bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The temporal dimension in individual‐based plant pollination networks
Authors: Valverde Javier , Gómez José Maria , Perfectti Francisco
Published: November 2015

The pollination success of animal‐pollinated plants depends on the temporal coupling between flowering schedules and pollinator availability. Within a population, individual plants exhibiting disparate flowering schedules will be exposed to different pollinators when the latter exhibit temporal turnover. The temporal overlap between individual plants and pollinators will result in a turnover of interactions, which can be analyzed through a network approach. We have explored the temporal dynamics of individual‐based plant networks resulting from pairwise similarities in pollinator composition. During two flowering seasons, we surveyed the phenology and pollinator fauna of the individual plants from a population of Erysimum mediohispanicum (Brassicaceae). We analyzed the topology of these networks by means of their modularity, clustering, and core–periphery structure. These metrics are related to network functional properties such as cohesion, transitivity and centralization respectively. Afterwards, we analyzed the influence of each pollinator functional group on network topology. We found that network topology varied widely over time as a consequence of the differences in plant phenology and the idiosyncratic and contextual effect of pollinators. When integrating all temporary networks, the network became cohesive (non modular), transitive (locally clusterized), and centralized (core–periphery topology). These topologies could entail important consequences for plant reproduction. Our results highlight the importance of considering the entire flowering season and the necessity of making comprehensive temporal sampling when trying to build reliable interaction networks.
Self‐Selecting Priority Queues with Burr Distributed Waiting Costs
Authors: Gavirneni Srinagesh , Kulkarni Vidyadhar G.
Published: November 2015

Service providers, in the presence of congestion and heterogeneity of customer waiting costs, often introduce a fee‐based premier option using which the customers self‐segment themselves. Examples of this practice are found in health care, amusement parks, government (consular services), and transportation. Using a single‐server queuing system with customer waiting costs modeled as a Burr Distribution, we perform a detailed analysis to (i) determine the conditions (fees, cost structure, etc.) under which this strategy is profitable for the service provider, (ii) quantify the benefits accrued by the premier customers; and (iii) evaluate the resulting impact on the other customers. We show that such self‐selecting priority systems can be pareto‐improving in the sense that they are beneficial to everyone. These benefits are larger when the variance in the customer waiting costs is high and the system utilization is high. We use income data from the poorest and richest areas (identified by zipcode) in the United States along with the countrywide income distribution to illustrate our results. Numerical results indicate that planning for a 20–40% enrollment in the high‐priority option is robust in ensuring that all the stakeholders benefit from the proposed strategy.
Product Design Awards and The Market Value of The Firm
Authors: Xia Yusen , Singhal Vinod R. , Peter Zhang G.
Published: November 2015

Product design has increasingly been recognized as an important source of competitive advantage. This study empirically estimates the impact of effective design on the market value of the firm. We use a firm's receipt of a product design award as a proxy for its design effectiveness. Based on data from 264 announcements of design awards given to commercialized products between 1998 and 2011, we find that award announcements are associated with statistically significant positive stock market reactions. Depending on the benchmark model used to estimate the stock market reaction, the market reaction over a two‐day period (the day of announcement and the preceding day) ranges from 0.95% to 1.02%. The market reaction is more positive for smaller firms and for firms whose award winning products are consumer goods. However, a firm's growth potential, industry competitiveness, and whether a firm is a first time or repeated award winner do not significantly affect the market reaction.
Demographics and prevalence of positive QuantiFERON‐TB Gold In‐Tube test in renal transplant candidates
Authors: Simkins J. , Kraus K. , Morris M.I.
Published: November 2015

Background

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening prior to solid organ transplantation is standard of care. QuantiFERON‐TB Gold In‐Tube (QFT‐GIT) test is the preferred diagnostic test for renal transplant candidates (RTC). QFT‐GIT reversions and the potential delay of living‐donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) because of QFT‐GIT positivity have not been examined previously in RTC.

Methods

We evaluated the prevalence of positive QFT‐GIT in RTC from January 1 through December 31, 2011. In addition, we examined the demographic and renal disease data differences between QFT‐GIT‐positive and ‐negative patients, changes in QFT‐GIT results, and positive QFT‐GIT results reverting to negative. Lastly, we evaluated if QFT‐GIT‐positive patients were less likely to undergo LDKT within 6 months of QFT‐GIT testing.

Results

In total, 722 RTC were analyzed, 16% of whom had positive QFT‐GIT. The QFT‐GIT‐positive patients were more likely to be older and foreign‐born, P < 0.0001. Haitians had the highest prevalence. Of the 119 QFT‐GIT‐positive patients, 25% had low/intermediate‐positive results and were more likely to revert to negative, compared with patients with high‐positive QFT‐GIT results (50% vs. 0%, P = 0.01). A trend was seen toward fewer QFT‐GIT‐positive patients undergoing LDKT, compared with QFT‐GIT‐negative patients (0% vs. 3%, P = 0.09).

Conclusions

Our high prevalence was likely a result of the high number of foreign‐born RTC. Half of our small subset of low/intermediate‐positive QFT‐GIT patients reverted to negative. QFT‐GIT‐positive patients were more likely to have their LDKT delayed.
Technology Spillovers from FDI. Evidence on the Intensity of Different Spillover Channels
Authors: Jude Cristina
Published: November 2015

The aim of this paper is to empirically disentangle specific channels of technology spillovers from FDI to domestic firms. To this end, we look into the mechanisms of technology diffusion through FDI and investigate six measures of spillovers in a sample of Romanian firms for the period 1999–2007. Our results show that the position in the supply chain is essential for capturing FDI spillovers, as local suppliers enjoy productivity gains, while local clients suffer productivity losses. We also show that foreign affiliates internalise all benefits associated with supplier upgrading, thus raising concerns about the social return on technology transfer. Additionally, our approach allows us to separate horizontal spillovers into a competition effect, an imitation/demonstration effect and a labour mobility component. We find only labour mobility to act as an efficient channel for horizontal knowledge diffusion, even though its direction depends highly on human capital.
The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone: Background, Developments and Preliminary Assessment of Initial Impacts
Authors: Yao Daqing , Whalley John
Published: November 2015

The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (SPFTZ) founded one year ago is a trial for China's new round of reform and opening up, which has promised liberalisation on the capital account and trade facilitation as its main objectives. Here, we discuss why China adopted such a pilot zone after three decades of economic development, and explore what the differences are between the SPFTZ and other free trade areas, and developments of the SPFTZ in the past year. We also make a preliminary assessment of the SPFTZ's initial impacts, especially of its impact on China's capital account opening and financial liberalisation. It is possible that the successful practice of the SPFTZ and more pilot policies replicated in China will give rise to a more balanced Chinese economy in the following decade.
Older Adult Perceptions of Participation in Group- and Home-Based Falls Prevention Exercise
Authors: Robins Lauren M. , Hill K.D. , Day Lesley , Clemson Lindy , Finch Caroline , Haines Terry
Published: November 2015

This paper describes why older adults begin, continue, and discontinue group- and home-based falls prevention exercise and benefits and barriers to participation. Telephone surveys were used to collect data for 394 respondents. Most respondents reported not participating in group- (66%) or home-based (78%) falls prevention exercise recently. Reasons for starting group-based falls prevention exercise include health benefits (23–39%), health professional recommendation (13–19%), and social interaction (4–16%). They discontinued because the program finished (44%) or due to poor health (20%). Commonly reported benefits were social interaction (41–67%) and health (15–31%). Disliking groups was the main barrier (2–14%). Home-based falls prevention exercise was started for rehabilitation (46–63%) or upon health professional recommendation (22–48%) and stopped due to recovery (30%). Improvement in health (18–46%) was the main benefit. These findings could assist health professionals in prescribing group-based falls prevention exercise by considering characteristics of older adults who perceive social interaction to be beneficial.
Castration radiosensitizes prostate cancer tissue by impairing DNA double-strand break repair
Authors: Tarish Firas L. , Schultz Niklas , Tanoglidi Anna , Hamberg Hans , Letocha Henry , Karaszi Katalin , Hamdy Freddie C. , Granfors Torvald , Helleday Thomas
Published: November 2015

Chemical castration decreases Ku70 expression impairing nonhomologous end joining DNA repair and improving the radiotherapy response of prostate cancer patients.
Sodium channel Na
x
is a regulator in epithelial sodium homeostasis
Authors: Xu Wei , Hong Seok Jong , Zhong Aimei , Xie Ping , Jia Shengxian , Xie Zhong , Zeitchek Michael , Niknam-Bienia Solmaz , Zhao Jingling , Porterfield D. Marshall , Surmeier D. James , Leung Kai P. , Galiano Robert D. , Mustoe Thomas A.
Published: November 2015

Blocking Na
x
expression improves scarring and atopic dermatitis–like symptoms by improving barrier function.
Liquid biopsy: Clues on prostate cancer drug resistance
Authors: Schweizer Michael T. , Antonarakis Emmanuel S.
Published: November 2015

Analysis of tumor-derived cell-free DNA in blood yields insights into drug resistance in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (Romanel
et al
., this issue).
The Consequences of Replicating in the Wrong Orientation: Bacterial Chromosome Duplication without an Active Replication Origin
Authors: Dimude Juachi U. , Stockum Anna , Midgley-Smith Sarah L. , Upton Amy L. , Foster Helen A. , Khan Arshad , Saunders Nigel J. , Retkute Renata , Rudolph Christian J.
Published: November 2015

Chromosome replication is regulated in all organisms at the assembly stage of the replication machinery at specific origins. In
Escherichia coli
, the DnaA initiator protein regulates the assembly of replication forks at
oriC.
This regulation can be undermined by defects in nucleic acid metabolism. In cells lacking RNase HI, replication initiates independently of DnaA and
oriC
, presumably at persisting R-loops. A similar mechanism was assumed for origin-independent synthesis in cells lacking RecG. However, recently we suggested that this synthesis initiates at intermediates resulting from replication fork fusions. Here we present data suggesting that in cells lacking RecG or RNase HI, origin-independent synthesis arises by different mechanisms, indicative of these two proteins having different roles
in vivo
. Our data support the idea that RNase HI processes R-loops, while RecG is required to process replication fork fusion intermediates. However, regardless of how origin-independent synthesis is initiated, a fraction of forks will proceed in an orientation opposite to normal. We show that the resulting head-on encounters with transcription threaten cell viability, especially if taking place in highly transcribed areas. Thus, despite their different functions, RecG and RNase HI are both important factors for maintaining replication control and orientation. Their absence causes severe replication problems, highlighting the advantages of the normal chromosome arrangement, which exploits a single origin to control the number of forks and their orientation relative to transcription, and a defined termination area to contain fork fusions. Any changes to this arrangement endanger cell cycle control, chromosome dynamics, and, ultimately, cell viability.

IMPORTANCE
Cell division requires unwinding of millions of DNA base pairs to generate the template for RNA transcripts as well as chromosome replication. As both processes use the same template, frequent clashes are unavoidable. To minimize the impact of these clashes, transcription and replication in bacteria follow the same directionality, thereby avoiding head-on collisions. This codirectionality is maintained by a strict regulation of where replication is started. We have used
Escherichia coli
as a model to investigate cells in which the defined location of replication initiation is compromised. In cells lacking either RNase HI or RecG, replication initiates away from the defined replication origin, and we discuss the different mechanisms by which this synthesis arises. In addition, the resulting forks proceed in a direction opposite to normal, thereby inducing head-on collisions between transcription and replication, and we show that the resulting consequences are severe enough to threaten the viability of cells.
A rare case of primary cardiac lymphoma
Authors: Khan-Kheil Ayisha Mehtab , Mustafa Hanif Muhammad , Anand Dhakshinamurthy Vijay , Banerjee Prithwish
Published: November 2015

A 71-year-old man presented with shortness of breath and tachycardia along with systemic symptoms of weight loss and lethargy. A pulmonary embolus was the initial suspected diagnosis but through extensive investigations a rarer cause of his symptoms was identified. This case demonstrates the importance of cardiac imaging in the assessment and non-invasive tissue characterisation of a suspected cardiac tumour; in our case, this was subsequently confirmed by careful histological/immunocytochemical evaluation of the pericardial effusion as a primary cardiac B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, thus enabling appropriate management leading to an excellent clinical outcome.
Six-year follow-up of the SPHERE RCT: secondary prevention of heart disease in general practice
Authors: Murphy A W , Cupples M E , Murphy E , Newell J , Scarrott C J , Vellinga A , Gillespie P , Byrne M , Kearney C , Smith S M
Published: November 2015

Objective

To determine the long-term effectiveness of a complex intervention in primary care aimed at improving outcomes for patients with coronary heart disease.

Design

A 6-year follow-up of a cluster randomised controlled trial, which found after 18 months that both total and cardiovascular hospital admissions were significantly reduced in intervention practices (8% absolute reduction).

Setting

48 general practices in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Participants

903 patients with established coronary heart disease at baseline in the original trial.

Intervention

The original intervention consisted of tailored practice and patient plans; training sessions for practitioners in medication prescribing and behavioural change; and regular patient recall system. Control practices provided usual care. Following the intervention period, all supports from the research team to intervention practices ceased.

Outcome measures

Primary outcome: hospital admissions, all cause and cardiovascular;secondary outcomes: mortality; blood pressure and cholesterol control.

Results

At 6-year follow-up, data were collected from practice records of 696 patients (77%). For those who had died, we censored their data at the point of death and cause of death was established. There were no significant differences between the intervention and control practices in either total (OR 0.83 (95% CI 0.54 to 1.28)) or cardiovascular hospital admissions (OR 0.91 (95% CI 0.49 to 1.65)). We confirmed mortality status of 886 of the original 903 patients (98%). There were no significant differences in mortality (15% in intervention and 16% in control) or in the proportions of patients above target control for systolic blood pressure or total cholesterol.

Conclusions

Initial significant differences in the numbers of total and cardiovascular hospital admissions were not maintained at 6 years and no differences were found in mortality or blood pressure and cholesterol control. Policymakers need to continue to assess the effectiveness of previously efficacious programmes.

Trial registration number

Current Controlled TrialsISRCTN24081411.
Community-based interventions to prevent fatal overdose from illegal drugs: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Okolie Chukwudi , Evans Bridie Angela , John Ann , Moore Chris , Russell Daphne , Snooks Helen
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Drug overdose is the most frequent cause of death among people who misuse illegal drugs. People who inject these drugs are 14–17 times more likely to die than their non-drug using peers. Various strategies to reduce drug-related deaths have failed to meet target reductions. Research into community-based interventions for preventing drug overdose deaths is promising. This review seeks to identify published studies describing community-based interventions and to evaluate their effectiveness at reducing drug overdose deaths.

Methods and analysis

We will systematically search key electronic databases using a search strategy which groups terms into four facets: (1) Overdose event, (2) Drug classification, (3) Intervention and (4) Setting. Searches will be limited where possible to international literature published in English between 1998 and 2014. Data will be extracted by two independent reviewers using a predefined table adapted from the Cochrane Collaboration handbook. The quality of included studies will be evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. We will conduct a meta-analysis for variables which can be compared across studies, using statistical methods to control for heterogeneity where appropriate. Where clinical or statistical heterogeneity prevents a valid numerical synthesis, we will employ a narrative synthesis to describe community-based interventions, their delivery and use and how effectively they prevent fatal overdoses.

Ethics and dissemination

We will publish findings from this systematic review in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and present results at national and international conferences. It will be disseminated electronically and in print.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42015017833.
Can paediatric early warning scores (PEWS) be used to guide the need for hospital admission and predict significant illness in children presenting to the emergency department? An assessment of PEWS diagnostic accuracy using sensitivity and specificity
Authors: Lillitos Peter J , Hadley Graeme , Maconochie Ian
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Designed to detect early deterioration of the hospitalised child, paediatric early warning scores (PEWS) validity in the emergency department (ED) is less validated. We aimed to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of two commonly used PEWS (Brighton and COAST) in predicting hospital admission and, for the first time, significant illness.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of PEWS data for paediatric ED attendances at St Mary's Hospital, London, UK, in November 2012. Patients with missing data were excluded. Diagnoses were grouped:medicalandsurgical.To classify diagnoses assignificant, established guidelines were used and, where not available, common agreement between three acute paediatricians.

Results

1921 patients were analysed. There were 211 admissions (11%). 1630 attendances were medical (86%) and 273 (14%) surgical. Brighton and COAST PEWS performed similarly.hospital admission: PEWS of ≥3 was specific (93%) but poorly sensitive (32%). The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) was low at 0.690.Significant illness: for medical illness, PEWS ≥3 was highly specific (96%) but poorly sensitive (44%). The AUC was 0.754 and 0.755 for Brighton and COAST PEWS, respectively. Both scores performed poorly for predicting significant surgical illness (AUC 0.642). PEWS ≥3 performed well in predicting significant respiratory illness: sensitivity 75%, specificity 91%.

Conclusions

Both Brighton and COAST PEWS scores performed similarly. A score of ≥3 has good specificity but poor sensitivity for predicting hospital admission and significant illness. Therefore, a high PEWS should be taken seriously but a low score is poor at ruling out the requirement for admission or serious underlying illness. PEWS was better at detecting significant medical illness compared with detecting the need for admission. PEWS performed poorly in detecting significant surgical illness. PEWS may be particularly useful in evaluating respiratory illness in a paediatric ED.
The safety of emergency medicine
Authors: Ramlakhan Shammi , Qayyum Hasan , Burke Derek , Brown Ruth
Published: November 2015

The patient safety movement has been active for over a decade, but the issue of patient safety in emergency care and the emergency department (ED) has only recently been brought into the forefront. The ED environment has traditionally been considered unsafe, but there is little data to support this assertion. This paper reviews the literature on patient safety and highlights the challenges associated with using the current evidence base to inform practice due to the variability in methods of measuring safety. Studies looking at safety in the ED report low rates for adverse events ranging from 3.6 to 32.6 events per 1000 attendances. The wide variation in reported rates on adverse events reflects the significant differences in methods of reporting and classifying safety incidents and harm between departments; standardisation in the ED context is urgently required to allow comparisons to be made between departments and to quantify the impact of specific interventions. We outline the key factors in emergency care which may hinder the provision of safer care and consider solutions which have evolved or been proposed to identify and mitigate against harm. Interventions such as team training, telephone follow-up, ED pharmacist interventions and rounding, all show some evidence of improving safety in the ED. We further highlight the need for a collaborative whole system approach as almost half of safety incidents in the ED are attributable to external factors, particularly those related to information flow, crowding, demand and boarding.
Prevalence of emergency medical service utilisation in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Thailand
Authors: Monsomboon Apichaya , Chantawatsharakorn Prasit , Suksuriyayothin Saovanee , Keorochana Kris , Mukda Achara , Prapruetkit Nattakarn , Surabenjawong Usapan , Nakornchai Tanyaporn , Chakorn Tipa
Published: November 2015

Background

Most patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have grave outcomes. The efficacy of emergency medical services (EMS) may affect outcomes. However, no data exists in Thailand.

Objectives

To ascertain the prevalence of EMS utilisation in patients with OHCA transferred to Siriraj Hospital and also to elucidate the rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hospital admission and survival to hospital discharge.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was conducted in patients with OHCA at a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand from May 2011 to February 2013. The data was gathered by interviewing bystanders. Data about the mode of transportation, reasons for EMS usage, response time, ROSC and 30-day mortality were collected. Patients with rigour mortis or livor mortis were excluded. The factors affecting ROSC and survival rate were determined by univariate analysis.

Results

One hundred and fifty-two patients were included. The prevalence of EMS usage was 14.5% (95% CI 9.3 to 21.0). The most common cause of non-usage of EMS was not knowing or forgetting an EMS number (49.2%). The proportion of bystanders having known an EMS number and using EMS was 34%. The ROSC and 30-day survival rates were 53.3% and 10.5%, respectively. Non-cardiac causes and witnessed arrests were associated with ROSC (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The prevalence of EMS utilisation in OHCA at Siriraj Hospital was very low. This may affect the outcomes of patients with OHCA. Improving the EMS system by publicity to increase public awareness and providing life-support education nationwide may improve outcomes of patients with OHCA in Thailand.
Evaluation of the perforators of the anterior communicating artery (AComA) using routine cerebral 3D rotational angiography
Authors: Lescher Stephanie , Zimmermann Maja , Konczalla Jürgen , Deller Thomas , Porto Luciana , Seifert Volker , Berkefeld Joachim
Published: November 2015

Background

Damage to perforating branches of the anterior communicating artery (AComA) is a known complication of surgical or interventional treatment procedures for AComA aneurysm leading to neurologic deficits. In spite of the clinical relevance of these AComA branches, they have not been systematically analyzed using imaging techniques and most of our knowledge is based on post-mortem injection studies or neurosurgical reports. We therefore analyzed three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) images of the AComA, and propose a first imaging definition of the microvascular structures surrounding the AComA.

Methods

Reconstructed 3D data derived from standard-of-care rotational angiography acquisitions (5 s DSA) were retrospectively analyzed. 20 patients undergoing selective cerebral angiography and 3DRA for therapy assessment were included in our study. 3DRA datasets were reconstructed and displayed using the volume rendering technique (VRT). Additionally, multiplanar reformatted CT-like cross-sectional images (MPR) were used to evaluate the number, size, and origin of the perforators of the AComA.

Results

Perforating branches of the AComA could be demonstrated in all cases with large interindividual variations in vessel visibility. MPRs appeared to be superior to total VRT volumes in the visualization of the perforating branches of the AComA.

Conclusions

3DRA can be used to visualize perforating branches of the AComA in vivo. Since damage to these perforators may result in neurologic deficits, visualization of these vessels prior to surgery or endovascular aneurysm treatment could help in the planning of therapeutic interventions. Further refinement of current imaging techniques will be necessary, however, to increase the reliability of small vessel angiography.
Endovascular treatment of PICA aneurysms with a Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS Jr) device
Authors: Samaniego Edgar A , Abdo German , Hanel Ricardo A , Lima Andrey , Ortega-Gutierrez Santiago , Dabus Guilherme
Published: November 2015

Objective

To describe the treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms with the Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support Device (LVIS Jr) stent.

Materials and methods

The databases of three institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent endovascular treatment of PICA aneurysms using a reconstructive technique where the LVIS Jr stent was totally or partially deployed into the PICA were included in the analysis. Clinical presentation, aneurysm and PICA sizes, procedural complications, and clinical and angiographic follow-up information was recorded and analyzed.

Results

Seven patients who underwent endovascular treatment of PICA aneurysms with an LVIS Jr stent were identified. Four aneurysms were treated in the acute phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There were no symptomatic complications. One patient had spasm distal to the stent as a result of mechanical straightening of the vessel. One patient was treated in the acute phase of SAH and required a gycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor after the stent was implanted. This patient needed to be re-treated to complete embolization. All patients had good clinical outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale 5). No in-stent stenosis or occlusion was seen on short-term angiographic follow-up and the aneurysms were occluded.

Conclusions

This small series suggests that the use of a reconstructive technique with the LVIS Jr stent for the treatment of PICA aneurysms is feasible, safe and effective in the short term.
The impact of a human IGF-II analog ([Leu27]IGF-II) on fetal growth in a mouse model of fetal growth restriction
Authors: Charnock Jayne C. , Dilworth Mark R. , Aplin John D. , Sibley Colin P. , Westwood Melissa , Crocker Ian P.
Published: November 2015

Enhancing placental insulin-like growth factor (IGF) availability appears to be an attractive strategy for improving outcomes in fetal growth restriction (FGR). Our approach was the novel use of [Leu27]IGF-II, a human IGF-II analog that binds the IGF-II clearance receptor IGF-IIR in fetal growth-restricted (FGR) mice. We hypothesized that the impact of [Leu27]IGF-II infusion in C57BL/6J (wild-type) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase knockout (eNOS−/−; FGR) mice would be to enhance fetal growth and investigated this from mid- to late gestation; 1 mg·kg−1·day−1 [Leu27]IGF-II was delivered via a subcutaneous miniosmotic pump from E12.5 to E18.5. Fetal and placental weights recorded at E18.5 were used to generate frequency distribution curves; fetuses <5th centile were deemed growth restricted. Placentas were harvested for immunohistochemical analysis of the IGF system, and maternal serum was collected for measurement of exogenously administered IGF-II. In WT pregnancies, [Leu27]IGF-II treatment halved the number of FGR fetuses, reduced fetal( P = 0.028) and placental weight variations ( P = 0.0032), and increased the numbers of pups close to the mean fetal weight (131 vs. 112 pups within 1 SD). Mixed-model analysis confirmed litter size to be negatively correlated with fetal and placental weight and showed that [Leu27]IGF-II preferentially improved fetal weight in the largest litters, as defined by number. Unidirectional 14CMeAIB transfer per gram placenta (System A amino acid transporter activity) was inversely correlated with fetal weight in [Leu27]IGF-II-treated WT animals ( P < 0.01). In eNOS−/− mice, [Leu27]IGF-II reduced the number of FGR fetuses(1 vs. 5 in the untreated group). The observed reduction in FGR pup numbers in both C57 and eNOS−/− litters suggests the use of this analog as a means of standardizing and rescuing fetal growth, preferentially in the smallest offspring.
Wide-Field Landers Temporary Keratoprosthesis in Severe Ocular Trauma: Functional and Anatomical Results after One Year
Authors: Nowomiejska Katarzyna , Haszcz Dariusz , Forlini Cesare , Forlini Matteo , Moneta-Wielgos Joanna , Maciejewski Ryszard , Zarnowski Tomasz , Juenemann Anselm G. , Rejdak Robert
Published: November 2015

Purpose. To evaluate longitudinal functional and anatomical results after combined pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) using a wide-field Landers intraoperative temporary keratoprosthesis (TKP) in patients with vitreoretinal pathology and corneal opacity due to severe ocular trauma.Material and Methods. Medical records of 12 patients who had undergone PPV/PKP/KP due to severe eye trauma were analyzed. Functional (best-corrected visual acuity) and anatomic outcomes (clarity of the corneal graft, retinal attachment, and intraocular pressure) were assessed during the follow-up (mean 16 months).Results. Final visual acuities varied from NLP to CF to 2 m. Visual acuity improved in 7 cases, was unchanged in 4 eyes, and worsened in 1 eye. The corneal graft was transparent during the follow-up in 3 cases and graft failure was observed in 9 eyes. Silicone oil was used as a tamponade in all cases and retina was reattached in 92% of cases.Conclusions. Combined PPV and PKP with the use of wide-field Landers TKP allowed for surgical intervention in patients with vitreoretinal pathology coexisting with corneal wound. Although retina was attached in most of the cases, corneal graft survived only in one-fourth of patients and final visual acuities were poor.
Decitabine Compared with Low-Dose Cytarabine for the Treatment of Older Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Pilot Study of Safety, Efficacy, and Cost-Effectiveness
Authors: Jacob Linu A. , Aparna S. , Lakshmaiah K. C. , Lokanatha D. , Babu Govind , Babu Suresh , Appachu Sandhya
Published: November 2015

Introduction. The incidence of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) increases progressively with age and its treatment is challenging. This prospective case control study was undertaken to compare the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of decitabine with those of cytarabine in older patients with newly diagnosed AML who are not fit for intensive chemotherapy.Materials and Methods. 30 eligible patients above 60 years old with newly diagnosed AML were assigned to receive decitabine or cytarabine. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). The secondary objective was to compare adverse events and cost-effectiveness of therapy in the two study groups.Results. In this study, 15 patients received decitabine and 15 patients received cytarabine. The median OS was 5.5 months for each of the treatment groups. The hazard ratio between the treatment groups was 0.811 with 95% CI of 0.390 to 1.687. Toxicity profile was similar in both groups. Cost per cycle of chemotherapy in INR was 24,200 for decitabine and 1,600 for low-dose cytarabine group. Median of simplified cost-effectiveness ratio was 0.00022 for decitabine group and 0.0034 for low-dose cytarabine group.Conclusions. For elderly patients with AML, decitabine and low-dose cytarabine should be chosen based on the patient’s choice and affordability. Our study has shown that both of these agents have similar OS and toxicity. Low-dose cytarabine scores over decitabine in developing countries as it is more cost-effective.
The Effect of Elevated Triglycerides on the Onset and Progression of Coronary Artery Disease: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Daniel Deepu , Hardigan Patrick , Jawaid Asif , Bhandari Rohit , Daniel Mithun
Published: November 2015

Background. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association did not indicate a correlation between treating hypertriglyceridemia and reducing cardiovascular events. Objective. This study investigated whether patients with hypertriglyceridemia were more prone to worse outcomes during cardiac catheterization. Methods. Data collected over a one-year period analyzed lipid panels obtained at the time of cardiac catheterization. Triglyceride levels were categorized into three groups: <150 mg/dL, 150 mg/dL–300 mg/dL, and >300 mg/dL. Controlled variables included age, gender, the presence of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and history of coronary artery disease. Results. Subjects with a triglyceride level <150 mg/dL have a 54% likelihood of being treated medically compared to 38% and 41% in the 150 mg/dL–300 mg/dL and >300 mg/dL groups, respectively (p<0.01). Subjects with a triglyceride level >300 mg/dL have a 20% percent chance of being treated with a coronary artery bypass graft compared to 12% and 15% in the <150 mg/dL and 150 mg/dL–300 mg/dL groups, respectively (p<0.01). Subjects with a triglyceride level between 150 and 300 mg/dL have a 44% percent of being treated with a percutaneous coronary intervention compared to 34% and 43% in the <150 mg/dL and >300 mg/dL groups, respectively (p<0.01). Conclusion. Hypertriglyceridemia was associated with worse outcomes in percutaneous coronary intervention or surgery.
A Remote Medical Monitoring System for Heart Failure Prognosis
Authors: Zhang Liangqing , Yu Cuirong , Jin Chunrong , Liu Dajin , Xing Zongwen , Li Qian , Li Zhinan , Li Qin , Wu Yingxiao , Ren Jie
Published: November 2015

Remote monitoring of heart disease provides the means to keep patients under continuous supervision. In this paper, we introduce the design and implementation of a remote monitoring medical system for heart failure prediction and management. The three-part system includes a patient-end for data collection, a medical data center as data storage and analysis, and a doctor-end to diagnosis and intervention. The main objective of the system is to prognose the occurrence risk of heart failure (HF) confirmed by the level of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) based on the changes of the patients’ (systolic and diastolic) blood pressure and body weight that are measured noninvasively in a home environment. The prediction of HF and non-HF patients was achieved by a structured support vector machine (SVM) classification algorithm. With the present system, we also proposed a scoring method to interpret the long-term risk of HF. We demonstrated the efficiency of the system with a pilot clinical study of 34 samples, where the NT-proBNP test was used to help train the prediction model as well as check the prediction results for our system. Results showed an accuracy of 79.4% for predicting HF on day 7 based on daily body weight and blood pressure data acquired over 30 days.
Macrocolonies (Granules) Formation as a Cause of False-Negative Results in the MGIT 960 System: Cause Analysis and Correlation with Mycobacterial Species
Authors: Yu Xia , Zhao Liping , Jiang Guanglu , Ma Yifeng , Li Weimin , Huang Hairong
Published: November 2015

Background. The viable mycobacterial bacilli can sometimes form granules in the Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) to produce instrument-negative outcomes when BACTEC MGIT 960 culture is performed. The cause of this phenomenon has never been analyzed.Methods. Thirty-one instrument-negative, granule presenting MGIT vials were collected for conducting acid-fast staining and also liquid and solid subculture. Species identification and drug susceptibility test were performed with the recovered strains. Cultivation test was done by inoculating small amount of bacilli into the MGIT vials.Results. Twenty-four and twenty-nine of the tested MGIT vials were smear and culture positive, respectively. In total, 18, 4, and 7 of the cultivated strains were identified asMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex,M. intracellulare, andM. xenopi, respectively. When a limited amount of bacilli was inoculated, the granule formation was observed forM. xenopistrains in the MGIT system.Conclusions. The granules observed in the instrument-negative MGIT vials consisted of viable bacilli, which emphasized the need of visual inspection to increase recovery rate. Limited bacterial load and specific species might be the cause of granule forming.
TrypanosomaInfection Rates inGlossinaSpecies in Mtito Andei Division, Makueni County, Kenya
Authors: Nthiwa Daniel Mutiso , Odongo David O. , Ochanda Horace , Khamadi Samoel , Gichimu Bernard M.
Published: November 2015

African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) transmitted cyclically by tsetse fly (Glossinaspp.) is a major obstacle to livestock production in the tropical parts of Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the infection rates of trypanosomes inGlossinaspecies in Mtito Andei Division, Makueni County, Kenya. Tsetse fly species,G. longipennisandG. pallidipes, were trapped and DNA was isolated from their dissected internal organs (proboscis, salivary glands, and midguts). The DNA was then subjected to a nested PCR assay using internal transcribed spacer primers and individual trypanosome species were identified following agarose gel electrophoresis. Out of the 117 flies trapped in the area 39 (33.3%) were teneral while 78 (67%) were nonteneral.G. pallidipesconstituted the largest percentage of 58% whileG. longipenniswere 42%. The overall trypanosomes infection rate in all nonteneralGlossinaspp. was 11.53% withG. longipennisrecording the highest infection rate of 23.08% whileG. pallidipeshad an infection rate of 5.77%.T. vivaxwas the most infectious (10.26%) compared toT. congolense(1.28%). Mean apparent densities were strongly positively correlated with infection rates (r=0.95) confirming the importance of this parameter as an indicator of AAT transmission risk.
Experimental Investigation of Stall Inception Mechanisms of Low Speed Contra Rotating Axial Flow Fan Stage
Authors: Dejene Toge Tegegn , Pradeep A. M.
Published: November 2015

The present paper is an attempt in understanding the stall inception mechanism in a low speed, contra rotating axial flow fan stage, using wavelet transforms. The rotors used in this study have relatively large tip gap (about 3% of the blade span) and aspect ratio of 3. The study was carried out near stall and at stall mass flow conditions for different speed ratios of rotor-2 to rotor-1. Unsteady pressure data from the casing wall mounted sensors are used to understand the stall inception mechanism. The wavelet transform clearly indicates that stall inception occurs mainly through long length scale disturbances for both rotors. It also reveals that short length disturbances occur simultaneously or intermittently in the case of rotor-1. The analysis shows the presence of a strong modal disturbance with 25–80% of the rotor frequency in the case of rotor-1 at the stall mass flow for all the speed combinations studied. The most interesting thing observed in the present study is that the frequency amplitude of the disturbance level is very small for both rotors.
Ulcerative Colitis Presented as Fever and Bloody Diarrhea at Initiation of Dialysis in an Elderly Patient with End-Stage Kidney Disease
Authors: Yamada Shunsuke , Kanazawa Yuka , Nakamura Noriko , Masutani Kosuke , Esaki Motohiro , Kitazono Takanari , Tsuruya Kazuhiko
Published: November 2015

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder that mainly affects the colon and rectum. Immunological derangements are associated with the pathogenesis of UC. Many patients with UC also have chronic kidney disease, associated with immunological disorders and/or pharmacotherapy for UC. Some patients with UC may develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and require renal replacement therapy. However, little is known clinically about ESRD patients who develop UC or about patients with UC who develop ESRD. This report describes an elderly patient with ESRD who presented with fever and bloody diarrhea and was finally diagnosed as UC (pancolitis type) at dialysis initiation. The patient was successfully treated with a series of immunosuppressive agents. This report highlights the importance of considering UC as a potential cause of bloody stool and fever in patients with ESRD.
On Tricomi Problem of Chaplygin’s Hodograph Equation
Authors: Xu Meng , Liu Li , Yuan Hairong
Published: November 2015

The existence and uniqueness results for the Tricomi problem of Chaplygin’s hodograph equation are shown, in the case that the domain considered is close to the parabolic degenerate line, by adopting the energy integral methods and choosing judiciously suitable multipliers.
General Overview on Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, Biofilms, and Human Infection
Authors: Faria Sonia , Joao Ines , Jordao Luisa
Published: November 2015

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emergent pathogens whose importance in human health has been growing. After being regarded mainly as etiological agents of opportunist infections in HIV patients, they have also been recognized as etiological agents of several infections on immune-competent individuals and healthcare-associated infections. The environmental nature of NTM and their ability to assemble biofilms on different surfaces play a key role in their pathogenesis. Here, we review the clinical manifestations attributed to NTM giving particular importance to the role played by biofilm assembly.
An Experimental Study on Dynamics of a Novel Dual-Belt Continuous Variable Transmission Based on a Newly Developed Test Rig
Authors: Wong Pak Kin , Xie Zhengchao , Chen Yueqiao
Published: November 2015

A novel dual-belt Van Doorne’s continuous variable transmission (DBVCVT) system, which is applicable to heavy-duty vehicles, has been previously proposed by the authors in order to improve the low torque capacity of traditional single-belt CVT. This DBVCVT is a novel design among continuously variable transmissions and is necessary to be prototyped for experimental study, and the analytical dynamic model for this DBVCVT also needs to be experimentally validated. So, this work originally fabricated a prototype of DBVCVT and integrates this prototype to a light-load hardware-in-the-loop test rig by replacing the engine and load equipment with the AC motor and magnetic powder dynamometer. Moreover, with the use of this newly developed test rig, this work implements the experimental study of this DBVCVT for the first time. The comparison of experimental and simulation results validates the previously proposed analytical model for DBVCVT, and some basic characteristics of the DBVCVT in terms of the reliability, speed ratio, and transmission efficiency are also experimentally studied. In all, this developed test rig with the analytical model lays the foundation for further study on this novel DBVCVT.
Phase Errors Simulation Analysis for GNSS Antenna in Multipath Environment
Authors: Li Lixun , Li Baiyu , Chen Huaming , Wang Feixue
Published: November 2015

High-precision GNSS application requires the exact phase center calibration of antenna. Various methods are published to determine the locations of the phase center. In the outfield, when the phase errors that arose by multipath exceed the phase center variations (PCV) tolerance, the calibration values may be not useful. The objective of this paper is thus to evaluate the phase errors that arose by multipath signals. An improved model of antenna receiving signal is presented. The model consists of three main components: (1) an antenna model created by combination of right hand circular polarization (RHCP) and left hand circular polarization (LHCP), (2) a multipath signals model including amplitude, phase, and polarization, and (3) a ground reflection model applying to circular polarization signals. Based on the model, two kinds of novel up-to-down(U/D)ratios are presented. The performance of the model is assessed against the impact of up-to-down ratio of antenna on phase errors.
Why Do Parents Bring Their Children to the Emergency Department? A Systematic Inventory of Motives
Authors: Costet Wong Anne , Claudet Isabelle , Sorum Paul , Mullet Etienne
Published: November 2015

Parents frequently bring their children to general or pediatric emergency departments (EDs), even though many of these visits are judged by others to be “nonurgent” and inappropriate. This study examined the motives behind parents’ decisions to take their children to a pediatric emergency department (PED). At a PED in Toulouse, France, 497 parents rated their level of agreement with each of 69 possible motives—representing all categories of human motivation—for coming to the PED that day. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses found evidence for six separable motives, called (in order of importance) (a) Seeking Quick Diagnosis, Treatment, and Reassurance; (b) PED as the Best Place to Go; (c) Empathic Concern for Child’s Suffering; (d) Being Considered by Others as Responsible Parents; (e) External Factors; and (f) Dissatisfaction with Previous Consultation.Conclusions. Parents’ motives in bringing their children to the PED are primarily serious and goal-oriented. They are also often emotion based, as would be expected in parents of ill children. The parents would be unlikely to agree that these visits were inappropriate.