bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lower short‐term mortality in ICU patients on chronic dialysis than in those requiring acute dialysis
Authors: Lohse Robin , Ibsen Michael , Wiis Jørgen , Perner Anders , Lange Theis , Damholt Mette Brimnes
Published: December 2018

Background

In ICU patients, we aimed to describe the outcomes of those with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) as compared to those requiring acute renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of all adult patients admitted to a general, university hospital ICU from 2005 to 2012. ESRD was defined as use of chronic RRT >90 days prior to admission.

Results

We included 5927 patients of whom 1004 (17%) received acute RRT and 161 (3%) had pre‐existing ESRD requiring RRT. Thirty‐day mortality was 42% vs 28% for acute RRT vs ESRD patients (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.90 (0.61‐1.34)), and 16% for those not requiring RRT (aHR 0.91 (0.60‐1.38) compared to ESRD patients). Ninety‐day mortality was 55% vs 45% for acute RRT vs ESRD patients (aHR 0.96 (0.70‐1.31)), and 22% for those not requiring RRT (aHR 1.19 (0.84‐1.67) compared to ESRD patients). Ninety‐day ESRD survivors were younger, less severely ill and needed less vasopressor treatment than 90‐day ESRD non‐survivors. Five‐year mortality was 68% vs 69% for acute RRT vs ESRD patients (aHR 1.06 (0.81‐1.39)), and 38% for those not requiring RRT (aHR 1.31 (0.99‐1.74) compared to ESRD patients).

Conclusions

The crude mortality for patients with pre‐existing ESRD was high. Short‐term mortality was within range of those not receiving RRT when adjusted for confounders. The severity of acute illness and the burden of comorbidities may be more important than the lack of kidney function per se for the short‐term prognosis of RRT patients in the ICU.
Is there a relationship between anaesthesia and dementia?
Authors: Strand Anna‐Karin , Nyqvist Fredrik , Ekdahl Anne , Wingren Gun , Eintrei Christina
Published: December 2018

Background

Long‐term cognitive problems are common among elderly patients after surgery, and it has been suggested that inhalation anaesthetics play a role in the development of dementia. This study aims to investigate the hypothesis that patients with dementia have been more exposed to surgery and inhalational anaesthetics than individuals without dementia.

Methods

Using 457 cases from a dementia‐registry and 420 dementia‐free controls, we performed a retrospective case‐control study. The medical records were reviewed to determine exposure to anaesthesia occurring within a 20‐year timeframe before the diagnosis or inclusion in the study. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression and propensity score analysis.

Results

Advanced age (70 years and older, with the highest risk in ages 80‐84 years) and previous head trauma were risk factors for dementia. History of exposure to surgery with anaesthesia was a risk factor for dementia (OR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.66‐3.00, P < 0.01). Exposure to inhalational anaesthetics with halogenated anaesthetics was associated with an increased risk of dementia, compared to no exposure to anaesthesia (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.17‐5.22, P = 0.02). Exposure to regional anaesthesia was not significantly associated with increased risk of dementia (P = 0.13).

Conclusion

In this 20‐year retrospective case‐control study, we found a potential association between dementia and prior anaesthesia. Exposure to general anaesthetics with halogenated anaesthetic gases was associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Endorsement of clinical practice guidelines by the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine
Authors: Rehn Marius , Chew Michelle S. , Olkkola Klaus T. , Örn Sverrison Kristinn , Yli‐Hankala Arvi , Møller Morten Hylander
Published: December 2018

Clinical practice guidelines from other organizations or societies with assumed clinical and contextualized relevance for Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (SSAI) members, may trigger a formal evaluation by The Clinical Practice Committee (CPC) for possible SSAI endorsement. This avoids unnecessary duplicate processes and minimizes resource‐waste. Identified guidelines are assessed for endorsement using the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. The SSAI CPC utilizes the AGREE II online coordinated group appraisal platform to assess the methodological rigor and transparency in which the guideline was developed. The results of the assessment, including the decision to endorse or not, are presented to the SSAI Board for sanctioning. This document briefly outlines the process for evaluation of non‐SSAI guidelines by the CPC for possible SSAI endorsement.
Drosophila insulin‐like peptide dilp1 increases lifespan and glucagon‐like Akh expression epistatic to dilp2
Authors: Post Stephanie , Liao Sifang , Yamamoto Rochele , Veenstra Jan A. , Nässel Dick R. , Tatar Marc
Published: December 2018

Insulin/IGF signaling (IIS) regulates essential processes including development, metabolism, and aging. The Drosophila genome encodes eight insulin/IGF‐like peptide (dilp) paralogs, including tandem‐encoded dilp1 and dilp2. Many reports show that longevity is increased by manipulations that decrease DILP2 levels. It has been shown that dilp1 is expressed primarily in pupal stages, but also during adult reproductive diapause. Here, we find that dilp1 is also highly expressed in adult dilp2 mutants under nondiapause conditions. The inverse expression of dilp1 and dilp2 suggests these genes interact to regulate aging. Here, we study dilp1 and dilp2 single and double mutants to describe epistatic and synergistic interactions affecting longevity, metabolism, and adipokinetic hormone (AKH), the functional homolog of glucagon. Mutants of dilp2 extend lifespan and increase Akh mRNA and protein in a dilp1‐dependent manner. Loss of dilp1 alone has no impact on these traits, whereas transgene expression of dilp1 increases lifespan in dilp1 − dilp2 double mutants. On the other hand, dilp1 and dilp2 redundantly or synergistically interact to control circulating sugar, starvation resistance, and compensatory dilp5 expression. These interactions do not correlate with patterns for how dilp1 and dilp2 affect longevity and AKH. Thus, repression or loss of dilp2 slows aging because its depletion induces dilp1, which acts as a pro‐longevity factor. Likewise, dilp2 regulates Akh through epistatic interaction with dilp1. Akh and glycogen affect aging in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila. Our data suggest that dilp2 modulates lifespan in part by regulating Akh, and by repressing dilp1, which acts as a pro‐longevity insulin‐like peptide.
MicroclimOz – A microclimate data set for Australia, with example applications
Authors: Kearney Michael R.
Published: December 2018

Many problems in pure and applied ecology require the quantification of above‐ and below‐ground microclimates. Here I describe a data set of hourly microclimates for the Australian continent, simulated from the years 1990 to 2017 across a grid of 1893 locations approx. 60 km apart. The data were generated with the NicheMapR microclimate model, driven by 0.05° gridded daily meteorological forcing data (air temperature, wind speed, humidity, cloud cover, rainfall), 0.025° elevation and 0.008° soil texture data. The above‐ground microclimate variables include horizontal plane solar radiation, solar zenith angle, sky temperature (from which down‐welling longwave radiation can be computed), air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed at 1 and 120 cm height, and snow depth. The below‐ground variables include soil temperature, pore humidity, soil moisture and soil water potential for 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50, 100 and 200 cm below‐ground. The computations are for four shade levels (0%, 50%, 70% and 90%). The data set can be used for a wide variety of applications, including the computation of heat and water budgets of organisms, the potential for vegetation growth, and the computation of stress and growth indices. The use of daily forcing data also allows assessments of the consequences of extreme events including heat waves. Example applications are provided for computing plant growth potential, grasshopper egg development, lizard body temperature and mammalian energy and water requirements.
Preventing Prevention
Authors: Gailmard Sean , Patty John W.
Published: December 2018

Preventing climate change and damage from natural disasters typically requires policies with up‐front costs that promise a flow of benefits over time. Why has obtaining such policies in a competitive electoral democracy proved so intractable? We develop a formal model of electoral accountability in this context, in which politicians have private information about their motivations. The model shows why fully rational voters, though certain that incumbents spend less on disaster prevention than is good for them, reelect incumbents at very high rates. In addition, in such equilibria, voters would punish incumbents who spent more on disaster prevention. This equilibrium is consistent with (and implies) some of the major empirical regularities observed in the literature on voting and disaster prevention. We discuss some implications of our analysis for advancing public debates about disaster and climate change mitigation.
Do egalitarians always help the disadvantaged more than the advantaged? Testing a value‐norm conflict hypothesis in Malaysia
Authors: Owuamalam Chuma Kevin , Matos Andrea Soledad
Published: December 2018

Do egalitarians always express greater compassion toward the disadvantaged than toward the advantaged? A closer look at existing scholarship on the topic suggests that they likely do. Here, we investigated whether such tendency is also apparent within interdependent, high power distance cultures where the high‐status privilege prevails. Given the emphasis on harmony in social relations in interdependent cultures, we reasoned that egalitarians might experience a dissonance between their private equity values and a societal norm prescribing high‐status privilege, which we refer to as the value‐norm conflict. We therefore proposed and found evidence in Malaysia (N = 273) that egalitarians succumbed to the normative high‐status privilege in their culture: They displayed greater compassion towards higher than lower status victims, but only when the political cost of doing so was low. Interestingly, anti‐egalitarians displayed equitable levels of compassion for high‐ and low‐status victims, but only when the political cost for taking such action also was low. Hence, we show that even egalitarians can, at times, favor the privileged and that anti‐egalitarians can act equitably, so long as the political cost of doing so is trivial for them.
Lactate clearance in infants undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease
Authors: Desplanque Laetitia , Hamaide‐Defrocourt Florent , Berkia Ilham , Tourneur Tiffany , Albinni Souha , Bojan Mirela
Published: December 2018

Measurement of lactate concentrations during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a reliable monitoring tool for the assessment of the adequacy of perfusion, and a predictor of poor outcome. However, increased lactate production, which is multifactorial (anaerobic metabolism, hyperglycemia), increased lactate load by packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions, and decreased lactate clearance may all result in hyperlactatemia. The aim of this study was to estimate the clearance of lactate in infants undergoing surgery with CPB, using the lactate load from the PRBCs transfusions received during CPB. Retrospective cohort of infants <1 year of age with repeated lactate measurements during CPB, and a known lactate concentration in the PRBCs used during CPB were evaluated. All patients received PRBCs in the prime and during CPB to maintain hematocrit >35% and venous saturation >70%. Lactate kinetics were estimated across several time intervals between two lactate measurements, using a single compartment model. The lactate load was calculated as the product: PRBC‐lactate concentration * volume. The rate of endogenous lactate production was assumed to be unchanged (maintenance of high oxygen deliveries and normoglycemia throughout CPB). Overall, 87 calculations were performed in 27 patients, then averaged per patient. The mean lactate half‐life was 12.36 min [10.67–14.06], the mean clearance was 0.09 L/min [0.06–0.11], the indexed lactate clearance was 0.36 L/min/m2 [0.28–0.44]. Lactate clearance increased significantly with age. The half‐life of lactate in infants is comparable with that reported in adults with CPB, and lactate clearance is higher. Knowing the high lactate content of PRBCs, lactate clearance rather than absolute concentration is potentially a better indicator of the adequacy of perfusion during CPB in infants.
Role of erythrocytes in short‐term rewarming kidney perfusion after cold storage
Authors: Minor Thomas , von Horn Charlotte , Paul Andreas
Published: December 2018

Short term normothermic reconditioning by machine perfusion after cold storage has shown beneficial effects in renal transplantation models. Systematic investigations concerning the inclusion of washed erythrocytes as oxygen carriers are lacking in this context. Porcine kidneys were subjected to 20 h of static cold storage. Prior to reperfusion, grafts were put on a machine for 2 h of oxygenated (95% O2; 5% CO2) rewarming perfusion. In one group (n = 6) washed erythrocytes were added to the perfusate after temperature has reached 20°C; the other group (n = 6) was run without additives. Control kidneys (n = 6) were immediately reperfused without treatment. Upon reperfusion in vitro, a more than twofold improvement of renal clearance of creatinine, urinary protein loss, fractional excretion of sodium, efficiency of oxygen utilization (TNa/VO2) and a significant reduction of innate immune activation (HMGB1, tenascin C, expression of TLR4) was seen after machine perfusion, compared with the controls. However, no advantage could be obtained by the addition of erythrocytes and inner cortical tissue pO2 always remained above normal values during cell‐free machine perfusion. Our data strongly argue in favor of a rewarming perfusion of cold stored donor kidneys but do not substantiate an indication for adding oxygen carriers in this particular setting.
A standardized recession of the inferior oblique extraocular muscle – a safe and self‐grading surgical procedure for trochlear nerve palsy: a 10‐year material
Authors: Haugen Olav H. , Nepstad Lise
Published: December 2018

Purpose

To evaluate the results of surgical treatment in a large group of patients with trochlear nerve palsy, with emphasis on the self‐grading effect of a standardized recession of the ipsilateral inferior oblique muscle.

Methods

All patients who underwent first‐time surgery for trochlear nerve palsy in the period 2005–2014 in our department (n = 114) were retrospectively evaluated regarding pre‐ and postoperative data, surgical procedure, and the need for reoperations. Mean follow‐up time was 8.5 ± 13.8 months.

Results

Among the 114 patients, 73 (64.0%) had a congenital palsy, 31 (27.2%) an acquired palsy, while in 10 cases (8.8%) the type of palsy was uncertain. A standardized recession of the ipsilateral inferior oblique muscle with reattachment at the lateral border of the inferior rectus muscle was carried out in 97.3% of the congenital palsies and in 80.5% of the acquired/uncertain group. In the total patient material, further surgery was needed in 15.8%. Among the patients who underwent a single standardized recession of the inferior oblique muscle, a significant correlation between preoperative vertical angle of deviation and the postoperative change in deviation was demonstrated (correlation coefficient −0.70, p < 0.001), confirming the self‐grading nature of this procedure. Subjectively, 97.1% in the congenital and 91.4% in the acquired/uncertain group reported complete/near complete resolution or significant improvement of their symptoms at the final control examination.

Conclusion

In the majority of patients with trochlear nerve palsy, a favourable outcome may be achieved after a single, standardized recession of the ipsilateral inferior oblique muscle.
Cognitive dysfunction in Malaysian patients with major depressive disorder: A subgroup analysis of a multicountry, cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zainal Nor Zuraida , Kalita Pranab , Herr Keira Joann
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Cognitive dysfunction has been significantly associated with functional impairment in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods

This is a subgroup analysis of 211 Malaysian patients recruited from the multicountry, multicenter, cross‐sectional Cognitive Dysfunction in Asian patients with Depression (CogDAD) study. Depression severity, cognitive dysfunction, and functional disability were assessed and compared with the overall CogDAD study population. Factors associated with functional disability were also evaluated in this Malaysian patient population.

Results

Approximately half of the Malaysian patients were in their first depressive episode, with the majority being treated for mild‐to‐moderate depression. Furthermore, Malaysian patients experienced cognitive dysfunction, with self‐reported Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ‐D) scores falling within the third quartile of PDQ‐D severity. Malaysian patients also reported functional disability evidenced by a mean total Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) score of 11.47 ± 6.68, with the highest SDS score reported in the “Social Life/Leisure Activities” domain. Compared with the overall CogDAD study population, the Malaysian patient population had comparable patient demographics in terms of marital and working status; outcome scores for PHQ‐9 (9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire for self‐reported depression severity), PDQ‐D and SDS; and worst perceived cognitive dysfunction reported in the “Attention/Concentration” domain. Factors found to be significantly associated with functional disability were PDQ‐D score, sick leave taken, and antidepressant treatment (P < 0.05).

Discussion

Findings from this subgroup analysis highlight the significance of treating cognitive dysfunction in patients with MDD and its correlation to functional disability.
Reliability and validity of the short‐version instrument to measure health promotion for Korean cancer survivors
Authors: Lim Jung‐won
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The current study tests the validity and reliability of the short version of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP‐II) when used to measure health promotion for Korean cancer survivors.

Methods

The survey data were collected from 175 Korean cancer survivors who were diagnosed with breast or colorectal cancer in South Korea. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling were conducted to examine the construct and criterion validity of the Korean version of the HPLP‐II.

Results

Findings demonstrated that excluding nutrition and stress management, four subscales showed good internal consistency. The three competing models of the HPLP‐II were tested to determine the factor structure of the HPLP‐II for Korean cancer survivors: (a) the original 6‐factor, (b) the modified 4‐factor, and (c) the modified 5‐factor. The five‐factor solution with 23 items was selected for the final model. The criterion‐related validity based on the relationships between health promotion and HRQOL was demonstrated.

Discussion

This study makes an important contribution to understanding the health promotion measure used by Korean cancer survivors. Specifically, this study provides a rationale to investigate the validity of a measure before such measures are used in the different language and cultural groups.
Problems Establishing Identity/Residency in a City Neighborhood during a Black/White Police–Citizen Encounter: Reprising Du Bois’ Conception of Submission as “Submissive Civility”
Authors: Rawls Anne W. , Duck Waverly , Turowetz Jason
Published: December 2018

This article revisits W.E.B. Du Bois' (1943) conception of “The Submissive Man” in the context of a Black/White police–citizen encounter. Du Bois argued that submission to democratic principles that place the well–being of the whole over the individual is a Black American ideal, which offers a necessary counter–balance to the individualism of the dominant White “Strong Man” ideal. We contrast this preference for “submission” and “cooperation” in dealing with racism with White American individualism, referring to these as “preferences” in conflicting Black/White “Interaction Orders”. In the police–citizen encounter we analyze, what we call “Submissive Civility” by a Black citizen contributed to the use of excessive/unjustified force when it conflicted with the arresting officers' White expectations. Using Conversation Analysis, we document how the police enforced tacit and unconscious racial biases as if they were legal requirements, providing a framework for explaining how such tacit biases might be responsible for the prevalence of such incidents nationwide.
Place and Perception: Constructions of Community and Safety across Neighborhoods and Residents
Authors: Leverentz Andrea , Pittman Adam , Skinnon Jennifer
Published: December 2018

Residents of urban neighborhoods derive a sense of place and connection to their neighborhoods through their engagement with the neighborhood, including both the people in it and its amenities. In addition, one's perception of a neighborhood shapes one's sense of safety and fear of crime. In this paper, we analyze data from 84 interviews with residents in three Boston neighborhoods that varied on demographics, crime levels, and association to stereotypes about crime. Across the three neighborhoods, long–term residents derived a sense of safety through their social ties among their neighbors, particularly other long–term residents. Newer residents, especially White residents who were attracted to a neighborhood because of aesthetics or amenities, relied on their perceptions of social and physical disorder. These perceptions were raced and classed, with newer White residents associating danger with perceptions of the proximity of lower income and Black or Latino neighbors.
Substantial red wolf genetic ancestry persists in wild canids of southwestern Louisiana
Authors: Murphy Sean M. , Adams Jennifer R. , Cox John J. , Waits Lisette P.
Published: December 2018

Concerns over red wolf (Canis rufus) extinction caused by hybridization with coyotes (C. latrans) led to the capture and removal of remnant wild wolves from southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas, United States, during the 1970s. Here we show that despite decades of unmitigated hybridization, and declaration of endangered red wolves as functionally extinct in the wild, red wolf mitochondrial or nuclear DNA ancestry persists in ∼55% of contemporary wild canids sampled in southwestern Louisiana. Surprisingly, one individual had 78–100% red wolf ancestry, which is within the range for 75% red wolf, red wolf backcross, or putative red wolf, depending on estimation method. Our findings bolster support for designation of red wolves as a distinct species, demonstrate a critical need for the United States Government to consider adopting an existing but unimplemented hybrid policy, and suggest that immediate reassessment of canid management and taxonomic designation in southwestern Louisiana may be warranted.
From humility to envy: Questioning the usefulness of sad passions as a means towards virtue in Spinoza's Ethics
Authors: Soyarslan Sanem
Published: December 2018

In the Ethics, Spinoza defines certain traditional virtues such as humility and repentance as species of sadness and denies that they are virtues. He nonetheless holds that they can turn out to be useful as a means towards virtue—in fact, the greatest virtue of blessedness—in the life of someone who is not guided by reason. In this paper, I examine Spinoza's relatively overlooked claim regarding the usefulness of sad passions as a means towards blessedness. In taking up Spinoza's treatment of humility as my case study, I show that there is a tension between this claim and his other explicit commitments in the Ethics. More specifically, after considering his views regarding the consequences of humility—including, most notably, its susceptibility to envy—and conditions of achieving blessedness, I show that humility cannot effectively be said to bring about cooperation and push “weak‐minded” people in the right direction so that, in the end, they may be free and enjoy blessedness. I conclude by suggesting that if we must rely on passions as a means towards virtue in the Spinozistic universe, we must rely not on debilitating sad passions such as humility, but on joy‐based social passions such as love.
Formation of mineral–mineral and organo–mineral composite building units from microaggregate‐forming materials including microbially produced extracellular polymeric substances
Authors: Guhra Tom , Ritschel Thomas , Totsche Kai Uwe
Published: December 2018

Structures of colloidal compounds in soil, including organo–mineral and mineral–mineral associations, are considered as composite building units (CBUs) that may combine into soil microaggregates. Despite the ubiquitous occurrence of CBUs, the major formation mechanisms are rather obscure and little is known about whether they form primarily during weathering of the parent rocks or by aggregation processes from the soil suspension. We studied the formation of CBUs from suspensions composed of minerals and organic matter typical for temperate soils (i.e. quartz, goethite, illite and extracellular polymeric substances [EPS]). Without EPS, we found CBUs formed as mineral–mineral associations by hetero coagulation of illite and quartz that is bridged by goethite. The presence of EPS, in contrast, led to the formation of a stable suspension of clay‐sized CBUs with no involvement of quartz. We explained this by the rapid formation of organo–mineral CBUs made of EPS‐associated goethite and EPS‐associated illite. The sorption of EPS to goethite screened its surface charge, thereby reducing the electrostatic attraction between goethite and illite. This interaction effectively impeded the formation of mineral–mineral CBUs. Moreover, interactions of EPS with goethite resulted in a marked decrease of the phosphorus/carbon ratio in the suspension. This suggested a preferred adsorption of phosphorus‐containing EPS constituents to goethite and in turn to a compositional fractionation of EPS constituents between the solid and liquid phase as shown by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR–ATR). Laser light diffraction measurements revealed a shift from the fine silt fraction to that of the fine sand that also supports the role of EPS as a ‘binding’ agent.

Highlights

Composite building units (CBUs) form in suspensions with different mineral and organic components.

Both, hetero mineral–mineral and organo–mineral CBUs were formed.

The initial composition of the suspension controls type and properties of resulting CBUs.

Depending on the mineral surfaces, EPS may serve as a separation or binding agent.
Antipredator behaviour of invasive geckos in response to chemical cues from snakes
Authors: Cornelis Jari , Nordberg Eric J. , Schwarzkopf Lin
Published: December 2018

Antipredator behaviours and the ability to appropriately assess predation risk contribute to increased fitness. Predator avoidance can be costly; however, so we expect prey to most strongly avoid predators that pose the greatest risk (i.e., prey should show threat sensitivity). For invasive species, effectively assessing the relative risk posed by predators in the new environment may help them establish in new environments. We examined the antipredator behaviour of introduced Asian house geckos, Hemidactylus frenatus (Schlegel), by determining if they avoided shelters scented with the chemical cues of native predatory snakes (spotted pythons, Antaresia maculosa [Peters]; brown tree snakes, Boiga irregularis [Merrem]; common tree snakes, Dendrelaphis punctulata [Grey]; and carpet pythons, Morelia spilota [Lacépède]). We also tested if Asian house geckos collected from vegetation vs. anthropogenic substrates (buildings) responded differently to the chemical cues of predatory snakes. Asian house geckos did not show a generalised antipredator response, that is, they did not respond to the chemical cues of all snakes in the same way. Asian house geckos avoided the chemical cues of carpet pythons more strongly than those of other snake species, providing some support for the threat‐sensitivity hypothesis. There was no difference in the antipredator behaviour of Asian house geckos collected from buildings vs. natural vegetation, suggesting that individuals that have invaded natural habitats have not changed their antipredator behaviour compared to urban individuals. Overall, we found some evidence indicating Asian house geckos are threat‐sensitive to some Australian predacious snakes.
Estimating the relative fitness of escaped farmed salmon offspring in the wild and modelling the consequences of invasion for wild populations
Authors: Sylvester Emma V. A. , Wringe Brendan F. , Duffy Steven J. , Hamilton Lorraine C. , Fleming Ian A. , Castellani Marco , Bentzen Paul , Bradbury Ian R.
Published: December 2018

Throughout their native range, wild Atlantic salmon populations are threatened by hybridization and introgression with escapees from net‐pen salmon aquaculture. Although domestic–wild hybrid offspring have shown reduced fitness in laboratory and field experiments, consequential impacts on population abundance and genetic integrity remain difficult to predict in the field, in part because the strength of selection against domestic offspring is often unknown and context‐dependent. Here, we follow a single large escape event of farmed Atlantic salmon in southern Newfoundland and monitor changes in the in‐river proportions of hybrids and feral individuals over time using genetically based hybrid identification. Over a three‐year period following the escape, the overall proportion of wild parr increased consistently (total wild proportion of 71.6%, 75.1% and 87.5% each year, respectively), with subsequent declines in feral (genetically pure farmed individuals originating from escaped, farmed adults) and hybrid parr. We quantify the strength of selection against parr of aquaculture ancestry and explore the genetic and demographic consequences for populations in the region. Within‐cohort changes in the relative proportions of feral and F1 parr suggest reduced relative survival compared to wild individuals over the first (0.15 and 0.81 for feral and F1, respectively) and second years of life (0.26, 0.83). These relative survivorship estimates were used to inform an individual‐based salmon eco‐genetic model to project changes in adult abundance and overall allele frequency across three invasion scenarios ranging from short‐term to long‐term invasion and three relative survival scenarios. Modelling results indicate that total population abundance and time to recovery were greatly affected by relative survivorship and predict significant declines in wild population abundance under continued large escape events and calculated survivorship. Overall, this work demonstrates the importance of estimating the strength of selection against domestic offspring in the wild to predict the long‐term impact of farmed salmon escape events on wild populations.
Ultrathin ceramic nanowires for high interface interaction and energy density in PVDF nanocomposites
Authors: Qu Peng , Zhu Xinfeng , Peng Xiaohan , Zhang Meiyu , Yang Bing , Liu Xiaolin
Published: December 2018

Dielectric nanocomposites with ceramic fillers have a crucial role in energy storage applications. Therefore, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based nanocomposites filled with 20 nm diameter, surface hydroxylated BaTiO3 nanowires (BTnws) were produced by solution‐casting method in this work, in which BTnws were synthesized via solvothermal method. The dielectric constant of BTnws/PVDF nanocomposites was 24 when the content of fillers was 10vol% at 100 Hz and the breakdown strength could increase up to 417 kV/mm before decreasing. The nanocomposites showed enhanced energy density performance and the maximum energy density could reach to 8.1J/cm3 at 320 kV/mm with 10vol% BTnws, nearly tripled that of pure PVDF at 300 kV/mm. Finite element and molecular dynamic simulation results revealed that thin BTnws could create dielectric homogeneity in the nanocomposites and have strong interface interaction with PVDF molecular. The ultrathin BTnws provided the possibility that single PVDF molecular could wrap on its surface, but this molecular wrapping pattern would not occur when the diameter of BTnws was large. Besides, the wrapping pattern could be reinforced by interactions between surface hydroxyl groups of BTnws and F atoms of PVDF molecular. Such contributions could induce good interface compatibility and lead to the improvement of energy density.
En bloc laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy: A single‐institution experience
Authors: Tohi Yoichiro , Makita Noriyuki , Suzuki Issei , Suzuki Ryosuke , Kubota Masashi , Sugino Yoshio , Inoue Koji , Kawakita Mutsushi
Published: December 2018

Objective

To report the outcomes of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy for right renal cell carcinoma at Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.

Method

A retrospective review of the clinical records of five patients who underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy for right renal cell carcinoma between 2013 and 2017 was carried out. The surgical procedure included ligation and cutting of the right renal artery, followed by kidney mobilization. The left renal vein, and the caudal and cephalad sides of the inferior vena cava thrombus were clamped using laparoscopic vascular clamps, and the inferior vena cava was incised. The free kidney and tumor thrombus were placed en bloc in a retrieval bag. Subsequently, the inferior vena cava was laparoscopically closed using a continuous suture.

Results

The median operative time, pneumoperitoneum time, blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were 316 min, 266 min, 400 mL and 7 days, respectively. The median clamp time was 28 min (range 13–105 min). One patient (20%) required a perioperative blood transfusion. The surgical margin was negative in all patients. Only one patient experienced a major complication (Clavien–Dindo grade ≥3), namely a postoperative hemorrhage requiring transarterial embolism.

Conclusion

En bloc laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy is a challenging yet feasible procedure for experienced surgeons in carefully selected patients. Further studies of this surgical procedure are required for standardization and safe application.
Bayesian Calibration ofp‐Values from Fisher's Exact Test
Authors: Ott Manuela , Held Leonhard
Published: December 2018

p‐Values are commonly transformed to lower bounds on Bayes factors, so‐called minimum Bayes factors. For the linear model, a sample‐size adjusted minimum Bayes factor over the class ofg‐priors on the regression coefficients has recently been proposed (Held & Ott, The American Statistician 70(4), 335–341, 2016). Here, we extend this methodology to a logistic regression to obtain a sample‐size adjusted minimum Bayes factor for 2 × 2 contingency tables. We then study the relationship between this minimum Bayes factor and two‐sidedp‐values from Fisher's exact test, as well as less conservative alternatives, with a novel parametric regression approach. It turns out that for allp‐values considered, the maximal evidence against the point null hypothesis is inversely related to the sample size. The same qualitative relationship is observed for minimum Bayes factors over the more general class of symmetric prior distributions. For thep‐values from Fisher's exact test, the minimum Bayes factors do on average not tend to the large‐sample bound as the sample size becomes large, but for the less conservative alternatives, the large‐sample behaviour is as expected.
Preparation of ultra‐low temperature sintering ceramics with ultralow dielectric loss in Na2O–WO3 binary system
Authors: Yuan Xiaofeng , Xue Xian , Wang Hong
Published: December 2018

A series of new microwave dielectric ceramics with ultralow dielectric loss in Na2O–WO3 binary system were prepared by the modified solid‐state reaction method at ultra‐low sintering temperatures. Three stable phases, namely Na2WO4, Na2W2O7 and Na2W4O13, were formed in the system. Their stability in the air, phase composition, compatibility with metal electrodes, microstructures, and microwave dielectric properties were investigated. In this binary system, the cubic structure Na2WO4 ceramic sintered at 565°C exhibited the best microwave dielectric properties with a permittivity of 5.6, a Q × f value of 124 200 GHz and a temperature coefficient of −63 ppm/°C at a frequency of 13.1 GHz. The Na2WO4 ceramic is chemically compatible with Ag and Al electrodes. Besides, the Na2WO4 ceramic has favorable stability in the air. Due to the excellent dielectric properties and favorable stability in the air, the Na2WO4 ceramic is a great candidate for LTCC devices.
Fabrication of bulk piezoelectric and dielectric BaTiO3 ceramics using paste extrusion 3D printing technique
Authors: Kim Hoejin , Renteria‐Marquez Anabel , Islam Md Didarul , Chavez Luis A. , Garcia Rosales Carlos A. , Ahsan Md Ariful , Tseng Tzu‐Liang Bill , Love Norman D. , Lin Yirong
Published: December 2018

A simple and facile method was developed to fabricate functional bulk barium titanate (BaTiO3, BT) ceramics using the paste extrusion 3D printing technique. The BT ceramic is a lead‐free ferroelectric material widely used for various applications in sensors, energy storage, and harvesting. There are several traditional methods (eg, tape casting) to process bulk BT ceramics but they have disadvantages such as difficult handing without shape deformation, demolding, complex geometric shapes, expansive molds, etc. In this research, we utilized the paste extrusion 3D printing technique to overcome the traditional issues and developed printable ceramic suspensions containing BT ceramic powder, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) through simple mixing method and chemical formulation. This PVDF solution erformed multiple roles of binder, plasticizer, and dispersant for excellent manufacturability while providing high volume percent and density of the final bulk ceramic. Based on empirical data, it was found that the maximum binder ratio with good viscosity and retention for desired geometry is 1:8.8, while the maximum BT content is 35.45 vol% (77.01 wt%) in order to achieve maximum density of 3.93 g/cm3 (65.3%) for 3D printed BT ceramic. Among different sintering temperatures, it was observed that the sintered BT ceramic at 1400°C had highest grain growth and tetragonality which affected high performing piezoelectric and dielectric properties, 200 pC/N and 4730 at 103 Hz respectively. This paste extrusion 3D printing technique and simple synthesis method for ceramic suspensions are expected to enable rapid massive production, customization, design flexibility of the bulk piezoelectric and dielectric devices for next generation technology.
Bond strength between composite repair and polymer‐infiltrated ceramic‐network material: Effect of different surface treatments
Authors: Bello Yuri Dal , Di Domenico Marielle B. , Magro Leticia Dal , Lise Mônica W. , Corazza Pedro H.
Published: December 2018

Objective

To evaluate the bond strength of a polymer‐infiltrated ceramic‐network (PICN) material and to composite repair after different surface treatments.

Materials and Methods

Eighteen blocks of the PICN material were obtained from CAD/CAM blocks, aged and randomly divided into 2 groups: 5% hydrofluoric acid (HF) or sandblasting with aluminum oxide particles (SAND). For each condition, three treatments were tested: silane (Sil), silane‐containing adhesive (Ad), or silane + silane‐containing adhesive (SilAd). The treated PICN surfaces were restored with composite resin. The microtensile bond strength test was performed in a universal testing machine, and data (MPa) were compared with two‐way Analysis of variance (anova) and Tukey (α = 0.05). Roughness (Ra) and contact angle (CA) were obtained after HF and SAND conditions.

Results

The greatest bond strength values were obtained for the groups Sil and SilAd, for both HF and SAND pretreatments. The Ra values of SAND were statistically greater than HF. The CA generated by the adhesive on SAND surface was lower than HF surface.

Conclusions

The use of silane improves the bond strength of the composite repair to PICN substrate compared to the single use of silane‐containing adhesive. The HF pretreatment is most indicated when the silane‐containing adhesive is applied alone.

Clinical Significance

Fractured PICN restorations can be repaired with composite resin, because the surface is treated with hydrofluoric acid or sandblasting followed by the individual use of silane.
Gingival fibroblasts prevent BMP‐mediated osteoblastic differentiation
Authors: Ghuman Mandeep S. , Al‐Masri Maher , Xavier Guilherme , Cobourne Martyn T. , McKay Ian J. , Hughes Francis J.
Published: December 2018

Objectives

The inhibitory action of the superficial gingival connective tissues may limit the regenerative potential of alveolar bone in periodontal therapy or dental implant applications. The aims of this study were to investigate the hypothesis that gingival fibroblasts (GF) can inhibit bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐induced osteoblastic differentiation, to determine their expression of BMP inhibitors, and finally to determine whether reduction of these inhibitors can relieve suppression of osteoblastic differentiation.

Methods

Gingival fibroblasts were co‐cultured either directly or indirectly with calvarial osteoblasts to assess alkaline phosphatase inhibitory activity, a marker of osteoblastic differentiation. To test total BMP‐inhibitory activity of rat GF, conditioned media (GFCM) were collected from cultures. ROS 17/2.8 osteoblastic cells were stimulated with BMP2, together with GFCM. Inhibitor expression was tested using RT‐qPCR, Western blotting and in situ hybridization. Removal of inhibitors was carried out using immunoprecipitation beads.

Results

Co‐culture experiments showed GF‐secreted factors that inhibit BMP‐stimulated ALP activity. 10 ng/ml BMP2 increased alkaline phosphatase expression in ROS cells by 41%. GFCM blocked BMP activity which was equivalent to the activity of 100 ng/ml Noggin, a well‐described BMP inhibitor. Cultured gingival fibroblasts constitutively expressed BMP antagonist genes from the same subfamily, Grem1, Grem2 and Nbl1 and the Wnt inhibitor Sfrp1. Gremlin1 (6.7 × reference gene expression) had highest levels of basal expression. ISH analysis showed Gremlin1 expression was restricted to the inner half of the gingival lamina propria and the PDL. Removal of Gremlin1 protein from GFCM eliminated the inhibitory effect of GFCM on ALP activity in ROS cells. Subsequent addition of recombinant Gremlin1 restored the inhibitory activity.

Conclusions

Factors secreted by gingival fibroblasts inhibit BMP‐induced bone formation and a range of BMP inhibitors are constitutively expressed in gingival connective tissues. These inhibitors, particularly Gremlin1, may limit coronal alveolar bone regenerative potential during oral and periodontal surgery.
Reproductive biology of the 38 extant felid species: a review
Authors: Andrews Christopher J. , Thomas David G. , Yapura Jimena , Potter Murray A.
Published: December 2018

Knowledge of reproductive biology is crucial to improvingin situandex situbreeding programmes for felids. We reviewed the available literature (223 publications) on the reproductive biology of all 38 felid species.

We found that 78% of the publications (173) were focused on either or both the oestrous cycles (84) or ejaculate traits (92) of felids. Literature was biased towards the domestic catFelis catus(31), the cheetahAcinonyx jubatus(27), and the panthera lineage (66). There was a paucity of literature on the caracal lineage (7), the bay cat lineage (3), members of the domestic cat lineage other than the domestic cat (11), and several species of the ocelot lineage.

The mean duration of oestrus varies little between the different lineages and species (mean 5.2 days, range 1–10 days,nE = 2265). However, the duration of interoestrus varies greatly in most species (e.g. 1–118 days in the domestic cat). Gestation length also varies significantly between species, but is similar within each lineage and related to adult body size. Non‐pregnant luteal phases appear to persist for half the duration of pregnant luteal phases (48%, 21–71 days,nE = 256; c.f. previous reports of one‐third the duration of pregnant luteal phases).

Sperm motility (sperm motility index), sperm viability, and acrosome intactness are high in the fresh ejaculates of most felid species [69% (26–90%,nE = 2104), 69% (49–87%,nE = 443), and 84% (21–100%,nE = 1763), respectively]. Teratospermia is highly prevalent within Felidae, but is particularly problematic for the puma and lynx lineages [ejaculates with 76% (63–94%) and 79% (63–98%) abnormal sperm, respectively]. Teratospermia appears to be linked to low genetic diversity.

The maintenance and enhancement of genetic diversity through the use of assisted reproductive technologies should be a long‐term goal for felid conservation management. A short‐term management goal should be to improve the success of assisted reproductive technologies in felids by minimising captivity‐related stress, which can adversely affect fertility and ovarian activity.
Changes in physical activity over the lifespan: impact on body composition and sarcopenic obesity
Authors: Westerterp K. R.
Published: December 2018

Physical activity and body composition show a typical pattern over the lifecycle. Fat‐free mass and physical performance generally peak in early adulthood. Here, evidence for a relation between physical activity changes over the life span and the development of sarcopenic obesity is presented. Activity‐induced energy expenditure increases with body size and physical activity during growth. The physical activity level, calculated by expressing total energy expenditure as a multiple of resting energy expenditure, gradually increases from early age to adulthood to decrease again in old age. Habitual physical activity has a significant effect on growth of fat‐free mass during adolescence and thus on peak fat‐free mass and physical performance in early adulthood. Older subjects have a lower fat‐free mass and lower physical activity levels but there is no association, suggesting physical activity does not protect against loss of lean body mass at higher age. Prevention of sarcopenic obesity starts with a physically active lifestyle to develop a healthy peak fat‐free mass and subsequent prevention of excess fat gain. The change from a physically active to a more sedentary routine in later life requires restriction of energy intake to maintain energy balance.