bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement equivalence: a glossary for comparative population health research
Authors: Morris Katherine Ann
Published: March 2018

Comparative population health studies are becoming more common and are advancing solutions to crucial public health problems, but decades-old measurement equivalence issues remain without a common vocabulary to identify and address the biases that contribute to non-equivalence. This glossary defines sources of measurement non-equivalence. While drawing examples from both within-country and between-country studies, this glossary also defines methods of harmonisation and elucidates the unique opportunities in addition to the unique challenges of particular harmonisation methods. Its primary objective is to enable population health researchers to more clearly articulate their measurement assumptions and the implications of their findings for policy. It is also intended to provide scholars and policymakers across multiple areas of inquiry with tools to evaluate comparative research and thus contribute to urgent debates on how to ameliorate growing health disparities within and between countries.
Artificial gametes, the unnatural and the artefactual
Authors: Smajdor Anna , Cutas Daniela , Takala Tuija
Published: March 2018

In debates on the ethics of artificial gametes, concepts of naturalness have been used in a number of different ways. Some have argued that the unnaturalness of artificial gametes means that it is unacceptable to use them in fertility treatments. Others have suggested that artificial gametes are no less natural than many other tissues or processes in common medical use. We suggest that establishing the naturalness or unnaturalness of artificial gametes is unlikely to provide easy answers as to the acceptability of using them in fertility medicine. However, we also suggest that we should be cautious about repudiating any relationship between nature and moral evaluation. The property of being natural or man-made may not per se tell us anything about an entity’s moral status, but it has an important impact on the moral relationship between the creator and the created organism.
Assessing the impact of a regional UK feline neutering campaign
Authors: Robbins Hannah J , Casey Rachel A , Clements Jane , Gruffydd‐Jones Tim , Murray Jane K
Published: March 2018

Neutering is key to feline population control. Neutering campaigns provide education and/or financial assistance to encourage neutering. This study assessed the impact of the Cats Protection East Midlands Neutering Campaign (CPEMNC) on the proportion and ages of cats neutered. The CPEMNC, comprising of an outreach programme and voucher‐based subsidised neutering scheme, began in June 2014. A convenience sample of owners who had attended 12 regional veterinary practices to complete a cat vaccination course in June/July 2014, or to have their cat neutered in October 2014 (CAMPAIGN) were compared with an equivalent control period in 2013 (CONTROL). Data collected by postal questionnaire revealed that the proportion of cats neutered by six months of age was significantly higher and the age at neutering significantly lower in the CAMPAIGN (n=134) versus the CONTROL groups (n=100). Results of multivariable logistic regression indicated cats were significantly more likely to be neutered by six months of age if they were in the CAMPAIGN group (OR 2.44) and male (OR 2.17), compared with in the CONTROL group and female. Further work is needed to evaluate factors important for campaign success and to explore the effectiveness of campaigns within the wider community and across the UK.
Analyzing gene expression profiles with preliminary validations in cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload
Authors: Gao Jing , Li Yuhong , Wang Tongmei , Shi Zhuo , Zhang Yiqi , Liu Shuang , Wen Pushuai , Ma Chunyan
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to identify the key genes involved in the cardiac hypertrophy (CH) induced by pressure overload. mRNA microarray data sets GSE5500 and GSE18801 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using the Limma package; then, functional and pathway enrichment analysis were performed for common DEGs using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery database. Furthermore, the top DEGs were further validated using quantitative PCR in the hypertrophic heart tissue induced by isoprenaline. A total of 113 common DEGs with absolute fold change > 0.5, including 60 significantly upregulated DEGs and 53 downregulated DEGs, were obtained. Gene ontology term enrichment analysis suggested that common upregulated DEG were mainly enriched in neutrophil chemotaxis, extracellular fibril organization, and cell proliferation; and the common downregulated genes were significantly enriched in ion transport, endoplasmic reticulum, and dendritic spine. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis found that the common DEGs were mainly enriched in extracellular matrix receptor interaction, phagosome, and focal adhesion. Additionally, the expression of Mfap4, Ltbp2, Aspn, Serpina3n, and Cnksr1 were upregulated in the model of CH, while the expression of Anp32a was downregulated. The current study identified the key deregulated genes and pathways involved in the CH, which could shed new light to understand the mechanism of CH.
Magnetic properties of NiAlxFe2−xO4spinels: A mean field approach and high-temperature series expansions study
Authors: Salmi S. , Masrour R. , El Grini A. , Bouslykhane K. , Hourmatallah A. , Benzakour N. , Hamedoun M.
Published: March 2018

The magnetic properties of NiAl[Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text]O4(NAFO) spinels were studied. Influence of Al doping on magnetic properties of NiFe2O4spinel were examined. The exchange interactions in NAFO were obtained. The general expression of saturation magnetization and the critical temperature were obtained using mean field theory. The high-temperature series expansions combined with the Padé approximant are given to determine the critical temperature of NAFO. The critical exponent associated with the magnetic susceptibility [Formula: see text] was also deduced. The obtained results were in good agreement with magnetic measurement.
Expeditions for the observation in Sobral, Brazil, of the May 29, 1919 total solar eclipse
Authors: Crispino Luís C. B.
Published: March 2018

I report on the three expeditions organized to observe, in the Brazilian State of Ceará, the total solar eclipse on May 29, 1919. Apart from the well-known British expedition, which aimed to perform measurements of the bending of stellar light rays passing near the Sun, resulting in the confirmation of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, there were two other expeditions in that occasion. One has been a Brazilian expedition, organized by the National Observatory, with the aim of studying the solar corona. The other has been a North-American expedition, organized by the Carnegie Institution, aiming to perform measurements related to terrestrial magnetism and atmospheric electricity.
Spectral Properties of Hypergraph Laplacian and Approximation Algorithms
Authors: Chan T.-H. Hubert , Louis Anand , Tang Zhihao Gavin , Zhang Chenzi
Published: March 2018

The celebrated Cheeger’s Inequality (Alon and Milman 1985; Alon 1986) establishes a bound on the edge expansion of a graph via its spectrum. This inequality is central to a rich spectral theory of graphs, based on studying the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the adjacency matrix (and other related matrices) of graphs. It has remained open to define a suitable spectral model for hypergraphs whose spectra can be used to estimate various combinatorial properties of the hypergraph.

In this article, we introduce a new hypergraph Laplacian operator generalizing the Laplacian matrix of graphs. In particular, the operator is induced by a diffusion process on the hypergraph, such that within each hyperedge, measure flows from vertices having maximum weighted measure to those having minimum. Since the operator is nonlinear, we have to exploit other properties of the diffusion process to recover the Cheeger’s Inequality that relates hyperedge expansion with the “second eigenvalue” of the resulting Laplacian. However, we show that higher-order spectral properties cannot hold in general using the current framework.

Since higher-order spectral properties do not hold for the Laplacian operator, we instead use the concept of procedural minimizers to consider higher-order Cheeger-like inequalities. For any
k
∈ N, we give a polynomial-time algorithm to compute an
O
(log
r
)-approximation to the
k
th procedural minimizer, where
r
is the maximum cardinality of a hyperedge. We show that this approximation factor is optimal under the SSE hypothesis (introduced by Raghavendra and Steurer (2010)) for constant values of
k
.

Moreover, using the factor-preserving reduction from vertex expansion in graphs to hypergraph expansion, we show that all our results for hypergraphs extend to vertex expansion in graphs.
Prophylactic Vaccines for Nonviral Cancers
Authors: Scott Blake Alan , Yarchoan Mark , Jaffee Elizabeth M.
Published: March 2018

The successful development of prophylactic cancer vaccines targeting oncogenic viruses has demonstrated the potential for vaccination to reduce the global burden of cancer. However, most human cancers are not caused by viruses, and therefore novel approaches are needed for the successful development of prophylactic cancer vaccines for nonviral cancers. In this review, we detail evidence that the human immune system can recognize and eliminate non-virus-caused cancers before they become clinically apparent. We also discuss the design of an ideal prophylactic vaccine with the goal of providing a lasting adaptive immune response against antigen targets that arise early in a cancer's development.
Insights from Large-Scale Cancer Genome Sequencing
Authors: Mardis Elaine R.
Published: March 2018

The basic catalog of DNA-based alterations that contribute to the onset and progression of cancer has been largely elucidated due to the results obtained from the combination of massively parallel sequencing and computational analysis methods applied to thousands of cancer samples. These combined approaches have provided novel and surprising insights into the myriad ways that DNA-level disruptions lead to activation and inactivation of cellular pathways, thereby altering the carefully controlled growth and division of normal cells and rendering them cancerous. This review presents genomic insights gained from these large-scale studies and highlights how this new knowledge will be translated in the future into improved clinical care and monitoring of cancer patients.
Quantifying ceramide kinetics in vivo using stable isotope tracers and LC-MS/MS
Authors: Chen Ying , Berejnaia Olga , Liu Jinqi , Wang Sheng-Ping , Daurio Natalie A. , Yin Wu , Mayoral Rafael , Petrov Aleksandr , Kasumov Takhar , Zhang Guo-Fang , Previs Stephen F. , Kelley David E. , McLaren David G.
Published: March 2018

Numerous studies have implicated dyslipidemia as a key factor in mediating insulin resistance. Ceramides have received special attention since their levels are inversely associated with normal insulin signaling and positively associated with factors that are involved in cardiometabolic disease. Despite the growing literature surrounding ceramide biology, there are limited data regarding the activity of ceramide synthesis and turnover in vivo. Herein, we demonstrate the ability to measure ceramide kinetics by coupling the administration of [2H]water with LC-MS/MS analyses. As a “proof-of-concept” we determined the effect of a diet-induced alteration on ceramide flux; studies also examined the effect of myriocin (a known inhibitor of serine palmitoyltransferase, the first step in sphingosine biosynthesis). Our data suggest that one can estimate ceramide synthesis and draw conclusions regarding the source of fatty acids; we discuss caveats in regards to method development in this area.
Screening for Diabetes Mellitus among Tuberculosis Patients: Findings from a Study at a Tertiary Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Fwoloshi Sombo , Hachaambwa Lottie M. , Chiyeñu Kaseya O. , Chirwa Lameck , Hoffman Thijs W. , Ngalamika Owen , Bailey Sarah Lou
Published: March 2018

Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to be associated with active tuberculosis (TB). Zambia is a low-income sub-Saharan African country with a high TB burden and increasing numbers of newly diagnosed DM patients. Materials and Methods. This was an observational study conducted at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, from October 2014 to February 2016. Adult patients with active TB were screened for DM. Results. A total of 127 individuals were enrolled in the study. Six patients (5%) were found to have diabetes. Of these, three had a prior diagnosis of diabetes and were on medication while three were newly diagnosed. Low education level was significantly associated with DM (p=0.001; 95% CI 0.001–0.148). Conclusion. The prevalence of DM among individuals with smear positive TB in our study population was similar to that of the general population in Zambia.
Ranking of Performance Assessment Measures at Tehran Hotel by Combining DEMATEL, ANP, and SERVQUAL Models under Fuzzy Condition
Authors: Kargari Mehrdad
Published: March 2018

An effective hybrid model has been proposed by combining ANP, SERVQUAL, and DEMATEL techniques. This model aims to meet different purposes of the hotels and diverse needs of customers at different stages, that is, reservation, reception, accommodation, catering, and check-out. High quality services are ensured when customer expectations have been provided at the expectation level of the customers or beyond that. SERVQUAL model is used to assess the performance of the organizations in terms of five dimensions: responsiveness, empathy, reliability, assurance, and tangibles. Super matrix calculations and pair comparisons required in ANP model have been carried out using DEMATEL model in order to measure the influence of performance assessment measures on each other. In this paper, SERVQUAL model parameters have been considered as the expectations of the hotel clients. Then these customer expectations have been analyzed using DEMATEL model and finally have been ranked using ANP model. Parameters of SERVQUAL model are comprised of verbal and vague criteria in terms of the responses provided by the organizations and customers. This has led to fuzzy conditions in this research. The hybrid model provided better results compared with each individual model, in terms of meeting customer satisfaction and the organization’s objectives.
Absence of Association between Preoperative Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rates and Postoperative Outcomes following Elective Gastrointestinal Surgeries: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kamarajah Sivesh K. , Barmayehvar Behrad , Sowida Mustafa , Adlan Amirul , Reihill Christina , Ellahee Parvez
Published: March 2018

Background. Preoperative risk stratification and optimising care of patients undergoing elective surgery are important to reduce the risk of postoperative outcomes. Renal dysfunction is becoming increasingly prevalent, but its impact on patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgery is unknown although much evidence is available for cardiac surgery. This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgeries. Methods. This prospective study included consecutive adult patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgeries attending preassessment screening (PAS) clinics at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) between July and August 2016. Primary outcome measure was 30-day overall complication rates and secondary outcomes were grade of complications, 30-day readmission rates, and postoperative care setting. Results. This study included 370 patients, of which 11% (41/370) had eGFR of <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Patients with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were more likely to have ASA grade 3/4 (p<0.001) and >2 comorbidities (p<0.001). Overall complication rates were 15% (54/370), with no significant difference in overall (p=0.644) and major complication rates (p=0.831) between both groups. In adjusted models, only surgery grade was predictive of overall complications. Preoperative eGFR did not impact on overall complications (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.45–1.54; p=0.2). Conclusions. Preoperative eGFR does not appear to impact on postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgeries, even when stratified by surgery grade. These findings will help preassessment clinics in risk stratification and optimisation of perioperative care of patients.
Limb-Salvage Surgery of Soft Tissue Sarcoma with Sciatic Nerve Involvement
Authors: Sweiti Hussein , Tamimi Noor , Bormann Fabian , Divo Markus , Schulz-Ertner Daniela , Ahrens Marit , Ronellenfitsch Ulrich , Schwarzbach Matthias
Published: March 2018

Background. The surgical resection of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) with sciatic nerve involvement presents a significant surgical and oncological challenge. Current treatment strategies pursue a multimodal approach with the aim of limb preservation. We aim to evaluate the outcomes of limb-sparing surgery of STS in a patient cohort and to propose a classification for STS with sciatic nerve involvement. Methods. Patients receiving limb-preserving resections for STS with sciatic nerve involvement between 01/2010 and 01/2017 were included. Clinical and oncological data were prospectively collected in a computerized database and retrospectively analyzed. Sciatic nerve involvement in STS was classified preoperatively as follows: type A for nerve encasement; type B for nerve contact; and type C for no nerve involvement. Results. A total of 364 patients with STS were treated, of which 27 patients had STS with sciatic nerve involvement. Eight patients with type A tumors (29.6%) underwent sciatic nerve resection, and 19 patients with type B tumors (70.4%) received epineural dissections. Disease progression was observed in 8 patients (29.6%) with a local recurrence of 11.1% and distant metastasis in 29.6%. The type of nerve resection significantly influenced leg function but had no impact on disease recurrence or overall survival. Conclusion. In a cohort of carefully selected patients with STS and sciatic nerve involvement, the extent of sciatic nerve resection had no significant impact on disease recurrence or survival. Precise classification of neural involvement may therefore be useful in selecting the appropriate degree of nerve resection, without compromising oncological outcome or unnecessarily sacrificing leg function.
Expression of Duodenal Iron Transporter Proteins in Diabetic Patients with and without Iron Deficiency Anemia
Authors: Broide Efrat , Reifen Ram , Matalon Shay , Berkovich Zipi , Shirin Haim
Published: March 2018

The role of iron transport proteins in the pathogenesis of anemia in patients with diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still unclear. We investigated the expression of duodenal transporter proteins in diabetic patients with and without iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Methods. Overall, 39 patients were included: 16 with T2DM and IDA (group A), 11 with T2DM without IDA (group B), and 12 controls (group C). Duodenal mucosal expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), ferroportin 1 (FPN), hephaestin (HEPH), and transferrin receptor 1 (TfR) was evaluated by Western blotting. Chronic disease activity markers were measured as well. Results. FPN expression was increased in group A compared to group B and controls: 1.17 (0.72–1.46), 0.76 (0.53–1.04), and 0.71 (0.64–0.86), respectively (p=0.011). TfR levels were over expressed in groups A and B compared to controls: 0.39 (0.26–0.61), 0.36 (0.24–0.43), and 0.18 (0.16–0.24), respectively, (p=0.004). The three groups did not differ significantly with regard to cellular HEPH and DMT1 expression. The normal CRP and serum ferritin levels, accompanied with normal FPN among diabetic patients without IDA, do not support the association of IDA with chronic inflammatory state. Conclusion. In patients with T2DM and IDA, duodenal iron transport protein expression might be dependent on body iron stores rather than by chronic inflammation or diabetes per se.
Allergic Rhinitis and Its Relationship with IL-10, IL-17, TGF-β, IFN-γ, IL 22, and IL-35
Authors: Bayrak Degirmenci P. , Aksun S. , Altin Z. , Bilgir F. , Arslan I. B. , Colak H. , Ural B. , Solakoglu Kahraman D. , Diniz G. , Ozdemir B. , Kırmaz C.
Published: March 2018

Background. We aimed in our study to research the role of new cytokines such as IL-35, IL-22, and IL-17 that may form a target for novel treatment approaches. Methods. IL-10, IL-17, TGF-β, IFN-γ, IL-22, and IL-35 serum levels of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients were measured using ELISA method. Allergic sensitization was demonstrated by the skin prick test. Patients only with olive tree sensitivity were evaluated for seasonal AR (SAR). Patients only with mite sensitivity were included in the study for perennial AR (PAR). AR clinic severity was demonstrated by the nasal symptom scores (NSS). Results. In total, 65 AR patients (patient group), having 31 PAR and 34 SAR patients, and 31 healthy individuals (control group) participated in the study. Cytokine levels between the patient group and the control group were compared; IL-17 (p=0.038), IL-22 (p=0.001), and TGF-β (p=0.031) were detected as high in the patient group, and IFN-γ (p<0.001) was detected as low in the patient group. When correlation analysis was made between age, gender, prick test result, NSS, AR duration, and cytokine levels in the patient group, a negative correlation was detected only between IFN-γ (p=0.032/r=−0.266) level and NSS. Conclusions. Accompanied by the literature information, these results made us think that T cell subgroups and cytokines have an important role in AR immunopathogenesis. It is thought that future studies to be conducted relating to this subject will form new targets in treatment.
Multityped Community Discovery in Time‐Evolving Heterogeneous Information Networks Based on Tensor Decomposition
Authors: Wu Jibing , Yu Lianfei , Zhang Qun , Shi Peiteng , Liu Lihua , Deng Su , Huang Hongbin
Published: March 2018

The heterogeneous information networks are omnipresent in real‐world applications, which consist of multiple types of objects with various rich semantic meaningful links among them. Community discovery is an effective method to extract the hidden structures in networks. Usually, heterogeneous information networks are time‐evolving, whose objects and links are dynamic and varying gradually. In such time‐evolving heterogeneous information networks, community discovery is a challenging topic and quite more difficult than that in traditional static homogeneous information networks. In contrast to communities in traditional approaches, which only contain one type of objects and links, communities in heterogeneous information networks contain multiple types of dynamic objects and links. Recently, some studies focus on dynamic heterogeneous information networks and achieve some satisfactory results. However, they assume that heterogeneous information networks usually follow some simple schemas, such as bityped network and star network schema. In this paper, we propose a multityped community discovery method for time‐evolving heterogeneous information networks with general network schemas. A tensor decomposition framework, which integrates tensor CP factorization with a temporal evolution regularization term, is designed to model the multityped communities and address their evolution. Experimental results on both synthetic and real‐world datasets demonstrate the efficiency of our framework.
Implementation of an Integrative Oncological Concept in the Daily Care of a German Certified Breast Cancer Center
Authors: Schad Friedemann , Thronicke Anja , Merkle Antje , Steele Megan L. , Kröz Matthias , Herbstreit Cornelia , Matthes Harald
Published: March 2018

Background: In recent decades the concept of integrative medicine has attracted growing interest in patients and professionals. At the Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe (GKH), a hospital specialized in anthroposophical medicine, a breast cancer center (BCC) has been successfully certified for more than 5 years. The objective of the present study was to analyze how integrative strategies were implemented in the daily care of primary breast cancer patients. Methods: Clinical, demographic, and follow-up data as well as information on non-pharmacological interventions were analyzed. In addition, BCC quality measures were compared with data of the National Breast Cancer Benchmarking Report 2016. Results: Between 2011 and 2016, 741 primary breast cancer patients (median age 57.4 years) were treated at the GKH BCC. 91.5% of the patients showed Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage 0, I, II, or III and 8.2% were in UICC stage IV. 97% of the patients underwent surgery, 53% radiation, 38% had hormone therapy, and 25% received cytostatic drugs. 96% of the patients received non-pharmacological interventions and 32% received Viscum album L. therapy. Follow-up was performed in up to 93% of the patients 2 years after first diagnosis. Compared to nationwide benchmarking BCCs, the GKH BCC met the requirements in central items. Conclusions: The results of the present study show that integrative therapies offered by the concept of anthroposophical medicine can be implemented in the daily care and treatment of a certified BCC. However, as national guidelines on integrative concepts in oncology are missing, further studies are needed for a systematic evaluation of integrative treatment and care concepts in this field.
Real-World Treatment Patterns for Lung Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Claims Database Analysis
Authors: Broder Michael S. , Cai Beilei , Chang Eunice , Neary Maureen P. , Papoyan Elya , Benson III Al B.
Published: March 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe real-world lung neuroendocrine tumor (NET) treatment patterns. Methods: This study examined cytotoxic chemotherapy (CC), somatostatin analogues (SSA), targeted therapy (TT), interferon, and liver-directed therapies in 2 US claims databases. Patients ≥18 years with ≥1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient claims for lung NET, initiating pharmacologic treatment between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2014, were identified and followed until the end of enrollment or study end, whichever occurred first. Results: A total of 785 newly pharmacologically treated lung NET patients were identified: mean (SD) age was 58.6 (9.1) years; 54.0% were female; 78.2% started first-line therapy with CC, 18.1% with SSA, and 1.1% with TT. Mean duration of first-line treatment was 397 days for SSA, 142 days for CC, and 135 days for TT. 74.1% of patients received no pharmacological treatment beyond first-line. The most common second-line treatment was SSA. Conclusions: Most patients received CC as first-line treatment, with SSA being less common. SSA-treated patients remained on therapy for > 1 year, compared to < 5 months for CC. The high proportion of patients using chemotherapy and the low proportion receiving second-line treatment seems consistent with treatment guidelines for small cell lung cancer rather than for NET. Future studies are warranted to describe reasons for treatment choice, discontinuation, and switching.
Multiphoton Microscopy for Caries Detection with ICDAS Classification
Authors: Slimani Amel , Tardivo Delphine , Panayotov Ivan V. , Levallois Bernard , Gergely Csilla , Cuisinier Frederic , Tassery Hervé , Cloitre Thierry , Terrer Elodie
Published: March 2018

Dentin carious lesion is a dynamic process that involves demineralization and collagen denaturation. Collagen type I is the major protein in dentin and it has been investigated based on its optical properties. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is a nonlinear imaging technique that reveals the caries process using the collagen two-photon excitation fluorescence (2PEF) and its second-harmonic generation (SHG). Combining the histological and the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) classifications with nonlinear optical spectroscopy (NLOS), 2PEF and SHG intensities of enamel and dentin were highly altered during the caries process. It has been proven that the ratio SHG/2PEF is a relevant indicator of the organic matrix denaturation [Terrer et al.: J Dent Res 2016; 96: 574–579]. In the present study, a series of measurable signals is made to detect early stages of carious lesion according to the ICDAS classification and to explore the relationship between these measures and the ICDAS scale. Comparison of the efficiency of nonlinear optical signals for caries detection with the ICDAS classification is essential to evaluate their potential for clinical application. In our study, the use of the NLOS measured by MPM allowed us to monitor a quantitative parameter (SHG/2PEF ratio) according to the dentin carious lesion state (ICDAS and histological examination). Three coherent new groups were defined (ICDAS 0/1; ICDAS 2/3; ICDAS 4/5/6), where the carious process can be clearly described with a statistically significant decrease of the SHG/2PEF ratio.
Effect of Phosphorylated Chitosan on Dentin Erosion: An in vitro Study
Authors: Beltrame Ana Paula C.A. , Suchyta Dakota , Abd Alraheam Islam , Mohammed Anas , Schoenfisch Mark , Walter Ricardo , Almeida Izabel C.S. , Souza Liliete C. , Miguez Patricia A.
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antierosive effect of phosphorylated chitosan in dentin. Bovine dentin specimens were randomly distributed into the following groups: (1) no treatment (NoTx/negative control), (2) phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS), (3) AmF/NaF/SnCl2 (positive control), (4) 0.5% chitosan solution (Chi), (5) 0.5% neutral phosphorylated (NP)-Chi, and (6) 0.5% alkaline phosphorylated (AP)-Chi. The specimens were submitted to de-remineralization treatment cycles for 5 days: 0.5% citric acid (2 min), remineralizing solution (30 min), and surface treatment according to assigned groups (2 min, 6×/day). The loss of dentin surface was measured by profilometry. Hardness and modulus of elasticity were measured using a nanoindenter equipped with a Berkovich diamond tip. The dentin surface was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The largest loss of dentin was observed in the No Tx and PBS groups (approx. 25 µm). The group treated with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 showed less loss of dentin (67% reduction vs. NoTx and PBS), followed by the groups treated with NP-Chi and AP-Chi (33% reduction), and Chi (18% reduction). Nanohardness and modulus of elasticity were similar in the NoTx and PBS groups, with a small increase in stiffness in all other groups. SEM revealed that the experimental solution of AP-Chi had a favorable effect on maintaining the integrity of collagen fibrils. AmF/NaF/SnCl2 showed a preserved mineralized collagen surface. Further studies are warranted to explore this nontoxic phosphorylated chitosan polymer as an effective agent in the prevention and treatment of dental erosion.
Cloning and Characterization of a Novel N-acetylglucosaminidase (AtlD) from Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Serrano-Maldonado Carlos Eduardo , García-Cano Israel , González-Canto Augusto , Ruiz-May Eliel , Elizalde-Contreras Jose Miguel , Quirasco Maricarmen
Published: March 2018

The atlD gene from an Enterococcus faecalis strain isolated from a Mexican artisanal cheese was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli in order to perform a biochemical characterization. A partial amino acid sequence of the heterologous protein was obtained by LC-MS/MS, and it corresponded to a novel peptidoglycan hydrolase designated AtlD. Its molecular mass was 62–75 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE, zymography, Western blot, and exclusion chromatography. Electrofocusing rendered an isoelectric point (pI) of 4.8. It exhibited N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, with an optimal pH and temperature between 6–7 and 50°C, respectively. It retained 85% activity with NaCl at 1,000 mM, but it was susceptible to divalent ions, particularly Zn2+. It showed antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and enterococcal strains of clinical origin. Due to the fact that it showed activity versus pathogenic bacteria, and because of its capabilities under ionic strength, temperature, and pH values present in food matrices, it could be applied as an additive in the food industry. This study will aid in the design of new antibacterial agents of natural origin to combat food-borne diseases, and it could be used as an industrial or hospital hygiene agent as well.
Subclinical Macular Edema as a Predictor of Progression to Central-Involved Macular Edema in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Lobo Conceição , Pires Isabel , Alves Dalila , Pappuru Rajeev , Ribeiro Luísa , Cunha-Vaz José
Published: March 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between subclinical diabetic macular edema (SCME) and the development of central-involved macular edema (CIME) in patients with diabetes mellitus type-2 and mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), from 2 populations of different ethnicities. Methods: Two hundred and five patients with diabetes mellitus type-2 and mild NPDR with no prior laser or intravitreal treatment were followed for 2 years or until the development of CIME. Ophthalmological examinations, including BCVA, fundus photography with RetmarkerDR analysis, and optical coherence tomography were performed at baseline and months 6, 12, and 24. Results: One hundred and fifty eight eyes/patients reached either the study endpoint, CIME (n = 24), or performed the 24-month visit without developing CIME (n = 134). Fifty eyes/patients had SCME at baseline (31.6%). Of these 50 eyes, 16 (32.0%) developed CIME, whereas of the 108 eyes with normal retinal thickness (RT) at baseline, only 8 (7.4%) developed CIME (p < 0.001). Patients with increased RT in the central subfield at baseline showed a 12-fold risk of progression to CIME compared with patients without SCME. Conclusions: In patients with mild NPDR, the presence of SCME is a good predictor of progression to CIME.
A Comparative Chromosome Mapping Study in Japanese Podismini Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae)
Authors: Grzywacz Beata , Tatsuta Haruki , Shikata Kei-ichiro , Warchałowska-Śliwa Elżbieta
Published: March 2018

In the present paper, karyotypes of 7 Japanese Podismini species, Anapodisma beybienkoi, Fruhstorferiola okinawaensis, Parapodisma caelestis, P. mikado, P. setouchiensis, P. tenryuensis, and Sinopodisma punctata (2n♂ = 21, all acrocentric), are described and compared on the basis of conventional (C-banding, DAPI/CMA3-staining, Ag-NOR) and molecular (FISH with 18S rDNA and telomeric probes) cytogenetic staining methods. This is the first study to report karyotypes of A. beybienkoi and P. caelestis. Differential staining techniques showed karyotypic diversity in these species. The number of 18S rDNA signals ranged from 2 to 6, and the signals were located on the autosomes or sex chromosomes. In all species, clusters of rDNA coincided with Ag-NORs. Telomeric signals occurred at the chromosome ends at the pachytene stage and seldom at other stages of meiosis. Paracentromeric and some distal and interstitial blocks of constitutive heterochromatin were detected in the chromosomes of Anapodisma, Fruhstorferiola, and Parapodisma species. Staining with DAPI and CMA3 revealed 2 groups of heterochromatin composition. In addition, intraspecific differences in the number of rDNA clusters and C-bands were observed within Parapodisma species. Based on the evidence of cytogenetic characteristics, the monophyly of Tonkinacridina cannot be supported.
Assessment of the Utility of Cytology and Flow Cytometry of Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples in Clinical Practice
Authors: Nam Anna S. , Giorgadze Tamara , Tam Wayne , Chadburn Amy
Published: March 2018

Objectives: We sought to assess the utility and limitations of both flow cytometry (FC) and cytology for the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a practical clinical setting. Methods: A total of 393 consecutive CSF samples from 171 patients submitted for both cytomorphologic and FC assessments were analyzed. Results: Both FC and cytology findings were negative for malignancy in 315/393 samples (80%), and either positive (POS) or suspicious/atypical (SUSP/AT) in 7% of samples. This resulted in high agreement between FC and cytology (87%). Minor discrepancies were present in 4% of the cases. In 28 samples, an abnormal population was detected by FC but not by cytology. Conclusions: FC and cytology are important complementary methods for analyzing CSF samples. In cases where cytology is SUSP/AT and FC is inconclusive or negative, additional specimens should be submitted for immunostaining, cytogenetics, and/or molecular studies.
Inhibition of MiRNA-125b Decreases Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Targeting CK2α/NADPH Oxidase Signaling
Authors: Liang Yong , Xu Jing , Wang Yu , Tang Jia-Yu , Yang Song-Lin , Xiang Hong-Guang , Wu Shi-Xing , Li Xiao-Juan
Published: March 2018

Background/Aims: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury involves multiple independently fatal terminal pathways. CK2α/NADPH oxidase is an important signaling pathway associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury, and miR-125b can regulate oxidative stress-related injury. In this study, we investigated whether the effect of miR-125b in rat brain I/R injury occurs through its modulation of the CK2α/NADPH oxidase pathway. Methods: Rats were subjected to 2 h of cerebral ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion to establish an I/R injury model. Neurological deficit was evaluated using a five-point score. Infarct volume was evaluated with 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and RT-PCR was used to detect expressions of miR125b and CK2α. We then examined the association between miR-125b expression and the CK2α/NADPH oxidative signaling pathway in a PC-12 cell oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury model. Transfection with miR-125b mimics, an miR-125b inhibitor, and luciferase reporter gene plasmid was accomplished using commercial kits. In these cells, Western blots were used to detect the levels of expression of CK2α, cleaved caspase-3, NOX2, and NOX4. RT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of CK2α, miR125b, NOX2, and NOX4. We evaluated Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) level, NADPH oxidase activity, and caspase-3 activity using commercial kits. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by fluorescence microscopy. For both PC-12 cells and rat brains, histological analyses were conducted to observe morphological changes, and apoptosis was measured using a commercial kit. Results: I/R rats exhibited an increase in neurological deficit score, infarct volume, and cellular apoptosis, along with miR-125b elevation and CK2α downregulation. OGD/R treatment increased PC-12 cells’ injuries, cellular apoptosis, and ROS levels. These changes were associated with miR-125b elevation, CK2α downregulation and activations of NOX2 and NOX4, mimicking our in vivo findings. All of these effects were reversed by the inhibition of miR-125b, confirming a strong correlation between miR-125b activity and the CK2α/NADPH oxidase signaling pathway. Conclusions: Based on these observations, we conclude that inhibition of miR-125b protects the rat brain from I/R injury by regulating the CK2α/NADPH oxidative signaling pathway.
Time to Epinephrine Administration and Survival From Nonshockable Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Among Children and Adults
Authors: Hansen Matthew , Schmicker Robert H. , Newgard Craig D. , Grunau Brian , Scheuermeyer Frank , Cheskes Sheldon , Vithalani Veer , Alnaji Fuad , Rea Thomas , Idris Ahamed H. , Herren Heather , Hutchison Jamie , Austin Mike , Egan Debra , Daya Mohamud
Published: March 2018

Background:

Previous studies have demonstrated that earlier epinephrine administration is associated with improved survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with shockable initial rhythms. However, the effect of epinephrine timing on patients with nonshockable initial rhythms is unclear. The objective of this study was to measure the association between time to epinephrine administration and survival in adults and children with emergency medical services (EMS)–treated OHCA with nonshockable initial rhythms.

Methods:

We performed a secondary analysis of OHCAs prospectively identified by the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium network from June 4, 2011, to June 30, 2015. We included patients of all ages with an EMS-treated OHCA and an initial nonshockable rhythm. We excluded those with return of spontaneous circulation in <10 minutes. We conducted a subgroup analysis involving patients <18 years of age. The primary exposure was time (minutes) from arrival of the first EMS agency to the first dose of epinephrine. Secondary exposure was time to epinephrine dichotomized as early (<10 minutes) or late (≥10 minutes). The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. We adjusted for Utstein covariates and Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium study site.

Results:

From 55 568 EMS-treated OHCAs, 32 101 patients with initial nonshockable rhythms were included. There were 12 238 in the early group, 14 517 in the late group, and 5346 not treated with epinephrine. After adjusting for potential confounders, each minute from EMS arrival to epinephrine administration was associated with a 4% decrease in odds of survival for adults, odds ratio=0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.95–0.98). A subgroup analysis (n=13 290) examining neurological outcomes showed a similar association (adjusted odds ratio, 0.94 per minute; 95% confidence interval, 0.89–0.98). When epinephrine was given late in comparison with early, odds of survival were 18% lower (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.68–0.98). In a pediatric analysis (n=595), odds of survival were 9% lower (odds ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.81–1.01) for each minute delay in epinephrine.

Conclusions:

Among OHCAs with nonshockable initial rhythms, the majority of patients were administered epinephrine >10 minutes after EMS arrival. Each minute delay in epinephrine administration was associated with decreased survival and unfavorable neurological outcomes. EMS agencies should consider strategies to reduce epinephrine administration times in patients with initial nonshockable rhythms.
A molecular phylogenetic approach for unravelling the taxonomic status of Basilaphelenchus persicus n. gen., n. sp. (Aphelenchoididae: Tylaphelenchinae)
Authors: Pedram Majid , Kanzaki Natsumi , Giblin-Davis Robin M. , Pourjam Ebrahim
Published: March 2018

Basilaphelenchus persicusn. gen., n. sp. is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies. The new genus belongs to the family Aphelenchoididae and is characterised mainly by the small body size of females (297-393 μm) and males (304-331 μm), high cephalic region in both sexes, fine 5.5-7.8 μm long stylet that is barely visible in mounted specimens yet clear in fresh individuals, stylet with a linear conus and weak shaft ending in three elongate, posteriorly directed, knobs, small spherical metacorpus with posteriorly located (at 72-75% of metacorpus) weak but distinct valve, monodelphic-prodelphic reproductive system with a long post-vulval uterine sac containing large rounded sperm cells, a vulva lacking any flap apparatus, conical tail of female usually ventrally bent at tip and male tail ventrally bent as in the female, lacking the P1 supplement, but with three pairs of caudal papillae, and small arcuate spicules with rounded condylus and small pointed rostrum. The new genus is similar to bothTylaphelenchusandPseudaphelenchusin the possession of a raised cephalic region and a small spherical metacorpus, placing it in the subfamily Tylaphelenchinae. It is also typologically similar toAphelenchoides. Molecular phylogenetic studies using both SSU and LSU rRNA gene sequences (both partial) revealed that the new genus formed a robustly supported sister clade withPseudaphelenchusspp. and had a basal placement to this clade and, probably, to all other aphelenchoidids.Tylaphelenchus grosmannaeis transferred to the new genus asB. grosmannaen. comb. andA. christinaen. comb. (= T. christinae) is proposed. The taxonomic status ofTylaphelenchusis discussed andT. sinodendronin. comb. (= A. sinodendroni) proposed.
Bursaphelenchus geraerti n. sp. (Tylenchina: Aphelenchoididae) found in packaging wood from the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Wang Xuan , Maria Munawar , Gu Jianfeng , Fang Yiwu , Wang Jincheng , Li Hongmei
Published: March 2018

Bursaphelenchus geraertin. sp., isolated in Tianjin, P.R. China, from packaging wood made ofPinussp. imported from the United Arab Emirates, is described. It is characterised by the lateral field with three lines, a stylet 13-14 μm long with small basal swellings, excretory pore located posterior to nerve ring, spicule mitten-shaped, ventrally arcuate with lamina smoothly tapering towards distal tip, with a distinct bend near 60% of total length, condylus elongated with rounded tip, rostrum conical with finely rounded tip, and cucullus weakly developed or absent. The bursal flap is wide and spade-like with the posterior margin truncate or rounded and starts posterior to P6 gland papillae. A vulval flap is absent and the tail is conical, strongly ventrally curved with the terminus pointed and sometimes appearing as a mucron. The new species is characterised by morphological and molecular analysis and is close toB. decraemerae,B. gerberaeandB. sakishimanus.
The General Comment on Children in Street Situations: Insights into the Institutionalisation of Children’s Rights
Authors: Stoecklin Daniel
Published: March 2018

The drafting of the General Comment (gc) on Children in Street Situations (
uncrc, 2016), whereby the sociological perspective (Lucchini, 1993, 1996, 2007; Stoecklin, 2000a, 2007) that informed this labelling becomes lost in translation, provides a convincing example of the ‘paradox of institutionalisation’ (Stammers, 2013). The vision of children’s “living rights” as the outcome of a structured process translating specific claims into an institutionalised set of norms (Hanson and Nieuwenhuys, 2013) is thus specified. Analysis of the labels used for “street children” underlines the transformability of signification, domination and legitimisation in the theory of structuration (Giddens, 1979, 1984).
Visual Diplomacy: Reflections on Diplomatic Spectacle and Cinematic Thinking
Authors: Constantinou Costas M.
Published: March 2018

In engaging the visual aspects of public diplomacy, this article has three objectives. First, it introduces the notion of visual diplomacy — the ways and means by which images are used by plural diplomatic actors to transmit ideas to audiences, producing and circulating meanings that serve particular purposes, with the aim of influencing, shaping and transforming relations between actors and across publics. Second, it examines how the spectacle of diplomacy is enacted by focusing on a particular case of commissioned cinematography of Cypriot public diplomacy. Third, it engages visual diplomacy cinematically, employing Deleuze’s insights on the cinematic apparatus, and by producing an essay film, The Blessed Envoy, linked to this article. The film reuses, through creative montage, nine official documentaries of Cypriot public diplomacy, revealing the key narratives and hidden transcripts that the visual material disseminates, thus encouraging a reflexive focus on the use of imagery in diplomacy.