bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case report of retroperitoneal Castleman disease
Authors: Bo Peng , Junhua Zheng , Qiruo Gao , Hong Li
Published: December 2016

Castleman disease (CD) is an uncommon lymphoproliferative disorderand is especially rare in the retroperitoneum or perirenalarea. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman in whom we foundon routine physical examination a mass localized in the rightabdomen without clinically important constitutional symptoms for30 days. Abdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance images andcomputed tomography scans revealed a solid mass localized justbelow the right kidney in the retroperitoneum. The patient subsequentlyunderwent an exploratory laparotomy. Pathological examinationrevealed a right retroperitoneal mass of CD (hyaline vasculartype). The patient completely recovered after surgery. Castlemandisease is commonly misdiagnosed as malignant lymphoma,lymphadenitis or ectopic thymoma. So far, its diagnosis is mainlyachieved via histopathological examination of surgically obtainedtissue. After removal of the lesion, local CD has a good prognosis.La maladie de Castleman est un trouble lymphoprolifératif rare,surtout dans les régions rétropéritonéale ou périrénale. Nousdécrivons le cas d'une femme de 42 ans chez qui un examenphysique de routine a révélé la présence d'une masse localiséeau côté droit de l'abdomen sans que cette patiente n'affiche desymptômes constitutionnels d'importance clinique pendant 30 jours.Des images obtenues par échographie abdominale, par IRM et partomodensitométrie ont révélé la présence d'une masse solide situéejuste en dessous du rein droit dans la région rétropéritonéale. Lapatiente a ensuite subi une laparotomie exploratoire. L'examend'histopathologie a révélé une masse rétropéritonéale droite caractéristiquede la maladie de Castleman dans sa forme hyaline vasculaire.La patiente s'est complètement rétablie après l'intervention.Au moment du diagnostic, la maladie de Castleman est souventconfondue avec un lymphome malin, une lymphadénite ou un thymomeectopique. Jusqu'à présent, le diagnostic de cette maladieest posé principalement sur la base d'un examen histopathologiquede tissus prélevés par chirurgie. Après ablation de la masse, lepronostic lié à la maladie de Castleman est favorable.
Painless hematuria and radio-opaque densities in the left renal area
Authors: Dangle Pankaj , Gill Kanwar , Shekhar Chandra
Published: December 2016

A 50-year-old woman presented with microscopic hematuria.Initial radiological investigations suggested the diagnosis of renalcalculi in the left kidney. However, further assessment confirmeda renal artery aneurysm. We discuss the differential diagnosis ofradio-opaque densities in the renal area.Une femme de 50 ans présente une hématurie microscopique. Lesexamens radiologiques initiaux portent à croire à la présencede calculs au rein gauche, mais les examens subséquents révèlentun anévrisme de l’artère rénale. Nous discutons ici du diagnosticdifférentiel en présence de zones de haute densité opaques auxrayons X dans la région rénale.
Urologic medications and ophthalmologic side effects: a review
Authors: Gani Johan , Perlis Nathan , Radomski Sidney B.
Published: December 2016

Commonly prescribed urologic medications can have significantophthalmologic side effects. The existing information can be conflicting. We looked at alpha-blockers and intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS), phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and lastly anticholinergic medications and glaucoma. There is no conclusive scientific data on what to do if the risk of urinary retention is low to moderate, however, we recommend that patients having cataract surgery should stop alpha-blocker medications preoperatively. If there is a high risk of urinary retention, the alpha-blocker should not be withheld, with the active involvement of the ophthalmologist. The role of using 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) can be considered. There is no convincing evidence that PDE5 inhibitors cause non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), but patients should be advised of the possible risk of visual loss, especially in patients with risk factors of ischemic heart disease. Acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG or closed angle glaucoma) is very rarely caused by anticholinergic medications in patients withnarrow angle anterior eye chambers. However, these medications are safe in patients with open angle glaucoma or treated closed angle glaucoma. Urologists should inquire about the patient’s glaucoma history from his/her ophthalmologist before starting an anticholinergic medication.
Rare case of paratesticular solitary fibrous tumour (lipomatous
Authors: Barazani Yagil , Tareen Basir
Published: December 2016

A 26-year-old male presented with an asymptomatic 6-cm leftparatesticular mass. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imagingconfirmed this mass as extratesticular, likely a tumour arisingfrom the left spermatic cord. The mass demonstrated marked avidenhancement on post-contrast images, suggestive of a spermaticcord sarcoma. A left inguinal exploration was performed and grossexamination of the mass revealed a well-circumscribed tumourwith a discrete capsule separating it from the ipsilateral spermaticcord. The mass was resected without performing an orchiectomyand histology demonstrated a solitary fibrous tumour (lipomatoushemangiopericytoma), with minimal proliferative activity and negativemargins. The occurrence of a paratesticular solitary fibroustumour is exceedingly rare, with only a handful of case reports.We review the literature regarding this rare entity and discuss itsdiagnosis and management.
Asymptomatic far-migration of an intrauterine device into the
Authors: Aydogdu Ozgu , Pulat Huseyin
Published: December 2016

Uterine perforation is a serious problem which can happen afterintrauterine device (IUD) insertion. Migration of the IUD to thepelvic and abdominal cavity or adjacent organs may be seen followingperforation of the uterus. Migration of an IUD to a farintra-abdominal site is extremely rare. The patient reported herehad undergone an IUD placement 30 years previously and had noproblems during this period. The IUD was incidentally found at theleft upper quadrant of the abdomen in the mesentery.
The feasibility of shockwave lithotripsy for treating solitary, lower calyceal stones over 1 cm in size
Authors: Kim Tae Beom , Lee Sang Cheol , Kim Khae Hawn , Jung Han , Yoon Sang Jin , Oh Jin Kyu
Published: December 2016

Introduction: Recently, few studies were reported about the treatment of large, solitary, renal calculi between shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). We assess the feasibility of SWL for managing solitary, lower calyceal stones over 1 cm by comparing the results of lower pole calculi treatment between patients that underwent SWL or PNL.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data for patients who had undergone PNL or SWL due to lower calyceal stones over 1 cm. Group 1 consisted of patients who underwent SWL to treat lower pole renal calculi from 2010 to 2011. Group 2 included patients who underwent PNL to manage lower pole renal calculi from 2008 to 2009. We compared patient age, gender, stone size, comorbidities, postoperative complications, additional interventions and anatomical parameters between the two groups.Results: A total of 55 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean ages (±SD) of groups 1 (n = 33) and 2 (n = 22) were 55.1 (±13.0) and 50.0 (±10.6) years (p = 0.133) and mean stone sizes were 1.6 (±0.7) and 1.9 (±0.8) cm (p = 0.135), respectively. There were no significant differences in gender distribution, comorbidities or stone laterality between the two groups. No significant differences in various parameters were observed between patients with stones 1 to 2 cm and ones with stones 2 cm or larger.Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that SWL is a safe, feasible treatment for solitary, lower calyceal stones over 1 cm.
The effect of dutasteride on the detection of prostate cancer: A set of meta-analyses
Authors: Monga Neerav , Sayani Amyn , Rubinger Daniel A. , Wilson Timothy H. , Su Zhen
Published: December 2016

Background: Dutasteride has been shown to significantly improve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and reduce clinical progression. Recent data from studies evaluating 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) for the prevention of prostate cancer, however, suggest 5ARIs, including dutasteride, may be associated with increased incidence of Gleason 8-10 prostate tumours. This meta analysis was undertaken to quantify the effect of dutasteride on detection of prostate cancer and high-grade prostate cancer.Methods: Our meta-analysis includes data from GlaxoSmithKline sponsored phase III randomized clinical trials (with a study duration of ≥2 years) evaluating the effect of dutasteride, alone or incombination with tamsulosin, to treat BPH or to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The incidence of prostate cancer, including Gleason 7-10 and Gleason 8-10, for patients taking either dutasteride, dutasteride plus tamsulosin, tamsulosin alone, or placebo, were evaluated using the Mantel-Haenszel Risk Ratio (MHRR) method of conducting meta-analyses.Results: The meta-analysis demonstrated that in a population with symptomatic BPH and/or at increased risk of prostate cancer, a statistically significant lower number of detectable prostate cancers was found in men taking dutasteride compared to control groups (MHRR: 0.66, 95% CI 0.52-0.85). In our analysis, there was no increased risk for Gleason 7-10 (MHRR: 0.83, 95% CI 0.56-1.21) or Gleason 8-10 prostate cancers (MHRR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.39-2.53) in men taking dutasteride over control groups. There were several limitations that need to be considered when interpreting these results.Conclusion: These data provide support for the continued use of dutasteride in the treatment of symptomatic BPH patients.
Renal cell carcinoma seeding of a percutaneous biopsy tract
Authors: Mullins Jeffrey K. , Rodriguez Ronald
Published: December 2016

We report the case of a 68-year-old male with extension of papillary renal cell carcinoma (Fuhrman grade III) along a percutanous biopsy tract detected at the time of partial nephrectomy. Biopsy was performed to a obtain tissue diagnosis of a complex renal cyst as the patient was unable to receive intravenous contrast for imaging due to a severe allergy. Although biopsy of indeterminate renal lesions can provide valuable diagnostic information, there are inherent risks associated with this procedure. The rare occurrence of tumour seeding should be considered when recommending percutaneous biopsy to a patient with a renal mass.
Alteration of renal cyclooxygenase expression due to partial unilateral ureteral obstruction in neonatal
Authors: Li Zhi Qin , Zhang Yi , Li Qi , Wu Shu Huan , Sun Chang Yu , Yu Zu Jiang
Published: December 2016

Introduction: Impaired renal water handling in response to neonatally-induced partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) may be associated with altered expression of cyclooxygenase (COX). The purpose of the present study was to examine whether long-term PUUO induced at birth was associated with changes of COX-2.Methods: Rats were subjected to PUUO (n = 14) or a sham operation (n = 12) within the first 48 hours of life. The rats were divided into 4 groups: (1) PUUO at 9 weeks (n = 7); (2) the sham operation at 9 weeks (n = 6); (3) PUUO at 15 weeks (n = 7); and (4) the sham operation at 15 weeks (n = 6). Urine and blood samples were collected before sacrificing the animals. Plasma potassium, creatinine and urea, as well as the osmolality and sodium of plasma and urine were tested in each sample. The expression of renal COX-1 and COX-2 was examined at 9 and 15 weeks in rats with neonatally inducedPUUO within the first 48 hours of life by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry.Results: PUUO caused a marked decrease in urine osmolality and a significant increase in urinary sodium of the obstructed kidney compared with the sham-operated kidney at 9 and 15 weeks. Immunoblotting analysis showed that an abundance of COX-2 in the obstructed kidney significantly increased compared with the non-obstructed kidney and sham-operated kidney at 9 weeks (p < 0.05) and 15 weeks (p < 0.05) in rats with PUUO. In contrast, COX-1 abundance in the obstructed kidney was similar to that in the non-obstructed kidney. Immunocytochemistry confirmed these findings.Conclusion: Renal COX-2 expression in the obstructed kidney is significantly altered in response to neonatally-induced PUUO. A marked increase in COX-2 indicates that it may be an important factor in reducing renal handling of sodium and water in response to PUUO.
Dietary habits and prostate cancer detection: a case–control study
Authors: Amin Moamen , Jeyaganth Suganthiny , Fahmy Nader , Bégin Louis R. , Aronson Samuel , Jacobson Stephen , Tanguay Simon , Kassouf Wassim , Aprikian Armen
Published: December 2016

Background: Many studies have suggested that nutritional factors may affect prostate cancer development. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between dietary habits and prostate cancer detection.Methods: We studied 917 patients who planned to have transrectal ultrasonography–guided prostatic biopsy based on an elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, a rising serum PSA level or an abnormal digital rectal examination. Before receiving the results of their biopsy, all patients answered a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. In combination with pathology data we performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses for the predictors of cancer and its aggressiveness.Results: Prostate cancer was found in 42% (386/917) of patients. The mean patient age was 64.5 (standard deviation [SD] 8.3) years and the mean serum PSA level for prostate cancer and benign cases, respectively, was 13.4 (SD 28.2) μg/L and 7.3 (SD 4.9) μg/L. Multivariable analysis revealed that a meat diet (e.g., red meat, ham, sausages) was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer (odds ratio [OR] 2.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55–4.87, p = 0.027) and a fish diet was associated with less prostate cancer (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32–0.89, p = 0.017). Aggressive tumours were defined by Gleason score (≥ 7), serum PSA level (≥ 10 μg/L) and the number of positive cancer cores (≥ 3). None of the tested dietary components were found to be associated with prostate cancer aggressivity.Conclusion: Fish diets appear to be associated with less risk of prostate cancer detection, and meat diets appear to be associated with a 3-fold increased risk of prostate cancer. These observations add to the growing body of evidence suggesting a relationship between diet and prostate cancer risk.
What next? Managing lymph nodes in men with penile cancer
Authors: Leveridge Michael , Siemens D. Robert , Morash Christopher
Published: December 2016

The management of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis is often daunting given its rarity and subsequent lack of high-level evidence to support our decision-making. This culminates in the complex surgical issues involving the management of the regional lymph nodes, which is of critical importance to both quantity and quality of life for these patients. This review aims to highlight the decisive issues surrounding the management of the pelvic and inguinal lymph nodes in the setting of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis, and to spotlight recently published information that adds credence to accepted management strategies of both the clinically positive and negative groin after successful management of the primary lesion.
Intravesical foreign body–induced bladder calculi resulting in obstructive renal failure
Authors: Kamal Fadi , Clark Aaron T.D. , Lavallée Luke Thomas , Roberts Matthew , Watterson James
Published: December 2016

We report the case of a 30-year-old man who presented with obstructive renal failure and urosepsis due to bladder outlet–obstructing bladder calculi that formed around 3 copper wires that were self-inserted into his urinary bladder 15 years previously. We present the evaluation, imaging and management of the unique complications resulting from the self-insertion of an intra-vesical foreign body. Our patient’s case was unique for 2 reasons. First, the length of time (15 yr) from foreign body insertion to presentation is the longest interval reported in the literature. Second, this is the first report of bladder calculi induced by the insertion of a foreign body that resulted in obstructive renal failure.
Mucoid cyst of the penis: Case report and literature review
Authors: Rosalba de Mendonça Rafaela , Silva II Jarques Lucio , Wroclawski Marcelo Langer , Sakuramoto Paulo Koiti , Pompeo Antonio Carlos Lima
Published: December 2016

Penile cysts are uncommon lesions. In general, they are asymptomaticand do not interfere with sexual function. Most of themare present since birth, but usually they are only detectable inadolescence or adulthood. We report a rare case of a young adultman with a 5 × 5-cm nodule on the prepuce (ventral face), whichappeared 2 years ago and interfered with his sexual function. Thenodule was excised by circumcision and a histopathologic studywas performed. Histopathologic examination revealed a mucoidcyst of penis with epidermoid metaplasia. No recurrence wasobserved at a 6 months follow-up and the patient’s sexual functionreturned to normal.
Renal primitive neuroectodermal tumour in childhood: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Asiri Maeed , Al-Sayyad Ahmed
Published: December 2016

Primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) is presumed to be ofneural crest origin, mostly presenting as bone or soft tissue masses.It usually occurs in the trunk or axial skeleton; while renal PNET isconsidered an extremely rare tumour. We report a case of 11-yearoldmale who presented with right flank pain and gross hematuriaafter suffering blunt trauma. During investigations, he was found tohave a large renal mass on computed tomography. He underwenta right radical nephrectomy where the pathology report showedPNET of the kidney. The patient received chemotherapy afterwards.Despite the chemotherapy, he had a local tumour recurrence 3months after and continued to deteriorate and developed distantmetastasis. Primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the kidney is adistinct and rare entity. It is very aggressive, with a poor survivaldespite combined modality treatment.
Hemorrhagic shock secondary to spontaneous rupture of a nonsecretory adrenal cortical tumour: A case report
Authors: Jarral Omar A. , Todd Colin , Willson Peter D.
Published: December 2016

A 21-year-old female presented with left-sided loin pain and profoundcirculatory shock. After emergency laparotomy, angiography,embolisation and histological investigation, a diagnosis ofspontaneous rupture of a benign non-secretory adrenal corticaltumour was made. To our knowledge, this is the only reportedcase of this diagnosis.
Primary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the pelvic retroperitoneum in a male
Authors: Williams Andrew K. , Boyle Shawna L. , Chan Susanne M. , Martinez Carlos H , Lu Chen , Chin Joseph L.
Published: December 2016

Primary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the retroperitoneum isan extremely rare malignancy with only 2 male patients reportedin the literature. We describe an unusual case presenting as a pelvicmass in a male with previous pan-proctocolectomy and endileostomy for Crohn’s disease and review the available literature.
Age at diagnosis is a determinant factor of renal cell carcinoma– specific survival in patients treated with nephrectomy
Authors: Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Jeldres Claudio , Suardi Nazareno , Hutterer George C. , Perrotte Paul , Capitanio Umberto , Ficarra Vincenzo , Cindolo Luca , De La Taille Alexandre , Tostain Jacques , Mulders Peter F. , Salomon Laurent , Zigeuner Richard , Schips Luigi , Chautard Denis , Valeri Antoine , Lechevallier Eric , Descots Jean-Luc , Lang Herve , Mejean Arnaud , Verhoest Gregory , Patard Jean-Jacques
Published: December 2016

Objective: Based on combined data for 4880 patients, 2 previous studies reported that advanced age is a predictor of increased renal cell carcinoma–specific mortality (RCC-SM). We explored the effect of age in cubic spline analyses to identify the age groups with the most elevated risk for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Methods: Our study included 3595 patients from 14 European centres who had partial or radical nephrectomies. We used the Kaplan–Meier method to compile life tables, and we performed Cox regression analyses to assess RCC-SM. Covariates included age at diagnosis, sex, TNM (tumour, node, metastasis) stage, tumour size, Fuhrman grade, symptom classification and histological subtype.Results: Age ranged from 10 to 89 (mean 63, median 67) years. The median duration of follow-up was 2.9 years. The median survival for the cohort was 13.4 years. Stage distribution was as follows: 1915 patients (53.3%) had stage I disease, 388 (10.8%) had stage II, 895 (24.9%) had stage III and 397 (11.0%) had stage IV disease. In multivariate analyses, we coded age at diagnosis as a cubic spline, and it achieved independent predictor status (p < 0.001). The risk of RCC-SM was lowest among patients younger than 50 years. We observed an increase in RCC-SM until the age of 50, at which point the level of risk reached a plateau. We observed a second increase among patients aged 75–89 years. We found similar patterns when we stratified patients according to the 2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stages.Conclusion: The effect of age shows prognostic significance and indicates that follow-up and possibly secondary treatments might need to be adjusted according to the age of the patient.
Inguinoscrotal bladder hernias: report of a series and review of the literature
Authors: Kraft Kate H. , Sweeney Sarah , Fink Aaron S. , Ritenour Chad W.M. , Issa Muta M.
Published: December 2016

Bladder involvement occurs in 1%–4% of cases of inguinal hernias. Among obese men aged 50 to 70, the incidence may reach 10%. The diagnosis ofbladder involvement is often difficult to delineate at the time of presentation and may only become apparent at the time of herniorrhaphy. Surgical management pertaining to the approach, repair and potential need for bladder resection may challenge the surgeon. We report a series of 4 cases of large inguino scrotal bladder hernias and provide a literature review. Our goal is to highlight the clinical presentation and the decisive issues surrounding the diagnosis and management of this condition.
Renal mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma
Authors: Trabelsi Amel , Stita Wided , Yacoubi Mohamed Tahar , Rammeh Soumaya , Hmissa Sihem , Korbi Sadok
Published: December 2016

We report a case of mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma in a 66-year old woman. The tumour, located on the left kidney, was well circumscribed. Microscopically, the tumour was composed of cuboidal cells arranged in tubules and making abrupt transitions to spindle cell morphology in a myxoid stroma. Tumour cells were strongly positive for cytokeratin 7 and epithelial membrane antigen. Because of the favourable prognosis with this type of tumour, mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma must be differentiated from papillary renal cell carcinoma, especially that with sarcomatoid change. No tumour recurrence or metastasis were reported with a follow-up of 23 months.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the bladder associated with neurofibromatosis I
Authors: O’Brien Julie , Aherne Susan , Buckley Orla , Daly Padraig , Torreggiani William C.
Published: December 2016

Neurofibromatosis is a hamartomatous disorder of autonomic peripheral nerve sheaths associated with peripheral nerve sheath tumours. Most tumours are neurofibromas; however, the genitourinary system is rarely involved. We present a rare case of a nerve sheath tumour of the bladder in a young patient, which was discovered to be malignant.
Perceived Stress in Nurses: A Comparative Study
Authors: Masa'Deh Rami , Alhalaiqa Fadwa , AbuRuz Mohannad Eid , Al-Dweik Ghadeer , Al-Akash Hekmat Yousef
Published: December 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the perceived stress in nurses working in various departments including mental health and psychiatric nurses in Jordan and compare the all together.METHODS: Using a non-random convenience sample, 310 nurses working in various departments in Jordan representing five different hospitals were included. Nurses answered the Arabic Version of Perceived Stress Scale 10-Items Questionnaire (PSS10) and a Characteristic Checklist.RESULTS: This study showed that nurses working in psychiatric departments perceived the highest stress levels followed by oncology nurses (ONs), ICU/CCU, and ER nurses respectively. Medical and surgical nurses reported the lowest level of stress.CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that psychiatric nurses have the highest levels of stress among all participated nurses. This might lead to dissatisfaction with the work and high rates of burn out and turn over. All these factors can easily affect patients care and safety issue, especially psychiatric patients. It is highly recommended that nurse managers and policy makers pay a particular attention to this phenomenon and looking for causes of such high level of stress is important.
Concepções de Inclusão Digital na Formação Inicial de Educadores
Authors: Marcon Karina , Soares Carvalho Marie Jane
Published: December 2016

Esse artigo socializa os resultados de uma pesquisa doutoral, cujo objetivo foi analisar a compreensão e a prática da inclusão digital na formação inicial de educadores na modalidade a distância das Universidades Abertas do Brasil e de Portugal. Foram realizadas pesquisas em teses e dissertações para a criação de um estado da arte sobre o conceito de inclusão digital e uma pesquisa de campo nos cursos de Licenciatura em Educação (Universidade Aberta de Portugal) e Pedagogia a Distância (Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina). Por meio de um estudo multicaso, uma das categorias da pesquisa teve o objetivo de compreender a concepção de inclusão digital pela equipe docente, análise apresentada nesse texto.
Perceptions about the Health Effects of Passive Smoking among Bangladeshi Young Adults
Authors: Sultana Rabeya , Akter Jesmin , Nahar Nasreen , Faruque Mithila , Ara Begum Rowshan , Ahmed Md. Kapil
Published: December 2016

Passive smoking is now firmly established as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Assessment of young adults’ perceptions, understanding and knowledge of the health effects of passive smoking may promote educational endeavours to increase awareness of the passive smoking-linked health effects and to facilitate interventions. The study, therefore, assessed the perceptions of young adults in Bangladesh about the health effects of passive smoking. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 656 young adults in two districts under Dhaka division of Bangladesh. The study used a multistage cluster random sampling approach. Binary logistic regression was used for identifying the predictors of perceptions that passive smoking is harmful. The vast majority of the respondents believed that passive smoking causes illnesses but the knowledge of specific health effects was limited. Most (87.2%) respondents perceived that passive smoking causes ‘some’ or ‘a lot’ of harm to health of both adults and children. However, disparities in perceptions were prevalent across their educational levels. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting other factors, respondents who had nine or more years of education were 6.7 times likelihood of perceiving that passive smoking causes “some” or “lot of harm” compared to those who had no education. The findings suggested that more efforts, including some appropriate measures to address knowledge gaps, are needed to increase better perception about the harmful effects of passive smoking among young adults.
Transient protein-protein interactions perturb E. coli metabolome and cause gene dosage toxicity
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sanchari , Bershtein Shimon , Yan Jin , Argun Tijda , Gilson Amy I , Trauger Sunia A , Shakhnovich Eugene I
Published: December 2016

Gene dosage toxicity (GDT) is an important factor that determines optimal levels of protein abundances, yet its molecular underpinnings remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that overexpression of DHFR in E. coli causes a toxic metabolic imbalance triggered by interactions with several functionally related enzymes. Though deleterious in the overexpression regime, surprisingly, these interactions are beneficial at physiological concentrations, implying their functional significance in vivo. Moreover, we found that overexpression of orthologous DHFR proteins had minimal effect on all levels of cellular organization – molecular, systems, and phenotypic, in sharp contrast to E. coli DHFR. Dramatic difference of GDT between ‘E. coli’s self’ and ‘foreign’ proteins suggests the crucial role of evolutionary selection in shaping protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks at the whole proteome level. This study shows how protein overexpression perturbs a dynamic metabolon of weak yet potentially functional PPI, with consequences for the metabolic state of cells and their fitness.
Regulation of B cell fate by chronic activity of the IgE B cell receptor
Authors: Yang Zhiyong , Robinson Marcus J , Chen Xiangjun , Smith Geoffrey A , Taunton Jack , Liu Wanli , Allen Christopher D C
Published: December 2016

IgE can trigger potent allergic responses, yet the mechanisms regulating IgE production are poorly understood. Here we reveal that IgE+ B cells are constrained by chronic activity of the IgE B cell receptor (BCR). In the absence of cognate antigen, the IgE BCR promoted terminal differentiation of B cells into plasma cells (PCs) under cell culture conditions mimicking T cell help. This antigen-independent PC differentiation involved multiple IgE domains and Syk, CD19, BLNK, Btk, and IRF4. Disruption of BCR signaling in mice led to consistently exaggerated IgE+ germinal center (GC) B cell but variably increased PC responses. We were unable to confirm reports that the IgE BCR directly promoted intrinsic apoptosis. Instead, IgE+ GC B cells exhibited poor antigen presentation and prolonged cell cycles, suggesting reduced competition for T cell help. We propose that chronic BCR activity and access to T cell help play critical roles in regulating IgE responses.
Distinct memory engrams in the infralimbic cortex of rats control opposing environmental actions on a learned behavior
Authors: Suto Nobuyoshi , Laque Amanda , De Ness Genna L , Wagner Grant E , Watry Debbie , Kerr Tony , Koya Eisuke , Mayford Mark R , Hope Bruce T , Weiss Friedbert
Published: December 2016

Conflicting evidence exists regarding the role of infralimbic cortex (IL) in the environmental control of appetitive behavior. Inhibition of IL, irrespective of its intrinsic neural activity, attenuates not only the ability of environmental cues predictive of reward availability to promote reward seeking, but also the ability of environmental cues predictive of reward omission to suppress this behavior. Here we report that such bidirectional behavioral modulation in rats is mediated by functionally distinct units of neurons (neural ensembles) that are concurrently localized within the same IL brain area but selectively reactive to different environmental cues. Ensemble-specific neural activity is thought to function as a memory engram representing a learned association between environment and behavior. Our findings establish the causal evidence for the concurrent existence of two distinct engrams within a single brain site, each mediating opposing environmental actions on a learned behavior.
Study on temperature effect on properties of ZnO/MgZnO based quantum cascade detector in mid-infrared region
Authors: He Jingfang , Wang Ping , Chen Hongyan , Guo Xinlu , Guo Lixin , Yang Yintang
Published: December 2016

The effect of temperature on a ZnO/Mg0.3Zn0.7O quantum cascade detector (QCD) in the mid-infrared region is investigated with consideration of bound-to-bound electronic-transport processes in the dark and under illumination. The temperature-dependent band structures of the QCD system, which comprises four quantum wells and five barriers in one period, are numerically calculated. The electronic transition is obtained with a standard electron-optical phonon Hamiltonian, and the photon absorption is described by the two-dimensional absorption coefficient. The responsivity of the ZnO/Mg0.3Zn0.7O QCD shows a good temperature stability without an obvious redshift, and the peak responsivity decreases by only 14% when the temperature increases from 50 to 300 K.
Evidence of interseismic coupling variations along the Bhutan Himalayan arc from new GPS data
Authors: Marechal Anais , Mazzotti Stephane , Cattin Rodolphe , Cazes Gael , Vernant Philippe , Drukpa Dowchu , Thinley Kinzang , Tarayoun Alizia , Le Roux‐Mallouf Romain , Thapa Bal Bahadur , Pelgay Phuntsho , Gyeltshen Jampel , Doerflinger Erik , Gautier Stéphanie
Published: December 2016

Although the first‐order pattern of present‐day deformation is relatively well resolved across the Himalayas, irregular data coverage limits detailed analyses of spatial variations of interseismic coupling. We provide the first GPS velocity field for the Bhutan Himalaya. Combined with published data, these observations show strong east‐west variations in coupling between central and eastern Bhutan. In contrast with previous estimations of first‐order uniform interseismic coupling along the Himalayan arc, we identify significant lateral variations: In western and central Bhutan, the fully coupled segment is 135–155 km wide with an abrupt downdip transition, whereas in eastern Bhutan the fully coupled segment is 100–120 km wide and is limited updip and downdip by partially creeping segments. This is the first observation of decoupling on the upper ramp along the Himalayan arc, with important implications for large earthquake surface rupture and seismic hazard.
Aircraft measurements of black carbon vertical profiles show upper tropospheric variability and stability
Authors: Schwarz Joshua P. , Weinzierl Bernadett , Samset Bjørn H. , Dollner Maximilian , Heimerl Katharina , Markovic Milos Z. , Perring Anne E. , Ziemba Luke
Published: December 2016

We present new data sets of black carbon (BC) aerosol mass mixing ratio (MMR) obtained from aircraft missions over North America, Europe, the Arctic, and the outflow region of Saharan Africa before and after trans‐Atlantic transport. The data, collected from 2011 to 2013 with single‐particle soot photometers, provide new insight into the variability and distribution of BC over global scales and refine understanding of AeroCom global model ensemble performance. The results indicate extensive global‐scale longitudinal mixing of BC above altitude pressures as low as 400 hPa. They also constrain the absolute and temporal variability of upper tropospheric BC MMR and point to opportunities for new tests of global aerosol models in the upper troposphere. A comparison to the AeroCom Phase II results generally reinforces previous estimates of the ensemble performance, except that it also strengthens confidence that the ensemble actually is biased high in the Arctic in all seasons.
Seasonal solar wind speeds for the last 100 years: Unique coronal hole structures during the peak and demise of the Grand Modern Maximum
Authors: Mursula K. , Holappa L. , Lukianova R.
Published: December 2016

Solar coronal holes are sources of high‐speed solar wind streams, which cause persistent geomagnetic activity especially at high latitudes. Here we estimate seasonal solar wind speeds at 1 AU for the last 100 years using high‐latitude geomagnetic measurements and show that they give information on the long‐term evolution of important structures of the solar large‐scale magnetic field, such as persistent coronal holes. We find that the centennial evolution of solar wind speed at 1 AU is different for equinoxes and solstices, reflecting differences in the evolution of polar coronal hole extensions and isolated low‐latitude coronal holes. Equinoctial solar wind speeds had their centennial maximum in 1952, during the declining phase of solar cycle 18, verifying that polar coronal holes had exceptionally persistent extensions just before the peak of the Grand Modern Maximum of solar activity. On the other hand, solstice speeds had their centennial maximum during the declining phase of solar cycle 23 due to large low‐latitude coronal holes. A similar configuration of seasonal speeds as in cycle 23 was not found earlier, not even during the less active cycles of early 20th century. Therefore, the exceptional occurrence of persistent, isolated low‐latitude coronal holes in cycle 23 is not related to the absolute level of sunspot activity but, most likely, to the demise of the Grand Modern Maximum.
Monsoon circulations and tropical heterogeneous chlorine chemistry in the stratosphere
Authors: Solomon Susan , Kinnison Doug , Garcia Rolando R. , Bandoro Justin , Mills Michael , Wilka Catherine , Neely Ryan R. , Schmidt Anja , Barnes John E. , Vernier Jean‐Paul , Höpfner Michael
Published: December 2016

Model simulations presented in this paper suggest that transport processes associated with the summer monsoons bring increased abundances of hydrochloric acid into contact with liquid sulfate aerosols in the cold tropical lowermost stratosphere, leading to heterogeneous chemical activation of chlorine species. The calculations indicate that the spatial and seasonal distributions of chlorine monoxide and chlorine nitrate near the monsoon regions of the northern hemisphere tropical and subtropical lowermost stratosphere could provide indicators of heterogeneous chlorine processing. In the model, these processes impact the local ozone budget and decrease ozone abundances, implying a chemical contribution to longer‐term northern tropical ozone profile changes at 16–19 km.
Intermittent energy dissipation by turbulent reconnection
Authors: Fu H. S. , Vaivads A. , Khotyaintsev Y. V. , André M. , Cao J. B. , Olshevsky V. , Eastwood J. P. , Retinò A.
Published: December 2016

Magnetic reconnection—the process responsible for many explosive phenomena in both nature and laboratory—is efficient at dissipating magnetic energy into particle energy. To date, exactly how this dissipation happens remains unclear, owing to the scarcity of multipoint measurements of the “diffusion region” at the sub‐ion scale. Here we report such a measurement by Cluster—four spacecraft with separation of 1/5 ion scale. We discover numerous current filaments and magnetic nulls inside the diffusion region of magnetic reconnection, with the strongest currents appearing at spiral nulls (O‐lines) and the separatrices. Inside each current filament, kinetic‐scale turbulence is significantly increased and the energy dissipation, E′ ⋅ j, is 100 times larger than the typical value. At the jet reversal point, where radial nulls (X‐lines) are detected, the current, turbulence, and energy dissipations are surprisingly small. All these features clearly demonstrate that energy dissipation in magnetic reconnection occurs at O‐lines but not X‐lines.
Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on soil methane uptake in disturbed forests
Authors: Zheng Mianhai , Zhang Tao , Liu Lei , Zhang Wei , Lu Xiankai , Mo Jiangming
Published: December 2016

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is generally thought to suppress soil methane (CH4) uptake in natural forests, and phosphorus (P) input may alleviate this negative effect. However, it remains unclear how N and P inputs control soil CH4 uptake in disturbed forests. In this study, soil CH4 uptake rates were measured in two disturbed forests, including a secondary forest (with previous, but not recent, disturbance) and a plantation forest (with recent continuous disturbance), in southern China for 34 months of N and/or P additions: control, N addition (150 kg N ha−1 yr−1), P addition (150 kg P ha−1 yr−1), and NP addition (150 kg N ha−1 yr−1 plus 150 kg P ha−1 yr−1). Mean CH4 uptake rate in control plots was significantly higher in the secondary forest (24.40 ± 0.81 µg CH4‐C m−2 h−1) than in the plantation forest (17.07 ± 0.70 µg CH4‐C m−2 h−1). CH4 uptake rate had negative relationships with soil water‐filled pore space in both forests. In the secondary forest, N, P, and NP additions significantly decreased CH4 uptake by 39.7%, 27.8%, and 37.6%, respectively, but had no significant effects in the plantation forest, indicating that P input does not alleviate the suppression of CH4 uptake by N deposition. Taken together, our findings suggest that reducing anthropogenic disturbance, including harvesting of forest floor, and anthropogenic N and P inputs will increase soil CH4 uptake in disturbed forests, which is important in view of the increased trends in global warming during recent decades.
M13 Virus Aerogels as a Scaffold for Functional Inorganic Materials
Authors: Jung Sung Mi , Qi Jifa , Oh Dahyun , Belcher Angela , Kong Jing
Published: December 2016

The filamentous M13 viruses are widely used as a bio‐template to assemble many different functional structures. In this work, based on its shape anisotropy, reasonable aspect ratio (length to diameter of ≈130), and low density, freestanding, bulk 3D aerogels are assembled from M13 for the first time. These ultralight porous structures demonstrate excellent mechanical properties with elastic behavior up to 90% compression. Furthermore, as the genome of M13 virus can be rationally engineered so that proteins on its capsid or ends can specifically bind to various inorganic materials, aerogels made from inorganic‐complexed M13 structures with versatile functionalities are also developed. As examples for mono‐ and multi‐component structures, M13‐Ru and M13‐CoFe2O4 are explored in this work. This method enables the production of a wide variety of freestanding inorganic material aerogels with extensive opportunities for bio‐scaffolds, energy storage, thermoelectrics, catalysis, hydrogen storage applications, etc., in the future.
Construction of 3,4‐Dihydrocoumarin Derivatives with Adjacent Quaternary and Tertiary Stereocenters: Organocatalytic Asymmetric Michael Addition of 2‐Oxochroman‐3‐carboxylate Esters to trans‐β‐Nitroolefins
Authors: Jin Hui , Cho Soo Min , Hwang Geum‐Sook , Ryu Do Hyun
Published: December 2016

An asymmetric Michael addition of 2‐oxochroman‐3‐carboxylate esters to trans‐β‐nitroolefins is described. This strategy can give direct access to dihydrocoumarin derivatives bearing adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereocenters with up to >99% yield, >20:1 dr, and >99% ee. The adduct was further transformed to a spiro‐dihydrocoumarin compound in three steps with good yield.

magnified image
Clinical utility of closure times using the platelet function analyzer‐100/200
Authors: Favaloro Emmanuel J.
Published: December 2016

The “platelet function analyzer” (PFA)−100 was first introduced to us in 1995. Since then, the instrument has appeared in over 50 reviews and almost 1000 publications. Recently, the PFA‐100 has been “upgraded” to the PFA‐200, which has transformed the user interface and electronic management, but retained the fundamental mechanics, and essentially provides the same results. The PFA‐100/200 has conceivable clinical utility to screen for von Willebrand Disease (VWD) and platelet disorders, and in monitoring desmopressin (DDAVP) therapy in both, and possibly anti‐platelet therapy. Its great strengths are its usage simplicity and sensitivity to conditions affecting primary hemostasis. However, as a “global” test, its limitation is that closure time (CT) test results are neither predictive of, nor specific for, any individual disorder. However, utilized properly, the PFA‐100/200 reflects a valuable addition to hemostasis laboratories involved in identification or therapeutic‐monitoring of disorders of primary hemostasis.
Direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt for refractory hepatic hydrothorax: a case report
Authors: Kawahara Yo , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Isoi Naoaki , Hatanaka Kohsuke , Yamada Kentaro , Yamamoto Masayoshi , Okamura Teppei , Kaji Tatsumi , Sakamoto Toshihisa , Saitoh Daizoh , Ikeuchi Hisashi
Published: December 2016

Case

A 64‐year‐old man with complaints of dyspnea and orthopnea secondary to a hepatic hydrothorax refractory to diuretic medication underwent the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure to decrease the portal vein pressure. The TIPS procedure failed due to severe liver stiffness. Direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt (DIPS), a modified TIPS procedure that directly inserts a stent from the inferior vena cava to the portal vein, was successfully carried out.

Outcome

The DIPS procedure significantly decreased the patient's pleural effusion and respiratory symptoms.

Conclusion

No other medical treatment is available to control refractory pleural effusion caused by portal hypertension; however, the TIPS (or DIPS) procedure can be successfully carried out in patients <60 years old with a Model of End‐Stage Liver Disease score <15.
Anisotropic Change in the Magnetic Susceptibility of a Dynamic Single Crystal of a Cobalt(II) Complex
Authors: Yao Zi‐Shuo , Wu Shu‐Qi , Kitagawa Yasutaka , Su Sheng‐Qun , Huang You‐Gui , Li Guo‐Ling , Ni Zhong‐Hai , Nojiri Hiroyuki , Shiota Yoshihito , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Kang Soonchul , Kanegawa Shinji , Sato Osamu
Published: December 2016

Atypically anisotropic and large changes in magnetic susceptibility, along with a change in crystalline shape, were observed in a CoII complex at near room temperature. This was achieved by combining oxalate molecules, acting as rotor, and a CoII ion with unquenched orbital angular momentum. A thermally controlled 90° rotation of the oxalate counter anion triggered a symmetry‐breaking ferroelastic phase transition, accompanied by contraction–expansion behavior (ca. 4.5 %) along the long axis of a rod‐like single crystal. The molecular rotation induced a minute variation in the coordination geometry around the CoII ion, resulting in an abrupt decrease and a remarkable increase in magnetic susceptibility along the direction perpendicular and parallel to the long axis of the crystal, respectively. Theoretical calculations suggested that such an unusual anisotropic change in magnetic susceptibility was due to a substantial reorientation of magnetic anisotropy induced by slight disruption in the ideal D3 coordination environment of the complex cation.
Nanoscale Control of Homoepitaxial Growth on a Two‐Dimensional Zeolite
Authors: Shete Meera , Kumar Manjesh , Kim Donghun , Rangnekar Neel , Xu Dandan , Topuz Berna , Agrawal Kumar Varoon , Karapetrova Evguenia , Stottrup Benjamin , Al‐Thabaiti Shaeel , Basahel Sulaiman , Narasimharao Katabathini , Rimer Jeffrey D. , Tsapatsis Michael
Published: December 2016

Nanoscale crystal growth control is crucial for tailoring two‐dimensional (2D) zeolites (crystallites with thickness less than two unit cells) and thicker zeolite nanosheets for applications in separation membranes and as hierarchical catalysts. However, methods to control zeolite crystal growth with nanometer precision are still in their infancy. Herein, we report solution‐based growth conditions leading to anisotropic epitaxial growth of 2D zeolites with rates as low as few nanometers per day. Contributions from misoriented surface nucleation and rotational intergrowths are eliminated. Growth monitoring at the single‐unit‐cell level reveals novel nanoscale crystal‐growth phenomena associated with the lateral size and surface curvature of 2D zeolites.