bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in nasotracheal tube depth in response to head and neck movement in children
Authors: Yamanaka Hitoshi , Tsukamoto Masanori , Hitosugi Takashi , Yokoyama Takeshi
Published: July 2018

Background

A tracheal tube is often inserted via the nasal cavity for dental surgery. The position of the tube tip is important, given that the head position sometimes changes during surgery. Head movement induces changes in the length of the trachea (t‐length) and/or the distance between the nare and the vocal cords (n‐v‐distance). In this study, we investigated the changes in t‐length and n‐v‐distance in children undergoing nasotracheal intubation.

Methods

Eighty patients aged 2‐8 year undergoing dental surgery were enrolled. After nasotracheal intubation with an uncuffed nasotracheal tube (4.5‐6.0 mm), the tube was fixed at the patient's nares. The distance between the tube tip and the first carina was measured using a fibrescope with the angle between the Frankfort plane and horizontal plane set at 110°. The location of the tube in relation to the vocal cords was then checked. These measurements were repeated at angles of 80° (flexion) and 130° (extension). The t‐length and n‐v‐distance were then calculated using these measurements.

Results

On flexion, the t‐length shortened significantly from 87.5 ± 10.4 mm to 82.9 ± 10.7 mm (P = 0.017) and the n‐v‐distance decreased from 128.1 ± 10.7 mm to 125.6 ± 10.4 mm (P = 0.294). On extension, the t‐length increased significantly from 87.5 ± 10.4 mm to 92.7 ± 10.1 mm (P = 0.007) and the n‐v‐distance increased from 128.1 ± 10.7 mm to 129.4 ± 10.7 mm (P = 0.729). The change in t‐length was significantly greater than that in the n‐v‐distance.

Conclusion

A change in the position of the tracheal tube tip in the trachea depends mainly on changes in t‐length during paediatric dental surgery.
Anesthetic approach to postdural puncture headache in the peripartum period: An Israeli national survey
Authors: Ioscovich Alexander , Giladi Yaara , Fuica Rivka Leah , Weiniger Carolyn F. , Orbach‐Zinger Sharon , Gozal Yaacov , Shatalin Daniel
Published: July 2018

Background

Accidental dural puncture frequency among pregnant women is about 1.5%, while approximately 60% of these women will suffer from post‐dural puncture headache (PDPH) that may be debilitating.

Methods

Following IRB approval, we conducted a national survey of the lead anesthesiologist in 23 labor and delivery rooms in Israel. Each survey inquired about medical center annual delivery volume, training program for residents, accidental dural puncture management, processing of information, and PDPH management strategies.

Results

Data were collected from all 23 surveyed hospitals. As for methods for PDPH prevention, in most hospitals (87%) a prophylactic epidural blood patch (EBP) is not considered. Injection of epidural normal saline after delivery as a preventive measure is never considered in most (78.3%) hospitals, while four (17.4%) hospitals reported of constitutive use of this technique and one hospital only occasionally. Duration of conservative treatment was 24‐48 hours in 95.7% of PDPH cases.

Conclusion

In this survey, different aspects of treatment and PDPH management were examined. EBP is considered the gold standard in treating PDPH, although prophylactic blood patch is ineffective. We observed a tendency of very low performance of both prophylactic EBP and epidural normal saline administration after delivery in most centers. Most hospitals perform EBP after 24‐48 hours of conservative treatment, along with published recommendations that show increased EBP efficiency with this timeframe. In light of the survey information, we aim to reach a uniform literature‐based management strategy across Israeli hospitals.
AUDIT‐C and ICD codes as phenotypes for harmful alcohol use: association with ADH1B polymorphisms in two US populations
Authors: Justice Amy C. , Smith Rachel V. , Tate Janet P. , McGinnis Kathleen , Xu Ke , Becker William C. , Lee Kuang‐Yao , Lynch Kevin , Sun Ning , Concato John , Fiellin David A. , Zhao Hongyu , Gelernter Joel , Kranzler Henry R. ,   on behalf of the VA Million Veteran Program
Published: July 2018

Background and Aims

Longitudinal electronic health record (EHR) data offer a large‐scale, untapped source of phenotypical information on harmful alcohol use. Using established, alcohol‐associated variants in the gene that encodes the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) as criterion standards, we compared the individual and combined validity of three longitudinal EHR‐based phenotypes of harmful alcohol use: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT‐C) trajectories; mean age‐adjusted AUDIT‐C; and diagnoses of alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Design

With longitudinal EHR data from the Million Veteran Program (MVP) linked to genetic data, we used two population‐specific polymorphisms in ADH1B that are associated strongly with AUD in African Americans (AAs) and European Americans (EAs): rs2066702 (Arg369Cys, AAs) and rs1229984 (Arg48His, EAs) as criterion measures.

Setting

United States Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

Participants

A total of 167 721 veterans (57 677 AAs and 110 044 EAs; 92% male, mean age = 63 years) took part in this study. Data were collected from 1  October 2007 to 1 May 2017.

Measurements

Using all AUDIT‐C scores and AUD diagnostic codes recorded in the EHR, we calculated age‐adjusted mean AUDIT‐C values, longitudinal statistical trajectories of AUDIT‐C scores and ICD‐9/10 diagnostic groupings for AUD.

Findings

A total of 19 793 AAs (34.3%) had one or two minor alleles at rs2066702 [minor allele frequency (MAF) = 0.190] and 6933 EAs (6.3%) had one or two minor alleles at rs1229984 (MAF = 0.032). In both populations, trajectories and age‐adjusted mean AUDIT‐C were correlated (r = 0.90) but, when considered separately, highest score (8+ versus 0) of age‐adjusted mean AUDIT‐C demonstrated a stronger association with the ADH1B variants [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.54 in AAs and 0.37 in AAs] than did the highest trajectory (aOR 0.71 in AAs and 0.53 in EAs); combining AUDIT‐C metrics did not improve discrimination. When age‐adjusted mean AUDIT‐C score and AUD diagnoses were considered together, age‐adjusted mean AUDIT‐C (8+ versus 0) was associated with lower odds of having the ADH1B minor allele than were AUD diagnostic codes: aOR = 0.59 versus 0.86 in AAs and 0.48 versus 0.68 in EAs. These independent associations combine to yield an even lower aOR of 0.51 for AAs and 0.33 for EAs.

Conclusions

The age‐adjusted mean AUDIT‐C score is associated more strongly with genetic polymorphisms of known risk for alcohol use disorder than are longitudinal trajectories of AUDIT‐C or AUD diagnostic codes. AUD diagnostic codes modestly enhance this association.
The Future of East Asia’s Trade: A Call for Better Globalization
Authors: Pangestu Mari , Ing Lili Yan , Hadiwidjaja Gracia
Published: July 2018

This paper is about how East Asia should respond to the challenges of the external environment. The first challenge is the current slowdown in trade, which has been due to cyclical and structural factors such as the decline in productivity and the maturation of global value chains. The rise in protectionism as measured by rising trade restrictiveness has not impacted on trade, but political and policy uncertainty regarding the direction of trade policy seems to have begun to impact on trade growth. The policy stance of increased protectionism and a retreat from the multilateral rules‐based trading system is linked to the pockets of the population who have not seen their incomes improve and who have blamed their plight and increased inequality on globalization. In fact, the issue is more about the lack of effective responses to manage the costs of trade liberalization. East Asian economies need to respond to these challenges by upholding the multilateral rules‐based trading system, continuing the various pathways to regional economic integration, and ensuring better globalization through effective capacity building and policies to address the negative effects of trade liberalization.
The significance of ST‐elevation in aVL in anterolateral myocardial infarction: An assessment by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Allencherril Joseph , Fakhri Yama , Engblom Henrik , Heiberg Einar , Carlsson Marcus , Dubois‐Rande Jean‐Luc , Halvorsen Sigrun , Hall Trygve S. , Larsen Alf‐Inge , Jensen Svend Eggert , Arheden Hakan , Atar Dan , Clemmensen Peter , Ripa Maria Sejersten , Birnbaum Yochai
Published: July 2018

Background

Anterolateral myocardial infarction (MI) is traditionally defined on the electrocardiogram by ST‐elevation (STE) in I, aVL, and the precordial leads. Traditional literature holds STE in lead aVL to be associated with occlusion proximal to the first diagonal branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery. However, concomitant ischemia of the inferior myocardium may theoretically lead to attenuation of STE in aVL. We compared segmental distribution of myocardial area at risk (MaR) in patients with and without STE in aVL.

Methods

We identified patients in the MITOCARE study presenting with a first acute MI and new STE in two contiguous anterior leads from V1 to V6, with or without aVL STE. Patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging 3–5 days after acute infarction for quantitative assessment of MaR.

Results

A total of 32 patients met inclusion criteria; 13 patients with and 19 without STE in lead aVL. MaR > 20% at the basal anterior segment was seen in 54% of patients with aVL STE, and 11% of those without (p = 0.011). MaR > 20% at the apical inferior segment was seen in 62% and 95% of patients with and without aVL STE, respectively (p = 0.029). The total MaR was not different between groups (44% ± 10% and 39% ± 8.3% respectively, p = 0.15).

Conclusion

Patients with anterior STEMI and concomitant STE in aVL have less MaR in the apical inferior segment and more MaR in the basal anterior segment.
Acetylsalicylic acid does not prevent first‐trimester unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Blomqvist Lennart , Hellgren Margareta , Strandell Annika
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Recurrent pregnancy loss occurs in about 1% of fertile couples. Without proper evidence for an effect, different treatments have been used when no etiological factor has been detected. The present trial is the first randomized trial to compare 75 mg acetylsalicylic acid with placebo for women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Material and methods

This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted at a single center between 2008 and 2015. Recurrent pregnancy loss was defined as at least 3 consecutive first‐trimester miscarriages within the couple. Women < 40 years old with a body mass index < 35 kg/m2 were eligible if the workup was negative. Randomization was through a third party, who manufactured and delivered the study drugs, and occurred when fetal heartbeat was detected, to either 75 mg acetylsalicylic acid or placebo; 200 women in each group. Group allocation was concealed until all the study participants had a pregnancy outcome registered. All women attended the same control program. Primary outcome was live birth. Statistical analyses were according to intention‐to‐treat.

Results

All 400 women completed the follow up. Live birth rate was 83.0% (n = 166) and 85.5% (n = 171) for the acetylsalicylic acid and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.58). The difference was −2.5% (95% CI −10.1% to 5.1%). The risk ratio was 0.97 (95% CI 0.89‐1.06).

Conclusions

Treatment with acetylsalicylic acid did not prevent recurrent miscarriage in women with at least three consecutive miscarriages in the first trimester, of unknown reasons and in the same relationship. The fertility prognosis is very good, the live birth rate being > 80% with or without acetylsalicylic acid.
Retrospective study showed that palpitations with tachycardia on admission to a paediatric emergency department were related to cardiac arrhythmias
Authors: Bobbo Marco , Amoroso Stefano , Tamaro Gianluca , Gesuete Valentina , D'agata Mottolese Biancamaria , Barbi Egidio , Ventura Alessandro
Published: July 2018

Aim

This retrospective study reviewed the prevalence and long‐term prognosis of children aged 0–18 with palpitations who were admitted to the emergency department (ED) of an Italian paediatric hospital.

Methods

We examined all admissions to the ED of the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo between January 2009 and December 2015 by selecting triage diagnoses of palpitations. The hospital discharge cards were reviewed to assess vital parameters, physical examinations, diagnostic tests, cardiology consultations and final diagnoses.

Results

Of the 142 803 patients who attended our ED for any reason, 96 (0.07%) complained of palpitations. Despite this low prevalence, it was noteworthy that 13.5% had a real underlying arrhythmic cause and needed medical assistance. Over half (52.1%) were women and the mean age was 12.7 years. At the long‐term follow‐up, at a mean of 47 ± 23 months, 53.8% of patients with a cardiac arrhythmia had received medical therapy and 46.1% had undergone trans‐catheter ablation for supraventricular tachycardia. A heart rate above 146 beats per minute or palpitations for more than an hour was statistically related to a cardiac arrhythmia.

Conclusion

Palpitations were an infrequent cause of admission to our ED, but 13.5% who displayed them had an underlying cardiac arrhythmia.
Physical activity preferences of 10‐year‐old children and identified activities with positive and negative associations to cardiorespiratory fitness
Authors: Resaland G K , Aadland E , Andersen J R , Bartholomew J B , Anderssen S A , Moe V F
Published: July 2018

Aim

This study investigated children's physical activity (PA) preferences, as these can aid the design of school‐based interventions.

Methods

Data were collected in 2014 as a part of the Active Smarter Kids study and 1026 students (52% boys) from 57 Norwegian primary schools completed a questionnaire about their favourite physical activities at a mean age of 10.2 ± 0.3 years. We identified five patterns of PA and studied whether gender, cardiorespiratory fitness and abdominal adiposity were associated with these patterns.

Results

Soccer and slalom skiing were the favourite activities, and the most pronounced gender differences were for activities favoured by girls, which included dancing, gymnastics, exercising to music and jumping rope (p < 0.001). When the five component patterns were analysed using linear mixed‐effect models, this showed a strong female preference for dancing, gymnastics, exercising to music and climbing. Cardiovascular fitness was negatively associated with frisbee, dodgeball, baseball and floorball, and positively associated with team handball, volleyball and basketball and with slalom skiing and cross‐country skiing. It was interesting that the children's preferences were not related to their abdominal adiposity.

Conclusion

The results showed different gender‐based PA preferences and positive and negative associations with cardiovascular fitness, but no relationship with abdominal adiposity.
An evidence‐based systematic review of the off‐label uses of lisinopril
Authors: Sadat‐Ebrahimi Seyyed‐Reza , Parnianfard Neda , Vahed Nafiseh , Babaei Hossein , Ghojazadeh Morteza , Tang Sydney , Azarpazhooh Amir
Published: July 2018

Aims

Lisinopril is an angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitor that is largely administered for off‐label uses. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of off‐label uses of lisinopril to aid physicians to make evidence‐based decisions.

Methods

The following bibliographic databases were searched from inception up to 30 March 2017: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Ovid and Proquest. This systematic review sought all randomized trials conducted on adult individuals comparing lisinopril on its off‐label uses with alternative drugs or placebos and reported direct or alternative clinical outcomes. Risk of bias assessment by using the Cochrane Collaboration risk‐of‐bias tool and quality evaluation took place.

Results

Included studies demonstrated significant positive effects of lisinopril on proteinuric kidney disease; however, lisinopril caused a slight reduction of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) especially for patients with GFR < 90 ml min–1. Lisinopril offered better outcomes in comparison to other standard treatments of diabetic nephropathy. Other studies showed positive effects of lisinopril for migraine, prevention of diabetes, myocardial fibrosis, mitral valve regurgitation, cardiomyopathy in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, oligospermia and infertility, and diabetic retinopathy. Conversely, the studies reported that lisinopril was ineffective for five other off‐label uses.

Conclusions

The identified studies showed that lisinopril was highly effective for proteinuric kidney disease with a minor but inconsiderable decrease in GFR. Positive effects of lisinopril were demonstrated in seven other off‐label uses; however, lisinopril cannot be recommended as the first choice for these until further clinical trials confirm these positive effects.
Clinical activity of ASP8273 in Asian patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer with EGFR activating and T790M mutations
Authors: Murakami Haruyasu , Nokihara Hiroshi , Hayashi Hidetoshi , Seto Takashi , Park Keunchil , Azuma Koichi , Tsai Chun‐Ming , Yang James Chih‐Hsin , Nishio Makoto , Kim Sang‐We , Kiura Katsuyuki , Inoue Akira , Takeda Koji , Kang Jin‐Hyoung , Nakagawa Tomoki , Takeda Kentaro , Akazawa Rio , Kaneko Yuichiro , Shimazaki Masashi , Morita Satoshi , Fukuoka Masahiro , Nakagawa Kazuhiko
Published: July 2018

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐activating mutations confer sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment for non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ASP8273 is a highly specific, irreversible, once‐daily, oral, EGFR TKI that inhibits both activating and resistance mutations. This ASP8273 dose‐escalation/dose‐expansion study (NCT02192697) was undertaken in two phases. In phase I, Japanese patients (aged ≥20 years) with NSCLC previously treated with ≥1 EGFR TKI received escalating ASP8273 doses (25‐600 mg) to assess safety/tolerability and to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) by the Bayesian Continual Reassessment Method. In phase II, adult patients with T790M‐positive NSCLC in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan received ASP8273 at RP2D to further assess safety/tolerability and determine antitumor activity, which was evaluated according to Simon's two‐stage design (threshold response = 30%, expected response = 50%, α = 0.05, β = 0.1). Overall, 121 (n = 45 [33W/12M] phase I, n = 76 [48W/28M]) phase 2) patients received ≥1 dose of ASP8273. In phase I, RP2D and MTD were established as 300 and 400 mg, respectively. As 27 of the 63 patients treated with ASP8273 300 mg achieved a clinical response, ASP8273 was determined to have antitumor activity. The overall response rate at week 24 in all patients was 42% (n = 32/76; 95% confidence interval, 30.9‐54.0). Median duration of progression‐free survival was 8.1 months (95% confidence interval, 5.6, upper bound not reached). The most commonly reported treatment‐related adverse event in phase II was diarrhea (57%, n = 43/76). ASP8273 300 mg was generally well tolerated and showed antitumor activity in Asian patients with both EGFR‐activating and T790M mutations.
Root surface caries among older Australians
Authors: Hariyani Ninuk , Spencer A. John , Luzzi Liana , Do Loc Giang
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Root caries has increased as a clinical problem in recent decades. However, the use of multiple waves of longitudinal follow‐up data in estimating root caries increment has not been previously attempted. The aims of this study were to quantify root caries increment from a longitudinal study of older adults with 4 oral examinations over 11 years and to examine behavioural factors associated with root caries.

Methods

A secondary analysis was undertaken using data collected in 4 waves (baseline, 2‐year, 5‐year and 11‐year) of the South Australian Dental Longitudinal Study which began in 1991/92. The study group consisted of a stratified random sample of people aged 60+ years at baseline. A total of 358 participants with complete oral examinations in all 4 waves were included. The examinations were performed by trained and calibrated dentists. Baseline behavioural risk factors (toothbrushing frequency, flossing frequency, dental visiting pattern, reason for dental visiting and tobacco smoking status) and time in years across the 4 waves were the main exposures. Baseline clinical oral conditions (gingival condition and gingival recession), demographic and socio‐economic risk factors served as covariates. Root caries was measured as mean number of untreated root surfaces (root DS) and decayed/filled root surfaces (root DFS) at each wave of examinations. Multivariable multilevel growth model using linear regression analysis was used to get an estimate for root caries increment and associated oral health‐related behaviours adjusting for all the covariates.

Results

Findings from the multivariable models indicated that the annual increment of root DS and root DFS were 0.07 (SE = 0.01) and 0.11 (SE = 0.02) surfaces, respectively. Irregular brushing (E [SE] = 0.25 [0.12]), visiting the dentist only for problems (E [SE] = 0.30 [0.13]) and smoking (E [SE] = 0.33 [0.12]) were risk factors for the increase in root DS. Irregular flossing and more frequent dental visit were associated with the increase in root DFS.

Conclusions

Root caries increased slowly across time among relatively healthier Australian older adults. Irregular brushing, unfavourable dental visiting and tobacco smoking were risk factors for the increase in untreated root caries, while irregular flossing and more frequent dental visiting were associated with the increase in root DFS.
Abnormal irisin level in serum and endometrium is associated with metabolic dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome patients
Authors: Wang Wei , Guo Ying , Zhang Xinxian , Zheng Jiahua
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in reproductive‐age women. Irisin is considered to play a role in metabolic disorder and PCOS. However, correlation between irisin and metabolic disorder in PCOS is not clear.

Material and methods

This is a prospective study. Forty patients with PCOS and thirty patients without PCOS were recruited for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF‐ET). All PCOS women fulfilled all three Rotterdam consensus criteria. In each group, patients were also divided into obese and nonobese patients, and patients with or without dyslipidaemia.

Results

Serum irisin level in PCOS patients was significantly reduced. Irisin level in obese PCOS patients was significantly lower than in nonobese PCOS patients. Irisin level in PCOS patients with dyslipidaemia was significantly higher than in PCOS patients with normal blood lipid profile. In both PCOS and control patients, serum irisin level was negatively correlated with body weight and waist‐hip ratio (WHR). Moreover, serum irisin level was positively correlated with body fat rate, BAI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HOMA‐IR in PCOS patients. In addition, serum irisin level was positively correlated with HOMA‐IR in control patients. In PCOS patients, body weight and HOMA‐IR could predict the level of irisin. In control patients, body mass index (BMI) could predict the level of irisin. Expression of irisin in PCOS patients was lower than that in control patients. However, there was no significant difference of irisin expression between the subdivided groups in PCOS and control patients.

Conclusions

Taken together, the present findings enriched the knowledge about the role of irisin in metabolic dysfunction in PCOS patients.
The effect of lithium on the progression‐free and overall survival in patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer undergoing radioactive iodine therapy
Authors: Luo Hongxiu , Tobey Andrew , Auh Sungyoung , Cochran Craig , Zemskova Marina , Reynolds James , Lima Cristiane , Burman Kenneth , Wartofsky Leonard , Skarulis Monica , Kebebew Electron , Klubo‐Gwiezdzinska Joanna
Published: July 2018

Objective

Pretreatment with lithium (Li) is associated with an increased residence time of radioactive iodine (RAI) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) metastases. There are no data translating this observation into long‐term outcomes. The study goal was to compare the efficacy of three methods of preparation for RAI therapy in metastatic DTC—thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW), THW with pretreatment with Li (THW+Li), and recombinant human TSH (rhTSH).

Design/Patients/Measurements

We performed a cohort study comparing overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) between the three groups: THW (n = 52), THW+Li (n = 41) and rhTSH (n = 42). Kaplan‐Meier analyses were performed to compare OS and PFS between the groups. Cox proportional hazards regression model with a stepwise variable selection was performed to study the contribution of age, gender, histology, TNM status, a location of distant metastases and RAI dose.

Results

During the follow‐up of median 5.1 (IQR = 3.0‐8.1) years, 52% of patients had disease progression and 12.6% died. Although THW+Li group was characterized by the longest OS (P = 0.007), only age (HR 1.05, CI 1.01‐1.09, P = 0.01) and widespread disease (HR 3.8, CI 1.2‐11.8, P = 0.02) were found to affect OS in a multivariate model. There was no difference in PFS between the groups (P = 0.47). Presence of distant metastases limited to the lungs only was associated with longer PFS (PFS HR 0.35, CI 0.20‐0.60, P = 0.0002).

Conclusion

The older age is associated with shorter OS, while disease burden affects OS and PFS in patients with metastatic thyroid cancer. The method of preparation for RAI therapy does not affect the outcome.
What is a family? Constructions of family and parenting after a custody transfer from birth parents to foster parents
Authors: Wissö Therése , Johansson Helena , Höjer Ingrid
Published: July 2018

The subject of stability for children in long‐term foster care is an emerging field within social work with vulnerable children. In Sweden, the adoption of foster children is not a common occurrence. Instead, when a child has been placed in foster care for 3 years, the local social welfare committee will consider whether the custody of the child should be transferred to the foster parents regardless of the circumstances of the birth parents, in order to secure stability and a sense of family belonging. Consequently, custody transfers raise questions such as “who is family?” and “who is a parent?” This qualitative interview study with custodians and young people who have experienced custody transfer highlights that who counts as family and as a parent is ambiguous. This article draws attention to how negotiations about family and parenthood revolve around biological, emotional, and relational dimensions. Furthermore, we show that stability for children in care has to be understood in terms of processes over time and not as the result of a single decision of custody transfer. Consequently, social workers need to take several aspects into account when they assess family belonging and stability for children in foster care.
Decision‐making under uncertainty in child protection: Creating a just and learning culture
Authors: Munro Eileen
Published: July 2018

The argument is made for having a positive error culture in child protection to improve decision‐making and risk management. This requires organizations to accept that mistakes are likely and to treat them as opportunities for learning and improving. In contrast, in many organizations, a punitive reaction to errors leads to workers hiding them and developing a defensive approach to their practice with children and families. The safety management literature has shown how human error is generally not simply due to a “bad apple” but made more or less likely by the work context that helps or hinders good performance. Improving safety requires learning about the weaknesses in the organization that contribute to poor performance. To create a learning culture, people need to feel that when they talk about mistakes or weak practice, there will be a constructive response from their organization. One aspect of reducing the blame culture is to develop a shared understanding of how practice will be judged and how those appraising practice will avoid the hindsight bias. To facilitate a positive error culture, a set of risk principles are presented that offer a set of criteria by which practice should be appraised.
Applying Visual Analytics to Physically Based Rendering
Authors: Simons G. , Herholz S. , Petitjean V. , Rapp T. , Ament M. , Lensch H. , Dachsbacher C. , Eisemann M. , Eisemann E.
Published: July 2018

Physically based rendering is a well‐understood technique to produce realistic‐looking images. However, different algorithms exist for efficiency reasons, which work well in certain cases but fail or produce rendering artefacts in others. Few tools allow a user to gain insight into the algorithmic processes. In this work, we present such a tool, which combines techniques from information visualization and visual analytics with physically based rendering. It consists of an interactive parallel coordinates plot, with a built‐in sampling‐based data reduction technique to visualize the attributes associated with each light sample. Two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) heat maps depict any desired property of the rendering process. An interactively rendered 3D view of the scene displays animated light paths based on the user's selection to gain further insight into the rendering process. The provided interactivity enables the user to guide the rendering process for more efficiency. To show its usefulness, we present several applications based on our tool. This includes differential light transport visualization to optimize light setup in a scene, finding the causes of and resolving rendering artefacts, such as fireflies, as well as a path length contribution histogram to evaluate the efficiency of different Monte Carlo estimators.
Impacts of tropical forest disturbance on species vital rates
Authors: Cosset Cindy C.P. , Gilroy James J. , Edwards David P.
Published: July 2018

Tropical forests are experiencing enormous threats from deforestation and habitat degradation. Much knowledge of the impacts of these land‐use changes on tropical species comes from studies examining patterns of richness and abundance. Demographic vital rates (survival, reproduction, and movement) can also be affected by land‐use change in a way that increases species vulnerability to extirpation, but in many cases these impacts may not be manifested in short‐term changes in abundance or species richness. We conducted a literature review to assess current knowledge and research effort concerning how land‐use change affects species vital rates in tropical forest vertebrates. We found a general paucity of empirical research on demography across taxa and regions, with some biases toward mammals and birds and land‐use transitions, including fragmentation and agriculture. There is also considerable between‐species variation in demographic responses to land‐use change, which could reflect trait‐based differences in species sensitivity, complex context dependencies (e.g., between‐region variation), or inconsistency in methods used in studies. Efforts to improve understanding of anthropogenic impacts on species demography are underway, but there is a need for increased research effort to fill knowledge gaps in understudied tropical regions and taxa. The lack of information on demographic impacts of anthropogenic disturbance makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions about the magnitude of threats to tropical ecosystems under anthropogenic pressures. Thus, determining conservation priorities and improving conservation effectiveness remains a challenge.
Pesticide contact dermatitis in agricultural workers of Himachal Pradesh (India)
Authors: Sharma Aditi , Mahajan Vikram K. , Mehta Karaninder S. , Chauhan Pushpinder S. , Sharma Vikas , Sharma Anuj , Wadhwa Dhaarna , Chauhan Shailja
Published: July 2018

Background

Common pesticides used in the region by agricultural workers may cause contact allergy.

Methods

Thirty agricultural workers with a history of pesticide exposure and dermatitis involving the face, neck, trunk or extremities, and 20 controls comprising 2 groups of 10 subjects each, group 1 with dermatitis and no exposure to pesticides, and group 2 with neither exposure to pesticides nor dermatitis, were patch tested with 10 pesticides commonly used in the region by use of the Finn Chamber method.

Results

The 30 patients, 20 of whom were male, aged 30‐77 years, had dermatitis for 1 month to 18 years, with relapses and remissions. Seasonal exacerbation was present in 18 patients. Six patients attributed aggravation of their dermatitis to pesticide exposure, and 2 of these reacted positively to propiconazole. Positive patch test reactions to pesticides occurred in 10 patients, but not in controls. Thiuram was the commonest sensitizer (4 patients). Three patients were sensitized to propiconazole, and 2 patients reacted positively to metaldehyde. Formaldehyde, mercaptobenzothiazole, cypermethrin and isoproturon gave positive reactions in 1 patient each.

Conclusion

The sensitizing potential of pesticides remains a concern. Apparently, pesticide contact dermatitis is more common than expected, but remains under‐reported, as the implicated pesticides vary across regions and according to the crop patterns.
Environmental context and differences between native and invasive observed niches of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans affect invasion risk assessments in the Western Palaearctic
Authors: Beukema Wouter , Martel An , Nguyen Tao Thien , Goka Koichi , Schmeller Dirk S. , Yuan Zhiyong , Laking Alexandra E. , Nguyen Truong Quang , Lin Chun‐Fu , Shelton Jennifer , Loyau Adeline , Pasmans Frank
Published: July 2018

Aim

Identifying hosts and regions susceptible to invasion by an emerged pathogen is vital to inform early risk assessments. We here show how differences between a pathogen's native and invasive observed niche and their underlying environments affect this process, using the recent emergence of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) as a critical, empirical example.

Location

Palaearctic.

Methods

To quantify observed niches, we first gathered occurrences from the native Asian and invasive European distribution of Bsal. Through ordination in PCA‐bound environmental space, we then applied overlap tests to compare native and invasive Bsal niches with those of 56 putative Western Palaearctic host species. At last, we ensembled bivariate niche models (ESMs) for each Bsal niche to assess how differences in observed niches influenced suitability predictions.

Results

The observed invasive Bsal niche is a conservative, partially filled subset of its wider native niche. Pathogen–host overlap measured using the narrow invasive niche was nevertheless found to be significantly higher than that of the native niche, which is partly situated in subtropical conditions absent from the Western Palaearctic. ESMs created using the native niche predict high suitability for Bsal throughout Europe. Conversely, a more restricted range was predicted using the invasive niche, which coincides with the presence of oceanic climates in north‐western Europe and several Mediterranean mountain ranges.

Main conclusions

Unequal relative availability of environments in native and invasive ranges may lead to underestimation of observed niche overlap between native pathogen populations and putative hosts in the invasive range. The existence of partially filled niches may add uncertainty to overlap measurements, and predictions of potential further spread. Results based on the invasive niche therefore provide a conservative estimate; yet demonstrate, in our case, that Bsal is already present in conditions shared by numerous host species. Further niche filling may accordingly increase risk of salamander diversity across the Western Palaearctic.
Colonoscopy quality requisites for selecting surveillance intervals: A World Endoscopy Organization Delphi Recommendation
Authors: Jover Rodrigo , Dekker Evelien , Schoen Robert E. , Hassan Cesare , Pellise Maria , Ladabaum Uri ,   the WEO Expert Working Group of Surveillance after colonic neoplasm
Published: July 2018

Background and Aims

Different post‐polypectomy guidelines underscore the need for high‐quality baseline colonoscopy before appropriate surveillance recommendations can be made. Standards for colonoscopy practice have been advocated by gastrointestinal societies. Our aims were to define standards for the procedural practice of colonoscopy in this particular setting of surveillance and to generate a colonoscopy procedural quality checklist that could be implemented in clinical practice.

Methods

This study was based on the Delphi process methodology. The baseline questionnaire included 12 domains and 56 individual statements. A total of three rounds were carried out between September 2015 and March 2016 until consensus or lack of consensus was reached.

Results

In total, consensus was reached on 27 statements in nine domains. High levels of agreement and consensus were reached that: (i) colonoscopy should be considered complete only if the whole cecum has been inspected, including the ileocecal valve and the appendiceal orifice (agreement score 4.63; degree of consensus 82%); (ii) quality of the bowel preparation should always be reported (agreement score 4.9, degree of consensus 94%); and (iii) it is preferable to use a segmental validated scale (agreement score 4.36, degree of consensus 86%). Consensus was also reached regarding multiple statements related to documentation of polyps and their resection. Finally, a colonoscopy quality checklist was drafted.

Conclusion

Consensus on different statements regarding quality of colonoscopy has been reached. Based on this consensus, we propose a colonoscopy quality checklist that would be helpful for post‐polypectomy surveillance recommendations.
Infants' attention bias to faces as an early marker of social development
Authors: Peltola Mikko J. , Yrttiaho Santeri , Leppänen Jukka M.
Published: July 2018

Infants have a strong tendency to look at faces. We examined individual variations in this attentional bias in 7‐month‐old infants by using a face‐distractor competition paradigm and tested in a longitudinal sample whether these variations were associated with outcomes reflecting social behavior at 24 and 48 months of age (i.e., spontaneous helping, emotion understanding, mentalizing, and callous‐unemotional traits; N = 100–138). The results showed a robust and distinct attention bias to faces at 7 months, particularly when faces were displaying a fearful expression. This bias declined between 7 and 24 months and there were no significant correlations in attention dwell times between 7 and 24 months of age. Variations in attention to faces at 7 months were not associated with emotion understanding or mentalizing abilities at 48 months of age, but increased attention to faces at 7 months (regardless of facial expression) was related to more frequent helping responses at 24 months and reduced callous‐unemotional traits at 48 months of age. Thus, while the results fail to associate infants' face bias with later‐emerging emotion understanding and mentalizing capacities, they are consistent with a model whereby increased attention to faces in infancy is linked with the development of affective empathy and responsivity to others' needs.
The correlation between conventional echocardiography and two‐dimensional speckle strain imaging for evaluating left atrial function in patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis
Authors: Sahebjam Mohammad , Montazeri Vahide , Zoroufian Arezoo , Hosseinsabet Ali , Lotfi‐Tokaldany Masoumeh , Jalali Arash
Published: July 2018

Aim

We intended to assess the left atrial deformation parameters, using two‐dimensional speckle tracking (2DSTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and determine the correlation between these two techniques in order to recognize the patients at risk for cardioembolic events.

Method

Strain and strain rate were measured using 2DSTE among 26 patients in sinus rhythm, with isolated moderate to severe mitral stenosis. Left atrial (LA) volume parameters (maximum, minimum and preatrial contraction) were measured. Among 26 patients, TEE was performed to detect left atrial thrombosis or spontaneous echo contrast. Left atrial appendage velocity (LAAV) was also assessed.

Results

A significant correlation was observed between LAAV and the average value of left atrial peak systolic strain (LA‐RES) (r = 0.638, P = 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of mean LA‐RES (cutoff = 16.75%) for detecting LAAV < 25 cm/s were 88.9% and 80%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of mean LA‐RES (cutoff = 18.14%) for detecting LAAV < 25 cm/s and/or dense smoky pattern were 77.8% and 83.3%, respectively, and those of left atrial maximum volume indexed for body surface area(cutoff = 50.75 cc/m2), for discriminating LAAV < 25 cm/s and/or dense smoky pattern, were 73.3% and 83.3%, respectively. A meaningful correlation was witnessed between mean LA‐RES and left atrial ejection fraction (r = 0.736, P < 0.001), and left atrial expansion index (r = 0.743, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The average value of left atrial reservoir function using 2DSTE can be used as a predictive factor for detecting LAAV < 25 cm/s and/or dense SEC and thus recognizing high‐risk patients for cardioembolic events with moderate to severe mitral stenosis. In addition, assessment of LA function and LA volume can also be helpful.
The neglected terminators: Rho family GAPs in neutrophils
Authors: Csépányi‐Kömi Roland , Pásztor Máté , Bartos Balázs , Ligeti Erzsébet
Published: July 2018

Background

GTPase‐activating proteins (GAPs) accelerate the rate of hydrolysis of GTP bound to small GTPases, thereby limiting the prevalence and concentration of the active, GTP‐bound form of these proteins. The large number of potential GAPs acting on members of the Rho family of small GTPases raises the question of specificity or redundancy.

Results

In this review, we summarize experimental data obtained on the role of Rho family GAPs in neutrophils, highlight cases where more than one GAP is involved in a physiological function and show examples that GAPs can be involved not only in termination but also in initiation of cellular processes. We demonstrate that the expression‐level regulation of GAPs may also occur in short‐living cells such as neutrophils. Finally, we provide insight into the existence and structure of molecular complexes in which Rho family GAPs are involved.

Conclusion

GAPs play more complex and varied roles than being simple terminators of cellular processes.
A loss of a velocity‐duration trade‐off impairs movement precision in patients with cerebellar degeneration
Authors: Markanday Akshay , Messner Julian , Thier Peter
Published: July 2018

Current theories discussing the role of the cerebellum have been consistently pointing towards the concept of motor learning. The unavailability of a structure for motor learning able to use information on past errors to change future movements should cause consistent metrical deviations and an inability to correct them; however, it should not boost “motor noise.” However, dysmetria, a loss of endpoint precision and an increase in endpoint variability (“motor noise”) of goal‐directed movements is the central aspect of cerebellar ataxia. Does the prevention of dysmetria or “motor noise” by the healthy cerebellum tell us anything about its normal function? We hypothesize that the healthy cerebellum is able to prevent dysmetria by adjusting movement duration such as to compensate changes in movement velocity. To address this question, we studied fast goal‐directed index finger movements in patients with global cerebellar degeneration and in healthy subjects. We demonstrate that healthy subjects are able to maintain endpoint precision despite continuous fluctuations in movement velocity because they are able to adjust the overall movement duration in a fully compensatory manner (“velocity‐duration trade‐off”). We furthermore provide evidence that this velocity‐duration trade‐off accommodated by the healthy cerebellum is based on a priori information on the future movement velocity. This ability is lost in cerebellar disease. We suggest that the dysmetria observed in cerebellar patients is a direct consequence of the loss of a cerebellum‐based velocity‐duration trade‐off mechanism that continuously fine‐tunes movement durations using information on the expected velocity of the upcoming movement.
Understanding the invention phase of management innovation: a design theory perspective
Authors: David Albert
Published: July 2018

This paper aims at changing the perspective on management innovation by considering management innovations as managerial objects that come out of a design process. We choose Peter Drucker's invention of management by objectives and self‐control as a case study. After reconstituting how precisely Peter Drucker came to invent MBO, we use formal design theory concepts to analyze how the concept of MBO was generated. We identify four key breakthroughs with respect to established management ideas and practices and we detect what earlier breakthroughs were necessary, so including the invention of MBO within the historical evolution of management concepts. We discuss the conceptual genealogy obtained and conclude on how a design theory perspective on management innovation could be generalized, how it could improve the way we tell the history of management thought and practice and how we could better conceive and steer future management innovation processes.
Full‐field characterisation of crack tip deformation and fatigue crack growth using digital image correlation—a review
Authors: Tong J.
Published: July 2018

In recent years, digital image correlation has been widely used in the analysis of crack problems. This review will examine digital image correlation, as a full‐field measurement technique, in the studies of crack tip mechanical behaviour under cyclic loading conditions. In particular, topics including determination of fracture mechanics parameters and evaluation of crack closure will be discussed. Micromechanical aspects of crack growth under cyclic loading will also be explored in crack driving and attenuation effects.