bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Prevention of Oxidative Deterioration of Fish Oil: Focus on Flavor Deterioration
Authors: Miyashita Kazuo , Uemura Mariko , Hosokawa Masashi
Published: January 2018

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), both abundant in fish oil, are known to have significant biochemical and physiological effects primarily linked to the improvement of human health, especially cardiovascular and brain health. However, the incorporation of fish oil into foods and beverages is often challenging, as fish oil is very easily oxidized and can cause undesirable flavors. This review discusses this rapid formation of the fishy and metallic off-flavors, focusing especially on an early stage of fish oil oxidation. Although oxidative stability and quality of commercialized fish oil have improved over the past few years, there is a still a problem with its application: Flavor deterioration can be found even at very low oxidation levels. This review also notes the effective way to inhibit the formation of the volatile compounds responsible for the flavor deterioration.
Kindlin-1 Promotes Pulmonary Breast Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Sarvi Sana , Patel Hitesh , Li Jun , Dodd Georgia L. , Creedon Helen , Muir Morwenna , Ward Jocelyn , Dawson John C. , Lee Martin , Culley Jayne , Salter Donald M. , Sims Andrew H. , Byron Adam , Brunton Valerie G.
Published: January 2018

In breast cancer, increased expression of the cytoskeletal adaptor protein Kindlin-1 has been linked to increased risks of lung metastasis, but the functional basis is unknown. Here, we show that in a mouse model of polyomavirus middle T antigen–induced mammary tumorigenesis, loss of Kindlin-1 reduced early pulmonary arrest and later development of lung metastasis. This phenotype relied on the ability of Kindlin-1 to bind and activate β integrin heterodimers. Kindlin-1 loss reduced α4 integrin–mediated adhesion of mammary tumor cells to the adhesion molecule VCAM-1 on endothelial cells. Treating mice with an anti–VCAM-1 blocking antibody prevented early pulmonary arrest. Kindlin-1 loss also resulted in reduced secretion of several factors linked to metastatic spread, including the lung metastasis regulator tenascin-C, showing that Kindlin-1 regulated metastatic dissemination by an additional mechanism in the tumor microenvironment. Overall, our results show that Kindlin-1 contributes functionally to early pulmonary metastasis of breast cancer.

Significance: These findings provide a mechanistic proof in mice that Kindin-1, an integrin-binding adaptor protein, is a critical mediator of early lung metastasis of breast cancer. Cancer Res; 78(6); 1484–96. ©2018 AACR.
Personalized RNA Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Gilles Maud-Emmanuelle , Hao Liangliang , Huang Ling , Rupaimoole Rajesha , Lopez-Casas Pedro P. , Pulver Emilia , Jeong Jong Cheol , Muthuswamy Senthil K. , Hidalgo Manuel , Bhatia Sangeeta N. , Slack Frank J.
Published: January 2018

Purpose: Since drug responses vary between patients, it is crucial to develop pre-clinical or co-clinical strategies that forecast patient response. In this study, we tested whether RNA-based therapeutics were suitable for personalized medicine by using patient-derived-organoid (PDO) and patient-derived-xenograft (PDX) models.

Experimental Design: We performed microRNA (miRNA) profiling of PDX samples to determine the status of miRNA deregulation in individual pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. To deliver personalized RNA-based-therapy targeting oncogenic miRNAs that form part of this common PDAC miRNA over-expression signature, we packaged antimiR oligonucleotides against one of these miRNAs in tumor-penetrating nanocomplexes (TPN) targeting cell surface proteins on PDAC tumors.

Results: As a validation for our pre-clinical strategy, the therapeutic potential of one of our nano-drugs, TPN-21, was first shown to decrease tumor cell growth and survival in PDO avatars for individual patients, then in their PDX avatars.

Conclusions: This general approach appears suitable for co-clinical validation of personalized RNA medicine and paves the way to prospectively identify patients with eligible miRNA profiles for personalized RNA-based therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 24(7); 1734–47. ©2018 AACR.
The Role of Preoperative Steroids for Hearing Preservation Cochlear Implantation: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kuthubutheen Jafri , Joglekar Samidha , Smith Leah , Friesen Lendra , Smilsky Kari , Millman Tara , Ng Amy , Shipp David , Coates Harvey , Arnoldner Christoph , Nedzelski Julian , Chen Joseph , Lin Vincent
Published: January 2018

Objectives: To determine whether preoperative steroids can improve hearing outcomes in cochlear implantation (CI). Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial involving 30 postlingual deaf CI patients. Subjects had preoperative thresholds of better than or equal to 80 dB at 125 and 250 Hz, and better than or equal to 90 dB at 500 and 1,000 Hz. The subjects were randomized to a control group, an oral steroid group (receiving 1 mg/kg/day of prednisolone for 6 days prior to surgery), or a transtympanic steroid group (receiving a single dose of 0.5 mL of 10 mg/mL dexamethasone at 24 h prior to surgery). Results: The subjects receiving transtympanic steroids had a significant decrease in the pure tone average over 3 months compared to the control and oral steroid group, which persisted over 12 months (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A single dose of preoperative transtympanic steroids prior to CI appears to have a beneficial effect, at least in the short term, with minimal effects seen in the longer term.
Normalization of Deviation: Quotation Error in Human Factors
Authors: Lock Jordan , Bearman Chris
Published: January 2018

Objective

The objective of this paper is to examine quotation error in human factors.

Background

Science progresses through building on the work of previous research. This requires accurate quotation. Quotation error has a number of adverse consequences: loss of credibility, loss of confidence in the journal, and a flawed basis for academic debate and scientific progress. Quotation error has been observed in a number of domains, including marine biology and medicine, but there has been little or no previous study of this form of error in human factors, a domain that specializes in the causes and management of error.

Methods

A study was conducted examining quotation accuracy of 187 extracts from 118 published articles that cited a control article (Vaughan’s 1996 book: The Challenger Launch Decision: Risky Technology, Culture, and Deviance at NASA).

Results

Of extracts studied, 12.8% ( n = 24) were classed as inaccurate, with 87.2% ( n = 163) being classed as accurate. A second dimension of agreement was examined with 96.3% ( n = 180) agreeing with the control article and only 3.7% ( n = 7) disagreeing. The categories of accuracy and agreement form a two by two matrix.

Conclusion

Rather than simply blaming individuals for quotation error, systemic factors should also be considered. Vaughan’s theory, normalization of deviance, is one systemic theory that can account for quotation error.

Application

Quotation error is occurring in human factors and should receive more attention. According to Vaughan’s theory, the normal everyday systems that promote scholarship may also allow mistakes, mishaps, and quotation error to occur.
Germany on the Couch: Psychology and the Development of British Subversive Propaganda to Nazi Germany
Authors: Graham Kirk Robert
Published: January 2018

New developments in social psychology proliferated in Britain and the USA throughout the 1930s. With the advent of war, psychology promised insight into the Nazi mind. Some war departments were particularly enthusiastic about these intellectual developments. The USA’s OSS can claim credit for bringing Frankfurt School neo-Freudianism onto the public stage. In Britain meanwhile, the Ministry of Information turned to behaviourism in order to better understand the British public. But the propagandists of the Political Warfare Executive (PWE), charged with the subversion of enemy morale, were wary of new perspectives. Psychology was valuable only so long as it was practical. For PWE, this meant that psychopathological orientations, which emphasized ahistorical German distinction, were for much of the war favoured over behaviourism or neo-Freudianism.

This article examines the role that psychology played in British subversive propaganda directed at Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Did psychology offer any answers to the ‘German problem'? And what made PWE distinct from contemporary propaganda organizations? PWE's particular engagement with psychology demonstrates the diverse and often culturally contingent ways in which psychology transitioned from the academy to the public sphere, and offers new insight into British wartime perspectives on Nazi Germany.
Brain Functional Changes before, during, and after Clinical Pain
Authors: Hu X. , Racek A.J. , Bellile E. , Nascimento T.D. , Bender M.C. , Toback R.L. , Burnett D. , Khatib L. , McMahan R. , Kovelman I. , Ellwood R.P. , DaSilva A.F.
Published: January 2018

This study used an emerging brain imaging technique, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), to investigate functional brain activation and connectivity that modulates sometimes traumatic pain experience in a clinical setting. Hemodynamic responses were recorded at bilateral somatosensory (S1) and prefrontal cortices (PFCs) from 12 patients with dentin hypersensitivity in a dental chair before, during, and after clinical pain. Clinical dental pain was triggered with 20 consecutive descending cold stimulations (32° to 0°C) to the affected teeth. We used a partial least squares path modeling framework to link patients’ clinical pain experience with recorded hemodynamic responses at sequential stages and baseline resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC). Hemodynamic responses at PFC/S1 were sequentially elicited by expectation, cold detection, and pain perception at a high-level coefficient (coefficients: 0.92, 0.98, and 0.99, P < 0.05). We found that the pain ratings were positively affected only at a moderate level of coefficients by such sequence of functional activation (coefficient: 0.52, P < 0.05) and the baseline PFC-S1 RSFC (coefficient: 0.59, P < 0.05). Furthermore, when the dental pain had finally subsided, the PFC increased its functional connection with the affected S1 orofacial region contralateral to the pain stimulus and, in contrast, decreased with the ipsilateral homuncular S1 regions ( P < 0.05). Our study indicated for the first time that patients’ clinical pain experience in the dental chair can be predicted concomitantly by their baseline functional connectivity between S1 and PFC, as well as their sequence of ongoing hemodynamic responses. In addition, this linked cascade of events had immediate after-effects on the patients’ brain connectivity, even when clinical pain had already ceased. Our findings offer a better understating of the ongoing impact of affective and sensory experience in the brain before, during, and after clinical dental pain.
Malpractice litigation in acute stroke care – where are we now?
Authors: Leung Gilberto KK , Porter Gerard
Published: January 2018

Acute stroke care has undergone momentous changes in recent years with the introduction of intravenous thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy and integrated stroke services. While these are welcome developments, they also carry unique medico-legal challenges. In 2015, a patient from Greater Manchester was awarded over £1 million in compensation after ambulance paramedics failed to admit her to a specialist unit. This paper explores the medico-legal implications of this first but over looked thrombolysis-related claim in the United Kingdom. It is submitted that the highly time-dependent and multidisciplinary nature of acute stroke care may expose a host of healthcare personnel, both medical and non-medical, to risks of legal pursuit for failing to provide appropriate care, and that available scientific evidence will likely support such claims. The situation calls for an urgent and concerted effort at implementing improvement measures at national levels. A reminder of the legal consequences of substandard acute stroke care is timely and necessary.
Effect of heat-setting on the physical properties of chemically recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics
Authors: Choi Yeon Joo , Kim IckSoo , Kim Seong Hun
Published: January 2018

Chemically recycled polyester fibers consisting of a core and sheath layer were used to produce nonwoven fabrics for ecofriendly automotive interiors. The density and thermal shrinkage of the recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics were higher than in virgin polyester nonwoven fabrics, irrespective of the heat-setting temperature and time, but the air permeability was lower. The wicking property of the recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics decreased significantly above 180℃. The tensile stress and modulus of the recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics increased gradually with increasing heat-setting temperature. However, the strain at maximum stress of the recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics decreased rapidly. The abrasion strength of the recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics improved above a heat-setting temperature of 200℃. The impact strength of the recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics was higher than that of virgin polyester nonwoven fabrics. As the heat-setting temperatures used for the nonwoven fabrics were higher than the melting temperature of chemically recycled and virgin polyester fibers, thermal bonding occurred between fibers. The lightness of the recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics decreased with increased heat-setting temperature and time. The recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics also showed slight yellowing. The thermal bonding between the fibers in the recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics was generated at a lower heat-setting temperature than for virgin polyester nonwoven fabrics, and therefore it is considered that under more relaxed heat treatment conditions, the recycled polyester nonwoven fabrics would show a performance similar to that of the virgin ones.
The Impact of Perceived Toxic Leadership on Cynicism in Officer Candidates
Authors: Dobbs James M. , Do James J.
Published: January 2018

Organizational cynicism is a key factor in employee burnout, emotional exhaustion, and turnover and directly reduces organizational citizenship behavior, commitment, and effectiveness. Still, little empirical research examines antecedents of organizational cynicism. This study applies a dark side of leadership framework from an organizational and leadership perspective to examine the relationship between perceived toxic leadership and organizational cynicism in a military educational environment. Survey and interview data were used to assess the relationship between toxic leadership and organizational cynicism as reported by U.S. Air Force Academy cadets. Results demonstrate a positive relationship between toxic leadership and organizational cynicism, such that those who report having leaders with toxic characteristics are likely to have more negative attitudes toward their organization. Self-promotion emerged as the sole significant toxic leadership dimension predicting cynicism. Group differences in perceived toxic leadership are found for race but not for gender or amount of time within the organization.
Profound farce
Authors: Winckler Reto
Published: January 2018

As the genre of farce more generally, Shakespeare’s early farce The Comedy of Errors is often dismissed as superficial because of its farcical elements, or its farcical nature is downplayed by well-meaning critics. In this essay, I argue that it is precisely in its farcical superficiality that the play unfolds sceptical philosophical potential. Employing concepts developed by Ludwig Wittgenstein and Stanley Cavell, I try to show how this farce, in comically unsettling the very foundations of human language, culture and identity, gestures at uncomfortable truths about the fundamental conventionality of human nature and society.
Critical Thinking and Reflective Learning in the Marketing Education Literature: A Historical Perspective and Future Research Needs
Authors: Dahl Andrew J. , Peltier James W. , Schibrowsky John A.
Published: January 2018

Marketing educators have long espoused the importance of critical thinking as a means of developing students’ higher-order problem-solving skills. In this article, we utilize an historical approach to investigate how educators have defined, operationalized, and empirically evaluated the critical thinking construct. To accomplish this, we review the critical thinking literature from three prominent marketing education journals and the leading management education journal. In doing so, we summarize extant critical thinking research across varied pedagogical topics, review empirical findings, and present a conceptual framework for motivating future research.
‘We’ve been here for 2,000 years’: White settlers, Native American DNA and the phenomenon of indigenization
Authors: Leroux Darryl
Published: January 2018

Relying on a populace well-educated in family history based in ancestral genealogy, a robust national genomics sector has developed in Québec over the past decade-and-a-half. The same period roughly coincides with a fourfold increase in the number of individuals and organizations in the region self-identifying with a mixed-race form of indigeneity that is counter to existing Indigenous understandings of kinship and citizenship. This paper examines how recent efforts by genetic scientists, working on a multi-year research project on the ‘diversity’ of the Québec gene pool, intervene in complex settler-Indigenous relations by redefining indigeneity according to the logics of ‘Native American DNA’. Specifically, I demonstrate how genetic scientists mobilize genes associated with Indigenous peoples in ways that support regional efforts to govern settler-Indigenous relations in favour of otherwise white settler claims to Indigenous lands.
Determinants of the Length of Birth Intervals in the Past and Possibilities for Their Study
Authors: Fialova Ludmila , Tesarkova Klara Hulikova , Kuprova Barbora
Published: January 2018

Knowledge of the length of birth intervals in the past and factors influencing them could help us to reveal many aspects of reproductive behavior at that time. The aim of this article is to describe the reproductive behavior in families from Jablonec (Czech lands) before the onset of the fertility transition using survival analysis and Cox regression based on individual observations acquired from family reconstitution. A usability description of these methods is the methodological aim of this article. The results show that birth intervals were affected, above all, by the survival of the previous child, birth order, and age of mother.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Transtibial or Tibial Inlay Techniques: A Meta-analysis of Biomechanical and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Lee Dong-Yeong , Kim Dong-Hee , Kim Hyun-Jung , Ahn Hyeong-Sik , Lee Tae-Ho , Hwang Sun-Chul
Published: January 2018

Background:

Transtibial (TT) or tibial inlay (TI) techniques are commonly used for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR). However, the optimum method for PCLR after PCL injury remains debatable.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

The hypothesis was that TT and TI techniques would not show significant differences for all outcome measures. The purpose was to determine the biomechanical and clinical outcomes of TT and TI surgical techniques for PCLR.

Study Design:

Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, and SCOPUS electronic databases for articles published up until August 2016 were searched to find relevant articles comparing outcomes of TT versus TI techniques for PCLR. Data searching, extraction, analysis, and quality assessment were performed according to Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Biomechanical outcomes and clinical outcomes of both techniques were compared. Results are presented as risk ratio (RR) for binary outcomes and weighted mean difference (WMD) for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results:

Five biomechanical and 5 clinical studies were included. No significant biomechanical differences were found regarding posterior tibial translation (PTT) at a knee flexion angle of 90° or PTT after cyclic loading between the 2 groups. However, a stronger in situ force in the graft was detected in the TT group (WMD = 15.58; 95% CI, 0.22-30.95; I2 = 10%). Although no significant differences were found in clinical outcomes such as Lysholm knee function score, Tegner activity score, side-to-side difference, or posterior drawer test at final follow-up between the 2 groups, the TT technique tended to entail fewer perioperative complications than the TI technique (RR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.35-1.00; I2 = 0%).

Conclusion:

TT and TI techniques for PCLR can both restore normal knee kinematics and improve knee function. However, the issue of which yields better improvement in stability and functional recovery of the knee remains unclear. More high-quality trials and randomized controlled trials are needed. Although PCLR via the TT technique resulted in higher graft forces, determining whether this is clinically significant will require further studies. When performing the TI technique, surgeons should inform patients of the risk of complications.
Outcomes of Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation With and Without Concomitant Meniscus Allograft Transplantation: A Comparative Matched Group Analysis
Authors: Frank Rachel M. , Lee Simon , Cotter Eric J. , Hannon Charles P. , Leroux Timothy , Cole Brian J.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) is often performed with concomitant meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) as a strategy for knee joint preservation, although to date, the effect of concomitant MAT on outcomes and failure rates after OCA has not been assessed.

Purpose:

To determine clinical outcomes for patients undergoing OCA with MAT as compared with a matched cohort of patients undergoing isolated OCA.

Study Design:

Control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients who underwent OCA of the medial or lateral femoral condyle without concomitant MAT by a single surgeon were compared with a matched group of patients who underwent OCA with concomitant MAT (ipsilateral compartment). The patients were matched per age, sex, body mass index, and number of previous ipsilateral knee operations ±1. Patient-reported outcomes, complications, reoperations, and survival rates were compared between groups.

Results:

One hundred patients undergoing OCA (50 isolated, 50 with MAT) with a mean ± SD follow-up of 4.9 ± 2.7 years (minimum, 2 years) were included (age, 31.7 ± 9.8 years; 52% male). Significantly more patients underwent OCA to the medial femoral condyle (n = 59) than the lateral femoral condyle (n = 41, P < .0001). Patients underwent 2.7 ± 1.7 operations on the ipsilateral knee before OCA. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding reoperation rate (n = 18 for OCA with MAT, n = 17 for OCA without MAT, P = .834), time to reoperation (2.2 ± 2.4 years for OCA with MAT, 3.4 ± 2.7 years for OCA without MAT, P = .149), or failure rates (n = 7 [14%] for OCA with MAT, n = 7 [14%] for OCA without MAT, P > .999). There were no significant differences in patient-reported clinical outcome scores between the groups at final follow-up. There was no significant difference in failure rates between patients undergoing medial femoral condyle OCA (n = 12, 15.3%) and lateral femoral condyle OCA (n = 5, 12.2%, P = .665).

Conclusion:

These results imply that with appropriate surgical indications to address meniscus deficiency in patients otherwise indicated for OCA and despite the added surgical time and complexity of concomitant MAT, outcomes are favorable, with an 86% OCA graft survivorship at 5 years. This information can be used to counsel patients undergoing OCA with concomitant MAT as part of a knee joint preservation strategy.
A Preclinical Cadaver Fitting Study of Implantable Biventricular Assist Device - AnyHeart™
Authors: Shin J.S. , Sun K. , Son H.S. , Kim H.M. , Kim K.T. , Ahn S.S. , Park S.Y. , Rho Y.R. , Lee H.S. , Min B.G.
Published: January 2018

A multifunctional, Korean-made artificial heart (AnyHeart™) was developed, and prior to its clinical application, a cadaver-fitting study was performed. The study proposed to determine the optimal cannulation approach, implantation technique and route of the cannula to minimize the organ compression of AnyHeart™. The anatomical feasibility and a variety of surgical techniques were evaluated using ten preserved, human cadavers. Implanting AnyHeart™ with ease is possible using various approaches, including a median sternotomy, and a right or left lateral thoracotomy. The lateral thoracotomy approach is shown to be safe and reproducible, especially in patients who have already undergone an operation that used a median sternotomy. The results of this study will guide improvements in the designs of cannulae and AnyHeart™ for future clinical applications.
Right Atrial Thrombi Complicating Use of Central Venous Catheters in Hemodialysis
Authors: Shah A. , Murray M. , Nzerue C.
Published: January 2018

Background

There has been an increase in the use of central venous catheters for temporary hemodialysis access. In this report, we describe a case series of 12 patients on hemodialysis who developed intracardiac clots associated with the use of central venous catheters, their outcomes and review the literature on this syndrome.

Methods

Retrospective, single-center case series of 12 patients with right atrial thrombi associated with central venous catheter use for dialysis vascular access. These patients were treated between June 1, 2001 and June 30th 2002 at the three University of Rochester affiliated dialysis clinics. The medical records of these patients were reviewed to obtain information concerning demographics, dialysis history, dates of catheter insertion, catheter complications, identification and dimensions of intracardiac thrombi, echocardiographic data, and outcome of anticoagulant therapy.

Results

Right heart thrombi were identified in 12 patients in our hemodialysis population over the study interval. Anticoagulation for 6 months led to clot resolution in more than 50% of our patients. Bacteremia recurred in 6 patients (50%), in spite of catheter replacement. There was zero mortality related to presence of clots in the short term. One patient with non-bacteremic right atrial thrombus suffered sudden cardiac arrest, but was successfully resuscitated.

Conclusion

Right atrial thrombi may occur in hemodialysis patients who use central venous catheters for dialysis access. These clots are frequently found in the right atrium or right atrial-superior vena caval junction. Ten of 12 patients (83%), had catheter-associated bacteremia, but the precise relationship between bacteremia and intracardiac clots is unclear. Chronic anticoagulation for 6 months lead to resolution of these clots in more than 50% of patients in our series.
The Effects of Pulsatile versus Non-Pulsatile Extracorporeal Circulation on the Pattern of Coronary Artery Blood Flow during Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Son H.S. , Sun K. , Fang Y.H. , Park S.Y. , Hwang C.M. , Park S.M. , Lee S.H. , Kim K.T. , Lee I.S.
Published: January 2018

Background

In sudden cardiac arrest, the effective maintenance of coronary artery blood flow is of paramount importance for myocardial preservation as well as cardiac recovery and patient survival. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the effects of pulsatile versus non-pulsatile circulation to coronary artery flow and myocardial preservation in a cardiac arrest condition.

Methods

A cardiopulmonary bypass circuit was constructed in a ventricular fibrillation model using fourteen Yorkshire swine weighing 25–35 kg each. The animals were randomly assigned to group I (n=7, non-pulsatile centrifugal pump) or group II (n=7, pulsatile T-PLS pump). Extracorporeal circulation was maintained for two hours at a pump flow of 2 L/min. The left anterior descending coronary artery flow was measured with an ultrasonic coronary artery flow measurement system at baseline (before bypass) and at every 20 minutes after bypass. Serologic parameters were collected simultaneously at baseline, 1 hour, and 2 hours after bypass in the systemic arterial and coronary sinus venous blood. The Mann-Whitney U test of STATISTICA 6.0 was used to determine intergroup significances using a p value of < 0.05.

Results

The resistance index of the coronary artery was lower in group II and the difference was significant at 40 min, 80 min, 100 min and 120 min (p < 0.05). The mean velocity of the coronary artery was higher in group II throughout the study, and the difference was significant from 20 min after starting the pump (p < 0.05). The coronary artery blood flow was higher in group II throughout the study, and the difference was significant from 40 min to 120 min (p < 0.05) except at 80min. Serologic parameters showed no differences between the groups at 1 hour and 2 hours after bypass in the systemic and coronary sinus blood (p=NS).

Conclusion

In the cardiac arrest condition, pulsatile extracorporeal circulation provides more blood flow, higher flow velocity and less resistance to coronary artery than non-pulsatile circulation.
Plasma Filtration Adsorption Dialysis (PFAD): A New Technology for Blood Purification
Authors: Nalesso F.
Published: January 2018

Severe sepsis is one of the most significant challenges in critical care. Despite all the developments achieved in infectious diseases and critical care, along with numerous attempts to develop treatments, the mortality rate of severe sepsis and septic shock remains unacceptably high. The pathophysiology of severe sepsis and septic shock is only partially understood. Circulating pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators appear to participate in the complex cascade of events which leads to deranged microcirculatory function, as we know from the peak concentration hypothesis.

Therapeutic trials targeting single pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators failed to demonstrate any benefit, suggesting that the unselective removal of different mediators may be a more appropriate approach.

In severe sepsis several blood purification techniques, such as continuous hemofiltration (CVVH), high volume hemofiltration (HVHF), pulse high volume hemofiltration (HVHF), plasma filtration, plasma adsorption, coupled plasma filtration adsorption (CPFA), have been proposed but such techniques appear to have both theorical as well as practical limitations.

Plasma Filtration Adsorption Dialysis (PFAD) is a new extracorporeal treatment which combines different principles of blood purification in a single device. The core of this technique is a new dialyzer composed by three suitable compartments that provide specific functions. The association of multiple principles permits specific removal of molecules implicated in the pathophysiology of patient's disease and re-establishment of hydro-electrolyte, acid-base equilibrium, if renal dysfunction-failure is present. The final target of PFAD is to obtain complete purification by combining principles of physics and chemistry to remove hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules with a very wide range of weights.
Analysis and Characterization of Alumina Particles Reinforced Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Composite for Acetabular Cup
Authors: Saha D. , Bose P.K. , Banthia A.K. , Dhabal S.
Published: January 2018

Composites of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with 5, 10 and 15 percent of alumina were prepared by a technique of uniform mixing and moulding. Acetabular cups were produced by compression moulding methods. A new walk simulator was also developed in-house for testing the tribological performances of these cups. The results from walk simulator tests are encouraging. Using a human walk simulator machine we did in vitro wear testing. Characterizations were performed to analyse the microstructure, composition, phase purity and crystalline by using XRD, DSC/TGA. Biocompatibility test was done by cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility and MTT assay methods. Biocompatibility tests gave hemolysis counts with these polymer composites well within the acceptable range and the results indicate a significant improvement in biocompatibility of the polymer composites over the in parent polymers.
Patient and Kidney Survival by Dialysis Modality in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Uchino S. , Bellomo R. , Kellum J. A. , Morimatsu H. , Morgera S. , Schetz M. , Tan I. , Bouman C. , Macedo E. , Gibney N. , Tolwani A. , Oudemans-Van Straaten H. , Ronco C.
Published: January 2018

Using a large, international cohort, we sought to determine the effect of initial technique of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on the outcome of acute renal failure (ARF) in the intensive care unit (ICU). We enrolled 1218 patients treated with continuous RRT (CRRT) or intermittent RRT (IRRT) for ARF in 54 ICUs in 23 countries. We obtained demographic, biochemical and clinical data and followed patients to either death or hospital discharge. Information was analyzed to assess the independent impact of treatment choice on survival and renal recovery. Patients treated first with CRRT (N=1006, 82.6%) required vasopressor drugs and mechanical ventilation more frequently compared to those receiving IRRT (N=212, 17.4%), (p<0.0001). Unadjusted hospital survival was lower (35.8% vs. 51.9%, p<0.0001). However, unadjusted dialysis-independence at hospital discharge was higher after CRRT (85.5% vs. 66.2%, p<0.0001). Multivariable logistic regression showed that choice of CRRT was not an independent predictor of hospital survival or dialysis-free hospital survival. However, the choice of CRRT was a predictor of dialysis independence at hospital discharge among survivors (OR: 3.333, 95% CI: 1.845 - 6.024, p<0.0001). Further adjustment using a propensity score did not significantly change these results. We conclude that worldwide, the choice of CRRT as initial therapy is not a predictor of hospital survival or dialysis-free hospital survival but is an independent predictor of renal recovery among survivors.
Treatment of Patients with Cardiac Surgery Associated-Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Tolwani A. , Paganini E. , Joannidis M. , Zamperetti N. , Verbine A. , Vidyasagar V. , Clark W. , Ronco C.
Published: January 2018

Members of the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) participated in a 3-day conference in Vicenza in May 2007 to evaluate the available literature on this topic and draft consensus recommendations for research studies in this area. This report summarizes the available evidence and describes the key questions that will need to be addressed with the goal of standardizing the care of patients with cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) and improving outcomes.
Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of a Composite Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Boschetti F. , Tomei A.A. , Turri S. , Swartz M.A. , Levi M.
Published: January 2018

Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds have been successfully used in bone tissue engineering, with or without hydroxyapatite (HA) and with a macroporosity given either by simple PLGA sphere packaging and/or by leaching out NaCl. The objective of this work was the optimization of the design parameters for bone tissue engineering scaffolds made by sintering microspheres of PLGA, HA nanocrystals for matrix reinforcement and osteoconduction, and salt crystals for macroporosity and control of matrix pore size. Microsphere fabrication by a single-emulsion and solvent evaporation technique was first optimized to obtain a high yield of PLGA microspheres with a diameter between 80 and 300 μm. The influence of the sintering process and matrix composition on the scaffold structure was then evaluated morphologically and mechanically. Three scaffold types were tested for biocompatibility by culturing with human fibroblasts for up to 14 days. The most important parameters to obtain microspheres with the selected diameter range were the viscosity ratio of the dispersed phase to the continuous phase and the relative volume fraction of the 2 phases. The Young's modulus and the ultimate strength of the sintered matrices ranged between 168–265 MPa and 6–17 MPa, respectively, within the range for trabecular bone. Biocompatibility was demonstrated by fibroblast adhesion, proliferation, and spreading throughout the matrix. This work builds upon previous work of the PLGA/HA sintering technique to give design criteria for fabricating a bone tissue engineered matrix with optimized morphological, functional, and biological properties to fit the requirements of bone replacements.
Antenatal and Neonatal Antecedents of Executive Dysfunctions in Extremely Preterm Children
Authors: Leviton Alan , Joseph Robert M. , Allred Elizabeth N. , O’Shea T. Michael , Taylor H. Gerry , Kuban Karl K. C.
Published: January 2018

To find out why children born extremely preterm are at heightened risk of executive dysfunctions, the authors assessed 716 children who were 10 years old born extremely preterm whose IQ was ≥ 70. A working memory dysfunction (n = 169), an inhibition dysfunction (n = 360), a switching dysfunction (355), and all 3 (executive dysfunction; n = 107) were defined on the basis of Z-scores ≤ –1 on the Differential Ability Scales–II Working Memory composite, and/or on the NEPSY-II Inhibition-Inhibition and Inhibition-Switching subtests. All risk profiles include an indicator of socioeconomic disadvantage. The risk profile of each of the 3 individual dysfunctions includes an indicator of the newborn’s immaturity, and the risk profiles of the inhibition dysfunction and switching dysfunction also include an indicator of inflammation. Only the switching dysfunction was associated with fetal growth restriction. The risk factors for executive dysfunction can be subsumed under the 4 themes of socioeconomic disadvantage, immaturity/vulnerability, inflammation, and fetal growth restriction.
Preparation and properties of self-healing polyether amines based on Diels–Alder reversible covalent bonds
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , Zhao Kaifeng , Huang Xiaowen , Ma Xiaoyue , Wei Yanyan
Published: January 2018

Over time, automotive coating is bound to be damaged; therefore, it is necessary to give the coating a self-healing ability to make its performance even better. First, furfuryl glycidyl ether (FGE) was synthesized by epichlorohydrin and furfuryl alcohol. Then, furanyl-terminated resin FGE-T5000 was synthesized by polyether amine T5000 and FGE. Finally, 4,4′-diphenylmethane bismaleimide (BDM) was added to FGE-T5000 as a cross-linking agent to form a resin named FGE-T5000-BDM which has Diels–Alder (DA) bonds. The products were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimeter, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, optical microscope, tensile tests, and other tests. The results showed that FGE-T5000-BDM demonstrated thermally reversible self-healing property from 50°C to 150°C, and that the best temperature of the DA reaction was 80°C. The gel content of FGE-T5000-BDM was 98%. Also, the glass transition temperature and the initial temperature of the Retro-DA (r-DA) reaction were −58°C and 88°C, respectively. Moreover, the self-healing efficiency of FGE-T5000-BDM was up to 88% after staying at 80°C for 12 h. The innovation shown in this article was that the reversible covalent bonds (DA) were combined with the polyether amines, which produced the characteristics of self-healing. Its unique self-healing properties are useful in some areas, such as automobile coatings and other materials.
Effect of elastic rubber mats on the reduction of vibration and noise in high-speed elevated railway systems
Authors: Zhao Caiyou , Ping Wang
Published: January 2018

In the development of a high-speed railway system, controlling the vibration and noise caused by the system plays an important issue, since the vibration and noise have an influence on the surrounding environment. This study describes the field experiment conducted in September 2015 on the Chengdu–Dujiangyan high-speed railway system where elastic rubber mats – the only countermeasure that is currently applied to reduce vibration and noise in high-speed elevated railway systems in China – were installed in September 2010. The effects of mats under the tracks on noise and vibration were evaluated and analyzed systematically compared to the tracks without mats in the following three aspects: vertical wheel–rail forces; vibration characteristics of the track system, bridge, and ground in combination with the environmental noise characteristics in several frequency domains; and the ride comfort and the interior noise of the vehicle. The results indicate that mats have a negligible effect on the vertical wheel–rail forces, ride comfort, and the interior noise of the vehicle. However, even though they significantly reduce the vibration of the base slab, bridge, and the ground below the mats, vibration of the rails and track slabs above the mats is increased, especially at low frequencies. Mats can also effectively reduce the bridge-borne noise but have little influence on the far-field noise. Furthermore, their control effect on environmental noise and vibration was evaluated in September 2010 and September 2015, showing that mats could effectively minimize the environmental vibration and bridge-borne noise after five years of practical operation, although their control effect declined as their stiffness increased.
The effect of seated pelvic tilt on posterior edge-loading in total hip arthroplasty: A finite element investigation
Authors: Pierrepont Jim , Yang Long , Arulampalam Jevan , Stambouzou Catherine , Miles Brad , Li Qing
Published: January 2018

Edge-loading of a ceramic-on-ceramic total hip replacement can lead to reproducible squeaking and revision. A patient’s functional acetabular cup orientation, driven by their pelvic tilt, has been shown to be a significant factor in squeaking during hip flexion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of seated pelvic tilt on the contact mechanics at the ceramic bearing surface. A finite element model of a ceramic-on-ceramic total hip replacement was created. The cup was orientated at 40° inclination and 15° anteversion relative to the anterior pelvic plane. The stem was flexed 90° to replicate sitting in a chair. The model was loaded using data from in vivo measurements taken during a sit-to-stand activity. The pelvis was modelled in seven different sagittal positions, ranging from −30° to 30° of pelvic tilt, where a positive value denotes anterior pelvic tilt. Three different head sizes were investigated: 32, 36 and 40 mm. The maximum contact pressure and contact patch to rim distance were determined for each of the 21 simulations. Edge-loading (contact patch to rim distance < 0 mm) occurred with all head sizes when seated pelvic tilt was ≥10° and induced a large increase in contact pressure on the liner, with a maximum pressure exceeding 500 MPa. Edge-loading initiated at seated pelvic tilts of 7°, 9° and 5° for the 32, 36 and 40 mm heads, respectively. Patients with anterior pelvic tilts in the seated position are susceptible to posterior edge-loading. As the position of the pelvis when seated is patient specific, cup orientation should be adjusted on an individual basis to minimise edge-loading.
Head to head comparison of adverse effects and efficacy between high dose deflazacort and high dose prednisolone in systemic lupus erythematosus: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Ganapati A , Ravindran R , David T , Yadav B , Jeyaseelan V , Jeyaseelan L , Danda D
Published: January 2018

Background

Deflazacort (DFZ), an oxazoline derivative of prednisolone (PDN), has a dose equivalence of 1.2:1 (mg) to PDN. No study to date has compared adverse effects and efficacy of high doses of DFZ as against high-dose PDN in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Objectives

To compare adverse effects of high dose DFZ and PDN in SLE patients, especially in terms of cushingoid features and gain in body weight, 3 and 6 months after initiation of these agents.

Methods

In both the steroid arms, the following outcome parameters were assessed at 3 and 6 months: (a) cushingoid features by Cushing's Severity Index (CSI) (b) hirsutism by modified Ferriman Gallwey score (c) weight gain by difference (Δ, delta) of weight (in kilograms).

Results

Patients on PDN had 1.6 kg (3.2%) and 2 kg (5.1%) higher median weight gain as compared to those on DFZ at 3 and 6 months respectively (  p = 0.012 and 0.001). PDN caused 10% and 22.2% higher increment in median hirsutism scores as compared to DFZ at 3 months and 6 months follow-up, respectively (  p = 0.004 and 0.002). PDN caused 100% higher increase in median CSI scores than DFZ at 6 months (  p = 0.03). There was no significant difference by generalized estimation equation between the groups with respect to changes in SLEDAI, renal SLEDAI, anti-dsDNA titres and C3/C4 levels. There were two serious infections (requiring hospitalization/intravenous antibiotics) in the PDN group, while none in the DFZ group.

Conclusion

Comparable intake and tapering of high dose DFZ and PDN in active SLE revealed 2-fold less weight gain, 2.5-fold less hirsutism and 1.5-fold lower cushingoid severity index as well as lower glycaemic elevation in the DFZ group as compared to PDN group. Both had similar efficacy.
A Bayesian approach for the identification of patient-specific parameters in a dialysis kinetic model
Authors: Bianchi Camilla , Lanzarone Ettore , Casagrande Giustina , Costantino Maria Laura
Published: January 2018

Hemodialysis is the most common therapy to treat renal insufficiency. However, notwithstanding the recent improvements, hemodialysis is still associated with a non-negligible rate of comorbidities, which could be reduced by customizing the treatment. Many differential compartment models have been developed to describe the mass balance of blood electrolytes and catabolites during hemodialysis, with the goal of improving and controlling hemodialysis sessions. However, these models often refer to an average uremic patient, while on the contrary the clinical need for customization requires patient-specific models. In this work, we assume that the customization can be obtained by means of patient-specific model parameters. We propose and validate a Bayesian approach to estimate the patient-specific parameters of a multi-compartment model, and to predict the single patient’s response to the treatment, in order to prevent intra-dialysis complications. The likelihood function is obtained by means of a discretized version of the multi-compartment model, where the discretization is in terms of a Runge–Kutta method to guarantee convergence, and the posterior densities of model parameters are obtained through Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation. Results show fair estimations and the applicability in the clinical practice.