different classification algorithms provided by our tool. EpiCompare will then identify regions with specified epigenomic features, and provide a quality assessment of the predictions. Investigators can interact with EpiCompare by investigating Roadmap Epigenomics data, or uploading their own data for comparison. We demonstrate that by using specific combinations of epigenomes we can detect developmental lineage-specific enhancers. Finally, prediction results can be readily visualized and further explored in the WashU Epigenome Browser.

Availability and implementation

EpiCompare is freely available on the web at http://epigenome.wustl.edu/EpiCompare/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sparse redundancy analysis of high-dimensional genetic and genomic data
Authors: Csala Attila , Voorbraak Frans P J M , Zwinderman Aeilko H , Hof Michel H
Published: June 2017

Motivation

Recent technological developments have enabled the possibility of genetic and genomic integrated data analysis approaches, where multiple omics datasets from various biological levels are combined and used to describe (disease) phenotypic variations. The main goal is to explain and ultimately predict phenotypic variations by understanding their genetic basis and the interaction of the associated genetic factors. Therefore, understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms of phenotypic variations is an ever increasing research interest in biomedical sciences. In many situations, we have a set of variables that can be considered to be the outcome variables and a set that can be considered to be explanatory variables. Redundancy analysis (RDA) is an analytic method to deal with this type of directionality. Unfortunately, current implementations of RDA cannot deal optimally with the high dimensionality of omics data (p≫n). The existing theoretical framework, based on Ridge penalization, is suboptimal, since it includes all variables in the analysis. As a solution, we propose to use Elastic Net penalization in an iterative RDA framework to obtain a sparse solution.

Results

We proposed sparse redundancy analysis (sRDA) for high dimensional omics data analysis. We conducted simulation studies with our software implementation of sRDA to assess the reliability of sRDA. Both the analysis of simulated data, and the analysis of 485 512 methylation markers and 18,424 gene-expression values measured in a set of 55 patients with Marfan syndrome show that sRDA is able to deal with the usual high dimensionality of omics data.

Availability and implementation

http://uva.csala.me/rda.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Risk Factors for Readmission with Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage Within 30 Days of Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery
Authors: Alattar Ali A , Hirshman Brian R , McCutcheon Brandon A , Chen Clark C , Alexander Thomas , Harris Jeffrey , Carter Bob S
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a well-recognized complication after surgical resection of vestibular schwannomas and is associated with a number of secondary complications, including readmission and meningitis.

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for and timing of 30-d readmission with CSF leak.

METHODS

Patients who had undergone surgical resection of a vestibular schwannoma from 1995 to 2010 were identified in the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. The most common admission diagnoses were identified by International Classification of Disease, ninth Revision, diagnosis codes, and predictors of readmission with CSF leak were determined using logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 6820 patients were identified. CSF leak, though a relatively uncommon cause of admission after discharge (3.52% of all patients), was implicated in nearly half of 490 readmissions (48.98%). Significant independent predictors of readmission with CSF leak were male sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-2.25), first admission at a teaching hospital (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.06-10.39), CSF leak during first admission (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.33-2.55), obesity during first admission (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.20-3.66), and case volume of first admission hospital (OR of log case volume 0.82, 95% CI 0.70-0.95). Median time to readmission was 6 d from hospital discharge.

CONCLUSION

This study has quantified CSF leak as an important contributor to nearly half of all readmissions following vestibular schwannoma surgery. We propose that surgeons should focus on technical factors that may reduce CSF leakage and take advantage of potential screening strategies for the detection of CSF leakage prior to first admission discharge.
Identification of Leaf Rust Resistance Genes in Chinese Common Wheat Cultivars
Authors: Gebrewahid Takele Weldu , Yao Zhan-Jun , Yan Xiao-Cui , Gao Pu , Li Zai-Feng
Published: June 2017

Puccinia triticina Eriks. (Pt), the causal agent of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaf rust, is the most widespread disease of common wheat worldwide. In the present study, 83 wheat cultivars from three provinces of China and 36 tester lines with known leaf rust resistance (Lr) genes were inoculated in the greenhouse with 18 Pt pathotypes to identify seedling effective Lr genes. Field tests were also performed to characterize slow leaf rusting responses at the adult plant growth stage in Baoding and Zhoukou in the 2014–15 and 2015–16 cropping seasons. Twelve Lr genes, viz. Lr1, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr10, Lr2b, Lr13, Lr21, Lr34, Lr37, Lr44, and Lr46 either singly or in combination were identified in 41 cultivars. Known Lr genes were not detected in the remaining 42 cultivars. The most commonly identified resistance genes were Lr26 (20 cultivars), Lr46 (18 cultivars), and Lr1 (eight cultivars). Less frequently detected genes included Lr13, Lr34, and Lr37 (each present in four cultivars), Lr10 (three cultivars), and Lr3ka and Lr44 (each in two cultivars). Evidence for the presence of genes Lr11, Lr2b, and Lr21 (each in one cultivar) was also obtained. Seventeen cultivars were found to have slow rusting resistance in both field growing seasons.
Responses of Aphid Vectors of Potato leaf roll virus to Potato Varieties
Authors: Mondal Shaonpius , Wenninger Erik J. , Hutchinson Pamela J.S. , Whitworth Jonathan L. , Shrestha Deepak , Eigenbrode Sanford D. , Bosque-Pérez Nilsa A. , Snyder William E.
Published: June 2017

Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) can reduce tuber yield and quality in potato. Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae [Sulzer]) and potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae [Thomas]) are the two most important potato-colonizing PLRV vectors in the Pacific Northwest. We compared My. persicae and Ma. euphorbiae densities and PLRV incidences among potato varieties in the field to clarify the relationships between aphid abundance and PLRV incidence in plants. Aphids were sampled weekly over three years in the potato varieties Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, and Russet Norkotah in a replicated field trial. In all years, My. persicae was more abundant than Ma. euphorbiae, representing at least 97% of samples. My. persicae densities did not differ among potato varieties across years; very low numbers of Ma. euphorbiae precluded such statistical comparisons for this species. PLRV infection did not differ significantly among potato varieties, although the percent of PLRV-infected plants differed among years when all varieties were combined (46% in 2013, 29% in 2011, 13% in 2012). For Ranger Russet and Russet Norkotah, PLRV incidence was positively correlated with aphid abundance as well as proportion of PLRV-positive aphids. In Russet Burbank, only aphid abundance was positively correlated with PLRV infection. Our results suggest that the three most commonly grown potato varieties in our region do not differ in their susceptibility to PLRV infection, and that aphid density was a consistent indicator of the risk of infection by this virus across varieties. Both of these findings can be used to hone PLRV monitoring and modeling efforts.
Quantitative Trait Loci for Slow-Rusting Resistance to Leaf Rust in Doubled-Haploid Wheat Population CI13227 × Lakin
Authors: Lu Yue , Bowden Robert L. , Zhang Guorong , Xu Xiangyang , Fritz Allan K. , Bai Guihua
Published: June 2017

CI13227 is a U.S. winter wheat line with adult-plant slow-rusting resistance that has been the subject of several studies on the characteristics and components of slow rusting. Previous genetic studies used different populations and approaches and came to different conclusions about the genetic basis of resistance in CI13227. To clarify the situation, a new doubled-haploid (DH) population of CI13227 × Lakin was produced and a linkage map was constructed using 5,570 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers derived from wheat 90K SNP assays and 84 simple sequence repeat markers. Three quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for three slow-rusting traits on chromosome arms 2DS, 7AL, and 7BL from CI13227. A fourth QTL mapped on chromosome 3BS was from Lakin. The QTL on 2DS, designated QLr.hwwg-2DS, explained 11.2 to 25.6% of the phenotypic variation. It was found in the same position as a slow-rusting QTL in the CI13227 × Suwon 92 population in a previous study and, thus, verified the 2DS QTL. The QTL on chromosome 7BL explained 8.1 and 19.3% of the phenotypic variation and is likely to be Lr68. The other two QTL showed a minor effect on some of the traits evaluated in a single experiment. Flanking SNP closely linked to all QTL were converted to Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction markers that can be used in marker-assisted selection to transfer these QTL into adapted wheat cultivars.
Treatment of Scoliosis Associated With Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita
Authors: Komolkin Igor , Ulrich Edvard V. , Agranovich Olga E. , van Bosse Harold J.P.
Published: June 2017

Scoliosis in children with arthrogryposis occurs in the minority of patients, but appears early, often present at birth. Curves can progress quickly. Treatment options include spine casting, bracing, expandable implant surgery, and spinal fusion. The goal is to allow as much chest growth and development as possible, along with a resulting well-balanced spine.
Background to the 2nd International Symposium on Arthrogryposis
Authors: Lester Ruth , Hall Judith G. , Pontén Eva , van Bosse Harold J.P.
Published: June 2017

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital is a relatively uncommon condition, with little consensus on treatment. In 2007, the 1st International Symposium on Arthrogryposis was held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, to bring together patients, their families, and a multinational group of health care experts in the field of arthrogryposis, to discuss various aspects of the care of patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenital. From that meeting, there was a coalescence of thought on diagnosis and classification, a sharing of practices on treatments and their outcomes, and an agreement on future directions. At the beginning of the 2nd International Symposium on Arthrogryposis held in Saint Petersburg in September 2014, Russia, these “lessons learnt” were synopsized to set the tone for the new meeting.
Genetics and Classifications
Authors: Hall Judith G. , Kimber Eva , van Bosse Harold J. P.
Published: June 2017

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital (AMC) is a descriptive term for a group of conditions that all share the characteristic of congenital contractures. There are an estimated 400 discrete diagnoses that can lead to a child being born with arthrogryposis. The 2 biggest categories of conditions are amyoplasia and distal arthrogryposis, which combined make up ∼50% to 65% of all diagnoses within the AMC subset. Amyoplasia, the most common AMC condition, seems to be a nongenetic syndrome, leading to very characteristic upper and lower limb contractures. The distal arthrogryposes, in contrast, have an underlying genetic abnormality, which in many cases seems to target the fast twitch muscles of the developing fetus. Classifying AMC is a difficult task, given the broad range of conditions represented. Four different classification schemes are presented.
Adults Living With Amyoplasia: Function, Psychosocial Aspects, and the Benefit of AMC Support Groups
Authors: Steen Unni , Christensen Elise , Samargian Ani
Published: June 2017

Little is known about how adults manage living with amyoplasia. Two studies concerning adults with amyoplasia were conducted; a cross-sectional study and a qualitative study. The aims were to describe body functions, activity and participation, and to explore psychosocial dimensions. This article also emphasizes the importance of Patient Support Groups as arenas for sharing experience and gaining knowledge.
Novel imaging techniques in gynaecological cancer
Authors: Vandecaveye Vincent , Dresen Raphaëla , De Keyzer Frederik
Published: June 2017

Purpose of review

To describe the added value of novel functional MRI techniques towards detection, staging, characterization, response monitoring and prognostication in gynaecological cancer.

Recent findings

Functional MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-MRI and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI adds structural, hemodynamic and physiological information to anatomical MRI. In endometrial and cervical cancer, the addition of DWI-MRI and DCE-MRI improves tumour detection as well as staging of uterine and extra-uterine pelvic spread. Quantitative assessment of DWI and DCE-MRI reflecting tissue properties of biological aggressiveness or treatment resistance may enable the prediction of risk of extra-uterine or extra-ovarian disease spread, predict risk of recurrence and assess treatment response. DWI shows high accuracy for detecting peritoneal metastases and allows for comprehensive staging of (recurrent) ovarian cancer following the clinical development of whole body DWI-MRI.

The added value of DWI/DCE-MRI for characterization and staging of gynaecological malignancy is becoming increasingly established and may improve treatment stratification. Ongoing multicentre studies are expected to further consolidate its use in clinical routine. Quantitative evaluation of functional MRI may help in prognostication and risk stratification.
Determinants and Timeline of Perioperative Anxiety in Mohs Surgery
Authors: Kossintseva Irèn , Zloty David
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) exhibit anxiety relating to cancer cure or the expected cosmetic outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To obtain quantitative measurements of perioperative cancer and cosmetic anxiety levels in first-time MMS patients. Parameters influencing anxiety and its natural course were assessed.

METHODS

Prospective, single-blinded, questionnaire study of 173 patients undergoing MMS of the face. Anxiety levels were assessed using a visual analog scale preoperatively and postoperatively over 6 months.

RESULTS

Mohs patients demonstrate a trend to greater or equal anxiety about cancer over cosmesis at all measured time points, but differences only reached statistical significance beginning 1 week postoperatively. Clinically relevant lowering of cancer anxiety levels is delayed until 3 months postoperatively. Cosmetic anxiety reaches a clinically relevant improvement by 1 week. The intuitive predictors of cosmetic anxiety, namely female gender and younger age, were quantitatively reinforced in this study. The predictor of cancer anxiety was the use of preoperative lorazepam.

CONCLUSION

To maximize patient care, Mohs surgeons must be aware of covert patient anxieties and the parameters, which influence these anxieties. Identifying and anticipating the course of cancer- and cosmetic-related anxieties will reduce patient fears, improving their satisfaction with the MMS experience.
Use of Turn-in Skin Flaps for Nasal Lining Reconstruction
Authors: Yazar Memet , Yazar Sevgi Kurt , Kozanoğlu Erol , Diyarbakırlıoğlu Murat , Eren Hikmet İhsan
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of the nasal lining is the most difficult part of complex nasal reconstruction because the mucosa has a unique texture and fineness. Many techniques, ranging from skin grafts to local flaps, have been applied for the reconstruction of the mucosa. In some cases, even free flaps have been used.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to discuss the feasibility of using turn-in flaps in nasal reconstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventeen patients with full-thickness nasal defects underwent reconstruction with turn-in flaps. In all the patients, the bone structure was formed using cartilage grafts, and the skin defects were reconstructed using paramedian forehead flaps. A rhinoplasty procedure was added in 10 of the patients.

RESULTS

Necrosis was not observed in any of the flaps, and the results were satisfactory for all the patients.

CONCLUSION

This technique provided enough support for the onlay cartilage grafts, and the flap was thin enough to avoid any nasal airway obstruction. In selected patients, this technique can also be used in conjunction with a rhinoplasty procedure.
Implant Strategy–Specific Changes in Symptoms in Response to Left Ventricular Assist Devices
Authors: Lee Christopher S. , Gelow Jill M. , Chien Christopher V. , Hiatt Shirin O. , Bidwell Julie T. , Denfeld Quin E. , Grady Kathleen L. , Mudd James O.
Published: June 2017

Background:

Although we know that the quality of life generally improves after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, we know little about how symptoms change in response to LVAD.

Methods:

The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in symptoms between bridge and destination therapy patients as part of a prospective cohort study. Physical (dyspnea and wake disturbances) and affective symptoms (depression and anxiety) were measured before LVAD and at 1, 3, and 6 months after LVAD. Multiphase growth modeling was used to capture the 2 major phases of change: initial improvements between preimplant and 1 month after LVAD and subsequent improvements between 1 and 6 months after LVAD.

Results:

The sample included 64 bridge and 22 destination therapy patients as the preimplant strategy. Destination patients had worse preimplant dyspnea and wake disturbances, and they experienced greater initial improvements in these symptoms compared with bridge patients (all P < .05); subsequent change in both symptoms were similar between groups (both P > .05). Destination patients had worse preimplant depression (P = .042) but experienced similar initial and subsequent improvements in depression in response to LVAD compared with bridge patients (both P > .05). Destination patients had similar preimplant anxiety (P = .279) but experienced less initial and greater subsequent improvements in anxiety after LVAD compared with bridge patients (both P < .05).

Conclusion:

There are many differences in the magnitude and timing of change in symptom responses to LVAD between bridge and destination therapy patients. Detailed information on changes in specific symptoms may better inform shared decision-making regarding LVAD.
Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction Supplementation Improves Cognitive Functioning in Schizophrenia
Authors: Bruno Antonio , Pandolfo Gianluca , Crucitti Manuela , Cedro Clemente , Zoccali Rocco Antonio , Muscatello Maria Rosaria Anna
Published: June 2017

Background

Novel treatment strategies for cognitive dysfunctions may prevent long-term disability in patients with schizophrenia, and polyphenolic compounds might be a promising strategy. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), a citrus fruit characterized by a high amount of flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides, may represent a potential nutraceutical approach to cognitive dysfunction. The present study was aimed to explore the efficacy of bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF) supplementation on cognitive/executive functioning in a sample of patients with schizophrenia receiving second-generation antipsychotics.

Methods

Twenty outpatients treated with second-generation antipsychotics assumed BPF at an oral daily dose of 1000 mg/d for 8 weeks. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Verbal Fluency Task-Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Stroop Color-Word Test were administered.

Results

At end point, (week 8) BPF supplementation significantly improved WCST “perseverative errors” (P = 0.004) and semantic fluency test (P = 0.004). Moreover, a trend for other cognitive variable (WCST “categories,” phonemic fluency, and Stroop Color-Word Test) improvement was observed.

Conclusions

The findings provide evidence that BPF administration may be proposed as a potential supplementation strategy to improve cognitive outcome in schizophrenia. Further clinical trials with adequately powered and well-designed methodology are needed to better explore the BPF effectiveness on cognitive impairments in patients with schizophrenia.